This update on the Kentucky Muscle Bodybuilding and Figure show is long overdue. In my last post I explained that the the only thing I may not fit in is sleep, and that couldn't have been more accurate. I took the entire week after the show to catch up on sleep, and have still been recovering for the last 4 weeks.
The Team Metamorphosis Results:
Figure class B
Autumn Cleveland Fifth Place
Figure Class C
Beth King Ninth Place
Figure Class D
Sarah Maki Ninth Place
Women's lightweight Bodybuilding
Donna Williams First Place
Karen Lawyer Second Place
Men's Teenage Middleweight Bodybuilding
John Miller Seventh Place
Men's Novice lightweight Bodybuilding
Chauncey Wilson Second Place
Men's Novice middleweight bodybuilding
John Miller Eighth Place
Men's Open lightweight Bodybuilding
Chauncey Wilson Second Place
Bobby Walden Fourth Place
Lewis Oliveros Sixth Place
Everybody looked their absolute best on stage. That is what I always strive for with my competitors.
By the callouts in figure, I might have thought that my figure competitors would have placed higher than they did, but you never can tell. It seems that they all had the same issue for the judges which is "not enough muscle". Autumn came in with great shape and conditioning as usual, and just needs more muscle overall for the higher placings. Beth came in too small and hard, a look that I personally like, but the judges want to see more softness. She'll be adding more muscle before her next show, and we'll take a differnt approach for last week prep. Sarah's conditioning was just about right. Last year she came in too small, but she built her legs and back up considerably for this show. Now she just needs to bring up her chest, shoulders, and arms for the next time around. Instead of being disappointed in their placings, I was happy to hear that they are all motivated to build and work toward their next show. I love to see that kind of positive attitude. After all, in figure, where you can be too small or too big, and too lean or too hard at the same time, it's a hard target to hit just right. A figure competitor has to have patience and persistence. They will all improve in time.
The Female bodybuilders' first and second place looked close to me, but were an easy call for the judges, with a unanimous score for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. having competed in figure previously, Donna came in the leanest she has ever been with striated shoulders and round muscle bellies. Karen, who had also competed in figure before, had great muscle maturity and hardness. It was a battle between size and hardness, and since the girls' conditioning was close, size won out. I had a blast watching them in their routines, but didn't have as much fun as they did doing them. As figure deflectors, I think they both found a new love.
In Men's Bodybuilding, we swept up the open lightweight division. Chauncey's great structure won 2nd place, but he was a hair less tight than the 1st place guy. In future, I expect that he'll be able to win any show that he comes to in his top condition. The funniest story of the night was Bobby's assumption that he did not place. His number was called to go on stage for his award, but he had already changed out of his trunks, put on his warm-ups, and had his bag on his shoulder when they told him backstage that they were waiting for him. Bobby went from the least likely to get in shape, to the biggest transformation and one of the best conditioned of the group in 12 weeks. Lewis came in tight by the day of the show. With some hard leg workouts over his off-season, he'll place higher in future shows. Last but not least, was John who came in big and full, but not hard enough to get a top 5 placing. I was quite pleased with my guys. This was the biggest crop of men I have ever trained for one show.
Considering the results, I have no reservations about saying that I can train anyone to compete and be their best in figure and bodybuilding, women and men alike. Here's to years to come of growing teams of competitors.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Proud parent of 9 competitors.
The Kentucky Muscle Strength and Fitness Extravaganza is only 3 weeks away. My group of competitors is called Team Metamorphosis, and they are all coming in nicely. We will be getting together on Sunday to practice posing. Everyone has progressed in posing thus far, and at this point I just need to make sure everyone feels confident on stage.
Team Metamorphosis will have 3 figure competitors, 2 female bodybuilders, and 4 male
bodybuilders. It has been quite a challenge to keep all 9 of these guys on track. They each have different body types, and are competing in different divisions and height/weight classes. Every time I prep competitors, I feel like a mom. I feel such responsibility to them and their success. I sympathize with them when they struggle to stay in the game, when they're worn out, when they lose motivation, and when they just get forgetful. I try to help them to stay positive, see the progress they've made, and show them what else their body may be capable of if they keep pushing. I have to counter all the mental stress they're under by assuring them that it will all be worth it in the end. I have to teach them how to put emotional stresses to the side, by prioritizing, and picking their battles. I teach them how to balance the rest of their life with the consuming nature of contest prep.
Even though I'm not competing in this show, it is emotionally draining for me, but I love the reward in the end. I'm so excited to see what people are capable of, happy to have shown them what they are capable of, and proud when they follow through and succeed.
I will have so many roles the weekend of the Kentucky Muscle show. On Thursday, I will be painting Protan on several competitors, deciding what and how much they should eat that night, delivering equipment for the pump up room, and helping a pro competitor who is a friend of mine with her posing. On Friday, I'll be painting more people, putting make-up on competitors, making decisions about who needs to fill out still, watching the show, working at the booth, and taking some friends from out of town to dinner. Saturday will be the biggest day, but probably the least stressful. I'll be putting makeup on competitors again and working the booth, but at that point, I'll be able to just sit back and see how everybody does.
In the meantime, I'm still reeling everybody in the rest of the way. I have to get their sweat suits pimped out, plan for the booth, and the biggest challenge will be ironing out my schedule to include the entire list above. Oh, and I'll have to schedule in some sleep too.
Team Metamorphosis will have 3 figure competitors, 2 female bodybuilders, and 4 male
bodybuilders. It has been quite a challenge to keep all 9 of these guys on track. They each have different body types, and are competing in different divisions and height/weight classes. Every time I prep competitors, I feel like a mom. I feel such responsibility to them and their success. I sympathize with them when they struggle to stay in the game, when they're worn out, when they lose motivation, and when they just get forgetful. I try to help them to stay positive, see the progress they've made, and show them what else their body may be capable of if they keep pushing. I have to counter all the mental stress they're under by assuring them that it will all be worth it in the end. I have to teach them how to put emotional stresses to the side, by prioritizing, and picking their battles. I teach them how to balance the rest of their life with the consuming nature of contest prep.Even though I'm not competing in this show, it is emotionally draining for me, but I love the reward in the end. I'm so excited to see what people are capable of, happy to have shown them what they are capable of, and proud when they follow through and succeed.
I will have so many roles the weekend of the Kentucky Muscle show. On Thursday, I will be painting Protan on several competitors, deciding what and how much they should eat that night, delivering equipment for the pump up room, and helping a pro competitor who is a friend of mine with her posing. On Friday, I'll be painting more people, putting make-up on competitors, making decisions about who needs to fill out still, watching the show, working at the booth, and taking some friends from out of town to dinner. Saturday will be the biggest day, but probably the least stressful. I'll be putting makeup on competitors again and working the booth, but at that point, I'll be able to just sit back and see how everybody does.
In the meantime, I'm still reeling everybody in the rest of the way. I have to get their sweat suits pimped out, plan for the booth, and the biggest challenge will be ironing out my schedule to include the entire list above. Oh, and I'll have to schedule in some sleep too.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Sad goodbyes from the outside looking in
My father-in-law retired last weekend. Retirement is a major event in someone's life, but in this situation, it was more like the end of an era. Reverend Wayne Barnett had been the minister of the Christian Church in Maysville, Kentucky for 33 years and in that time he influenced a lot of people's lives. On Sunday, he gave his last sermon. There was a reception that afternoon and a tribute to him where several leaders in the community spoke of the impact he had on the town of Maysville and even in surrounding areas.
Adam, my husband, went to Maysville on Friday afternoon, and planned to stay until Monday evening. He also planned for me to join him Saturday afternoon and stay until after the festivities on Sunday, but it wasn't easy.
I got up early on Saturday to work out, then I went home to shower and pack. I had filled up the car with gas earlier, and then I took it to get an oil change. The fuel pump on the Saturn had been a little flaky lately, and I left it running when I dropped it off because I didn't want them to have any trouble pulling it in the bay. I walked across the street to get some lunch at qdoba. I had to get back to the gym so that Deric could leave, but the Saturn, was being more than flaky at this point. It just wouldn't start. I called Deric to let him know why I wasn't there, and he drove up to get me. It's okay, maybe I'll rent a car. No big deal, right? I have until 5pm when the gym closes to figure it out.
