I feel it coming on. Sugar withdrawals! Today was easy again, but day three is upon me and that tends to be one of the hardest days I will encounter during this 12 week period. I think it's because I am withdrawing from everything at once....sugar (carbs) as well as fat. I have been very moody today and so tired that I almost can't function. Instead of eating, I took a nap. It helps for a short time, then the cravings come on me like a tidal wave. Usually things get better on day 5 and 6.
  My workout was once again intense. Quads with back. That is a tough combo, but invigorating at the same time. Tomorrow is Chest and Abs. I am trying to be careful not to build my obliques too much this time. I am square shaped (not hour glass) and that can be a bad thing in the NPC where they are looking for that sexy figure with a tiny waist and wider hips. I have the tiny waist, but you can't really tell because I have no hips.
  Once again I am feeling hungry here at 9pm. I will do another spinach omelet and head off to bed.

Today marked the first day of this long 12 week diet. It really was not hard today at all despite the fact I had a lot going against me...my period, husband out of town (corraling kids by myself), tough workout, along with a new diet. I was extremely tired all day and even had to take a nap. I did manage to complete my ballet workout today as well. Now I am getting ready to have my last meal of the night. Spinach omelet with onions and a little hot sauce. I may skip the one yolk and instead do 3 egg whites and add a hint of reduced fat cheese, that is, as long as it stays within my requirements. After that, I am off to bed at 9:30pm.

Oh Goodness! Not the before Pics.

As much as I hate to do this, I felt I really needed to post my before pictures. I wish I would have taken these a couple of weeks ago before I started binging. Nonetheless, here they are. Abs are definitely going to come in nicely. Lots of fat to shed. I have done it before, I can do it again.

Get Ready, Get Set, DIET!

It's finally here; Time to start the 12 week diet for the show. I have done pretty good this off season. That is, until the last two weeks. A trainer told me I have Pre-anticipatory anxiety. Sounds pretty bad, but that probably explains why not only have I been binging on food, but I have been doing it with foods I never typically eat. An example is a donut. I don't eat donuts, so why am I craving it? I think just the mere thought of knowing I couldn't have something even if I wanted it, is driving me to binging. On the positive side, I only did it for 2 wks prior to taking on the diet. Last year I binged for a solid month. SEE, I have made progress. LOL
  I had my body fat done yesterday and I am disappointed by being at 20%. I did it to myself. That does tell me that I was maintaining at around 18% and that is a major change from where my body wanted to stay last year; 21%. I have to get in the zone. I think I am ready. I will post pictures this week and at least every two weeks from here on out. I will also make regular posts, no matter how little I may have to say that day.
  I have already met with the lady who will be making my new suit, I have raised more than half the money so far and am currently working on connections for booking a hotel. Now I need to sit down and write out my workouts for the next week. No "winging" it. I go in knowing exactly what I need to do. This keeps me from robbing myself of a good workout.  Diet is the same way. It will be printed out and the food will be prepared on Sunday. Planning ahead is the only way to prevent yourself from cheating. Oh, and speaking of that, I can have a cheat meal after two weeks. Check back in after Monday, until then, I'm gonna EAT!

I get on the scale this morning and my weight is up 2lbs., but I think I look smaller. What is going on? I am not quite sure. I did have some Mexican food this week ( I only ate half of what was on my plate), so could I be retaining fluid or putting on muscle? Both could be a possibility. The only way to really know is to do my body fat. Knowing my history, fluid retention is the culprit and I need to drink more water to get it off. My workouts this week were very intense and I plan on doing similiar workouts this week. If my weight does not go down or continues to go up, then I will be forced to rethink my workout. My body plateaus quickly when it thinks I am doing too much cardio. Sounds weird, I know. This will be a great topic to blog about. Cardio vs. Weight training. This is always a great debate topic between trainers and one I will enjoy writing about. Check back for this one.

The Financial Cost of Competing

It’s about that time again. Time to plan for the show. The biggest part of this is budgeting for the contest. I thought I would share this with my readers just in case any of you were curious. Here is a list of estimates for one show. I consider training to be for 12 weeks for these estimates.

1.  NPC card (required every year)                                           $90

2.  Registration (I compete in open and masters)                     $160 (shows differ)

3.  Spray tan ($120 at the show, I have my own machine)         $120

4.  Hotel (usually a two night stay at average $80/night)          $160 + taxes

5.  Training (I have someone check my body fat)                     $60     

6.  Suit (can vary, my goal is to stay below this)                      $150

7.  Hair (highlights etc.)                                                        $120

8.  Hair (if you were to pay someone to do it day of show)       $60

9.  Makeup (I do my own, but do purchase stage colors)          $50

10.Gas to get there (don’t forget this)(my show 880miles)      $135

11. Protein Powder (this is an average for me for 12 weeks)   $125

12. Food (eating healthy costs more)

13. Manicure/Pedicure (This is important)                              $60

14. High Heel shoes (I already have them)

15. Accessories (Earrings and bracelets)                                 $50

16. Admission for my spouse                                                 $50

17. Food for spouse and me after show                                  $75

18. Clothes (few new outfits…much smaller size)                  already have

As you can see, the cost is close to $1400 a show. I just asked myself, why am I doing this? This first show I have decided to get sponsors or raise the money. I plan on selling

 t-shirts like of friend of mine did. She was pretty successful taking this approach. I also have a couple of things in the works to help offset the cost.

So what now? Well, I am going to finalize the design of my suit and start working on the t-shirts I want to sell. As my show date gets closer, I will see about getting some sponsors. I will continue to train and sculpt my body the best I can.

It's been a while since my last blog. Illness and bad weather around here has really impeded my progress. I feel as if I have not been consistent at all the last couple of weeks. I did have a birthday, #37, and did celebrate. I haven't given up my meal plan, just not been perfect on it. My goal was to lose 6lbs in 6 weeks. Not surprisingly, I am off by a week and a half. I will push thru another week, then take pictures and do my body fat. I think I am at a good starting point for dieting for a show, if I can stay here.