Happy Medium

After re-reading my last post I can certainly say I am in a much better place.  I have really taken the effort to nurse my back issues and feel 100% better...never underestimate the power of stretching and a foam roller!! I had to take a big step back from lifting which really sucked...received some not so nice comments about looking like I had lost muscle....IDIOT....but that's for a different day....it was all worth it.  Each new day I am lifting heavier and feeling more energized.  Increasing my calories has really made a difference. 

My typical Mon - Fri diet lately

 

I think the best part of taking a break from competing has been really getting know to the new person I've become.  It's been a year since my first show and I've become a totally different person.  The way I view workouts, food, ect...almost everything has changed.

I took a 4 month break period from my first show until February 2013 when I started prepping for April 2013.  4 months is not a long time and certainly not long enough to get to know your new body.  I really enjoyed my summer, gained a few extra lbs, skirted around cardio but I think letting my body go through all of these changes...highs and lows..has really helped to to figure out what works.  I had weeks where I didn't prep any food and weeks where I had all my meals prepped.  Weeks where I did 6 days of working out and some week's 4 but the best part was...the world didn't end.  It's life people...we can't be 100% all of the time.  I've learned meal prepping just works for me whether I am prepping or not...I like having my food ready..it's just easier.  Some days I got overwhelmed between cardio, lifting, abs ect..it made me resent the gym for a short period of time.  I love working out and I don't want to dread it so you have to do what works for you and what makes you happy. 




Sunday...not so perfect

There's nothing wrong with doing multiple shows a year but I think its important to take a step back from the regimented lifestyle of show prep and figure out the body that works for you year round.  There a many reasons people do competitions but I think to continuously do shows back to back to avoid going back to the weight or lifestyle you once lived is not the way to go.  We have to address our issues and sometimes competing is not always the answer.  Competing is great and somewhat addicting if you ask me but I have to say, I've never been happier than I am now.  I'm lifting heavier than ever, I do cardio 3 to 4 days a week, I eat well and if I want a cookie..I eat the cookie..sometimes two.  I get to bust ass on Saturday morning at the gym then meet my girlfriend for lunch and order what I want for lunch.  I'm not crabby or run down.....it's pretty awesome.   

I want to share the images below to reflect how much the body changes and this is a one year span. The first picture below was 9/28/2012, the day after my first show. Legit withered away to nothing. I look back at this photo and cringe at how skinny I was. The second image is the week before my second show 4/20/2013. Luckily I had built up some muscle in my 4 months off season so I wasn't quite as "skinny" looking and was able to hold on to some muscle. The third photo is from 9/6/13 There's no ripped abs or snazzy oblique line. I took this photo a few weeks ago because I decided I needed to step up my game and really figure out what i want. I will post a new progress pic sometime next month. Overall, it's a roller coaster ride of ripped, to bloated back to ripped and I am on the hunt to find my happy in between



I wish everyone the best in their journeys competing or not but from someone who has done both...super strict to total binge eating at points.....it's worth taking the time to find that happy medium.  I'm still not totally there...but on my way :)

I plan to post progress pics soon.  I've been pretty good the last 3 weeks with my diet and exercise so I am hoping I see some results!