Friday, March 30, 2012

It's My Party

Thirty one years ago today at 10:45am I graced the world with my presence.  We always joke that I arrived just in time or breakfast since I have never been able to go without it.  Alot of people think I'm crazy when I talk about my birthday like it's the best thing in the world, like it's Christmas.  I like to throw myself parties, buy a fantastic cake, and invite all of the people who have helped make the last year what it was.  Why? Because I can.

I have to say I've really been enjoying getting older.  Slowly you figure out who you are, what you believe in, what you don't, how you want people to perceive you, and ,eventually, that you don't care if people don't like what you come up with. With each passing year I learn something more about myself, about my husband, about the world, and I'm thankful for that.  I view my birthday not as adding another year to the toll, but as another year I have been given to explore my surroundings. To be thankful for what I've been given and what I've worked hard to get.   

So thank you to everyone who has been a part of this past year and to everyone who will be a part of the next one.  I genuinely look forward to what is in store!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

New Monkey in the Barrel!

For those of you who creep my Facebook page this will be old news but since there are people who actually follow this babble (thank you so much by the way) I wanted to share the news here as well!!

Yesterday an official announcement was made by Gorilla Jack Supplements here in Winnipeg (also the people behind the competition I just did) that I am to be their new Lab Monkey and columnist!!!!  This means I will be testing products, integrating them in to my existing training, and giving you the good, the bad, and the ugly honest truth on what I think of them. I am unsure of the details as of where these tid bits will be posted, most likely at http://www.gorillajack.com/ but don't worry your pretty little biceps I will make sure to post all the info here as well.

Thank you all again for following along and giving your input. You have helped me get to this point, I couldn't have done it without you! And thank you to the monkeys at Gorilla Jack for accepting and valuing the one thing I value the most in myself; my honesty.  It has taken me a long time to accept this trait and though I'm still learning how to use it, I promise to do right by you. :)

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Bluesville

Well congratulations, you did it! You conquered that stage, possibly won a trophy, possibly didn't win a trophy, but who cares?!?!  The sheer joy you felt when your family and friends cheered your name as you crossed that stage was trophy enough.  However in between pints of ice cream and plates of yam fries you find yourself taking too long looks in the mirror at your changing body. The tan is wearing off with each shower and your body is still trying to figure out what to do with all the water you’re drinking again which means you can’t see your abs anymore.  You’re missing most of the eyelashes on your right eye from two sets of false lashes in 2 days and your glue on nails are coming off with every key stroke.  All of it is making you sad and depressed which means more ice cream. 

Put down the Haagen Dasz darling and put your big girl panties on.

Welcome to Bluesville! The place where most of us newbies dwell for a while after the high of competing wears off.  A lot of questions are formed in Bluesville.

“What do I eat now?”
“How do I train now?”

“How do I stop feeding my face with junk so my body doesn’t explode now??”

I have one word for you: breathe. It’s going to be ok!  The first step is to reign in your junk food intake; it’s making your issues worse. Not only is it causing extreme bloating and body shock, but it’s affecting your moods by aiding to your depressed mental state.  The second step is to talk to your trainer (if you had one) about off season eating.  He or she can put together an off season plan for you to follow while your brain wraps itself around the current situation.  Next, focus on your off season goals. Do you even want to compete again? If so, what areas do you have to work on?  Tailor a training regimen to those goals using exercises already you know then think outside of the box once you’re comfortable. 

The last thing to remember is that after all of the intense competition prep training, your body needs a break.  Take at least the whole week off from the gym after your competition to let your body rest.  Keep yourself on track by sticking to clean eating principles and keeping the indulgences to one meal, not the whole day.  Be proud of what you’ve accomplished and don’t forget about how hard you worked to get here! 

Monday, March 19, 2012

Post Show Musings

Well it's over, finished, caput!  The last 5 months have led up to one long assed day and now it's done!  Let's get the thing most people want to know out of the way: I did not place. I don't even know my placing however I was called out close to last so that could mean anything based on the results. We will have to wait!  Am I sad about not placing, I think everyone is to a degree however the competition I was up against was insane.  I had 19 girls in my class.  19!  And you have to narrow that down to 5?  I would not have wanted to be a judge at all.  I am however proud of my progression from last year and that's really what it's all about isn't it?  Constantly improving, progressing, being better than before. So that's what it's going to continue to be about.  I want to have an off season that sees less bad weight gained and more good weight.  I would rather not loose 20lbs every time I compete thankyouverymuch! lol 

Now to some pictures!! I was part of an amazing team of girls who transformed before my very eyes and stepped on that stage with me! Such an awesome day hanging out with everyone.


