3 Weeks Out - Progress & The Cardinal Sin

Yesterday marked 3 weeks out.  I continue to be pleased with how my body is responding.  I am maintaining my carb cycling (2 days carbs 1 day zero carbs) and my body continues to slowly lean out almost ahead of the game.  My trainer is very happy and doesn't want to change anything.

I cannot lie... Yesterday was tough.  My brain was not working and my body was exhausted AND it was leg day.  Even after 10 hours of sleep I woke up feeling drained, struggling with thoughts of fear and worry about getting injured.  I was fighting back obsessive thoughts of hurting my back while squatting.  I love leg day and I love squatting... Ass to the Grass as we say in the gym.  I love going deep and driving heavy weight.  Not yesterday. Of course I texted my trainer warning him that I wasn't doing well.  Don't ever do that.  No excuses, training is tough and this workout is key.  After all of that fuss and misery, I was able to get in the "set that I walked in the door for" = 1 set of 6 reps at 185lbs.  My trainer always says, "This is the set that we came here for today." It was tough, I felt weak - struggled pushing every rep and ended the workout feeling low and discouraged. I "should have" been thankful that at my age I'm as strong as I am and can still squat deep without any knee issues.  But we ALL have days that just SUCK and yesterday was one of them. Just move on, that's what I say... tomorrow is another day.

Today I did a light shoulder workout, 45 minutes of lunges on treadmill and 90 minutes hot yoga (today's high in Phoenix is 115).  Yeah I'm cray...  Now I rest on the couch and this is my sweet set up  (pic below): Today is a zero carb day so you will see my survival kit- diet Pepsi (I normally don't drink this but.... ), pickles, cauliflower and home-made sugar-free honey mustard.  Later I will eat asparagus and tilapia and finish my day with a grand total of 200gm protein.

Cardinal Sin: 
I alluded to it in my last blog.  I did it.  I bought a suit in a color that everyone in the industry warns against: WHITE.  I saw it hanging there and my eye immediately caught the beautiful bead work and the color.  I have always loved the color white.  I thought, "What the heck - nothing to lose by just trying it on, and besides it's used! (cheaper)."  I knew that Norma, who owns the shop, is very  knowledgeable and would not steer me in a direction that wouldn't flatter my skin tone.  I put it on and immediately fell in love with it.  I walked out and Norma said, "Dang, girl you look good in white, not very common."  The beading is stunning and the suit has more of an elegant look as opposed to flashy or WOW.  I tried on a few other suits with bold color but they just didn't FEEL right.  I feel confident in this suit and that's what I need.  So I will take a chance and walk out on stage wearing the color we must not speak of.

Progress Pic from today after my shoulder routine.  Today I basically just filled them with blood 4 sets hitting all three heads. Pretty light and easy.

 

This week I'll be heading to Minnesota for a wedding - will be looking for a gym to get a few quick workouts in to keep my momentum going.!  Until next time...

 

Blessings!

The Pendulum Swings

Today I am 4 weeks out from Master's Nationals.  I am really glad I kept close track of what I did last year.  I can see that each year of my life brings new challenges.  Last year I had a good balance between my work and personal life.  I felt blessed that I could easily find the time to train, and shop for food. This time around, it's a wee bit different.  My workload has significantly increased with long hours and changes in my responsibilities.  I don't have a lot of time to breath.  I get my workouts in when I can.  Last year I was meticulous with food prep, measuring, weighing food and tracking everything that went in my mouth. 

I am leaning out nicely but have had absolutely lousy food prep & planning.  I eye-ball everything now.  Do mental math in my head and just eat when I'm hungry (every 2 hours).  I try not to obsess and worry.  Live in the moment, that's my motto right now.  I have been surviving on protein powder, CytoCarb2, Island Teriyaki (a restaurant that I go to daily) chicken and steamed broccoli.  When I get home I throw a few chicken tenderloins on the George Forman grill and steam whatever veggies are available and BAM!  Carbs are simple and clean: rice, yams and oatmeal.

Interestingly enough, I have not had a lot of issues with the fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants 'show prep' methodology.  My body responded the same way it did last year.  Held steady for 2 - 3 weeks then boom, I drop 2 - 3 lbs. Carbs & protein remain a lot higher than last time.  Energy levels are good with the exception of my low carb days.  My body uses every ounce of carb and it tells me when I'm out.  I think I've learned what 30gms protein looks like with my eyes closed!

One thing I did learn about myself from last year.... I was way over the top too disciplined.  Can that be?  Yes, I was motivated a lot by fear, fear of getting on stage with my ass hanging to the floor, not believing anything my trainer told me.  I followed every instruction to a "T" - every minute of cardio, every workout, every ounce and gram of carb/fat/protein.

This year I am enjoying the process, relaxing and just going with the flow.  I try get my protein in but some days it's bedtime and I have to slam a shake and am still under.  I have enjoyed the solitary training and just watching my body change, visually.  My trainer says that I have more quality muscle - I don't really see it but he does.

I know that my competition will be very stiff, competing against women that are seasoned and have much more muscle.  I have to try not let this get into my head too far.  I am competitive but realistic about this level of competing.  I am focusing on doing my best, having fun and staying in a place of being thankful that I made it this far.

Yesterday was a no-carb day rest day.  Here is what that means in my world:

6AM: 1 hour hot yoga
8AM - 4PM: 1 really long seminar learning how to supervise counselors that want to become licensed
5PM: 45 minutes interval cardio.
7PM - on the couch
10PM - in the bed

Progress Pic - 5AM this morning!

Next week - pick up suit... I will give you a teaser... I committed the cardinal sin for color selection!!

Be Blessed and don't forget to encourage someone today.