your hard work has payed off by far
Mel Def's Journal
- Thread starter Mel Def
- Start date
Training AND sprints today. I don't feel too bad really.
I will say one thing, taking the BCAA's before I eat helps the crazy hungry feeling. Still, I get pretty crazy hungry. I know the diet is kicking in because I quiz everyone about what food they are going to eat, or did eat and what it tasted like and dream of the fabulous food I will be scarfing the night after the show. I want to really enjoy it and savor each bit. Not like last year where I just ate blind and nutty.
I plan to drink a bunch of liquids before eating that night so I can get some perspective on hunger. I know dropping water makes me like a loon so that needs to be addressed first and foremost. I am having my best friend bring me about 5 big bottles of Evian and I shall have a water love affair. Mmmmm. That is what was harder than the food. I shn't touch a stupid canned green bean or any stupid chicken or tilapia. Might like oatmeal though. Lots and lots. With butter and brown sugar swimming on top.
Nuts. Oh I want some almonds- chocolate covered maybe but plain would be good too. Some honey, peanut butter, and a big bar of Green and Blacks Dark Chocolate. Yep. Some chocolate chip cookies. Sigh. STOP!!!!
I am getting better by the day. Stretching helps the soreness quite a bit. And mind over matter fills in the rest. I convince myself that I can do it, and somehow I do. It is easier on days I do that. Out of green beans so off to the store. Then bed. Then training and more sprints in the AM. Those sprints are going to shred me up. I can feel it already.
I will say one thing, taking the BCAA's before I eat helps the crazy hungry feeling. Still, I get pretty crazy hungry. I know the diet is kicking in because I quiz everyone about what food they are going to eat, or did eat and what it tasted like and dream of the fabulous food I will be scarfing the night after the show. I want to really enjoy it and savor each bit. Not like last year where I just ate blind and nutty.
I plan to drink a bunch of liquids before eating that night so I can get some perspective on hunger. I know dropping water makes me like a loon so that needs to be addressed first and foremost. I am having my best friend bring me about 5 big bottles of Evian and I shall have a water love affair. Mmmmm. That is what was harder than the food. I shn't touch a stupid canned green bean or any stupid chicken or tilapia. Might like oatmeal though. Lots and lots. With butter and brown sugar swimming on top.
Nuts. Oh I want some almonds- chocolate covered maybe but plain would be good too. Some honey, peanut butter, and a big bar of Green and Blacks Dark Chocolate. Yep. Some chocolate chip cookies. Sigh. STOP!!!! I am getting better by the day. Stretching helps the soreness quite a bit. And mind over matter fills in the rest. I convince myself that I can do it, and somehow I do. It is easier on days I do that. Out of green beans so off to the store. Then bed. Then training and more sprints in the AM. Those sprints are going to shred me up. I can feel it already.
You look absolutely AMAZING!!! I'd better kick my diet / cardio into another gear for the next week. You have motivated me. There is no criticism here except for brushing your hair.
Wow, you are the embodiment of the meaning, "Forever 21!!!" I know you are in better shape now then at 21 but you get my drift!!! Keep it up and in 3 weeks, you can do a "structure refeeding period" after the competition!!!! Until then, keep your eyes on the prize.
Wow, you are the embodiment of the meaning, "Forever 21!!!" I know you are in better shape now then at 21 but you get my drift!!! Keep it up and in 3 weeks, you can do a "structure refeeding period" after the competition!!!! Until then, keep your eyes on the prize.
I have tried everything. Contest prep just comes with hunger. My metabolism is in hyperdrive from all the cardio... this week I am down another 1.5 lbs and it's only Wednesday. MY calories are pretty spartan and I am doing all that running.
Tic, you are too kind! I will be much more on point with the next set of photos, I have a vision and nothing is going to stop me getting there. I am tired and hungry but it will be worth it in the end.
Definitely going to think about post comp diet. The carb limiting and then too quick adding back leaves me horribly depressed and I don't want that. So I am going to follow John Berardi's Get Unshredded diet and go from there. Still, I plan on enjoying myself with a good fatty sugary treat! It is a big part of the fun of contest prep. mmmmmmm.
