Sunday, June 24, 2012

Final Week: 5 Days Until Show Time

I'm in the home stretch and can barely believe it!! I met with Jodi on Sat. and I'm at 9.5% bodyfat, and my weight is130.8 lbs. WOW!! I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would be in the single digits for bodyfat. I feel completely transformed.

Here are the diet changes, which will be modified again on Tues. and Fri.

Breakfast
- 4 egg whites
- 1 whole egg
- 4 oz. sweet potato
(I have an awesome, clean sweet potato pancake recipe you can check out at the end of this post...YUM!)

AM Snack
- Small green apple

Lunch
- 4 oz. chicken
- 1 cup green beans

PM Snack
- 3 oz chicken
- 4 oz. sweet potato

Dinner
- 4 oz. chicken
- 1 cup green beans

Evening Snack
- 3 oz. chicken

Workout
Cardio is now 90 minutes every day until Wed. (last workout of the week)

Since I'm done working out Wed., I worked out today (Sun.), my normal rest day. I'm feeling a little more rundown than usual. I can't figure out how I'm working out for 2 hours on such a small amount of calories.

Here is the update photo for this week:



I've been getting lots of requests for contest info. If you're interested in attending the show, you can visit www.tarrytownmusichall.org for all the info. Pre-judging is 11:30am and the final show is 6pm. My understanding is that this is a big show (unlike the one I attended a few weeks ago). I'm soooo excited/nervous. If anything, it will be an incredible experience. :)

Here's the sweet potato pancake recipe that little 'ol me came up with on my own (very big deal since I don't even cook. LOL!):

Clean Sweet Potato Pancake (makes one serving)
- 4 oz. sweet potato (or one small sweet potato)
- 1 tsp sweetner (I prefer Truvia, but you can use Splenda, honey or whatever you prefer)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
- 1 egg white
- 1 tsp oatmeal

Microwave the sweet potato until soft. Mix everything together in a small bowl. Heat a small skillet, spray with cooking spray. Spoon mixture to make one giant pancake and flatten it out. Cook, flip to other side and cook (approx. 30-45 seconds each side). Enjoy!!! I don't think I'll ever eat a regular pancake after having this!!! YUM!!!!

Let me know how it turns out and if you like it! :)


Friday, June 22, 2012

Food for Thought: Eat to Boost Energy & Reduce Stress

Enjoy this special guest post from Sai Maa (SAY Sigh-Mah), an international spiritual master, healer and leader of humanitarian efforts. She inspires and energizes people worldwide through Sai Maa Diksha (pure light blessing):

We have all heard the saying “you are what you eat.” But have you ever thought about how what you eat affects your performance as you go about daily life?

Many people are discovering the benefits of a more organic, alkaline, vegetarian and balanced diet with reduced sugar and wheat. Aside from athletes, however, few of us stop to think about the specific "fuel" we put in our bodies before big events.

Being mindful of what you eat can help you prepare for whatever challenges you face, whether it is a mentally demanding business meeting or a parent-teacher conference, says world-renowned naturopath and energy psychologist, Her Holiness Sai Maa.

Certified in Naturopathic, Homeopathic and Osteopathic therapies in France, Maa holds a Ph.D. in Spirituality from the Open International University. Below she shares her best food choices for optimal brain and body performance. Remember to use organic ingredients where possible.

Business meetings: Eat for focus, groundedness.
Before a business meeting, try a good greens smoothie for balanced energy for the body and optimal alertness for the brain.

o    1 cup fresh apple juice as a base, add 2 celery stalks, 1/3 cucumber, a handful of dark greens (kale or chard), a handful of cilantro, ½ peeled lemon, 1 apple, a tbsp. of a balanced omega 3/6/9 blend (such as Udo's.) Blend in a high speed blender (Vitamix is best).

For dates and relationships, think warm!
A hot chocolate drink before a date warms the heart, or try this recipe:

o    Heat (not boil) a cup of fresh almond milk with 2 tbsp of raw cacao powder, a pinch of fresh vanilla bean, a teaspoon of coconut oil and some agave nectar to taste. Blend well in Vitamix.

Parent/teacher or student/teacher meetings:
Sai Maa recommends a very berry smoothie, high in antioxidants and vitamin C, for a drink loved by parents and children alike.

o    1 cup of berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries…what ever you like, but organic is best), 1 apple, ½ squeezed lemon, fresh almond milk or oat milk. Kefir is a good alternative also. Blend well in Vitamix. A scoop of whey protein can also be blended in at the end.

Before writing or other creative ventures:
Got a juicer? Try mixing your own to get the creative juices flowing:

o    2 stalks of celery, ½ cucumber, 2 apples, 2 carrots, 2 cups of baby spinach (or other dark, leafy greens), 1 lemon (peeled) and a piece of fresh ginger (about 1 inch or to taste).

