GAME ON

I feel like my competition is just around the corner (in April) and everything is becoming more and more real.

I've been doing a lot of online research for my competition suit. It was actually my dad who suggested I look into a local designer for the sake of convenience. I'm glad I took his advice because I had the advantage of trying on colors and styles for my frame and skin tone. I've already put a deposit on it and I will try my custom made suit February... for further alterations since my body will change.

It was nice trying on suits to see how my body is right now and also to get feedback (from the designer). Apparently I'm fat and need to stop eating and gaining weight. Ok KIDDING lol... but she did suggest I need to cut my carbs and focus on cutting and toning up. All of my life I've always thought that I was too skinny and I thought I needed to gain weight before I seriously start cutting my calories for this competition. I guess I am at a good and healthy weight and I can "afford" to starting eating less so I can focus on cutting down my body fat.

The suit I am wearing is just the sample design. My suit will be very similar but with a little more beading. The camera doesn't do the suit justice... in person its a brilliant royal blue. I can't to see it on stage under all the lights. Figure is all about illusion... tanning, lights, and posing makes such a difference in how the body is presented. I think I look kind of thick and fluffy in the picture but now I at least have a visual starting point to work from. GAME ON!

Presentation suit; Thanksgiving; ACSM CPT

So lately I've been doing some research on my competition suit. Goodness... nice suits are a tad bit pricey (to say the least!). On average, a good custom suit is about $400 and UP. I'm narrowing down my search for a designer and when I've finally decided on one and have received my suit, I will post pics. Note: I'm glad I can network and get tips from friendly peeps/fellow 1st-time-figure gals/figure pros on Twitter ^_^. Follow ME @maey825.
I also ordered my shoes today (5" heels) and am excited to receive them in a few days so I can practice with them on.

Training has been going well. Eating has been going "ok"... news flash: I'm human and I wasn't as strict with my diet on Thanksgiving :x *gasp* I know that isn't a good enough excuse, but hey, it's the truth, it's what happened. I won't lie and say I turned down the stuffing, mashed potatoes, and candied yams. In fact, I ate all those things and then some! But bottom line, I'm grateful that it's still early enough that I can enjoy the holidays and time with my fam-- n o t indulge or be a glutton. Besides one day of slipping, I've stayed on track with my period of gain and strategic eating. In fact, I've gained about 4 solid lbs, and I'm already looking forward to January when I'll be switching gears to leaning out and getting more cut and defined.

Besides my figure comp prep, I'm looking forward to my ACSM CPT workshop this weekend coming up. I praise God for my oh-so-supportive husband who took it upon himself to pay for it <3 It was an incredibly nice gesture from him. I'd like to take the CPT test by February '12.

Ok ok... I need to get back to writing my final paper for my psych class (due Monday >_<) *busy*busy*bee*

Posing; +/- support

Today I was so happy to get the Tanji Johnson posing video I ordered through the mail. As a first time aspiring figuring competitor (and WINNER :p) it was important for me to get step-by-step instruction on how to pose and present myself on stage. Posing and posture makes such a difference in presenting a solid muscular body. I brought my full length mirror into the living room as I was practicing posing and I felt like I was looking at a completely different person in the mirror. Proper posing to emphasize strengths and minimize weak areas really is an art.
I will be just as concerned with practicing my presentation and poses as I am concerned with working out hard and eating well.

On a side note, I'd like to remind everyone of the importance of drowning out negativity and amplifying positive support. Since I've made known my aspiration to compete in a figure competition, I've received mixed feedback. My husband has been consistently supportive of me and all my goals (which I am truly thankful for). However, my mother does not take me seriously. She also has misconceptions of what a figure athlete is. She assumes that bodybuilding and figure is the same thing. She does not want me to get too muscular and "ugly." I had to educate her as well as brush off any discouraging words from her. I showed her my poses and she laughed and pretty much said I couldn't and shouldn't do it. I have to admit, I was a little hurt that she offered veeeery little support, I even shed a tear or two. But then soon after, I made the decision to brush it off and use her attitude towards my goals as fuel. I need to push myself even harder to prove to her (and myself) that I can do well.

Overall, I'm going strong and enjoying the process towards my big day.
"God, give me the grace to balance everything. My ultimate goal is to give You all the glory, Father. You are first."

