Some more Craig Harper:
Do what most people won't
The tough things.
The uncomfortable things.
The thing which produces results.
Create different standards for yourself... expect more of you.
If you want to be exceptional (different to most), then you need to do exceptional things.
Every day.
If you do what 'they' do... you'll get what they get.
If you want 'average'... then do average.
Exercise
At the very least, be active.
Move your body; it needs love too.
I can hear your heart, lungs and muscles applauding already.
And when your body is happy... your mind will follow.
If you already exercise, do something different.
If you haven't stretched since 1993... limber up.
If you haven't done a push up since high school.... gimme ten.
If you haven't had your heart rate up since 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'... then move your limbs and raise a sweat.
Meditate
Be still... even for ten minutes.
Every day.
Clear your mind of the clutter.
No phone, computer, people, noise, music... complete silence.
Stop hurrying and worrying for a moment.
Step away from the busy-ness of your reality and listen to that still small voice; the one you ignore too much.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Don't Let Yourself Go
Why do you let yourself get so far from your best that you have to torture yourself so hard to get back? (Bunklers' Journal)
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Artificial Sweetener
Since I try and get most of my foods from natural sources and avoid anything processed, it seems silly that I rely so heavily on artificial sweetener. So I'm going to try and stop adding it to things. I will just have to learn to appreciate my food without it.
Drinks are another matter. It will probably mean that I will be off coffee. It doesn't taste so great without the sweetener. But since I'm also aiming to have 4L water a day, hopefully I won't miss it too much.
Drinks are another matter. It will probably mean that I will be off coffee. It doesn't taste so great without the sweetener. But since I'm also aiming to have 4L water a day, hopefully I won't miss it too much.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Positive Changes for the Off Season
I've been looking at some of Craig Harper's articles today and decided to use A Better Life in Seven Easy Steps to help me make some positive changes for this off season:
Step 1: My stumbling blocks - food and motivation
I competed in November 2006 and decided my next show would be October 2007. At Christmas I stuffed my face, eating way past the point of fullness on several occasions. By mid-April 2007 I had lost motivation, stopped going to the gym and started making and eating a lot of muffins. From mid-May onwards I was cleaning up my diet and increasing my cardio to get rid of the extra weight instead of using that time to focus on putting on muscle.
Step 2: Dealing with my stumbling blocks
1. Stop dieting for shows and start thinking about my body on a long-term basis.
2. Understand that motivation is temporary. If I only exercise when I 'feel' like it, I'll never be consistent and I'll never create life-long change.
3. Break up the off season into one-month blocks, so I have new goals each month.
Step 3: Specific goals
1. Limit myself to one cheal meal per week. Too much 'free' food will make it harder for me to track whether I need to increase the amount of clean food I'm eating to gain muscle.
2. Do my prescribed weekly exercise sessions even when I'm not feeling motivated. Once a session's done, I'll be glad I did it.
3. For each monthly weights program, aim to be stronger by week four.
4. Drink 4L water per day.
5. Include one yoga session per week as part of my training.
Step 4: Plan
1. Journal my eating - it will keep me on track longer and make me feel more successful.
2. Exercise first thing in the morning. Just get up and go. Then there are no execuses.
3. Record the details of each workout so I can constantly improve. The last two reps of every set must be extremely difficult to complete. If they're not, keep going - don't just stop at the prescribed number of reps!
4. Buy water bottles to measure my water intake for the day. Finish it all by the end of the day. Refill and refrigerate for the next day.
5. Buy a block of yoga classes so I'm 'booked in' to attend, or buy a yoga DVD so I have no excuses if I don't feel like going out.
Step 5: Take action
Each month I will:
1. Get bodyfat tested to see how much muscle/fat I've gained
2. Take girth measurements to see which areas have increased in size
3. Have photos taken so I can see any changes
4. Do a strength test to see how effective I've been in the gym
Step 6: Improvise & adapt
From the results of my assessments I will see if anything needs to be changed for the following month.
Step 7: Finish what you start
'Even when the motivation wears off (and it will) do it anyway.