Adam went on line to check rates and reserve a car for me. I message my brother asking him to take me to the airport to pick up the rental car when he got off work. A little after 5pm, I messaged him again telling him not to forget about me. He called 2 minutes later "I forgot about you, and I have to be at my other job now." It's fine. I have a little more work to do anyway before I'm ready to hit the road.
I called my friend Shawn, to see if he could take me to the airport. He picked me up about an hour later, and dropped me off. I got to the counter and the man asked for my license which I didn't have. (When I went out with Adam for our anniversary 5 weeks ago, I put my ID in his pocket because I didn't have any, and I never got it back.) Obviously, the man cannot rent me a car without my license, so I called Shawn again who then turned around to come back and get me. I had to find the license in the pocket of a pair of shorts that could be basically anywhere at my house. As luck would have it, it had been washed and dried and was in the second place I looked. Then, Shawn drove me back to the airport, and I hit the road.
I called Adam to check on the best route to Maysville. I have been there many times, but usually with Adam who would drive. There are 2 ways to get there: through Georgetown, and through Lexington. Adam usually goes through Georgetown, but I was told to go through Lexington because it is easier. Driving down I64, I see an exit for State Road 62 toward Lexington, and I jump across a couple lanes of traffic to take the exit. As I exited I64, I saw the exit number was 69. I didn't remember which exit I was told to take, but I knew this one was too early. I figured that I would just go through Georgetown this way, and that was fine. It was dark, I couldn't see anything except the road, so nothing looked familiar. I had seen a couple signs stating how many miles to Maysville, so I had to be getting there soon. I had been driving well over the speed limit the entire time, so it shouldn't be taking this long. To top it off, that day I drank a half a gallon of water, 2 large teas, a Red Bull, and had been expecting to be able to go to the bathroom any minute when I got to town. After a series of 20 yellow diamond shaped signs with squiggly lines on them, I passed a sign showing that I62 turned left yet again, but I went straight. I had to stop and turn around, so I called Adam to let him know where I was. As I tried to explain to what part of BFE I was in, he cut me off and said, "you took 68, right?". Of 'course, I hadn't; I was on 62. In my frustration, and learning that I added 45 minutes to my trip unnecessarily, I immediately relieved myself in the middle of the pitch black road with not a sign of anyone around.
I arrived in Maysville, Kentucky after an hour and 40 minutes after my departure from Louisville. You might be thinking that I should have stayed home, and it's just a retirement party, but one thing Adam said to me earlier that day showed me how important it was that I get there. When I called him to complain about not getting my license from him sooner, he said that I was lucky that he didn't pack those shorts to bring with him. I wasn't lucky because then I wouldn't be able to go, I was lucky because then he would have to drive up to bring me my license. That's right, it was so important that I attend, that Adam was going to drive roughly 5 hours to bring my license to me.
I had an interesting perspective on the event. The Barnett's had been a part of the church and community all their lives. I entered into the picture less then 9 years ago. I would attend church a few times a year and each time meet more people who I had trouble remembering the next time. Even though I don't know most of the people, they all knew me. They knew who I was. They knew that I was important to Adam, who they all wished the best for in life. They knew what reverend Barnett had told them about me, but I don't know what all that entailed. They knew we lived in Louisville. They knew that I owned a gym, competed, and trained people. They knew I had given Adam a diet and training regimen that got him in the best shape they've seen. They knew I made Adam happy, and if that was the only thing they knew about me, it would have been enough for them.
When you go to a wedding, the bride, groom, and their parents, will stand at the receiving line to thank everyone for coming. Similar to this, Wayne, LaDonna (Wayne's wife), Adam, and Cherish (Adam's sister) all stood in a receiving line at the back of the church after the service Sunday. The church was packed, and it took almost 2 hours for everyone to say goodbye to each of them. I didn't feel part of the goodbyes, and was helping out by entertaining Cherish's kids Sam and Emma. Everyone was crying, sharing how much their lives had been impacted by the family, and showing appreciation for them. At one point, LaDonna told me to join them saying goodbye, so I did. I smiled at people that I recognized and couldn't remember their names, people hugged me, they told me to take care of Adam, they surprised me. They were genuinely happy to have known me in the small way that they did. I was loved by association. There was so much love sewn by the Barnett family in Maysville, that their cup runeth over.
I drove back the appropriate way, and made it in exactly 2 hours...another record driving time by Natalie Barnett. Now it's back to prepping my competitors for the upcoming show which is now only six and a half weeks away.
Adam, my husband, went to Maysville on Friday afternoon, and planned to stay until Monday evening. He also planned for me to join him Saturday afternoon and stay until after the festivities on Sunday, but it wasn't easy.
I got up early on Saturday to work out, then I went home to shower and pack. I had filled up the car with gas earlier, and then I took it to get an oil change. The fuel pump on the Saturn had been a little flaky lately, and I left it running when I dropped it off because I didn't want them to have any trouble pulling it in the bay. I walked across the street to get some lunch at qdoba. I had to get back to the gym so that Deric could leave, but the Saturn, was being more than flaky at this point. It just wouldn't start. I called Deric to let him know why I wasn't there, and he drove up to get me. It's okay, maybe I'll rent a car. No big deal, right? I have until 5pm when the gym closes to figure it out.
Adam went on line to check rates and reserve a car for me. I message my brother asking him to take me to the airport to pick up the rental car when he got off work. A little after 5pm, I messaged him again telling him not to forget about me. He called 2 minutes later "I forgot about you, and I have to be at my other job now." It's fine. I have a little more work to do anyway before I'm ready to hit the road.
I called my friend Shawn, to see if he could take me to the airport. He picked me up about an hour later, and dropped me off. I got to the counter and the man asked for my license which I didn't have. (When I went out with Adam for our anniversary 5 weeks ago, I put my ID in his pocket because I didn't have any, and I never got it back.) Obviously, the man cannot rent me a car without my license, so I called Shawn again who then turned around to come back and get me. I had to find the license in the pocket of a pair of shorts that could be basically anywhere at my house. As luck would have it, it had been washed and dried and was in the second place I looked. Then, Shawn drove me back to the airport, and I hit the road.
I called Adam to check on the best route to Maysville. I have been there many times, but usually with Adam who would drive. There are 2 ways to get there: through Georgetown, and through Lexington. Adam usually goes through Georgetown, but I was told to go through Lexington because it is easier. Driving down I64, I see an exit for State Road 62 toward Lexington, and I jump across a couple lanes of traffic to take the exit. As I exited I64, I saw the exit number was 69. I didn't remember which exit I was told to take, but I knew this one was too early. I figured that I would just go through Georgetown this way, and that was fine. It was dark, I couldn't see anything except the road, so nothing looked familiar. I had seen a couple signs stating how many miles to Maysville, so I had to be getting there soon. I had been driving well over the speed limit the entire time, so it shouldn't be taking this long. To top it off, that day I drank a half a gallon of water, 2 large teas, a Red Bull, and had been expecting to be able to go to the bathroom any minute when I got to town. After a series of 20 yellow diamond shaped signs with squiggly lines on them, I passed a sign showing that I62 turned left yet again, but I went straight. I had to stop and turn around, so I called Adam to let him know where I was. As I tried to explain to what part of BFE I was in, he cut me off and said, "you took 68, right?". Of 'course, I hadn't; I was on 62. In my frustration, and learning that I added 45 minutes to my trip unnecessarily, I immediately relieved myself in the middle of the pitch black road with not a sign of anyone around.
I arrived in Maysville, Kentucky after an hour and 40 minutes after my departure from Louisville. You might be thinking that I should have stayed home, and it's just a retirement party, but one thing Adam said to me earlier that day showed me how important it was that I get there. When I called him to complain about not getting my license from him sooner, he said that I was lucky that he didn't pack those shorts to bring with him. I wasn't lucky because then I wouldn't be able to go, I was lucky because then he would have to drive up to bring me my license. That's right, it was so important that I attend, that Adam was going to drive roughly 5 hours to bring my license to me.