After a workout or other athletic activity:
After exercise, try a good protein shake to replenish and support building the body, or fresh coconut water to rehydrate the body in a powerful way.

o    1 cup of almond milk (or fresh kefir), an apple, 2 scoops of good quality pure whey protein powder. Blend in Vitamix.

o    Take the water of a fresh young coconut, with the inside of the coconut scrapped off, and blend thoroughly in a Vitamix with a teaspoon of Udo's balanced omega 3/6/9 blend. Blend in some fresh pineapple. This recipe is great for fighting inflammation. 

Which of these yummy drinks will be you trying?


More About Sai Maa:
Sai Maa (SAY Sigh-Mah) is an international spiritual master, healer and leader of humanitarian efforts. She inspires and energizes people worldwide through Sai Maa Diksha (pure light blessing). With her unique combination of Eastern spiritual wisdom, Western therapeutic knowledge and maternal love, Sai Maa shares lessons to uplift humanity and help people master their own lives as she has mastered hers. Sai Maa has published two books, Petals of Grace: Essential Teachings for Self-Mastery and Points of Light. Learn more at http://www.sai-maa.com.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Countdown Update: 12 Days to Go!

Holy Moses smell the roses -- how the hell am I 12 days out. Pretty soon we'll be in single digits. I'm in the home stretch and things are not getting easier. Whew!

I had what was most likely the hardest week ever! My lower back was killing me due to how tight my butt and hamstrings were. I tried everything -- stretching, ibuprofen, Tiger Balm. It was brutal. But Jodi tells me this is all normal. It's muscle fatigue. My body is getting just enough calories to function, so repair isn't a high priority. On top of that, I was supposed to get my period this week. We ladies all know how that feels. You're like an engorged tick ready to pop, just waiting for that flow to start so you can resume some sort of normalcy. My lower abs are pouchier than normal and I just feel heavy. I essentially just had some spotting, so now my hormones are done with me and my low bodyfat. LOL!!

But we forge ahead...

I met with Jodi on Sat. for my second to last leg workout, posing practice and a diet check-in. I'm at 10.5% bodyfat (WOW!) My weight stayed the same (her scale says 133.6, mine says 132.0...it was also taken after I worked out. Regardless, I was very psyched that the fat is still somehow coming off.

Here are the changes for the week:

Diet

  • Morning snack is a small green apple (woohoo!!)
  • Lunch is back to 4 oz. chicken
  • Evening snack is now 4 oz. chicken
  • No more lettuce or tomato (both bloat and tomato has sugar)
Workout
  • Cardio is now 85 mins. 6x/week
  • Bleachers/Sprints -- 2-3x/week
  • Keep daily deadlifts & walking lunges

Wed., June 20 is my last leg workout. I'm kind of nervous about that.

As you know, there is no more cheat meal. But my husband and I had our annual summer party and I ended up picking here and there on few forbidden items. I tried my best to keep it clean:

  • A few strawberries
  • A few spoonfuls of quinoa with avocado (I've been dying to try it and it's yummy!!)
  • Half a brownie (I'm human, people!)
  • A few bites of watermelon
It was hard to watch all my friends eat and drink. While I didn't eat as strictly as I would've liked, I'm back on track today (Sunday) and ready to work out hard this week. Bring it!

Stay tuned for my last update before the show. I promise to post a full recap with lots of pics, as well as contest info for anyone interested in checking it out.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Competing in Figure Competitions: An Expensive Hobby

People always ask me, "Why on earth are you doing this?" or "What made you decide to compete?" Ever since I was a teenager, I always read Muscle & Fitness magazine. For some reason, bodybuilding and transforming the body with weight training has intrigued me.

I've been a fitness instructor, a personal trainer, a marathoner and something just kept pushing me towards wanting to compete in some type of bodybuilding contest. About 10 years ago, I found a trainer and began the process. However, at that time Fitness Competitions included a two-minute routine with gymnastics. Nothing is more pathetic than a 25-year-old taking gymnastics with 9-year-old girls. My trainer was mysteriously fired from my gym one day and the whole game plan fell apart. Fast forward to 2012...here I am just three short weeks from getting on stage and finally achieving one of my most desired goals.