Even when it ain't fun (and it won't be sometimes) do it anyway.
When most throw in the towel, stay committed.
If you want to be like everybody else, then do what they do.
If you want to be exceptional, then do exceptional things.'
Step 1: My stumbling blocks - food and motivation
I competed in November 2006 and decided my next show would be October 2007. At Christmas I stuffed my face, eating way past the point of fullness on several occasions. By mid-April 2007 I had lost motivation, stopped going to the gym and started making and eating a lot of muffins. From mid-May onwards I was cleaning up my diet and increasing my cardio to get rid of the extra weight instead of using that time to focus on putting on muscle.
Step 2: Dealing with my stumbling blocks
1. Stop dieting for shows and start thinking about my body on a long-term basis.
2. Understand that motivation is temporary. If I only exercise when I 'feel' like it, I'll never be consistent and I'll never create life-long change.
3. Break up the off season into one-month blocks, so I have new goals each month.
Step 3: Specific goals
1. Limit myself to one cheal meal per week. Too much 'free' food will make it harder for me to track whether I need to increase the amount of clean food I'm eating to gain muscle.
2. Do my prescribed weekly exercise sessions even when I'm not feeling motivated. Once a session's done, I'll be glad I did it.
3. For each monthly weights program, aim to be stronger by week four.
4. Drink 4L water per day.
5. Include one yoga session per week as part of my training.
Step 4: Plan
1. Journal my eating - it will keep me on track longer and make me feel more successful.
2. Exercise first thing in the morning. Just get up and go. Then there are no execuses.
3. Record the details of each workout so I can constantly improve. The last two reps of every set must be extremely difficult to complete. If they're not, keep going - don't just stop at the prescribed number of reps!
4. Buy water bottles to measure my water intake for the day. Finish it all by the end of the day. Refill and refrigerate for the next day.
5. Buy a block of yoga classes so I'm 'booked in' to attend, or buy a yoga DVD so I have no excuses if I don't feel like going out.
Step 5: Take action
Each month I will:
1. Get bodyfat tested to see how much muscle/fat I've gained
2. Take girth measurements to see which areas have increased in size
3. Have photos taken so I can see any changes
4. Do a strength test to see how effective I've been in the gym
Step 6: Improvise & adapt
From the results of my assessments I will see if anything needs to be changed for the following month.
Step 7: Finish what you start
'Even when the motivation wears off (and it will) do it anyway.
Even when it ain't fun (and it won't be sometimes) do it anyway.
When most throw in the towel, stay committed.
If you want to be like everybody else, then do what they do.
If you want to be exceptional, then do exceptional things.'
Friday, October 19, 2007
Two Weeks Post Comp
Thanks for all your lovely comments about my pics. A few of you mentioned my smile. While I don't feel confident on stage, I (strangely) don't feel nervous either. I just go out there and enjoy myself after all the hard work I've put in. I also think the audience's encouragement really makes a difference. So if you go along to prejuding, and you've got something positive to say about the person on the stage, don't be afraid to yell it out.
I'm handling post comp much better than last year. I've learnt which foods are triggers for me (white rice, white pasta, bread, cereal containing dried fruit), so I decided I would avoid having them after this show and in future. I don't keep muesli in the house as I can go through it by the boxful. Instead I have it if I go out for breakfast. That way, when I'm finished what's in my bowl, that's it - it's not calling my name for the rest of the day, tempting me to finish what's in the packet and then start on something else. Yes it's better for me than junk food, but eating huge quantities of carbs isn't great for my waistline or my mental health. I'd rather gradually increase the quantities of carbs that I don't go bananas on (brown rice, wholemeal pasta, rice cakes, oats, sweet potatoes, potatoes, pulses) so I can feel OK about having a treat when I need one.
While I'm back at the gym, I'm probably not eating enough yet to start putting on any muscle. I should be back to 'regular' eating by the end of the month, and am looking forward to mapping out a building schedule to start on from November.
