Figure Competition Prep: 15 Weeks Out

Is it me, or was January a blur? I can't believe it's February 1, which means I have just three and half months before I need to step on stage.

I've been having a few great weeks in regards to energy and workouts. I seem to have hit a sweet spot when it comes to my macros. With my carbs at 210g for the past three weeks, I've been able to lose 0.5 to 0.6 pounds. Currently, I'm at 141.0 lbs., down about two pounds.

My trainer is changing things up this week. In his words, we're going to get a "little more aggressive." Here's what this week looks like:

Macros
For five consecutive days:
Protein: 145g
Carbs: 190g
Fat: 40g
Calories: 1,650 (approx.)

6th day (high carb)
Protein: 145g
Carbs: 240g
Fat: 30g
Calories: 1,800 (approx.)

Workouts
3-day split, lifting 6 days per week (adding a day to burn some extra calories)
Chest/delt/tri's -- Back/bi's -- Legs
Cardio: 3 sessions -- 30-minutes steady state (one additional session was added)

I'm also starting to do more meal prep (cooking in advance and measuring it all out) and measuring every single thing that goes into my mouth. This includes all vegetables and otherwise free food (cucumbers, salsa, etc.) Hopefully all of these changes will show up in my next set of progress pics.

5 Weeks to the Tri-Cities Figure Competition

I'm still chugging along as the time winds down. This week my bodyfat was 17.1% (down 0.8%) and my weight 133lbs. (up 0.6). While I'm always secretly wishing for at least a drop of 2%, I'm just glad that I'm going down.

To come in at around 9-10% bodyfat, I still have a good 7+% to go! EEK! I should also note that I'm bigtime PMSing. Jodi thinks I'm retaining water, which is why my weight is slightly up. It could also be why I didn't drop more bodyfat. With that, here are this week's changes:

Diet
My evening snack is now 4 oz. of tilapia, and the nuts are gone. (My only source of fat now are the almonds during my afternoon snack.)

Workout
Weight training stays the same. Still doing plyometrics between sets.

Cardio is now 55 min., 7 days a week. Still doing walk/run intervals. Currently, I run 4.0 mph and then 8.0 mph. If I start to drag, I change the 8.0 mph to 7.0 mph.

I also ordered a new posing bikini, which should be arriving any day. I'm very excited!! It's emerald green and has more bling than my current suit.

I began tanning this week, too. It helps to get a solid base tan before they make you super-dark before the show.

This week, I'm going to be gathering forms, practice posing, finalizing my music for the T-walk, and nailing down the T-walk. It's been awhile since I've sported those 5-inch heels, so I need to get comfortable walking around in those again.

While I'll be doing the 2013 Tri-Cities Bodybuilding, Figure & Bikini Competition on April 13, 2103 in West Nyack, NY, I'm also planning on doing another show two weeks later. The OCB Jersey Natural Open is being held in Burlington, NJ on April 27th. I figure if I can get even leaner by that time -- all the better! This show is also a IFPA Pro & Masters Qualifier. Woohoo!

Stay tuned for next week's update. I'm hoping to post a pic of my new suit!

Bring On the New Year -- 14 Weeks Until Contest

Between Christmas and New Year's, I didn't really have a cheat meal (nor did I want one). I had a few Christmas cookies and a red velvet cupcake. Eating clean has seemed to stunted my hunger. I have to just about force myself to eat snacks and meals.

As I prep for my next competition, I'll be sure to provide weekly photo updates, measurements, diet changes and workouts. I know when I read articles or check out other blogs, these key metrics are incredibly helpful.

Here's a photo from today and one from last year (Feb. 2011) as I began my journey:

Jan. 2013

Feb. 2012

I do think my body came back slightly different, although now I know how to pose properly (that's according to my husband).

I met with Jodi on Wed., Jan. 2. My schedule has been off since the holidays. I'll hopefully go back to weekly check-ins this week. To start off, I lost 2% bodyfat and gained one pound. Woohoo! Off to a strong start, now let's see if we can keep the momentum.

Diet/workout changes this week:

• No banana during the morning snack.

• Cardio is now 35 min. 4x/week

I'll try to post my workouts. I'm going to try some workouts from Fighter Diet  to mix things up. If you haven't checked out Pauline Nordin, I highly recommend you see this shredded woman. She is beyond intense.

Let me know if you have questions about anything. Until next time, eat clean and train dirty! ;)