However, I never in my wildest dreams realized how expensive this sport is. Here are the expenses I've incurred since I began my journey in mid-March:

  • Competition diet (includes weekly meetings with my trainer) -- $400
  • Gym membership (conveniently located at my job) -- $15/month
  • Tanning -- $12/session
  • Supplements -- $60/month
  • Entry fee -- $90
  • NPC membership -- $100
  • Posing bikini -- $120 (normally $200-$300)
  • Tanning products & posing gel -- $60
  • Cost to be hand-tanned by trainer -- $80
  • Cost for trainer to attend show -- $175
  • 2 one-hour personal training sessions -- $160
  • 5-inch clear heels -- $45
  • Diet food -- $40/week
  • Manicure/pedicure (pre-show) -- $30
  • Hair & make-up (pre-show) -- $100
TOTAL = $2,250 approx.
(March through June)

Holy crap! Needless to say, as much as I would like to continue doing this if I'm successful during this first contest, I really need to consider the costs. My husband has been incredibly supportive and understanding during this entire process. While we can afford it, I do feel a bit guilty that I've spent so much. On the flip side, at least it's $2,250 and not $5,000!!

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Fitness Competition Countdown: 20 Days

Holy smokes, I'm counting down in the days!! June 30th can't come fast enough. I'm more hungry and tired than ever! (I'm literally hungry after eating.) All I think about it when I get to eat next -- not good!!! It's going to be a long 3 weeks...

I met with Jodi on Friday and trained legs. I'm down to 11.2% bodyfat (from 11.9% last week). While it's not a whole percentage point, I'm happy with my progress given my business trip last week. It was torture sticking to the diet and not drinking. I probably ate less than I should've and also only got in 60 of the 75 minutes of cardio I was supposed to complete. Regardless, I stuck to my guns and pulled through.

Here are this week's diet and workout changes:

Breakfast
- 4 egg whites & 1 whole egg
- 1/3 cup oatmeal

Night snack
- 5 oz. Tilapia

Cardio is now 80 min. 6 times per week

I bought my tanning stuff, posing gel and diuretics this week. I'll be doing a blog post soon on the ridiculous cost of competing in a figure contest. It's crazy!!! From supplements and clean food, to tanning and training sessions, it all adds up!

My strategy this week is to split my cardio between either morning and afternoon or morning and evening. Lots of sprints, jogging and bleachers or Stairmaster will be the cardio of choice.

Lots of posing practice is another time suck. I try to spend 20-30 minutes everyday in my posing bikini and heels. Speaking of posing bikini, here is a progress photo in my posing bikini:


I also officially sent in my entry form for the contest. YIKES!!! I'm really doing this!

We stopped by a farmer's market today and I discovered something new and wonderful that I can actually have on my diet -- gourmet balsamic vinegars! I may have mentioned that I've gotten to the point of being able to taste the difference between cheap and quality balsamic vinegar. This gourmet stuff is out of this world. I bought one bottle of fig balsamic vinegar and one white balsamic pear. Now the key is I can only use one tablespoon because there is a little bit of sugar/carbs in these. But you only need a little for the incredible flavor. If you're interested in checking out this vendor, they're called www.JDGourmet.com, and other flavors were jalapeno, chocolate and cherry. I can't wait to try more of them!!!

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Fitness Competition Update: Four Weeks to Go...

Wow, I can't believe it's just four short weeks until the show. Lots of updates for this week...

I met with Jodi on Sat. for a 30-minute leg training session and then posing practice. I'm now at 11.9% bodyfat (holy sh*t!!!) and Jodi's goal is 8% (WOW!). I can't believe it just keeps going down!

Here is the latest diet (breakfast, morning snack and evening snack changed):

Breakfast
3 egg whites with one whole egg
1/2 cup oatmeal

Morning snack
3oz. chicken

Lunch
5 oz. tilapia
1 cup string beans

PM snack
3 oz. chicken
4 oz. sweet potato

Dinner
6 oz. tilapia
1 cup green beans
Evening snack
3 oz chicken

Workout
75 minutes of cardio
Sprints/bleachers 2-3x

I also received my posing bikini this week (thank you, Ebay) and now I really feel like it's all coming together.

This is going to be a tough week since I'm away on a business trip Sunday through Wednesday. Eating everything I'm supposed to will be tough, especially with these new changes. But I'm going to do the best I can. I packed supplements, almonds and protein powder. I'll also have to fit in my workouts between meetings that run 7am to 7pm each day. I worked out on Sun. (my usual off day) just in case a workout doesn't seem feasible.

Now for the last cheat meal before the show. I nearly threw up after eating all of this. My stomach still doesn't feel right, and it's Sunday night.

Cheat Meal
2 red velvet cupcakes
3 glasses red wine
1 warm ciabatta roll with butter (glorious bread!)
1 bowl artichoke soup with truffle oil
3 soft shell crabs over eggplant with some amazing red sauce with capers
Vanilla bean creme brulee
1/2 avocado (from my husband's salad...he hates avocado)
2/3 of one large movie popcorn
1 small bag Reese's pieces
1 red velvet cupcake
1 small rice pudding

My meeting with Jodi is on Friday. Stay tuned for the next update...I'll try to include a pic with my new bikini.