I'm handling post comp much better than last year. I've learnt which foods are triggers for me (white rice, white pasta, bread, cereal containing dried fruit), so I decided I would avoid having them after this show and in future. I don't keep muesli in the house as I can go through it by the boxful. Instead I have it if I go out for breakfast. That way, when I'm finished what's in my bowl, that's it - it's not calling my name for the rest of the day, tempting me to finish what's in the packet and then start on something else. Yes it's better for me than junk food, but eating huge quantities of carbs isn't great for my waistline or my mental health. I'd rather gradually increase the quantities of carbs that I don't go bananas on (brown rice, wholemeal pasta, rice cakes, oats, sweet potatoes, potatoes, pulses) so I can feel OK about having a treat when I need one.
While I'm back at the gym, I'm probably not eating enough yet to start putting on any muscle. I should be back to 'regular' eating by the end of the month, and am looking forward to mapping out a building schedule to start on from November.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Nothing tastes as good as being in shape feels
I read this article a while ago on Craig Harper's site and thought about it today as I was trying to decide whether to demolish the rest of the protein balls in the fridge. Yes I've just done a show, and yes I can afford to put on some weight, but I want to save my treats to have when and where I've planned them, rather than being lured by something just because it's there. Food for thought, LOL.
I Love food.
Baked cheese-cake in particular.
And lasagne.
And dark chocolate.
Specifically, Lindt.
And I love a hamburger with egg, cheese and onion.
A massive hamburger, dripping with egg and sauce (ketchup for my American friends), covered in a pound of cheese and two inches of fried onions.
If I was hungry and someone got between me and that hamburger, there's a fair chance I'd hurt them.
Badly.
I have food issues.
I'm a work in progress.
People think that because I do what I do for a living (trainer, exercise scientist, educator, etc.) that I have an aversion to anything with sugar, fat, salt or flavour.
Are you kidding?
Let's get one thing clear:
If I could eat five pieces of thick white toast with crunchy peanut butter for breakfast every day, and stay lean and healthy, I'd do it.
No brainer.
Cheesecake every night and stay in shape?
Okay, I'm in.
Yes I love food (healthy food too), and yes I enjoy the odd, infrequent, splurge (oh, the frailty of the human condition)... but what I love more is:
.....being in shape.
I've been fat... and I've been lean.
It ain't a big decision.
And for some people (like me) we need to make a decision.
And we don't need to get all precious and melodramatic about it...
We just need to make the decision.
Soon.
Now even.
Do I want to eat junk (regularly), or do I want to be in shape.
I can't do both.
So I Choose to be in shape.
I'm always talking to people who tell me how deprived they feel when they don't eat their favourite junk foods.
Q. You know why they feel deprived?
A. 'Cause they focus on what they're missing (junk food), not what they're gaining (a leaner, lighter, healthier body).
It's an attitude and perspective thing, not a food thing.
So next time you're feeling a little 'deprived', don't focus on the cake (biscuit, ice-cream, chocolate) that gives you five minutes of pleasure... focus on the body that you live in twenty four hours a day.
By the way, I'm yet to talk to somoene who feels good (emotionally, psychologically or physically) after they have made a bad food decision or over-eaten.
Some practical suggestions:
Option 1.
No junk, get you're head where it needs to be, don't be a sook, enjoy your new body. Have the rare splurge (once a month).
Option 2.
Eat your five small meals per day (35 small meals per week) and allow yourself one meal per week where you eat a favourite junk food (not a wheelbarrow full).
Option 3.
Eat a very small amount of your favourite food daily. The problem is not that we eat a chocolate; it's that we eat forty chocolates. I worked with a choc-o-holic who ate chocolate every day and lost twenty three kilos (50lbs)... because she reduced her intake from plenty ... to two chocolates a day (every day).
I Love food.
Baked cheese-cake in particular.
And lasagne.
And dark chocolate.
Specifically, Lindt.
And I love a hamburger with egg, cheese and onion.
A massive hamburger, dripping with egg and sauce (ketchup for my American friends), covered in a pound of cheese and two inches of fried onions.
If I was hungry and someone got between me and that hamburger, there's a fair chance I'd hurt them.