All I ever measure is my waist so not sure. Ill post that though when I get a chance. My waist is 26 and I hope to hit 25 or below but ill be happy at 25 too. I am working to build my back and lats to balance out my thicker waist but that comes with time and 2 weeks and some change limits what I can do. Good thing I have lots of chest.
So my day meal plan looks like this:
1/2 c. oats
4 oz chicken
next two meals: 4 oz tilapia, 1/2 can green beans
last two meals: 6 oz tilapia, 1/2 can green beans
I like the french cut style green beans, they seem like more food to my eyes. I probably drink almost 2 gallons of water a day, take BCAA's and chew 3 packs of gum. haha.
My newest trick is to put splenda and cinnamon on my green beans. It is like dessert! Mornings seem to be the best energy and hunger wise. I feel good although always to some degree sore. Yesterday was brutal super high volume and almost max weight! 90 lbs on that leg extension machine with 50 reps is not easy. No sprinting in training, it was the stepmill at 10.0 skip a step. I about fall off that thing at times I feel so wobbly and fatigued.
My crystals for my suit are being shipped today! My shoes are on the way, my reg fee is submitted, my hotel booked, my training for the last 2 weeks paid for, my tanning stuff on the way, fake eyelashes and nails bought, so I am coming along. I am competing in the over 30 category- wish it could have been the over 40 but I am still a couple months shy.
I still need my NPC card, hair done, make up figured out, and an assortment of other smalll details but I am making progress. The working out part I have handled and I am determined to the end to bring my best package.
Posing I need to work on every day. I don't want to ruin my hard work by looking like a nervous idiot.
"Never give up, never, never give up."
- Winston Churchill
I am tired. Pretty much bone tired and sleeping poorly. Crying a lot. Not so hungry because so fatigued or raging hunger because of fatigue. Ha. Is that a formula? At night I am pretty much burning hot despite turning the AC on 68 degrees and during the day I am freezing if I am not just done running my legs off which is twice a day.
I don't feel there. I am mad at my body because despite going down in weight, I am not as I wish to be. Oh I feel so angry at me. Is it because I sometimes stop running for 5 seconds when I am doing my sprints because I feel like my calves are going to break or my heart is going to burst it is beating so hard? Did I spray too much I can't beleive it's not butter on my green beans or add one packet too many of Splenda? I slip in small ways but I haven't done anything dreadful.
Sounds like a quitter I guess, well Im not quitting but I am hurting. MY confidence is crap at this time and I NEED that. I keep praying this passes but today it feels heavy and tear stained and like I am at a standstill. I am horrified that I am slacking at work, boohooing my eyes out in front of my children and being pathetic. But I seem to be enjoying my pity party at the moment so I guess it will continue until I get over this.
So note the positive. After I run I feel more energetic so that's a plus. BCAA's do help me with the hunger even if just for a moment. I have run out of spray butter and won't buy anymore until AFTER the show. I trained Wednesday which left me feeling like a car accident victim but it seems to finally be letting up, soreness wise.
My calves, hip flexors and right glute HURT. I try to push the pain away when I am running but I am gritting my teeth. I hate that. I have rolled it, stretched and tonight after I work out I think I will soak in the hot tub although it is naked foreigner night and with my mood swings I can't trust myself not to go off on someone invading my personal space.
MY legs feel enormous and puffy. I don't know why this is but they do. I don't know how I will get them right at this late date but I have to trust it will get better.
I have so much to be thankful for and really this is a childish rant but I do need to get it out and make way for feeling good. Winston is going to inspire me as well as Lance and Tiger doing their thing right now and maybe a bit behind but still chugging away. I will chug away and I will get there if not this time then another. I am learning new things and better than I ever have been and that needs to be celebrated.
