Tuesday, January 31, 2012

8 (litre) Mile

I'm going to preface this with a warning to those who don't like talk about bodily functions etc. I have learned thus far that there are at least 20 people going through the same thing that I am at any given time so I like to share my experiences in full. :)

That being said, yesterday was the first day of my 1 week out diet trial which required me to consume 8 litres of water.  Yup, you read that right, 8.  2 gallons for my southern friends.  It's a daunting task at first. I came in to work on Monday with two 4L jugs of water and explained to my boss that I have to drink them therefore there may be a few more bathroom breaks than normal.  What I wasn't prepared for was my body to react as if I was downing a liquid laxative!!!  I haven't experienced something like this since I had to take that stuff doctor's give you before you go in to surgery to "clear you out".  On the bright side, I now know what to do should I ever become constipated again.  Say no to magnesium and yes to simple water. :)

At the end of this week I have an fantabulous cheat meal planned (as awarded by my fantabulous trainer)!  I have chosen banana and dark chocolate chip protein pancakes, possibly with a swipe of nutella and/or peanut butter. lol  There also may be some turkey bacon on my plate.  Now some people may be thinking "That's not a cheat meal!?!" Ooooooh yes it is!!!!  I salivate every morning when my husband makes his banana protein pancakes plus anything not on my meal plan constitutes as a cheat. Therefore, TOTAL cheat to make my Carb Zombie brain happy!

Happy dieting Carb Zombies! Less than 7 weeks before us Manitobans hit the stage!!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Yes, I Am A Bodybuilder

I will be the first to admit I had prejudices about the Bikini catagory when it first arrived on the scene. In fact, someone could even call me a hypocrite now because it's the catagory I am currently striving to compete in.  The fact is the Bikini catagory in bodybuilding shows is still not taken seriously as an actual catagory that deserves included.  It wasn't until I competed last year in Figure that I truly understood the purpose of the Bikini catagory and why I belonged there. 

Having been training since November for my new catagory I can now actually give a first hand account of what it's like to train as a Bikini competitor compared to a Figure competitor.  So, what is the difference?

NOTHING.

So many times I have read people complaining that Bikini was an "easy out" for a competitor and that the catagory had no place a "real" bodybuilding shows.  I never went as far as to say it never had a place but I admit, I did have a preconceived notion that it was easier.   Well it MUST be right?  We have less muscle than Figure, we're softer than Figure, this means there must be less work!  That statement is so far from the truth!!!

I workout 6 days a week using REAL weight until my body parts BURN just like a bodybuilder.  I eat 6 clean meals a day just like a bodybuilder, all packed up in my 6 Pack bag just like a bodybuilder.  I'm going to deplete my water, carb load my body, and paint myself the color of copper, just.like.a.bodybuilder.  So when I tell someone that I bodybuild, or that I am a bodybuilder I say it with conviction because by definition this is what I am! This is what I do! I choose to have it define me, just like a bodybuilder.

This is dedicated not only to my fellow Bikini competitors near and far, but to those who have the same preconceived thoughts as I once did.  This sport should bring us together not pull us apart. 

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Live To Eat or Eat To Live?

I'm pretty sure since the very first time the word "food" was spoken, life has revolved around it.  Food, as well as alcohol, has been the main focus of socialization for as long as any one can remember and we have habitually adapted to that social standard.  Now this wasn't a horrible thing back in the times where we were doing hard labor i.e. working our lands by hand, but these days there's alot less movement going on.  I don't know what the statistics are but I'm going to bet the majority, as well as myself, are currently working seditary jobs.

The above thought came after I read that southern food queen Paula Deen has officially been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. To be honest it's no surprise. I've watched her show and coined her the queen of "food porn" because she is not afraid of using traditional ingredients.  Since her diagnosis she has teamed up with a drug used to manage diabetes stating:

"
I was determined to share my positive approach and not let diabetes stand in the way of enjoying my life. I'm excited to team up with Novo Nordisk on this initiative to show others that managing diabetes does not have to stop you from enjoying the things you love"

Now I'm not a doctor but I'm pretty sure a change in diet is recommended by doctors in order to reverse your diagnosis of diabetes.  People think they have to live with the disease but I have seen proper nutrition and exercise reverse diabetes. I'm definitely interested to see how she does with this new drug she's endorsing. She obviously has no plans to reverse the diagnosis.

Through my whole clean eating journey I have come to learn that there is more to life than eating food.  I know that sounds contradictive as I'm right in the middle of my contest prep and I count down the hours until my next feeding time however I have heard so many comments from people in the same position as me talking about how upset their loved ones get when they refuse to over indulge with them.  Refusal of food has now become the ultimate insult in some circles and it's unnecessary.  Calculating how well you live your life by how much you have eaten is a sad sad slope that too many people are sliding and I for one won't follow. 

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Me, Go To The Gym? Nope!

It's absolutely true that I don't have a gym membership. This is something I established very early in my bodybuilding journey. Note the name of this blog: The Diary of a Procrastinator.  This is a VERY telling fact about me. I am so true to the word that the thought of driving to get to the gym makes me not want to do it.  This was the problem I faced in the beginning, even when the gym was down the street from my work!  Alot of people I come in to contact with are the exact opposite. They need the gym, the vibe, the energy, the distraction from their hour of cardio.  For me this is what a 19" TV mounted on a floor/ceiling beam and The Food Network are for! :) 

This all being said, things might be different now if I were to give the gym a chance, but since my husband and I invested in our own gym equipment over 6 years ago, it's become quite part of the norm to be happy with working out at home.  We even have a whole floor dedicated to our equipment which we are just starting to finish the renovations on.  Personally I love being able to do my thing in whatever manor I want and not worry that I can't superset something because someone is on a bench I need, or being slightly self consious if the broccolli I ate is coming back to haunt me if you know what I mean.  I have mini dance parties between sets and though I can make a fool of my self as well as the next groovin chick, I enjoy my space, my zone.

I am proud to be a home fit body, going against the norm, yet still producing fantastic results.  Don't get me wrong, I love gyms. They keep me going when I'm away from my "Dungeon" as I call it but I'm proud to show people it is possible to get a competition figure with the right equipment and dedication. And maybe even a little procrastination. ;)

Saturday, January 7, 2012

The Carb Zombie hides in the shadows.....

Anyone who has been following along for any length of time knows I have coined myself The Carb Zombie during prep. Instead of brains I call for GGGRRAAAAIIIINNNSSSS. ;)  However it came to my attention yesterday, one of the hardest days during prep I've ever had AND a FULL day of carbs, that my inner Carb Zombie is STILL there!!!!  Oh yes, she is hiding in the shadows, never statisfied eventhough all we're eating alllll day is carbs.  She wants MORE, oh yes, LOTS more.  So MUCH MORE that it left me so incredibly hungry last night.  On the bright side, I can officially see more of my abs this morning than ever in my life. 

Today I'm totally on track. It's protein all day and though I slept in (the sleep was totally needed for my aching body) I am making sure to eat in 2 to 3 hour increments.  Luckily hubby and I are working on The Dungeon (our home gym) renos today which helps my mind stay off of food I shouldn't be eating.  We are exactly 10 weeks out today and there is NOTHING standing in the way of me and that stage. Not even my Carb Zombie. :)