Badly.
I have food issues.
I'm a work in progress.
People think that because I do what I do for a living (trainer, exercise scientist, educator, etc.) that I have an aversion to anything with sugar, fat, salt or flavour.
Are you kidding?
Let's get one thing clear:
If I could eat five pieces of thick white toast with crunchy peanut butter for breakfast every day, and stay lean and healthy, I'd do it.
No brainer.
Cheesecake every night and stay in shape?
Okay, I'm in.
Yes I love food (healthy food too), and yes I enjoy the odd, infrequent, splurge (oh, the frailty of the human condition)... but what I love more is:
.....being in shape.
I've been fat... and I've been lean.
It ain't a big decision.
And for some people (like me) we need to make a decision.
And we don't need to get all precious and melodramatic about it...
We just need to make the decision.
Soon.
Now even.
Do I want to eat junk (regularly), or do I want to be in shape.
I can't do both.
So I Choose to be in shape.
I'm always talking to people who tell me how deprived they feel when they don't eat their favourite junk foods.
Q. You know why they feel deprived?
A. 'Cause they focus on what they're missing (junk food), not what they're gaining (a leaner, lighter, healthier body).
It's an attitude and perspective thing, not a food thing.
So next time you're feeling a little 'deprived', don't focus on the cake (biscuit, ice-cream, chocolate) that gives you five minutes of pleasure... focus on the body that you live in twenty four hours a day.
By the way, I'm yet to talk to somoene who feels good (emotionally, psychologically or physically) after they have made a bad food decision or over-eaten.
Some practical suggestions:
Option 1.
No junk, get you're head where it needs to be, don't be a sook, enjoy your new body. Have the rare splurge (once a month).
Option 2.
Eat your five small meals per day (35 small meals per week) and allow yourself one meal per week where you eat a favourite junk food (not a wheelbarrow full).
Option 3.
Eat a very small amount of your favourite food daily. The problem is not that we eat a chocolate; it's that we eat forty chocolates. I worked with a choc-o-holic who ate chocolate every day and lost twenty three kilos (50lbs)... because she reduced her intake from plenty ... to two chocolates a day (every day).
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Show Trolley
I've rejigged my checklist now that I'm done for the year. I found Lia's list really helpful so am sharing mine in case it helps anyone else. I like to keep my items as easy to get to as possible, hence the box with the tanning stuff in it, and the box for my make-up. Digging into toiletry bags trying to find stuff just stresses me out. If I do use bags I tend to go for the snaplock ones as they're clear and things are easy to see. The show entry form has a running sheet with approx show times on it so I just pencil in times to eat, and roughly when I should start pumping up. I've decided to keep it in two places as I referred to it a lot and kept moving it from one place to the other - show day nerves, lol.
Outside, top pocket
• Gum
• Lip balm
• Routine CD
• Sheet with show times and plan for the day
Outside, bottom pocket
• Glasses case and cleaner
• Sewing kit
Mesh Compartment
• Mini snaplock bag with jewellery
• Mini snaplock bag with lollies x 2
• Mini snaplock bag with salted almonds
• Medium snaplock bag with cotton buds, nail file, panadol, sml pack tissues
Main Compartment
• Bikini
• Black towels x 2
• Box with tanning equipment
• Box with make-up
• Heels
• Resistance band
• Sheet with show times and plan for the day
Cooler Bag
• Chicken cut into cubes for snacking on
• Veges
• Diuretics
• Bottle of water (frozen)
Hubby
• Backstage helper tickets
• Camera
• Umbrella
Outside, top pocket
• Gum
• Lip balm
• Routine CD
• Sheet with show times and plan for the day
Outside, bottom pocket
• Glasses case and cleaner
• Sewing kit
Mesh Compartment
• Mini snaplock bag with jewellery
• Mini snaplock bag with lollies x 2
• Mini snaplock bag with salted almonds
• Medium snaplock bag with cotton buds, nail file, panadol, sml pack tissues
Main Compartment
• Bikini
• Black towels x 2
• Box with tanning equipment
• Box with make-up
• Heels
• Resistance band
• Sheet with show times and plan for the day
Cooler Bag
• Chicken cut into cubes for snacking on
• Veges
• Diuretics
• Bottle of water (frozen)
Hubby
• Backstage helper tickets
• Camera
• Umbrella
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
My DVD has arrived!
