Monday, May 28, 2012

Soldiering On

This weekend I had the privilage of freezing my butt off with hundreds of other people for the Royal Canadian Air Force Run.  I was there with my sponsors, Gorilla Jack, in our merchandise tent who also were raising money for the Soldier On foundation. If you don't know Soldier On helps out retired military personel and their families who have experienced permanent injury or illness while serving.  If you want more info you can go to the Soldier On website here. http://www.cfpsa.com/en/corporate/soldieron/index.asp

Anyway, the day couldn't have been worse weather wise. Actually I suppose it could have, it could have been snowing but instead we got heavy rains, gale force winds, and a temperature of about +3C. Despite the crappy conditions the spirits of the runners were still high. They were going to do what they came to do, and they did.  I have to admit it was highly inspiring to watch them march out with the bag pipers leading the pack, the rain pouring down, and not one backing down. 

It's days like yesterday that give me the little lifts that I've been needing lately. I've been making alot of excuses for eating bad foods and not working out and I know it's effecting my moods and my body of course. Some times I wonder if I'll ever have the crazy determination my friends do or even that the pros do.  It just seems like I can't keep the motivation once the competition is done.  I like to think it didn't come naturally to everyone who's soldiering on 24/7, I like to think I'm not the only one who struggles with everyday life. I'm pretty sure I'm right, but if I'm wrong don't tell me. Ignorance is pure bliss. lol

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Off Season ADD

As of right now I am exactly 2 months post competition.  I'm still up about 10lbs though my fluff level fluctuates depending on how much wine I've had the night before. lol  My brain is currently in summer mode and has NO desire to spend an hour or two in my basement busting out a workout. I seriously feel like I have ADD. Or for a better example I feel like I have the brain of my dog.  Or better YET the dog from the movie "Up". SQUIRREL! But instead it's saying "WINE!" or "BE LAZY!".  Bottom line, procrastination.  This is why I do NOT compete in the summer. In the winter it's cold, no one wants to be outside, there's no patios open in -20C, there's no lawn to mow, no sun to bask in.  On the down side who wants to be fluffy during bikini season??  So here lies my predicament. 

People are asking why I'm so hard on myself and it's because I want to do better this coming year competition wise.  I need a smaller waist which means I have to not gain so much damn fluff! If I can keep the gain to 10lbs it will be MUCH easier to squeeze out a 4 pack midsection. I managed a 2 pack and some obliques this year which means it's only going to get better.  I'm just trying to utilize my off season but so far I have managed to get some sporadic workouts in.  The good news is that I have control over this, only I can make it work. It's odd to say this but I have about 5 months until prep starts alllll over again. Crazy right?? 

Monday, May 7, 2012

Failing at Winning

Sometimes the best thing we can do in life is admit we're failures.  It gives you a great sense of perspective of where you really are and how far away you are from where you want to be.  I, ladies and gentlemen, am a failure.  I am completely failing at my off season goals.  I'm currently 10lbs up from my contest weight, which in retrospect is still pretty damn good. The goal was to stay within 5lbs of that weight but we all know how I feel about the scale. :)  With my weight goal failing I'm also failing at keeping any abs I attained.  This really makes me sad but this is changeable, I have control over this.  I'm back to waking up early for cardio, hitting the weights hard after work, watching my portions more closely, and trying not to enjoy my new wine fridge so much. lol 

Remember that just because you're failing doesn't mean it has to continue.  You have control over the direction you're going at all times. :)

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Word to Your Mother Nature

I’m going to preface this blog by saying if you don’t enjoying reading the following words, you may want to skip todays babble;
- Uterus
- Period
- Cramps
- Tampons

When it comes to dieting and training, especially competition training, women tend to have a harder time than men do at losing fat because, let’s face it, genetically we are just baby making factories.  Our bodies LIKE to be fat because regardless of whether we’ve closed down the factory or the factory simply came with the property; our bodies are prepping for opening day.  It has a check list and at the top in bold letters is FAT.  Ok well maybe UTERUS is at the top but fat is a close second.

In my experience (as well as talking with friends and other competitors) dear old Mother Nature and her factory get right pissed when competition training starts. Especially for Figure competitors and Bodybuilders because their body fat percentage is required to be A LOT less than us bikini girls.  With fat being high on the list for production, without it there’s no use in keeping the wheels turning.  That’s right ladies, no fat usually equals no period for months at a time.  Now I know you’re doing a happy dance at the thought of this and though I’ve never experienced a “cease and desist” on my period I have friends who have. I’ve been told of things like phantom periods where you still get all the cravings, cramps, bloating and general crabbiness but there’s no need to stock up on tampons.  Saving money? Yes.  Saving sanity, not so sure…..

As I mentioned I have not “been so lucky” to have the factory shut down during prep but my symptoms do become lessened, that is until I stop training so hard and a certain amount of fat settles back in and the factory is firing on all cylinders again.  For me the first post competition period is the worst.  I’m coming up to my second period post comp so I’ll see how this one goes compared to the previous one.  If it’s anything like last month’s you’ll find me on the floor curled up in a fetal position clutching a bottle of Advil. That or on the side of the road in the same position because driving was too painful. True story.

So why am I telling you all of this nonsense? Because some ladies aren’t aware and I am all about awareness on ALL subjects.  Plus it’s been a while since I’ve written a blog that makes people uncomfortable. J Listen, I’m not a pro and I’m certainly not a doctor but I have had some pretty great conversations with fellow competitors about their post-show period experiences.  It’s not something to worry about is what I’m trying to say. It’s just as common as constipation is with prep and well we all know I have enough experience on that subject to write a pretty good book. ;) 

The more you know about contest prep before jumping in, the better off you are in my opinion and the most honest information is usually the best information.  Anyone out there have experiences with disappearing periods? Feel free to share!