- Winston Churchill
I am tired. Pretty much bone tired and sleeping poorly. Crying a lot. Not so hungry because so fatigued or raging hunger because of fatigue. Ha. Is that a formula? At night I am pretty much burning hot despite turning the AC on 68 degrees and during the day I am freezing if I am not just done running my legs off which is twice a day.
I don't feel there. I am mad at my body because despite going down in weight, I am not as I wish to be. Oh I feel so angry at me. Is it because I sometimes stop running for 5 seconds when I am doing my sprints because I feel like my calves are going to break or my heart is going to burst it is beating so hard? Did I spray too much I can't beleive it's not butter on my green beans or add one packet too many of Splenda? I slip in small ways but I haven't done anything dreadful.
Sounds like a quitter I guess, well Im not quitting but I am hurting. MY confidence is crap at this time and I NEED that. I keep praying this passes but today it feels heavy and tear stained and like I am at a standstill. I am horrified that I am slacking at work, boohooing my eyes out in front of my children and being pathetic. But I seem to be enjoying my pity party at the moment so I guess it will continue until I get over this.
So note the positive. After I run I feel more energetic so that's a plus. BCAA's do help me with the hunger even if just for a moment. I have run out of spray butter and won't buy anymore until AFTER the show. I trained Wednesday which left me feeling like a car accident victim but it seems to finally be letting up, soreness wise.
My calves, hip flexors and right glute HURT. I try to push the pain away when I am running but I am gritting my teeth. I hate that. I have rolled it, stretched and tonight after I work out I think I will soak in the hot tub although it is naked foreigner night and with my mood swings I can't trust myself not to go off on someone invading my personal space.
MY legs feel enormous and puffy. I don't know why this is but they do. I don't know how I will get them right at this late date but I have to trust it will get better.
I have so much to be thankful for and really this is a childish rant but I do need to get it out and make way for feeling good. Winston is going to inspire me as well as Lance and Tiger doing their thing right now and maybe a bit behind but still chugging away. I will chug away and I will get there if not this time then another. I am learning new things and better than I ever have been and that needs to be celebrated.
I am waffling this morning. Should have already gone and done the morning sprints and I am dressed for the gym and PLANNING to go... but procrastination is heavy on the Mel Def at this time. I feel better this AM then I have for 2 days since Monday was as brutal as always. He has scaled back the cardio elements for all of us but the wieght is so heavy and the reps are so high I would welcome a 2 minute round of 9.0 at times.
Leg presses of 450 lbs at 25 reps. That makes the viens pop out in my forehead. Back rows with the 50's. On and on it goes. Getting better at the squats and can squat 150 on the Smith machine for 15 reps. He makes us dig deep and go all the way down so I know some may think the Smith is for sissies but heck I am weighing in at 130 now and 20 over my body weight DEEP impresses me. The rookie wasn't sure she could make it on Sunday. She did and I remember thinking that in the beginning.
Suit is coming along with the stoning, I am still managing to get deals closed at work and start to plan my December wedding as well. Yes, I didn't mention that did I? I got engaged on July 4th weekend to my warrior king. I am happy and excited and it is one more incentive to look like a million bucks and push myself to the limits. I plan on rocking my wedding dress for sure so splurging after the show will be kept to a minimum. I don't want to lose ground.
I am going to allow myself to max out weight wise at 132 once the show is over. Keep the cardio heavy to keep the fat stripped off and the carbs on the low side with a 4 day cycle of a high carb day. Eat clean and remember that feeling all light and lithe and strong beats barbecue, chocolate chip cookies and so on. Mmmm. Those do sound good but really so does a big bowl of broccoli or oats. Anything but canned green beans and tilapia. haha. They aren't bad though. Every meal is welcomed when you are super hungry.
I am hardening up and the changes in the last week are noticed by everyone. I shall get some more pics up this week if possible.
Leg presses of 450 lbs at 25 reps. That makes the viens pop out in my forehead. Back rows with the 50's. On and on it goes. Getting better at the squats and can squat 150 on the Smith machine for 15 reps. He makes us dig deep and go all the way down so I know some may think the Smith is for sissies but heck I am weighing in at 130 now and 20 over my body weight DEEP impresses me. The rookie wasn't sure she could make it on Sunday.
