6 weeks out- Your body's talking to you, so listen up!

I can't believe how quickly this contest prep is flying by!  I'm just glad that I finally have a grasp on the stomach issues I'd been dealing with for the past 2 seasons.  It's really difficult to try and stick to a nutrition plan and cardio schedule when your body doesn't seem to agree with what you're doing.  I knew inside that something wasn't quite right, but I was naive to the idea that I could be having a reaction to the "healthy" foods I was eating. I had a what felt like a huge rock in my stomach after every meal, I was lethargic, exhausted, had aches and pains all over, and was having throbbing headaches on a daily basis.  Sounds fun right?  It's amazing how many people (both clients and readers) can relate to what I'd been feeling.  I've had so many people message me with possible solutions and share their stories of similar stomach issues.  It just makes me wonder- why do we put up with feeling that way for so long? If someone was standing on my foot, I'd ask them to move, but I'll let my body be in pain for months at a time without fixing it?  That makes no sense!

So, there I was trying to set a good example for my clients by "walking the walk" and yet I had all of these issues going on internally.  After doing research on moderate carbohydrate diets, common digestion issues, and food allergies, I decided to change some of the foods in my plan that I thought could be the culprits. Sure enough after taking out gluten and soy I started feeling better.  I'm not just talking about feeling a little better either. I started feeling awesome!  My energy is actually that of a healthy person, not someone who's been awake for 24 straight hours and surviving off of Red Bulls and thermogenics.

What I'm getting at is the importance of listening to your body.  It's amazing how much it has to tell us when we pay attention!  So I'm 7 weeks out from competition and I am feeling good right now.  About 2 weeks ago, my husband and I decided to increase my cardio a bit to get me ready a little sooner with the hopes of increasing my food prior to contest.  While I only increased my cardio by about 10 minutes each day, I quickly started feeling that all too familiar tired, dragging, feeling.  I was completely zapped of my energy and had to sit down with him to re-evaluate my plan. So, I backed off the cardio again and increased the carbs on one of my days.  I can't believe the difference that's made in how I feel! I have my energy back and am not a walking zombie anymore!

So bottom line- listen to your body and take action!  Talk to your trainer and figure out first what's going on with your body, then come to a resolution together. Feeling exhausted doesn't have to be a side effect of your competition dieting!  Believe me, if you want to be in this sport for more than one season, then you better figure out a way to make it tolerable if not enjoyable.  I'm going into my 5th season and each year I still feel that same excitement to get on stage.  I love this sport.  It truly is not a hobby anymore...it's a lifestyle!