Dinner time

Rice, chicken, green beans, protein shake. Desert will be cottage cheese and almond butter on a rice cake.
When I am closer to the big day (about 12 weeks out), carbs will be cut down.

Errors to learn from

Error #1: Saving all of your calories for the end of the day.
What I'm trying to say is to eat an equal amount of calories in each of your meals (at least 6; or meals 2-3 hours apart from first meal to last). Today I ate well, however I ate smaller meals through out the day and found myself having to catch up and eat over 1000 calories for dinner. I can correct this by making sure my meals average out to be about 500 calories so that I am not overwhelmed by the end of the day. Plus, its never a good day to eat such a large heavy meal before bedtime when your activity level is at its lowest.

Error #2: Avoiding excessive cardio.
Life, even training, is all about balance. I think you either like cardio or you don't. I have to admit, I'm not the biggest fan of cardio or I don't like it as much as weight training at least. Once I get into the groove I'm able to tolerate it and even find satisfaction in an intense cardio session. When you start training for a competition there's no room for preferences. I'm learning to suck it up for the sake of placing well. I'm used to eating relatively blan foods-- *food is fuel* *eat plain, for an exciting body*. So yeah, my point (especially to myself) is make cardio equally as important as weight lifting. Muscle is great but it would be a shame if a bunch of fat is hiding it!

First day of focused training

So this is the first day that I will be training WITH the mindset that I am preparing for my competition.

I have no problem with working out hard and consistently for strength. However, I do find the aspect of eating enough of the right calories a bit more challenging. I am used to eating healthy and even counting my calories, but eating enough of it all can be a little bit annoying. I think I am small so I would be comfortable with gaining more lean muscle mass to work with in the gym, especially when I am closer to my competition date and will have to increase my intensity level to burn more body fat. I don't want to wither away to just skin and bones so I have to make sure I have enough weight to spare... makes sense right? To achieve my goals, I will increase my calorie intake for the rest of this month and December. From January on I will lower my calorie intake slightly so that I am losing body fat but not losing too much of the muscle I am working hard for. As far as weight training, the first half of my training is to gain size and then the last half of my prep time will be to train for definition and the appearance of looking solid.

Right now I am eating breakfast which consists of: 1 scoop whey protein drink (w/ water), 1 rice cake with 1 tbsp almond butter, 1/2 c egg whites, and 1/2 c plain oatmeal = 485 calories, 36% protein, 42% carb, and 22% fat.
I am shooting for at least 6 meals a day, 2-3 hrs apart, and a total of about 2700 calories (30% fat, 35% protein, 35% carb). When I am about 16 weeks out from my competition date, I will reconfigure my caloric and nutrition goals.

In Stone

One habit that I am actively working to replace is the use of the weak words "try" or "we'll see." I have always believed in the power of confession and I have found that saying the words "I will" makes a world of difference. So instead of being wishy-washy about "if" I will train to compete in a figure competition "one day" I will say here and now that I WILL compete in April of 2012... I'll even go as far as saying I WILL place in the top 5 for my first competition experience. I've spent the majority of this day looking into the specifics of competition events and even ordered a posing video. I looked into my 2 piece suit for presentation and gosh, the prices for a good quality show suit already made my wallet ache (lol). April is about 5 months away and I've already come up with a game plan. From now until the end of December I will focus on gaining more lean weight. And from January until showtime, I will work towards major definition, cutting my body fat, and just appearing more solid. I am pretty excited to train specifically for a show and having an actual target date only further motivates me.

Full plate-- call me a glutton

Did you make assumptions with that title? Well, it was figurative. I'm actually just a little 5'5" 125lb woman who is juggling quite a bit of activities and endeavors: I am a wife, mom of a 6 month old baby, student, and I am in the process of prepping for the ACSM Certified Personal Trainer exam and a figure competition. Some might say that I am biting off more than I can chew, but I find personal satisfaction in trying at least and it's even better when I can surprise myself with success. I blog occasionally and privately but I figured it would be beneficial to me (and maybe others) if I have a public account of my journey. I will use this blog to keep me accountable to my goals and be an example of how a real woman attempts to juggle all the things in life while maintaining her sanity. I will try to periodically post pictures of the progress I make for my figure competition as well as keep you updated with my prep for the ACSM Certified Personal Trainer exam.