She did and I remember thinking that in the beginning. Suit is coming along with the stoning, I am still managing to get deals closed at work and start to plan my December wedding as well. Yes, I didn't mention that did I? I got engaged on July 4th weekend to my warrior king. I am happy and excited and it is one more incentive to look like a million bucks and push myself to the limits. I plan on rocking my wedding dress for sure so splurging after the show will be kept to a minimum. I don't want to lose ground.
I am going to allow myself to max out weight wise at 132 once the show is over. Keep the cardio heavy to keep the fat stripped off and the carbs on the low side with a 4 day cycle of a high carb day. Eat clean and remember that feeling all light and lithe and strong beats barbecue, chocolate chip cookies and so on. Mmmm. Those do sound good but really so does a big bowl of broccoli or oats. Anything but canned green beans and tilapia. haha. They aren't bad though. Every meal is welcomed when you are super hungry.
I am hardening up and the changes in the last week are noticed by everyone. I shall get some more pics up this week if possible.
Good luck on the peaking, you look great.
Congratulations on your engagement!!!
Congratulations on your engagement!!!
Insert all words related to fatigue here. No need to beat a dead horse. This is the final week and I will see it through and weather whatever comes my way. I can do it. Practiced posing a good bit this AM and last night but more needed. Need to finish stoning my suit but darned not in the mood because aforementioned condition.
Meeting tomorrow before training that will lay out how the final week will be handled, the good news is last day of torture is Wednesday! Woohoo! I can hang on til then , can't I? One day at a time. I will post pics in the AM. Too tired and don't want to torture the children right now.
Meeting tomorrow before training that will lay out how the final week will be handled, the good news is last day of torture is Wednesday! Woohoo! I can hang on til then , can't I? One day at a time. I will post pics in the AM. Too tired and don't want to torture the children right now.
The final week. Next three days training EVERY morning and double sprints then Thursday it is leave for Jacksonville and hope everything is as it should be. I am bringing my best and won't let up until I step off the stage after comp is over. This I owe myself.
Down to 127 this AM. I will definitely hit the stage as Gina perdicted at 126 and maybe less since I haven't even dropped water yet. I don't feel so light as the scale says. I still see fluff but the abs are definitely ripped now- especially my obliques.
Off to train.
Down to 127 this AM. I will definitely hit the stage as Gina perdicted at 126 and maybe less since I haven't even dropped water yet. I don't feel so light as the scale says. I still see fluff but the abs are definitely ripped now- especially my obliques.
Off to train.
Best of luck to you. Once you are done with the last training session, put yourself in a good state of mind. Think positive and feel positive. The first person you need to turn into a believe is you, once you believe it; other will follow.
Remember to take tons of pictures; I will live vicarious through your experience and look forward to your journal insert.
Remember to take tons of pictures; I will live vicarious through your experience and look forward to your journal insert.
These are the pics I like. I placed 10 out of 13 in my first BIG NPC show. On many levels I am happy and on some not so. I am tired and crashing right now so not really able to sort through all the emotions but I knew REGARDLESS that my Fitness Friends would support me and remind me that it is the journey and I am not done. Much to learn and sort and figure out from this personal trek and I am assessing what it is I would do differently and better the next time. MY loved ones are angry with me for being hurt and disappointed and not feeling I did well- there were beautiful girls in this competition and to compare in anyway is great but then I ask why I get caught up comparing and forget about being my best. I want to get normal again and feel in control. Today isn't that day and I don't care who doesn't like it, this is just how it is. I will take my time to get through it and not impose on anyone to fix my feelings, but it will be a process and one I take as long as I need to to get through. So there.
There are some other factors from the event that make me feel icky. OH well. This too shall pass. Sorting through all my tan stained clothes and crap from the trip, figuring out how to get my financial and personal life back in order and making plans to do better going forth all take time. Here I go.