I had an interesting perspective on the event. The Barnett's had been a part of the church and community all their lives. I entered into the picture less then 9 years ago. I would attend church a few times a year and each time meet more people who I had trouble remembering the next time. Even though I don't know most of the people, they all knew me. They knew who I was. They knew that I was important to Adam, who they all wished the best for in life. They knew what reverend Barnett had told them about me, but I don't know what all that entailed. They knew we lived in Louisville. They knew that I owned a gym, competed, and trained people. They knew I had given Adam a diet and training regimen that got him in the best shape they've seen. They knew I made Adam happy, and if that was the only thing they knew about me, it would have been enough for them.
When you go to a wedding, the bride, groom, and their parents, will stand at the receiving line to thank everyone for coming. Similar to this, Wayne, LaDonna (Wayne's wife), Adam, and Cherish (Adam's sister) all stood in a receiving line at the back of the church after the service Sunday. The church was packed, and it took almost 2 hours for everyone to say goodbye to each of them. I didn't feel part of the goodbyes, and was helping out by entertaining Cherish's kids Sam and Emma. Everyone was crying, sharing how much their lives had been impacted by the family, and showing appreciation for them. At one point, LaDonna told me to join them saying goodbye, so I did. I smiled at people that I recognized and couldn't remember their names, people hugged me, they told me to take care of Adam, they surprised me. They were genuinely happy to have known me in the small way that they did. I was loved by association. There was so much love sewn by the Barnett family in Maysville, that their cup runeth over.
I drove back the appropriate way, and made it in exactly 2 hours...another record driving time by Natalie Barnett. Now it's back to prepping my competitors for the upcoming show which is now only six and a half weeks away.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Success and more success to come...
The Kentucky State show went really well. My clients who were competing placed, and nearly all my clients who are preparing for the upcoming show in November came along to watch. Being 11 weeks out from their own competition, everyone was excited to watch and get motivated to be on the stage themselves. I was so proud of my group, and I'm not just talking about the 2 competing that day. Nearly everyone else that showed up had brought their food for the day so that they wouldn't stray from their diet and they all wore a Team Natalie t-shirt.
I just started working with Chauncey at 4 weeks out on his diet, but he was already pretty tight. I helped him more with posing, stage prep, and his final week. He won first place in his weight class, and the best poser award.
Donna, who placed 5th in the Northern Kentucky open figure 'B' Class this year under my training, now has placed 3rd in the Kentucky State. She looked great, but has decided to hang up her shoes and move on to bodybuilding for the Kentucky Muscle. I couldn't be more excited about working with her for another show on a whole new level. She's in the perfect spot to pull through with better conditioning and not have to worry about being too muscular for the figure division.
I now have eleven competitors for the Kentucky Muscle show here in Louisville: 4 figure competitors, 4 female bodybuilders, and 4 male bodybuilders. My hands are full, but I love showing people just how much they can accomplish if they follow through with a plan.
I just started working with Chauncey at 4 weeks out on his diet, but he was already pretty tight. I helped him more with posing, stage prep, and his final week. He won first place in his weight class, and the best poser award.
Donna, who placed 5th in the Northern Kentucky open figure 'B' Class this year under my training, now has placed 3rd in the Kentucky State. She looked great, but has decided to hang up her shoes and move on to bodybuilding for the Kentucky Muscle. I couldn't be more excited about working with her for another show on a whole new level. She's in the perfect spot to pull through with better conditioning and not have to worry about being too muscular for the figure division.
I now have eleven competitors for the Kentucky Muscle show here in Louisville: 4 figure competitors, 4 female bodybuilders, and 4 male bodybuilders. My hands are full, but I love showing people just how much they can accomplish if they follow through with a plan.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Easing in to the offseason is not that easy.
It's only been 4 weeks since my last competition, and tomorrow I'll be going to Lexington for another, the Kentucky Bluegrass. I'm not competing in this one, but I've been working with 2 people that will be. I've actually been working with 3, but one of them tore his hamstring last week and will not be able to compete now.
I thought I'd have a lot more time on my hands when my own season was over, but that has not turned out to be the case. I've been focused on reeling in competitors for the show this weekend, and getting eleven competitors started in preparation for the Kentucky Muscle Bodybuilding and Figure Championships eleven weeks away. I already had my hands full with training clients, and with the added work load of competitors, I'm not sure how much time I'll have to dedicate to the expansion of the gym. That was supposed to be my focus as soon as my season was over, but I've let my personal training take the front seat. Despite my efforts, I haven't successfully added hours to the day thus far, and considering that I couldn't possible work more hours than I already do, it seems that I'll have to work the time management angle. That is quite a struggle for a girl with ADD whose business partner/husband has ADHD.
One of my continuing goals for a couple years now has been to maintain a lower off-season weight. So far, this has been the progression...155# in 2004...dieted to 120# for 2005 competition season...up to 155 again then a mini-diet to 145 in 2006...dieted to 125# for 2006 competition season...up to 143 post contest...Dieted to 120 again in 2007...up to 133 today. It looks like I should be able to maintain 130 to 135 through the off-season now. I feel good at this weight. I'm able to lift heavy, feel good doing cardio, eat extra food sometimes, but not all the time, and I am lean enough that I can eat clean for a couple days and have abs for a shoot. The best thing about keeping lower body weight through the off-season, is that I won't have to diet as long next time I compete.
I thought I'd have a lot more time on my hands when my own season was over, but that has not turned out to be the case. I've been focused on reeling in competitors for the show this weekend, and getting eleven competitors started in preparation for the Kentucky Muscle Bodybuilding and Figure Championships eleven weeks away. I already had my hands full with training clients, and with the added work load of competitors, I'm not sure how much time I'll have to dedicate to the expansion of the gym. That was supposed to be my focus as soon as my season was over, but I've let my personal training take the front seat. Despite my efforts, I haven't successfully added hours to the day thus far, and considering that I couldn't possible work more hours than I already do, it seems that I'll have to work the time management angle. That is quite a struggle for a girl with ADD whose business partner/husband has ADHD.
One of my continuing goals for a couple years now has been to maintain a lower off-season weight. So far, this has been the progression...155# in 2004...dieted to 120# for 2005 competition season...up to 155 again then a mini-diet to 145 in 2006...dieted to 125# for 2006 competition season...up to 143 post contest...Dieted to 120 again in 2007...up to 133 today. It looks like I should be able to maintain 130 to 135 through the off-season now. I feel good at this weight. I'm able to lift heavy, feel good doing cardio, eat extra food sometimes, but not all the time, and I am lean enough that I can eat clean for a couple days and have abs for a shoot. The best thing about keeping lower body weight through the off-season, is that I won't have to diet as long next time I compete.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Spot the Cat...the end of an era.
When I was 18 years old, I moved out of my parents' house, and into an apartment. A couple months later, K-3 (that's short for Kitty the third, who was the daughter of Kitty the second, who inherited the throne upon Kitty's death), had a litter, and I wanted to keep the smallest one. The girls I shared my home with should be thought of as the evil step sisters. I wasn't related to them, but they were sisters...twins, in fact. They said that they had never had a cat, but were interested in giving it a shot, so we would take in the kitty for 10 days after which they could say they didn't want to keep it if they so chose, and I would find a new home for her. After 10 days, they agreed that Spot could stay.
When I would eat my breakfast in the mornings, I would fill her bowl with cat food, and then drop some of my breakfast on the floor for her. If I forgot to fill her bowl, she'd remind me, and if I didn't get around to dropping anything extra for her, she'd complain. She was a very vocal cat, and made her presence known when she saw fit. I found these qualities to be endearing, but the evil twin sisters, thought they were annoying, and requested that I get rid of her after she'd been living with us for over a month. They had their window of opportunity before and agreed to let her stay, and at this point, I was not getting rid of her. The only solution was to confine her to my room. It wasn't so bad, because I had the biggest room in the house, and a huge window to the front porch and view of the street.
