LIMITLESS

The new year is just a day away and I can't help but think about how much life has changed.  2012  was the year I discovered clean eating, circuit training, competed in my first fitness competition, PR'd on my 5k time and moved out of my house and in with my boyfriend.  When I look back at last January, I remember thinking of how excited I was to get started with the Get in Shape Girl.  I had never done anything like it before and was really anxious/excited to see if I would have results.  I never imagined the day I signed up would really change my life forever.  As dramatic as that sounds...it's the truth.  I had a void in my life and starting on this new fitness journey has really made me feel complete.  Creating goals and pushing the limits with my mind and body have really expanded my outlook on life, friends and relationships. 

When I started the GISG my body literally had zero muscle tone whatsoever.  A year later I can look back and see a girl who was really clueless at the gym.  I had a trainer but the days I trained alone I felt lost and afraid of looking stupid trying to figure out the machines.  I was eating Way WAY to much processed "low fat" foods and probably not even eating enough calories per day.  In a lot of ways I feel bad for girls at the gym that look like how I used to be.  Treadmill forever..then moved to the elliptical in hopes of burning more calories..maybe a sit up or two.  I would watch some of the females at my gym that would circuit train in awe and wonder how the heck do they even know how to do that...or where to learn how to do that but now i know. 

It is SO liberating going to the gym and not even have to look at a treadmill.  Of course there are days when I will do HIIT sprints or steady state but I don't depend on one for my workout.  I have my agenda and feel like a woman on a mission.  Tabata, HIIT, jump rope, burpees, box jumps, planks you name it...i can do it or at least attempt it!  Going from a girl who wanted to ask other women about their routines to having girls come up to me is mind blowing.  Ladies, liberate yourselves from the dreadmill!! The best thing about this journey is that there is no end point. My advice to women who may feel clueless in the gym is go online and do some research.   I pay for a program that provides monthly workouts and nutrition support but there are lots of free training tools that you can utilize.  Bodybuilding.com has some great training plans that are free.  Luckily my trainer provides full videos of her exercises but YouTube is a great resource.  Yesterday I was at the gym and forgot what a high grip rope pull was...so I googled it and watched a video...and went on my merry way.  Never be embarrassed when you do not know how to do something.  I have asked trainers, people at the gym, googled, texted a friend if I can't figure something out. 

As much as I learned in 2012 I am even more excited to see what 2013 holds.  Some of my fitness goals for 2013 include:

Day to day goals:
drink a gallon a water a day
Keeping track of my weights (example dead lift) and increase my weights. 
Practice moderation on weekends
Practice posing/walking 2 a week
Focus less on the scale and more on what I see in the mirror
Build the booty/leg muscles
unassisted pull up

Bigger goals:
compete in Fitness America Foxwoods in April
Diva Dash 2013
potential second competition
possible tough mudder

Next week I will start taking progress pictures/check-in on a regular basis.  I have a strut and sweat seminar next weekend which will really kick off the 2013 competition season and I am excited to see what the new years holds!

Slow and Steady....

After dusting the cobwebs off my keyboard.. I am finally writing a new post!  It's been a challenging few months since the show in September.  I have joined a new team which I am absolutely loving but mentally I am stressed.  The scale is moving up which is inevitable after a show but what is the normal amount of weight to gain?

I can tell you that there are many different factors that are playing into Mr. Scale heading north and they are as follows:

Nutrition - I don't know what it is lately but I feel like I have the appetite of a truck driver!  I eat my 6 meals a day as that has become a habit but on the weekends I just want to eat sweets and A LOT of them.

Holidays:  This is no excuse but let's be honest here...Holiday party after holiday party can really be a pain in the ass.  This is my "off season" so to speak and I really don't feel like sitting in the corner at the holiday party sipping on my water and veggies...so I haven't been.  I have indulged with a few glasses on wine and treats.

Lifting:  I am loving my new weight training program and aiming to put on some lean muscle.  I have never really attempting to add muscle before so I can tell I am getting bigger but I am not sure if it's good or bad...it's kind of freaking me out.

Cardio: Cardio is really my least favorite thing to do...when I look at the long line of people waiting to use an elliptical or treadmill I want to turn around and go home.  I would much rather just lift but I know I need a certain amount of cardio in my routine. Lately, I have not been AS good with my HIITs and steady state.  Thankfully my trainer has been adding an extra 30 min Tabata session after my full body Saturday workout for the month of December! 

All of these factors are coming into play and for someone who was so restrictive for months it can be overwhelming.  I don't hate what I see in the mirror but when you are used to seeing these cut abs and they are not really there anymore...it's mentally screwy..if that makes sense.  I absolutely loved competing but I am realizing that there is a lot of mental aftermath that you need to deal with.  Self-image can be real mind F%$&..excuse my language.  Having all of this emphasis placed on what you look like can be a lot of pressure.  Even in this "off season" where you can let your guard down a little..I am constantly stressed out about food and making sure I get in my workouts.  Sometimes I have to remind myself that THIS IS FOR FUN.  There are a lot more serious things going on in the world than whether I have gained a lb. 

My next show is set for April.  I think I need to just make it through the Holidays and then hopefully I will get out of this fog I am currently in. 

These are some progress pics I have taken within the past 3 months.  You be the judge...any muscle growth going on? I am really hoping that having done a show before will prepare me for this next deadline mentally and physically.