Over all my experience in this new class was great! I think I need to add a little more flare to my posing as that was seems to get higher marks when girls are close body wise but that will just take some practice I think. :)  I'm not sure what my plans are next besides getting back to normal clean eating, gaining some muscle without gaining my weight back like last year, and just enjoying the summer!  Thank you to everyone who made this weekend possible.  I look forward to the future and what it may bring. :)
C


Thursday, March 8, 2012

WWNCD?

Yesterday was probably the second most stressful day of my life. The first being when my dad had his stroke 2 years ago.  But this blog isn't about the details of the cause, this blog is what I decided to do with the stress.

The old Chantelle would have grabbed a bottle of wine on the way home. Scratch that, a box, because then it would be in the fridge where I could then make the excuse of "Well I can't let it go to waste" and have a glass ever day until it was gone.  After I grabbed the wine I would then head to the local restaurant for something, anything, that would satisfy the out of control feeling I had and make sure I picked up dessert for later. 

So yesterday, being 10 days out from my competition I asked myself, "What Would NEW Chantelle Do??"  New Chantelle has been busting her ass since November to step on stage in 9 days and rock the socks off of everyone.  New Chantelle doesn't get carbs until Saturday and sure as hell doesn't get wine until she has walked off that stage on the 17th. Actually new Chantelle gets wine on the 16th for her pre show carb up but that's besides the point.

Yes I know I'm talking about myself in third person.

Anyway, yesterday I decided to rise above my stress. Drink my protein shake as I was supposed to and eat my scheduled last meal like I was supposed to.  Was it as easy as that? No. I am an emotional eater but the difference now is that I KNOW I am. I recognize the triggers and I conciously decide what to do with my emotions.  The more I do this, the better I get at it, and the proof is in the protein pudding.  Will every situation be like this one? No. I won't always have a competition in 9 days to snap me back to reality but mentally I have to act like I do. 

So ask yourself today should stress present itself to rain on your parade, what would the new you do? 

Monday, March 5, 2012

The Home Stretch

I am officially 12 days out from competition and sadly I'm ready to be done. I'm not sure where this frame of mind is coming from, it's not that I'm not excited for the competition I just think it's the Carb Zombie getting the best of me.  While I'm ready to step out on that stage and rock the sh!t out of it, I'm also ready to get back to my regular clean eating. Protein pancakes for breakfast, greek yogurt and berries for snack, portobello mushroom burgers for supper!! I'm starting to miss my regular clean eating but I know this has been worth the "sacrifice".

Ok, now that I've finished whining we can get back to business.  This week will be my first full week thus far without any carbs. Minus my peak week trial.  I am SO thankful that my trainer, Ainsley McSorely, was able to read my body well enough to know it needed some carbs this far out.  I haven't had to endure alot of carb free days like most other people.  That being said it doesn't make it any harder. Aunt Flow is starting to make herself known, of course it would be my luck that she would visit the week of my competition. Can we say string check before going out on stage? hahaha!!

Since I seem to have a bit of OCD I've started making lists of what needs to be accomplished at the end of this week/beginning of next week.  Friday is shopping day, to get all of the groceries I'm going to need. This includes the food/treats for during/after comp which means I'm going to have to hide them until competition day.  Next week I'll also spend some time putting together my outfits for the Inside Fitness photoshoot on March 16th. I am not only excited because the shoot is for Inside Fitness and Terry Frendo is going to be there but I get to hang out with my favourite photographers, Casey & Jojo from Pink Elephant Photography! I seriously love these guys. Like banana protein pancakes with chocolate chips, love them. :)  They are great at what they do, especially when working with new athletes. 

With Saturday being my last assessment/posing class and Sunday marking the first day of my peak week this week is important.  Despite the fact I'm sore and tired, I have to keep my focus.  It's very easy at this point to let my guard down and slip up.