Just sat down and watched my part of the show. I was initially nervous about watching it but am actually really happy with it. Even though I placed fourth out of five, I was in the first call out with the girl who placed first, and the next call out was the other three girls. The two judges I spoke to afterwards for feedback both said they had me placed higher than fourth, so I think it must have been close. I know I needed to come in a little bit leaner but it's hard for me to lean out anymore than I did and not take muscle. So the aim is to gain a bit more muscle in the off season to back up the dieting. I've been back in the gym since Monday, just doing light workouts or cardio, and am really enjoying it. I'm excited about what the next 12 months will bring.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Photographers
Has anyone ordered competition photos through Creative Fox or Brendan Breen? I'm not sure who to get my photos from. If anyone has any thoughts I'd be happy to hear them.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Notes for the Next Show
Thanks to everyone who posted their congratulations. It was lovely to read all your comments today.
I was pretty happy with my posing and stage presentation yesterday. The judges said the colour of my bikini really suited me, so that was nice to hear. My routine was OK - I mistimed slightly so ended up not being quite in sync with the music, but that's my own fault for not practising as much as I should have.
I had lemon tart and a glass of champagne last night after the show, then went out for breakfast this morning and had pizza tonight. I'm back into my gym workouts tomorrow morning, and am going to reverse out of my contest diet over the next few weeks, adding in more variety. Will still do a couple of high intensity cardio sessions in the gym a week but am looking forward to doing most of my cardio in the form of evening walks with my husband and our dog.
Goals for the off season
1 Keep within 5kg of contest weight (maximum of 56kgs), while aiming to put on more size.
2 Get bodyfat tested regularly to measure my success.
3 Include yoga in my weekly routine.
4 Keep water intake up to 4L a day.
5 Keep waxing up.
Notes for the next show
1 Get routine organised earlier so it's one less thing to worry about as the pressures mount closer to the show.
2 Get entry form in early to get closer to the middle position on stage.
3 Work on my transitions so I can move into my poses easily and fluidly.
4 Practice holding poses for longer periods, especially facing front and relaxed poses - we were on stage a long time while the judges were making up their minds!
5 Think about poses from feet upwards - get the feet and leg positions right then work my way up. I often squeeze my leg muscles as an afterthought.
6 Turn my upper body around more to the front when doing side chest and relaxed poses.
7 Have the day off work on Friday so there's plenty of time to do nails and tan and let them dry. Cover hands and feet with plenty of moisturiser so they don't end up too dark.
8 Put make-up on before I get to the venue so I don't feel under pressure when I'm there. Foundation needs to be lighter, eye make-up stronger.
9 Get a make-up case to put all my bits and pieces in so I don't have to worry about small things going astray when I need them.
10 Take bikini off after prejudging, freshen up and redo tan for night show. Consider getting a second bikini to wear for the night show.
11 Take care when applying bikini bite. Stay inside the lines!
12 Keep up vitamin C supplementation after the show.
13 Take supplements the week after the show to help prevent cramps.
14 Have a break from the weights for a week or two after the show. Calories will still be low so no gains will be made by doing hard workouts in the gym. Still do some exercise every morning, but do something light and fun, like swimming or yoga. That way I will be refreshed when I go back to the gym. Gradually increase number and intensity of workouts as calories increase.
I was pretty happy with my posing and stage presentation yesterday. The judges said the colour of my bikini really suited me, so that was nice to hear. My routine was OK - I mistimed slightly so ended up not being quite in sync with the music, but that's my own fault for not practising as much as I should have.
