My Journey to the Stage.....Again Part 1
This summer will be my 5th bikini competition. Each experience has been totally different -- from my mindset, training style, nutrition, expectations, etc….. I am thrilled to take away each lesson I’ve learned from these past journeys and make this prep/season the best ever. What lessons you ask? Well I’m glad you asked. ;)
Show #1 – super strict diet, tons of cardio, spent lots of $ in tanning bed, $$ on hair, $$ on make up self doubt, didn’t realize importance of posing, wanted it over
Show #2 – absolute fun, didn’t care about outcome, moderate cardio, flexible dieting
Show #3 – obsessed with the win, quiet and focused at gym (aka barely talked or joked – not myself at all), moderate cardio, strict dieting
Show #4 – let myself go after the last show – had to a lot to lose so TONS of cardio; super strict dieting, very tired, tried a new coach.
My take aways…..1 - don’t need to spend a lot of money on tanning, makeup and hair. Last show I did all of it myself. 2- Super strict dieting doesn’t work for me mentally and especially with the post show rebound. Continue with flexible dieting during prep. 3 – Enjoy the journey and don’t focus on the outcome. Bring the best version of you, have fun, and be proud of yourself. 4 – Start “pre” prep so I won’t have to kill myself with cardio in a 3 months time frame. 5 – Stay positive – don’t let others get in my head…..if it doesn’t serve my highest good – dismiss.
My Program….Started “pre” prep December 1st. Did I stay on track every week? Absolutely not….but started getting myself back to balance so that was a win. January goal was to lose 6# - Goal achieved. February goal is to lose 4#. Stay tuned…. (Reminder: weight is just a number – we use it as a guideline…..pictures are the best way to track progress. Speaking of, I guess I should take pictures this week.)
Nutrition: Eating approximately 1400 calories – making sure I am eating adequate amounts of protein, carbs, and fats – and also eating 1 chocolate chip cookie a day…..go team cookies!!! I feel my current diet is balanced and doable….easy….flexible….yummy…..and it’s working for me. J
Workout: Lifting 6xs a week – incorporating heavy and light days and plyos. Focus on bigger shoulders, fuller glutes, and getting midsection smaller. Cardio – 3 days x 30 minutes, 1 day hills @ 45 minutes, 2 days I teach aerobics class for approx. 40 minutes.
Misc: Posing 2x/week for 15-30 min. Stretching at least 10 minutes daily.
Mindset: I am having fun…I enjoy lifting, I enjoy joking/playing, I enjoy life.
Also, still working on being positive, happy, confident, strive towards my goals, leveling up and staying in my lane. (future blog in progress). Trying to be more “selfish” – Learning to say no and take care of me too. Not saying I’m a cold hearted bee – but just not letting myself be taken advantage of any longer or putting everyone’s wants in front of my own. (I’m still learning the hard way – but protecting myself more for sure)
Expected Outcome: #1 Step on stage with a better physique. #2 enjoy my journey and stay positive. #3 Work on posing so I feel confident/comfortable on stage w/all the walking, twisting, and turning. J Of course I want to win…..who doesn’t?!?! but no expectations….I can’t control what the judges are looking for or who shows up that day. I can just bring me. Bringing both a healthy body and mind this time around. With these outcomes I am also hoping to…. #4 have a better post season….aka don’t get too fat and stick with my reverse diet this time around.
Will I stay on this path? Will everything turn out the way that I hope? Will my theories in dieting/exercise work? Stay tuned…..for Part 2.