It's funny how a little cat can become such a huge part of your life. I remember when she got out of my apartment one time, and I walked up and down the streets calling her. She would come when I called her name in the house, so it wasn't that far fetched that I might find her outside this way. I gave up after a while, and hoped that she'd return on her own. I left the windows open that she'd used as a pathway out, and went to sleep upset that my cat was out and could be hurt and I couldn't help her. I woke up in the middle of the night to her curled up at the foot of my bed. I jumped up and ran to the window to shut it so that she couldn't make me worry about her again.
I moved around a lot my first few years out of the parents' house. I was in nine apartments in four and a half years, and Spot was with me through all of it. Spot was always a little standoffish. She wanted to be pet, but just a little. A couple fingers scratching on her head was good, and maybe a stroke down her back with your whole hand, but just once or she'll walk away. When people came over, she watched from afar. If you'd been over several times she may let you reach down and stroke he back, but not until she got to know you a little. For three years, it was just us, but then we moved in with other people, Adam, Shawn, and Rob. Rob was allergic to her, but his sinuses adjusted after several months, and they became good friends. Later, when Rob would visit, he was one of the only people she took any interest in.
Spot was a little slower to warm up to Adam, who I eventually married. Only within the last year, she started sleeping on the edge of the bed next to him. Adam had always referred to Spot as my cat, not his or ours. I was happy to hear her purring one night as Adam pet her in bed next us. She was a pretty high strung little cat, but mellowed out as she got older. Even our Dogs, Parker and Bailey, had a friendly repor with her by the end.
When Adam pointed out that she hadn't been eating, and I realized that she had lost a significant amount of weight I was really concerned. She was lethargic and wouldn't eat her food or cat treats that I gave her. Her back was stiff and bent over and she looked like she was exhausted. I cooked her some chicken and fish, and put her bed, litter box, food and water all together so that she wouldn't have to exert extra energy. The vet wasn't going to be able to see her until the next day at noon.
Putting all her things together like that reminded me of when she went through a phase where she moaned loudly at night while she was in heat, and I had to take her to get spayed. When I got her back home, she was still a little out of it and couldn't really walk all that straight. I had done the same thing for her then. In the middle of the room she had a bed, litter box, food, and water. It worked well while she was weak for a couple days, but then she recovered and was fine. This time I wasn't sure if she was going to recover.
Spot went to the vet on Wednesday, and I was scheduled to leave town on Thursday morning. The vet said she was dehydrated and probably had kidney failure. They would put fluids in her and hope for a good recovery. She stayed a the vet's until we returned the following week. I spoke to the doctor on Friday, and she said that Spot was pigging out and being feisty like normal. I was so relieved to hear that she was going to be fine, and I had a great weekend.
We returned late on Tuesday, and I got a call from the vet's office Wednesday telling me that I needed to come in and talk to the doctor because Spot's condition had gotten worse. I went to pick her up, to find that she was skinny still, and that he breathing was labored. She had become anemic, and since since her red blood cell count was so low, they couldn't continue to administer fluids. She had stopped eating again and hadn't really had anything since Monday. The doctor said that if she made it 24 hours, she might be okay, but there were no guarantees. I took her home to her area with a bed, litter box, food and water, but then I had to go back to work.
That evening, I picked up some dinner for myself and went home to check on Spot. I set her on the couch next to me hoping she would be comfortable. After a little while, she jumped off the couch and started to walk behind it. I was sure she had no idea what she was doing, so I picked her up and carried her to the litter box where she emptied her bladder. I saw that she had done so earlier too, and knew that if she wouldn't drink any water, she wouldn't last long. I placed her in front of her water bowl hoping that somehow she snap out of it and start drinking and eating, but she just laid there. Then she got up and darted out of the room to a towel in the hallway that she had laid on earlier. I decided that I should leave her there and try not to have her move around anymore. When I came back to check on her only 10 minutes later, she had passed away.
I felt awful that she had been in so much pain. I was disappointed that she felt better while we were gone and was sick again before we were back. I was sad that she was wasn't going to be around anymore. I called Adam to tell him. My parents came up to watch the gym so that he could come home. I sat and stared at my dead friend until Adam came in the door.
She was a good cat...temperamental and finicky like you expect from a cat and a personality that you do not expect from a cat. She sang along when I sang loudly. She let out a concerned meow when Adam tickled me and I yelled. When I called her name, she popped her head through the doorway where ever I was and meowed back. She chased you down the hallway past her food dish crying for attention if she thought it wasn't full enough. She kept Bailey in line by screeching at her when she smelled her too closely, only to be nipped at. She led Parker and Bailey both in a game of follow the leader in circles around the house. She was sweet and quirky, and she was my cat.
We took her to the animal hospital and are having her cremated. I know it may sound weird, but for some reason it didn't seem right to bury her. I spent much of Thursday picking out an urn that would be nice and appropriate for her. It's a 7 inch tall white cat sitting upright. I'm going to put her leather spiked collar with her name tag on it.
Adam said she waited for me to come home to pass away.
I think he's right.
When I would eat my breakfast in the mornings, I would fill her bowl with cat food, and then drop some of my breakfast on the floor for her. If I forgot to fill her bowl, she'd remind me, and if I didn't get around to dropping anything extra for her, she'd complain. She was a very vocal cat, and made her presence known when she saw fit. I found these qualities to be endearing, but the evil twin sisters, thought they were annoying, and requested that I get rid of her after she'd been living with us for over a month. They had their window of opportunity before and agreed to let her stay, and at this point, I was not getting rid of her. The only solution was to confine her to my room. It wasn't so bad, because I had the biggest room in the house, and a huge window to the front porch and view of the street.
It's funny how a little cat can become such a huge part of your life. I remember when she got out of my apartment one time, and I walked up and down the streets calling her. She would come when I called her name in the house, so it wasn't that far fetched that I might find her outside this way. I gave up after a while, and hoped that she'd return on her own. I left the windows open that she'd used as a pathway out, and went to sleep upset that my cat was out and could be hurt and I couldn't help her. I woke up in the middle of the night to her curled up at the foot of my bed. I jumped up and ran to the window to shut it so that she couldn't make me worry about her again.
I moved around a lot my first few years out of the parents' house. I was in nine apartments in four and a half years, and Spot was with me through all of it. Spot was always a little standoffish. She wanted to be pet, but just a little. A couple fingers scratching on her head was good, and maybe a stroke down her back with your whole hand, but just once or she'll walk away. When people came over, she watched from afar. If you'd been over several times she may let you reach down and stroke he back, but not until she got to know you a little. For three years, it was just us, but then we moved in with other people, Adam, Shawn, and Rob. Rob was allergic to her, but his sinuses adjusted after several months, and they became good friends. Later, when Rob would visit, he was one of the only people she took any interest in.
Spot was a little slower to warm up to Adam, who I eventually married. Only within the last year, she started sleeping on the edge of the bed next to him. Adam had always referred to Spot as my cat, not his or ours. I was happy to hear her purring one night as Adam pet her in bed next us. She was a pretty high strung little cat, but mellowed out as she got older. Even our Dogs, Parker and Bailey, had a friendly repor with her by the end.
When Adam pointed out that she hadn't been eating, and I realized that she had lost a significant amount of weight I was really concerned. She was lethargic and wouldn't eat her food or cat treats that I gave her. Her back was stiff and bent over and she looked like she was exhausted. I cooked her some chicken and fish, and put her bed, litter box, food and water all together so that she wouldn't have to exert extra energy. The vet wasn't going to be able to see her until the next day at noon.
Putting all her things together like that reminded me of when she went through a phase where she moaned loudly at night while she was in heat, and I had to take her to get spayed. When I got her back home, she was still a little out of it and couldn't really walk all that straight. I had done the same thing for her then. In the middle of the room she had a bed, litter box, food, and water. It worked well while she was weak for a couple days, but then she recovered and was fine. This time I wasn't sure if she was going to recover.
