It seems the only time I can find a spare hour to compose a blog post these days is Saturdays! Thus, I'm sitting here in my usual well-worn spot on the couch having completed my standard Saturday morning gym sesh (shoulders & spin today), errands, dog walk, and finally enjoying my mid-afternoon snack with some hot green tea. Nothing routine about me is there? I swear every day I just get hungrier and hungrier! I highly doubt CSF is going to be increasing my starch servings from here on out but I think I could honestly polish off an entire large Domino's pizza right now. Of course, my body would probably completely shut down having not indulged in such delicacies in so long and I'd be spending the rest of the day curled up in a ball of pain. Alas, I am enjoying (I swear!) my bowl of 1/2 cup cottage cheese and 1/4 cup strawberries topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon and Nectresse.
Now 5 weeks into the CSF program, I feel like I've settled more into the routine. I was struggling with the minuscule portion sizes for a while there and disappointed with the seemingly beginner moves in some of the weight workouts but after talking to some non-CSF experts I feel much better now. I got some comforting advice from a nutritionist (also a competitor) who said that no one knows my body better than me so if I think I can handle increasing/decreasing certain food groups then I should just do it and not stress about it. Cutting down is more important closer to contest than it is at this point. Some background here: I nearly had a heart attack when I realized that 1 serving of fruit on this program is only 1/4 cup and I had been counting one fruit (apple or banana for example) as 1 serving previously. Some things just are not easily divided in such crazy portion sizes! Also, a good dozen people all confirmed my feelings that if the weight exercises are not difficult enough to feel a good burn afterward then by all means modify as necessary and don't stick to a cookie-cutter routine that is intended for the average competitor. Of course my coach will disagree on both of these points but I can see a major difference in my physique from when I started so obviously I'm doing something right!
So, not a major difference shown here but in my defense the lighting is bad and it's really hard to get a good pic of yourself when you are the one taking it! I wanted to show side, front, and back comparisons but I've been playing around with this program for a good 1/2 hour and I give up! Next comparison update, I'll show a different angle :)
I must admit, as much as I love the competition-prep lifestyle and feel/look better than I ever have, it's really hard to go about your normal day-to-day life when no one around you understands what you are doing! I find myself either shutting people out or just avoiding the whole fitness/nutrition conversation all together because they just don't (won't) understand no matter how many times and ways you try to explain it. VERY frustrating. It's like I'm surrounded but a bunch of haters who think I'm crazy for striving to be as fit and healthy as I possibly can. I thought that was a GOOD thing?! Anyway, I hope they all feel horrible when they see me on stage 11 weeks from now and realize that their judgements were all wrong.
This weekend should be nice and relaxing from here on out. Doing some reviewing of my ISSA CFT materials this afternoon (finished all pre-work so I just need to schedule the final exam when I feel ready), meeting up with some girlfriends for sushi dins tonight, up bright and early for a lower body weight sesh in the morning and then I have my first posing class tomorrow afternoon. That should definitely be an interesting hour seeing as I don't yet have my suit and the stage shoes I ordered are too big so I'll be donning a bathing suit and some slutty platform dress pumps haha. I am however looking forward to seeing who shows up for the bikini division. Of course, not all competitors in my particular show will be there but at least it will give me a good idea of where my physique is compared to the other girls. I'm either going to leave feeling really good about myself or really freaking bad! Anyway, wish me luck!
I'm going to post a new recipe into the recipe tab later on so be sure to check back in. My blog is nearing 10,000 hits which for some reason really excites me so maybe this entry will top it off! I hope all you gym rats are sticking with your new year goals. Remember, we are only 19 days into 365 so stay strong! As always, happy gymming!
Now 5 weeks into the CSF program, I feel like I've settled more into the routine. I was struggling with the minuscule portion sizes for a while there and disappointed with the seemingly beginner moves in some of the weight workouts but after talking to some non-CSF experts I feel much better now. I got some comforting advice from a nutritionist (also a competitor) who said that no one knows my body better than me so if I think I can handle increasing/decreasing certain food groups then I should just do it and not stress about it. Cutting down is more important closer to contest than it is at this point. Some background here: I nearly had a heart attack when I realized that 1 serving of fruit on this program is only 1/4 cup and I had been counting one fruit (apple or banana for example) as 1 serving previously. Some things just are not easily divided in such crazy portion sizes! Also, a good dozen people all confirmed my feelings that if the weight exercises are not difficult enough to feel a good burn afterward then by all means modify as necessary and don't stick to a cookie-cutter routine that is intended for the average competitor. Of course my coach will disagree on both of these points but I can see a major difference in my physique from when I started so obviously I'm doing something right!
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| 12/22/12 Side Selfie |
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| 1/19/13 Side Selfie |
I must admit, as much as I love the competition-prep lifestyle and feel/look better than I ever have, it's really hard to go about your normal day-to-day life when no one around you understands what you are doing! I find myself either shutting people out or just avoiding the whole fitness/nutrition conversation all together because they just don't (won't) understand no matter how many times and ways you try to explain it. VERY frustrating. It's like I'm surrounded but a bunch of haters who think I'm crazy for striving to be as fit and healthy as I possibly can. I thought that was a GOOD thing?! Anyway, I hope they all feel horrible when they see me on stage 11 weeks from now and realize that their judgements were all wrong.
This weekend should be nice and relaxing from here on out. Doing some reviewing of my ISSA CFT materials this afternoon (finished all pre-work so I just need to schedule the final exam when I feel ready), meeting up with some girlfriends for sushi dins tonight, up bright and early for a lower body weight sesh in the morning and then I have my first posing class tomorrow afternoon. That should definitely be an interesting hour seeing as I don't yet have my suit and the stage shoes I ordered are too big so I'll be donning a bathing suit and some slutty platform dress pumps haha. I am however looking forward to seeing who shows up for the bikini division. Of course, not all competitors in my particular show will be there but at least it will give me a good idea of where my physique is compared to the other girls. I'm either going to leave feeling really good about myself or really freaking bad! Anyway, wish me luck!
I'm going to post a new recipe into the recipe tab later on so be sure to check back in. My blog is nearing 10,000 hits which for some reason really excites me so maybe this entry will top it off! I hope all you gym rats are sticking with your new year goals. Remember, we are only 19 days into 365 so stay strong! As always, happy gymming!
Looking good kid. Keep up the good work.
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