I had lemon tart and a glass of champagne last night after the show, then went out for breakfast this morning and had pizza tonight. I'm back into my gym workouts tomorrow morning, and am going to reverse out of my contest diet over the next few weeks, adding in more variety. Will still do a couple of high intensity cardio sessions in the gym a week but am looking forward to doing most of my cardio in the form of evening walks with my husband and our dog.
Goals for the off season
1 Keep within 5kg of contest weight (maximum of 56kgs), while aiming to put on more size.
2 Get bodyfat tested regularly to measure my success.
3 Include yoga in my weekly routine.
4 Keep water intake up to 4L a day.
5 Keep waxing up.
Notes for the next show
1 Get routine organised earlier so it's one less thing to worry about as the pressures mount closer to the show.
2 Get entry form in early to get closer to the middle position on stage.
3 Work on my transitions so I can move into my poses easily and fluidly.
4 Practice holding poses for longer periods, especially facing front and relaxed poses - we were on stage a long time while the judges were making up their minds!
5 Think about poses from feet upwards - get the feet and leg positions right then work my way up. I often squeeze my leg muscles as an afterthought.
6 Turn my upper body around more to the front when doing side chest and relaxed poses.
7 Have the day off work on Friday so there's plenty of time to do nails and tan and let them dry. Cover hands and feet with plenty of moisturiser so they don't end up too dark.
8 Put make-up on before I get to the venue so I don't feel under pressure when I'm there. Foundation needs to be lighter, eye make-up stronger.
9 Get a make-up case to put all my bits and pieces in so I don't have to worry about small things going astray when I need them.
10 Take bikini off after prejudging, freshen up and redo tan for night show. Consider getting a second bikini to wear for the night show.
11 Take care when applying bikini bite. Stay inside the lines!
12 Keep up vitamin C supplementation after the show.
13 Take supplements the week after the show to help prevent cramps.
14 Have a break from the weights for a week or two after the show. Calories will still be low so no gains will be made by doing hard workouts in the gym. Still do some exercise every morning, but do something light and fun, like swimming or yoga. That way I will be refreshed when I go back to the gym. Gradually increase number and intensity of workouts as calories increase.
Results!
Came fourth out of five. Judges were happy with my shape, and said I would have placed higher if I was a bit leaner. I also need to work on gaining more size. So that's my goal for the next 12 months. Will post pics as soon as I get them.
Friday, October 5, 2007
One More Sleep!
Things left to do today
1 Practice routine
2 Sew bikini straps
3 Have nails done
4 Shave and exfoliate
5 Have tan applied
6 Relax!
Best wishes to Magda and Tara for tomorrow. Have fun! Enjoy your day!
1 Practice routine
2 Sew bikini straps
3 Have nails done
4 Shave and exfoliate
5 Have tan applied
6 Relax!
Best wishes to Magda and Tara for tomorrow. Have fun! Enjoy your day!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Wanna See Something Funny?
This is the fourth time I've tried applying my stage make-up and I'm finally OK with how it's looking.
I get carbs tomorrow. Woohoo! It's gonna be like Christmas!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Hump day
It's day two of depletion, it's 8pm and I'm off to bed.
One more workout and one more cardio session to go. Yay!
One more workout and one more cardio session to go. Yay!
Monday, October 1, 2007
Hell week begins...
Thanks to those who posted comments in reply to my message yesterday. Work helped to keep my mind off things last night and I'm feeling better today. I'm doing a stricter depletion this year so hopefully I will look sharp at the end of the week. I'm not having too much trouble with the water so far. Think the salt is helping with that.
Tomorrow morning I'm off to have my waxing done. Not really looking forward to that. Haven't kept up with it so I've only got myself to blame. Am leaving my nails until Friday as knowing my luck I'll probably break something if I have them done any earlier.
Things left to do:
1 Practice posing and routine
2 Practice applying make-up
3 Start packing bag
4 Sew bikini strings to length
Tomorrow morning I'm off to have my waxing done. Not really looking forward to that. Haven't kept up with it so I've only got myself to blame. Am leaving my nails until Friday as knowing my luck I'll probably break something if I have them done any earlier.