Spot went to the vet on Wednesday, and I was scheduled to leave town on Thursday morning. The vet said she was dehydrated and probably had kidney failure. They would put fluids in her and hope for a good recovery. She stayed a the vet's until we returned the following week. I spoke to the doctor on Friday, and she said that Spot was pigging out and being feisty like normal. I was so relieved to hear that she was going to be fine, and I had a great weekend.
We returned late on Tuesday, and I got a call from the vet's office Wednesday telling me that I needed to come in and talk to the doctor because Spot's condition had gotten worse. I went to pick her up, to find that she was skinny still, and that he breathing was labored. She had become anemic, and since since her red blood cell count was so low, they couldn't continue to administer fluids. She had stopped eating again and hadn't really had anything since Monday. The doctor said that if she made it 24 hours, she might be okay, but there were no guarantees. I took her home to her area with a bed, litter box, food and water, but then I had to go back to work.
That evening, I picked up some dinner for myself and went home to check on Spot. I set her on the couch next to me hoping she would be comfortable. After a little while, she jumped off the couch and started to walk behind it. I was sure she had no idea what she was doing, so I picked her up and carried her to the litter box where she emptied her bladder. I saw that she had done so earlier too, and knew that if she wouldn't drink any water, she wouldn't last long. I placed her in front of her water bowl hoping that somehow she snap out of it and start drinking and eating, but she just laid there. Then she got up and darted out of the room to a towel in the hallway that she had laid on earlier. I decided that I should leave her there and try not to have her move around anymore. When I came back to check on her only 10 minutes later, she had passed away.
I felt awful that she had been in so much pain. I was disappointed that she felt better while we were gone and was sick again before we were back. I was sad that she was wasn't going to be around anymore. I called Adam to tell him. My parents came up to watch the gym so that he could come home. I sat and stared at my dead friend until Adam came in the door.
She was a good cat...temperamental and finicky like you expect from a cat and a personality that you do not expect from a cat. She sang along when I sang loudly. She let out a concerned meow when Adam tickled me and I yelled. When I called her name, she popped her head through the doorway where ever I was and meowed back. She chased you down the hallway past her food dish crying for attention if she thought it wasn't full enough. She kept Bailey in line by screeching at her when she smelled her too closely, only to be nipped at. She led Parker and Bailey both in a game of follow the leader in circles around the house. She was sweet and quirky, and she was my cat.
We took her to the animal hospital and are having her cremated. I know it may sound weird, but for some reason it didn't seem right to bury her. I spent much of Thursday picking out an urn that would be nice and appropriate for her. It's a 7 inch tall white cat sitting upright. I'm going to put her leather spiked collar with her name tag on it.
Adam said she waited for me to come home to pass away.
I think he's right.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
I Don't Do Figure!
I am back from Vegas! This competition season ended with a blast. There's no better place to celebrate the end of a 22 week diet than the a city that's known for buffets. I could write an entire post of everything I ate after the show, but first the low down on the competition...
USA's was a great show to compete in. It was very well run, and so nice that I was able to do prejudging and finals on the same day. I hate when the shows are spread out over 2 days. This was the biggest show I've ever done in several ways. First, it was the highest level national show I've ever been in. Second, there were 9 girls in my class, the biggest class I've even competed in. Third, the girls in my class were the biggest girls I'd ever been on stage with. When I got to prejudging Saturday morning, I realized that it was going to be a tough class. I didn't get called out in the first group of 6, so I knew I'd place 7, 8, or 9. I was scored as 9th place across the board. I was actually rewarded 8th because one of the women was withdrawn for some reason. The placings didn't turn out like I thought, but I'm learning why from the judges' standpoint.
This show was a bit of an eyeopener for me on my shortcomings. I had trouble making weight for my shows in 2005, so I thought I was at the top of the lightweight class. It became very apparent between Jr's where several people thought I was a figure girl, to USA's where nearly everybody thought I was a figure girl that I am not at the top of my weight class at this level. It started on the way to the athlete meeting when a guy on the shuttle looked at me and said "your official meeting was yesterday, right?". At first, I didn't know what he was talking about. He repeated himself, and then it sunk in that the figure athlete meeting was yesterday. A little irritated at his assuredness that I was a figure competitor, I just said "what are you talking about?" Then he realized his assumption was wrong and apologized. A female bodybuilder across the isle said "It's a compliment because you're pretty they assume you're figure." Backstage that night, the figure girls were supposed to go to the other side of the stage for their initial entrance at the show. Several girls explained to me that "the figure girls are supposed to be over there", to which I responded, "I'm a bodybuilder". When I was finished and the awards were being given out to the top 5 lightweights, I got dressed in a skirt and tank top to go see Adam. I couldn't find him and my cell phone was back stage. No big deal, my friend was just outside and I could have him call Adam to meet me in the lobby. I looked at the woman watching the door "if I run out there really quick, you'll let me back in, right?" Now, I'm painted brown and wearing a posing suit under my skirt and tank top, but she looks me up and down and said where's your badge? I was dumbfounded, "You don't think I'm a competitor?" She just looked at me "where's your number?" I hollered out the door to my friend, spoke to him through a gap in the door, and glared at her as I walked off. I went backstage to gather my things, and got some strange looks from a couple of people just before I entered the pump up room. "Where's your badge?" I feel so harassed by this point, "Dude, I'm a competitor! My number is back there. I'll go get it." A few seconds later, the guy yells across the room "They said you're not a competitor." I was exacerbated "What!?" "They said you are a competitor. It's okay." I had misunderstood him the first time and was getting pissy by then, but I calmed down, gathered my things, and went to join my friends outside. Celebrations ensued shortly after.
USA's was a great show to compete in. It was very well run, and so nice that I was able to do prejudging and finals on the same day. I hate when the shows are spread out over 2 days. This was the biggest show I've ever done in several ways. First, it was the highest level national show I've ever been in. Second, there were 9 girls in my class, the biggest class I've even competed in. Third, the girls in my class were the biggest girls I'd ever been on stage with. When I got to prejudging Saturday morning, I realized that it was going to be a tough class. I didn't get called out in the first group of 6, so I knew I'd place 7, 8, or 9. I was scored as 9th place across the board. I was actually rewarded 8th because one of the women was withdrawn for some reason. The placings didn't turn out like I thought, but I'm learning why from the judges' standpoint.
This show was a bit of an eyeopener for me on my shortcomings. I had trouble making weight for my shows in 2005, so I thought I was at the top of the lightweight class. It became very apparent between Jr's where several people thought I was a figure girl, to USA's where nearly everybody thought I was a figure girl that I am not at the top of my weight class at this level. It started on the way to the athlete meeting when a guy on the shuttle looked at me and said "your official meeting was yesterday, right?". At first, I didn't know what he was talking about. He repeated himself, and then it sunk in that the figure athlete meeting was yesterday. A little irritated at his assuredness that I was a figure competitor, I just said "what are you talking about?" Then he realized his assumption was wrong and apologized. A female bodybuilder across the isle said "It's a compliment because you're pretty they assume you're figure." Backstage that night, the figure girls were supposed to go to the other side of the stage for their initial entrance at the show. Several girls explained to me that "the figure girls are supposed to be over there", to which I responded, "I'm a bodybuilder". When I was finished and the awards were being given out to the top 5 lightweights, I got dressed in a skirt and tank top to go see Adam. I couldn't find him and my cell phone was back stage. No big deal, my friend was just outside and I could have him call Adam to meet me in the lobby. I looked at the woman watching the door "if I run out there really quick, you'll let me back in, right?" Now, I'm painted brown and wearing a posing suit under my skirt and tank top, but she looks me up and down and said where's your badge? I was dumbfounded, "You don't think I'm a competitor?" She just looked at me "where's your number?" I hollered out the door to my friend, spoke to him through a gap in the door, and glared at her as I walked off. I went backstage to gather my things, and got some strange looks from a couple of people just before I entered the pump up room. "Where's your badge?" I feel so harassed by this point, "Dude, I'm a competitor! My number is back there. I'll go get it." A few seconds later, the guy yells across the room "They said you're not a competitor." I was exacerbated "What!?" "They said you are a competitor. It's okay." I had misunderstood him the first time and was getting pissy by then, but I calmed down, gathered my things, and went to join my friends outside. Celebrations ensued shortly after.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Motivation Vacation
We have been making plans toward a move and expansion of our current gym and last weekend we were flown out to visit Tuff Stuff, an equipment company that was formerly known as Cal Gym. Thursday morning Adam and I got up and headed to the airport for our first experience of what happens inside an equipment manufacturing company. I'm usually a light traveler, but this time I had 3 bags of luggage with me. Only one was my actual luggage, one was all food, and the other was a bag of work items that I intended to address while on the trip. Considering that I had USA's around the corner, I had to bring a considerable amount of food with me for the trip so as not to throw off my prep. I was a little worried about being out of town for so many days so close to my competition, but I had decided to make the best of it and take the opportunity to relax, and focus on the most competitive show I've ever entered where I'll be up against the best of the best in the country.
