Where Did 2014 Come From?

Yikes! I didn't realize how long it's been since I posted. Lots to report as I prepare for my third figure competition on May 10, 2014.

I switched trainers. Long story short, it came down to needing a change and wanting more for paying more. That said, my new trainer is based in PA, which means all my coaching is online. Still adjusting to this since I was pretty much addicted -- and motivated -- to having my bodyfat measured religiously each week. Now I check in via email and send pictures every four weeks. As usual, the beginning is slow going. I definitely feel like I gained muscle during the off-season and my butt is perkier than usual (not complaining).

I'm tracking my macros (carbs, protein and fat) much more closely and have many more options in regards to what I eat. This is good and bad. I think I need more structure, so eating the same thing every day may soon be happening to keep myself sane.

I've been lifting heavier than I have in the past. I joined Retro Gym in April 2013 and still use my basement gym on snow days. If you live in the Northeast, you know we've had way too many snow days this winter.

Here are some pics of where I'm at right now. While I feel fat, I know this is
I'm where I'm supposed to be. Changes will come slowly but surely...

Back to Square One

Not sure where I fell off the wagon exactly. Could it be the job I loathe, the one-hour-each-way commute, the holidays, or some combination of all of the above? I was doing so well and staying focused. Then suddenly, I threw caution to the wind and began stress- and binge-eating. Some baklava here, some dark chocolate truffles there. It's no wonder how I gained 7 pounds! UGH!

I need help stat! I'm supposed to be starting my competition diet very soon. My trainer, Jodi, is going out on her own so the cost of her services have gone up. I really want to stick with her since she's grown to know me and how my body reacts to food and workouts. The uncertainty with my job makes me a little wishy-washy.

*Sigh* So I broke out my Fighter Diet ebooks and I'm in detox mode. In a nutshell, the Fighter Diet is all about veggies. If you're hungry, eat veggies. But you do have to track everything. I'm hoping to drop a few pounds before I meet up with Jodi. Since the show I want to do is May 10, my goal is to start my diet no later than Jan. 5. That means I have 10 days to get into some resemblance of shape. LOL!

That said, I'm still working out like a fiend, lifting heavy and limiting my cardio. I definitely feel like I added muscle. The question is: how much? Did I gain 7 pounds of fat, muscle or some combination. I'm hoping at least half is muscle!

Stay tuned as I once again embark on this crazy journey...

How did you do with your eating and working out program during the holidays?

Holiday Gift Ideas for Fit Moms

Wondering what to ask for this holiday season? Many times our husbands and other loved ones need some (or a lot) of guidance when it comes to shopping. Don't forget to include some items to add to your workout, whether it's attire, equipment, inspiration or a cutting-edge gadget.

In the spirit of the 12 Days of Christmas, here are the 12 items to wow a Fit Mom:

1. Polar FT4 Women's Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Bronze)
2. Personal trainer sessions
3. Gym membership
4. P90X Extreme Home Fitness Workout Program - 13 DVDs, Nutrition Guide, Exercise Planner
5. New workout outfit
6. Gift certificate for a massage (okay, not exactly a workout...but who couldn't use a massage?)
7. Nike+ iPod accessories -- Apple MA365LL/D Nike+ iPod Sport Kit
8. Set of kettlebells -- Kathy Smith's Kettlebell Solution
9. PowerBlock SportBlock 24 Adjustable 3 to 24-Pounds per Dumbbell Set
10. Tosca Reno's Your Best Body Now: Look and Feel Fabulous at Any Age the Eat-Clean Way book (currently reading it and plan to do a review shortly)
11. Supplements, like your favorite protein powder
12. A quiet afternoon :)

What are you wishing for this holiday season?





 
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Here Come the Holidays...

With Thanksgiving coming this week, it can be tough to stay focused on eating clean and training hard.

I'm just a few weeks away from officially starting my next competition diet. I'm going to get my official eating plan on Dec. 27 and kick it into high gear on Jan. 2. The show is scheduled for May 10, which gives me 17 weeks.

I've been trying to stick with my off-season plan, so hopefully I'll be around 18% bodyfat. That gives me plenty of time to get my bodyfat well below 10%.

Excited doesn't even begin to describe how I'm feeling! It will be interesting to see how my body responds this time around. I'm planning on getting a new suit and want to take a posing class. I'll be outlining my progress and how my eating and training changes week by week. Stay tuned...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!!

Did You Turn Your Clocks Back? I Forgot One...

The first thing I do when I get up and it's Daylight Savings Time is spring into action fixing every clock in the house, my watch, the clock in the car...I was fairly sure I updated them all. I forgot one important one. My alarm clock. That would be why I'm writing a post at 3:30am on a Monday morning. I'm still trying to get past the fact that I just lost an hour of precious sleep in my cozy bed.

I'm not sure how two months quickly escaped since my last post. Not too much has changed. I'm still trying my best to eat clean and train consistently. I visited with Jodi about two weeks ago to check on my bodyfat level and get some direction for my off-season training.

I was thrilled to be at 17.6% bodyfat, which means I'm maintaining (last time I was 17.4%, which was in July). My weight is up 5 pounds. I'm hoping it's muscle, but it could be some water weight. My period is still screwed up from coming off the pill and the creatine I'm taking is known to cause water retention. Jodi pulled back on my cardio and had me add Ezekiel bread at lunchtime. Here is my current diet:

Breakfast -- 5 egg whites, 1/3 cup oatmeal, 1/4 cup berries
AM snack -- 1.5 scoops Core Post-Workout protein powder
Lunch -- 3oz protein, 1 slice Ezekiel bread, 1 cup veggies
PM snack -- 1 scoop protein, 1 Tbsp peanut butter (or 10-12 almonds)
Dinner -- 3 oz protein, 2 cups veggies, 1/3 cup rice
Evening snack -- 1 scoop protein, 1 Tbsp peanut butter (or 10-12 almonds)

Cardio -- 20 min. 4x per week
Weights -- 5 exercises per bodypart, 3-4 sets, 8-12 reps
Supplements -- added 1 scoop creatine back into my glutamine drink during my workout. I'm taking a multi-vitamin, CLA, BCAAs, biotin, calcium, and fish oil.

My goal right now is to add muscle. The plan is to do the same show I did last year, which is on May 10. I'm about 6 months out. The competition diet will start right after the holidays on Jan. 5.

Here's to an easier adjustment to the time change! Do you have any Daylight Savings stories to share? I'm all ears. ;)