Things left to do:
1 Practice posing and routine
2 Practice applying make-up
3 Start packing bag
4 Sew bikini strings to length
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Feeling blue
Have done all my training sessions and cardio for the week. My energy levels are pretty low right now and I'll start depleting tomorrow, so they won't be getting any better for a few days. I don't really feel like I'm in contest shape just yet. Hopefully I'll be feeling a bit more positive tomorrow.
Friday, September 28, 2007
1 week!
This past week has been a blur of cardio and training, with some protein and veges thrown in. I've slept so heavily, and have been lucky enough to have a couple of sleep-ins, but still have moments where I struggle energywise. And I feel a bit like an old lady at the moment - I go to do something, then forget what it was.
Weight: 52.5kg. I suddenly felt 'skinnier' during the week and it turns out I've lost nearly 1.5kg since last weekend. For my last show I cut my carbs back hard about 4 weeks out and lost weight very quickly. This year I've waited a bit longer, done a bit of extra cardio and I feel a lot better for it. I've only been irritable for a week instead of four, lol.
Food: Am loving my broccoli at the moment. And am actually enjoying chicken and kangaroo. And I don't mind having egg whites for breakfast. Boiled lots of eggs this morning and made toy soldiers for Rob. He loved them. I'm not liking fish so much, and I'm sure I'll be having plenty of it over the next week. Will have to cover it with balsamic vinegar.
Just had our shopping delivered and we got a complimentary bar of Belgian chocolate, lol. Have put it away with the bar of Swiss chocolate Vanessa brought me back from her trip to Geneva. I'm sure I'll be dreaming of it once all my fat and carbs go early next week.
Water: Am getting it all in, just. Am sure I am going to feel like I'm drowning at the start of next week.
Training: Only a couple more sessions to go. Will use my spare time for much-needed posing and routine practice as I haven't done nearly as much as I'd like.
Cardio: Intensity and duration will be decreasing after this weekend, thank goodness. I won't know what to do with all my spare time. Ah, yes... practice posing and routine.
Things to do this week:
1 Posing and routine practice
2 Practice applying make-up
3 Make appointments for waxing and nails
4 Pick up lollies, salted almonds, jandals
5 Start packing bag
6 Sew bikini strings to length
Weight: 52.5kg. I suddenly felt 'skinnier' during the week and it turns out I've lost nearly 1.5kg since last weekend. For my last show I cut my carbs back hard about 4 weeks out and lost weight very quickly. This year I've waited a bit longer, done a bit of extra cardio and I feel a lot better for it. I've only been irritable for a week instead of four, lol.
Food: Am loving my broccoli at the moment. And am actually enjoying chicken and kangaroo. And I don't mind having egg whites for breakfast. Boiled lots of eggs this morning and made toy soldiers for Rob. He loved them. I'm not liking fish so much, and I'm sure I'll be having plenty of it over the next week. Will have to cover it with balsamic vinegar.
Just had our shopping delivered and we got a complimentary bar of Belgian chocolate, lol. Have put it away with the bar of Swiss chocolate Vanessa brought me back from her trip to Geneva. I'm sure I'll be dreaming of it once all my fat and carbs go early next week.
Water: Am getting it all in, just. Am sure I am going to feel like I'm drowning at the start of next week.
Training: Only a couple more sessions to go. Will use my spare time for much-needed posing and routine practice as I haven't done nearly as much as I'd like.
Cardio: Intensity and duration will be decreasing after this weekend, thank goodness. I won't know what to do with all my spare time. Ah, yes... practice posing and routine.
Things to do this week:
1 Posing and routine practice
2 Practice applying make-up
3 Make appointments for waxing and nails
4 Pick up lollies, salted almonds, jandals
5 Start packing bag
6 Sew bikini strings to length
Monday, September 24, 2007
My make-up has arrived!
In the past I've had someone do my make-up for me but this year I've decided to have a go at doing it myself. I ordered some products from MAC on Thursday and they arrived today!
Another thing to do this week: practise applying make-up and take pics.