Before the crack of dawn Thursday morning, we were flown into Ontario, California, picked up by, Fred, one of the Tuff Stuff reps, and carried away to the favorite lunch spot of the Tuff Stuff staff...a bar-b-cue restaurant. I ordered a plate of lettuce and ate cold chicken and peanuts that I had brought with me. The company was very informal and friendly. Pete, the vp of sales and marketing showed us around the entire facility. It was great to see how all the pieces were put together step by step and to see that so much of the process was done in house. I even had the opportunity to meet Kenny, the engineer who designs each product. Kenny is able to make any modification to the equipment that we can think of to meet our needs.
On Friday, I got up early and worked out at the Tuff Stuff showroom. Then Adam and I were on our own to run around Cali until the flight home on Monday morning. We stayed in Venice Beach Suites, which I would recommend to anyone and everyone. The front door opened right onto Ocean Front Walk, and it is 2 blocks from Muscle Beach. The room had a kitchenette and everything I needed to eat on my diet for the weekend with no worries.
I trained at the 2 most famous bodybuilding gyms in the world, Muscle Beach and Gold's International. Working out at Muscle Beach was a little surreal laying back on the bench with heavy dumbbells in hand sticking to the hot bench and looking directly up at the sun blazing down on me. I was hot and exhausted, but I had to smile. I could settle for training with limited equipment in the heat for that feeling. There were people all around one side the weight area walking along and on the other side just the ocean. Training at Gold's Gym was pretty cool too. It's not the original building, but the nostalgia was still there with giant posters of past Olympians all over the wall. There was equipment all over the place and a garage door opened on one side of the building. I worked my chest and arms for 2 hours straight and felt incredible.
I also got to hook up with my friend Raz who is from Louisville and her husband Joey. We walked from our hotel up to the Santa Monica Pier and chatted the whole way up and back. The we jumped in their car and went out to dinner. I tried to get a delicious grilled shrimp appetizer and a steak salad, but the waiter screwed everything up and I just had him take it all back and bring me a grilled chicken breast and a plain salad. It didn't matter anyway, we were with friends and having a great time.
In less than one week I'll be leaving for Las Vegas.
Stay tuned for all the outcome.
Before the crack of dawn Thursday morning, we were flown into Ontario, California, picked up by, Fred, one of the Tuff Stuff reps, and carried away to the favorite lunch spot of the Tuff Stuff staff...a bar-b-cue restaurant. I ordered a plate of lettuce and ate cold chicken and peanuts that I had brought with me. The company was very informal and friendly. Pete, the vp of sales and marketing showed us around the entire facility. It was great to see how all the pieces were put together step by step and to see that so much of the process was done in house. I even had the opportunity to meet Kenny, the engineer who designs each product. Kenny is able to make any modification to the equipment that we can think of to meet our needs.
On Friday, I got up early and worked out at the Tuff Stuff showroom. Then Adam and I were on our own to run around Cali until the flight home on Monday morning. We stayed in Venice Beach Suites, which I would recommend to anyone and everyone. The front door opened right onto Ocean Front Walk, and it is 2 blocks from Muscle Beach. The room had a kitchenette and everything I needed to eat on my diet for the weekend with no worries.
I trained at the 2 most famous bodybuilding gyms in the world, Muscle Beach and Gold's International. Working out at Muscle Beach was a little surreal laying back on the bench with heavy dumbbells in hand sticking to the hot bench and looking directly up at the sun blazing down on me. I was hot and exhausted, but I had to smile. I could settle for training with limited equipment in the heat for that feeling. There were people all around one side the weight area walking along and on the other side just the ocean. Training at Gold's Gym was pretty cool too. It's not the original building, but the nostalgia was still there with giant posters of past Olympians all over the wall. There was equipment all over the place and a garage door opened on one side of the building. I worked my chest and arms for 2 hours straight and felt incredible.I also got to hook up with my friend Raz who is from Louisville and her husband Joey. We walked from our hotel up to the Santa Monica Pier and chatted the whole way up and back. The we jumped in their car and went out to dinner. I tried to get a delicious grilled shrimp appetizer and a steak salad, but the waiter screwed everything up and I just had him take it all back and bring me a grilled chicken breast and a plain salad. It didn't matter anyway, we were with friends and having a great time.
In less than one week I'll be leaving for Las Vegas.
Stay tuned for all the outcome.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
One unfortunate event happened on the way to Traverse City Michigan. Adam and I decided to make hot tea in the car, so we got hot water at the gas station. I put one of the cups on the floorboard while I was dumping regular water from one bottle to another, and I must have kicked it or something else knocked it, because all of the sudden my foot hurt like hell. I yelled thinking that something just fell on it, but it kept hurting and I didn't understand. Then, I realized what happened, and threw my tennis shoe and sock off. There was a 2 by 3 inch blister that had popped and the skin just fell over to the side. It was PAINFUL. I dumped ice cold water on it for about 15 minutes until it got numb, and then we hit the road again. I had to prop my foot up by an air vent with the AC on full blast about 5 minutes into the drive to numb it again, because it still hurt so bad. So, I kept neosporin on it for a day, and then I stopped because I wanted it to scab over so that I could go swimming in the lake on Monday. Well, you can probably guess that it got infected. Wednesday morning, I opened the gym at 6am and sat at my desk until my 7am client came in, I could barely stand when I tried to get up because it was so swollen with infection. I went to the doctor that day and got an antibiotic and sylvadine cream. Lovely, huh? So far it's healing up nicely, but it's going to be a while before a full recovery. At least I can wear a shoe now and don't even have to tie it loose anymore.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
One down...
My first competition of the season is over and I'm already focused on the next, but I'll back up and tell how Junior Nationals went before I go on. I was 6 weeks from competition when I posted last, and intended to post again, but so much happened so fast that I didn't get around to it.
I changed my diet around a lot leading up to the show. At 5 weeks out, I went to a protein/fat diet with very little carbs mostly from vegetables. I really started loosing on this diet and felt great. I did that for 2 weeks before I switched to a protein/carb diet with almost zero fat as a carb load trial for my contest. At that point, I also cut out all added sodium and artificial sweeteners. I only did it for 4 days, but it seemed that I really filled out and tightened up. Then I went to a diet with more balanced calories from carbs and fat...mostly protein still and kept out the sodium and artificial sweeteners. I kept tightening up and my weight kept dropping. I was feeling pretty good about my conditioning, but getting a little worried that my weight had dropped so low. With all the diet changes, I had kept my calories about the same and had started eating extra rice cakes and peanuts here and there, but I was still loosing weight. I had to get to 115# by the weigh-in to make the lightweight division, and I can drop 5 pounds in water the week before, but the week before, I was already dropping below 118. I knew I wouldn't have any trouble making weight.