Another thing to do this week: practise applying make-up and take pics.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
2 weeks to go
I have come to the conclusion that I am going to look different this year. I am not as lean as I was before, but I am fuller, so at least I won't look as tiny as I have done in the past.
Ditzy moment of the week: So the other morning I got ready to go to the gym and couldn't find my keys anywhere. I looked in all the usual places, but nothing. I tried to think of when I last used them, and it was coming in the front door the night before. Sure enough, when I opened the front door, there they were, hanging out of the keyhole. So I'd been asleep in the house all night, with the keys in the front door. Plus my husband is away at the moment. Lucky I have a big dog in the house with me. In fact I think he is the reason I left the keys in the door in the first place - he was so excited to see me when I got home I could barely get inside. Well, that's my excuse anyway!
Weight: 53.8kg. Not much change on the scale since last week but have seen a few changes visually. Can finally start to see the muscles in my quads, yay! Will change things up a bit this coming week to try and get more definition.
Food: Yawn. I was trying to give myself variety by having a different source of protein at each meal of the day. On Saturday I was busy and had some cooked chicken to use up so ended up having chicken and beans for three of my five meals, and chicken and baby spinach for the fourth. And I didn't mind. It was actually easier than having to prepare five different meals.
This coming week I will be losing what little protein powder I've been having, so looks like I'll be having egg whites before I head off to the gym in the mornings. Not sure I can face chicken or fish at 6am. Will cut carbs back to one serve every third day (Mon, Thu and Sun).
Training: My energy levels have been a bit lower this week, but that could be because of the time of the month. I struggled to get to the gym on Friday and piked out of my last set of circuit training. From Monday I am going to up my reps from 10 to 12 so will see if that helps.
Cardio: Will add 4 30min cardio sessions, so will be doing 60-90min per day (60min on weights days, 90mins other days).
Water: 5L a day from Monday.
To do this week:
1 Keep practising posing and routine. Take pics/video.
2 Make appointments for week of show: waxing, nails, hair.
3 Pick up lollies, salted almonds, cheap jandals (dog ate last pair, grrrr)
Treats I Want After the Show:
1 Lemon meringue pie
2 Circa Snickers
Ditzy moment of the week: So the other morning I got ready to go to the gym and couldn't find my keys anywhere. I looked in all the usual places, but nothing. I tried to think of when I last used them, and it was coming in the front door the night before. Sure enough, when I opened the front door, there they were, hanging out of the keyhole. So I'd been asleep in the house all night, with the keys in the front door. Plus my husband is away at the moment. Lucky I have a big dog in the house with me. In fact I think he is the reason I left the keys in the door in the first place - he was so excited to see me when I got home I could barely get inside. Well, that's my excuse anyway!
Weight: 53.8kg. Not much change on the scale since last week but have seen a few changes visually. Can finally start to see the muscles in my quads, yay! Will change things up a bit this coming week to try and get more definition.
Food: Yawn. I was trying to give myself variety by having a different source of protein at each meal of the day. On Saturday I was busy and had some cooked chicken to use up so ended up having chicken and beans for three of my five meals, and chicken and baby spinach for the fourth. And I didn't mind. It was actually easier than having to prepare five different meals.
This coming week I will be losing what little protein powder I've been having, so looks like I'll be having egg whites before I head off to the gym in the mornings. Not sure I can face chicken or fish at 6am. Will cut carbs back to one serve every third day (Mon, Thu and Sun).
Training: My energy levels have been a bit lower this week, but that could be because of the time of the month. I struggled to get to the gym on Friday and piked out of my last set of circuit training. From Monday I am going to up my reps from 10 to 12 so will see if that helps.
Cardio: Will add 4 30min cardio sessions, so will be doing 60-90min per day (60min on weights days, 90mins other days).
Water: 5L a day from Monday.
To do this week:
1 Keep practising posing and routine. Take pics/video.
2 Make appointments for week of show: waxing, nails, hair.
3 Pick up lollies, salted almonds, cheap jandals (dog ate last pair, grrrr)
Treats I Want After the Show:
1 Lemon meringue pie
2 Circa Snickers
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