The week before the show, I did a depletion similar to usual. The big difference was that I normally deplete of carbohydrates only, but this time I depleted of both carbs and fat. I weighed in at only 108#, which was the lowest I'd been since 2003. I looked tight but very small. In fact, at weigh-in I was told that I was the smallest one in the class...and when I got back stage the next day I could see that I definitely was. I stood waiting to get my competitor number and turn in my music for the night show while all the other bodybuilders went in front of me because the guy taking the music thought I was a figure competitor. I threw my cd down on his papers and said "I'm a bodybuilder. There's my music." He gave me my number and shuffled me along.
While waiting for the meeting to start, I came to the realization that my trainer, although I was only using her assistance this last week, had prepped another lightweight for this show. That's fine; she has the right to do that. However, when I met with her the night before so that she could check on me and tell me what I should eat for the next day, I had asked her what the competition looked like, and all she said is that there was one girl who was really big. She didn't have to mention to me before that she was training someone else, but at this point, there's no reason the she shouldn't have said "There's a girl that I prepped who is a lightweight too." Yet she decided to pretend that she didn't know anything else about the competition. I would have even understood if she said she prepped a girl and she shouldn't talk about her because it wouldn't be fair to her, but to just skip over that detail that night I thought was a little unfair to me. Oh well, it didn't really matter in the end anyway. I was just reminder of how different national level shows can be.
It's a new level of competition where less people are there to have a good time and to be the best they can be. Most of them are there to win, and not make friends...unless those friends can give them a leg up on their next show. It's been two years since I competed in my first national level show, and almost two years since my last. That first reminder was just one of the things that I had learned and forgotten in two years. Before I stepped on stage, I was standing in line with my fellow lightweights, and realized that they all had the 'voice'. This was my second reminder of where I was. I had this idea that at least in the lightweight class there would be several 'natural' competitors. I was wrong; I was it.
Once we were on stage, I stood in the front relaxed position, and thought about the fact that I hadn't practiced my posing enough. The head judge called 'quarter turn to the right', and by the time I was in position, I heard again 'quarter turn to the rear'. As I faced the back of the stage I thought that maybe it didn't matter that I didn't practice so much because it goes by so quickly. In the end it did because I didn't get into my positions quickly enough for the judges to see what I had to offer. I got feedback from one of the judges after the show who said that from looking at the pictures he didn't think I looked like the 4th place girl, but when he was judging, he had marked me as such. I didn't present myself very well on stage, so that's something I need to work on for USA's.
Before finals Saturday, Adam and I had gone to do a little photo shoot in a nearby park. It was fun and we got some good shots. My brother, Christian, had driven up to watch the show and hang out, so he and Adam and I went to dinner at the Ram's Horn Brewery afterwards. The food was great, but we didn't stay too long. Christian had to drive home and work in the morning on no sleep, and we had to drive North to see Adam's family who had been on vacation that week.
I changed my diet around a lot leading up to the show. At 5 weeks out, I went to a protein/fat diet with very little carbs mostly from vegetables. I really started loosing on this diet and felt great. I did that for 2 weeks before I switched to a protein/carb diet with almost zero fat as a carb load trial for my contest. At that point, I also cut out all added sodium and artificial sweeteners. I only did it for 4 days, but it seemed that I really filled out and tightened up. Then I went to a diet with more balanced calories from carbs and fat...mostly protein still and kept out the sodium and artificial sweeteners. I kept tightening up and my weight kept dropping. I was feeling pretty good about my conditioning, but getting a little worried that my weight had dropped so low. With all the diet changes, I had kept my calories about the same and had started eating extra rice cakes and peanuts here and there, but I was still loosing weight. I had to get to 115# by the weigh-in to make the lightweight division, and I can drop 5 pounds in water the week before, but the week before, I was already dropping below 118. I knew I wouldn't have any trouble making weight.
The week before the show, I did a depletion similar to usual. The big difference was that I normally deplete of carbohydrates only, but this time I depleted of both carbs and fat. I weighed in at only 108#, which was the lowest I'd been since 2003. I looked tight but very small. In fact, at weigh-in I was told that I was the smallest one in the class...and when I got back stage the next day I could see that I definitely was. I stood waiting to get my competitor number and turn in my music for the night show while all the other bodybuilders went in front of me because the guy taking the music thought I was a figure competitor. I threw my cd down on his papers and said "I'm a bodybuilder. There's my music." He gave me my number and shuffled me along.
While waiting for the meeting to start, I came to the realization that my trainer, although I was only using her assistance this last week, had prepped another lightweight for this show. That's fine; she has the right to do that. However, when I met with her the night before so that she could check on me and tell me what I should eat for the next day, I had asked her what the competition looked like, and all she said is that there was one girl who was really big. She didn't have to mention to me before that she was training someone else, but at this point, there's no reason the she shouldn't have said "There's a girl that I prepped who is a lightweight too." Yet she decided to pretend that she didn't know anything else about the competition. I would have even understood if she said she prepped a girl and she shouldn't talk about her because it wouldn't be fair to her, but to just skip over that detail that night I thought was a little unfair to me. Oh well, it didn't really matter in the end anyway. I was just reminder of how different national level shows can be.
It's a new level of competition where less people are there to have a good time and to be the best they can be. Most of them are there to win, and not make friends...unless those friends can give them a leg up on their next show. It's been two years since I competed in my first national level show, and almost two years since my last. That first reminder was just one of the things that I had learned and forgotten in two years. Before I stepped on stage, I was standing in line with my fellow lightweights, and realized that they all had the 'voice'. This was my second reminder of where I was. I had this idea that at least in the lightweight class there would be several 'natural' competitors. I was wrong; I was it.
Once we were on stage, I stood in the front relaxed position, and thought about the fact that I hadn't practiced my posing enough. The head judge called 'quarter turn to the right', and by the time I was in position, I heard again 'quarter turn to the rear'. As I faced the back of the stage I thought that maybe it didn't matter that I didn't practice so much because it goes by so quickly. In the end it did because I didn't get into my positions quickly enough for the judges to see what I had to offer. I got feedback from one of the judges after the show who said that from looking at the pictures he didn't think I looked like the 4th place girl, but when he was judging, he had marked me as such. I didn't present myself very well on stage, so that's something I need to work on for USA's.
Before finals Saturday, Adam and I had gone to do a little photo shoot in a nearby park. It was fun and we got some good shots. My brother, Christian, had driven up to watch the show and hang out, so he and Adam and I went to dinner at the Ram's Horn Brewery afterwards. The food was great, but we didn't stay too long. Christian had to drive home and work in the morning on no sleep, and we had to drive North to see Adam's family who had been on vacation that week.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Big Plate
I have a lot on my plate right now. Prepping for a show is enough for most people, but I guess I'm not most people because I continue to pick up additional projects despite how little extra time I have to put toward them. I have been contemplating expanding my current gym several months, but now is the time I have decided to move forward with these plans. Plans for expansion include writing a new business plan, creating an investor package to present to investors (Let me know if you want to invest in my new gym.), and a trip to Las Vegas to check out Tuff Stuff equipment in early July which is right between my 2 shows. Yeah, this is going to take a lot of time. Also, several months ago, I attempted to contact the Derby City Roller Girls, our newly established local Roller derby league. About one month ago, I finally picked up some reception, and now I'm their strength and conditioning coach. Their first bout is next weekend and their season extends past my season. It's going to be a big time investment, but well worth it. I usually find a way to fit everything in, so I'm sure it will work out fine.
For the last 4 weeks I've been using an amino acid supplement line from Biochemical Sports Performance. I feel good and not too run down. I'm staying focused and regimented with my diet, but I don't have much time left before Junior Nationals is here. I think the amino acids are working for me, but they can't do much to help my perspective. At 6 weeks out from my first of two shows, the scale says I'm on track, but my eyes say that I'm not there yet. I think I'm harder on myself every time I diet. I expect more from myself every time I compete and when I only see slightly better, I'm disappointed. I'm usually a confidant person and I feel that competing instills confidence further; however, right now I need reassurance from those who understand what I'm doing in order to stay positive.
I took progress pictures today. Often, when you look at pictures, you see something different
than you thought you saw when you were there in person. Sometimes you think you looked better at the time the pictures were taken, and sometimes you think you look better when you see them after the fact. Today, I saw the same thing in the mirror as I did in the picture on the computer screen. Although I have lost weight, I don't feel like I have improved significantly in the last couple weeks. The fact is that I have been sick 3 times since I started dieting 10 weeks ago. It's been the same thing every time: sore throat, lost voice, nasal congestion, crap in my lungs, exhaustion...etc, and the third time was the week before last. As a result, I haven't been able to do as much cardio as I had planned, so my concern is that I've lost more muscle still and not enough fat. I'll see in a couple more weeks when I get another body fat test. In the meantime, although I ask my husband, Adam, daily, I will send my pictures to some other people for their opinions. Carla, my trainer, hasn't see pictures in 4 weeks. She'll be helping me with my final week before the show and in the meantime, giving me some guidance as needed. I also showed Lana of www.Lanaseggwhites.com my pictures 4 weeks ago, and she is always helpful because she has worked with so many competitors. She'll shoot straight about where she thinks I stand, and that's what I need.
For the last 4 weeks I've been using an amino acid supplement line from Biochemical Sports Performance. I feel good and not too run down. I'm staying focused and regimented with my diet, but I don't have much time left before Junior Nationals is here. I think the amino acids are working for me, but they can't do much to help my perspective. At 6 weeks out from my first of two shows, the scale says I'm on track, but my eyes say that I'm not there yet. I think I'm harder on myself every time I diet. I expect more from myself every time I compete and when I only see slightly better, I'm disappointed. I'm usually a confidant person and I feel that competing instills confidence further; however, right now I need reassurance from those who understand what I'm doing in order to stay positive.
I took progress pictures today. Often, when you look at pictures, you see something different
than you thought you saw when you were there in person. Sometimes you think you looked better at the time the pictures were taken, and sometimes you think you look better when you see them after the fact. Today, I saw the same thing in the mirror as I did in the picture on the computer screen. Although I have lost weight, I don't feel like I have improved significantly in the last couple weeks. The fact is that I have been sick 3 times since I started dieting 10 weeks ago. It's been the same thing every time: sore throat, lost voice, nasal congestion, crap in my lungs, exhaustion...etc, and the third time was the week before last. As a result, I haven't been able to do as much cardio as I had planned, so my concern is that I've lost more muscle still and not enough fat. I'll see in a couple more weeks when I get another body fat test. In the meantime, although I ask my husband, Adam, daily, I will send my pictures to some other people for their opinions. Carla, my trainer, hasn't see pictures in 4 weeks. She'll be helping me with my final week before the show and in the meantime, giving me some guidance as needed. I also showed Lana of www.Lanaseggwhites.com my pictures 4 weeks ago, and she is always helpful because she has worked with so many competitors. She'll shoot straight about where she thinks I stand, and that's what I need.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Back on Track
I am not someone who gets stressed out easily, but 2 and a half weeks ago, I all but had a breakdown. I felt drained and weak in the gym and to top it off, I wasn't seeing results. I was definitely over training. I didn't have time to address the problems with my prep, nor was I able to let things continue as my contest crept closer. I had to make some changes if I wanted to be in shape on time.
I felt defeated and unfocused and my body was depleted, so I spent the next week adding additional calories which didn't help me to lose any fat, but I did start to feel like myself again. On Thursday, I wrote my own diet that I would start on the following Monday. Also, I decided that I needed to soften my cardio plan. I'm walking for morning cardio for 30 minutes instead of 45. It's just enough to get my kick start my metabolism in the morning. I'm also running in the evenings for 30 minutes, although it's inching up to 45 minutes over the next week. This is more intense and I'll add intervals and/or sprints a couple times a week.
After a week on my new diet and cardio plan, Easter weekend was upon us. My husband, Adam, and I, and our two dogs ,Parker and Bailey, went to Maysville to see Adam's family Saturday. That night I sat and watched as they ate homemade tacos. It's okay, I had a nice cold glass of crystal light. On Sunday afternoon, I watched again as they enjoyed roasted chicken and vegetables. Yes, I had a glass of crystal light again. Later that afternoon, strawberry shortcake, and chocolate chip cookies were made. I sat and stared and felt sorry for myself as they ate yet again. Of 'course, all this time I had been eating too, but nothing that I hadn't measured, cooked, and brought with me in my cooler. By the time we got home on Sunday night, I wanted to go out to dinner. I ordered a salad, steak, and asparagus which led to eating the bread on the table which led to ordering dessert. It was very good.
On Monday, a call was returned to reschedule my body fat test, and they were able to do it that day. It would be the day after i had a cheat meal. When I went to have it done, I was anxious and messed up the first time by coming up too early. I was worried about the possibility of learning that I had lost more muscle and still had too much fat to lose. I calmed down and tried again to get 3 consistent trials. Then, I waited in a towel shivering for good news or bad news. It was very good news. In the last two weeks, I had lost 4.25 pounds of fat, and gained back a half a pound of muscle. I finally feel like I'm on track.
I felt defeated and unfocused and my body was depleted, so I spent the next week adding additional calories which didn't help me to lose any fat, but I did start to feel like myself again. On Thursday, I wrote my own diet that I would start on the following Monday. Also, I decided that I needed to soften my cardio plan. I'm walking for morning cardio for 30 minutes instead of 45. It's just enough to get my kick start my metabolism in the morning. I'm also running in the evenings for 30 minutes, although it's inching up to 45 minutes over the next week. This is more intense and I'll add intervals and/or sprints a couple times a week.
After a week on my new diet and cardio plan, Easter weekend was upon us. My husband, Adam, and I, and our two dogs ,Parker and Bailey, went to Maysville to see Adam's family Saturday. That night I sat and watched as they ate homemade tacos. It's okay, I had a nice cold glass of crystal light. On Sunday afternoon, I watched again as they enjoyed roasted chicken and vegetables. Yes, I had a glass of crystal light again. Later that afternoon, strawberry shortcake, and chocolate chip cookies were made. I sat and stared and felt sorry for myself as they ate yet again. Of 'course, all this time I had been eating too, but nothing that I hadn't measured, cooked, and brought with me in my cooler. By the time we got home on Sunday night, I wanted to go out to dinner. I ordered a salad, steak, and asparagus which led to eating the bread on the table which led to ordering dessert. It was very good.
On Monday, a call was returned to reschedule my body fat test, and they were able to do it that day. It would be the day after i had a cheat meal. When I went to have it done, I was anxious and messed up the first time by coming up too early. I was worried about the possibility of learning that I had lost more muscle and still had too much fat to lose. I calmed down and tried again to get 3 consistent trials. Then, I waited in a towel shivering for good news or bad news. It was very good news. In the last two weeks, I had lost 4.25 pounds of fat, and gained back a half a pound of muscle. I finally feel like I'm on track.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Unfolding
The plan has been unfolding. I have lost a few pounds, which is what is supposed to happen. My diet changes today. My cardio is increased today. I'm going to write a new weight training routine today also.
The hard work of 4 people unfolded Saturday at the NPC Northern Kentucky Bodybuilding and Figure Championships. I have been working with 1 female bodybuilder, 1 male bodybuilder, and 2 figure competitors. I was so proud of them and honestly proud of myself too. They worked so hard to get to their competition, and I felt like I did my job right because each of them was their absolute best on stage. Rachel, the female bodybuilder, placed 1st in her weight class. Harold, the male bodybuilder placed 4th in his weight class. Donna, one figure competitor, placed 5th in her height class. Angela, the other figure competitor, didn't place in the top 5, but looked great anyway. Now that this show is over, I'll have a bit more time to focus on me, and I'll definitely need it.
My life is unfolding. I have been dragging myself out of bed at 4am to do morning cardio 6 days a week up to this point. I have trouble getting to bed at night because I have lots of work to do in the evenings that I can't tear myself away from, and a husband that I don't get to spend enough time with who I also can't tear myself away from. Now, I'll be doing that 7 days a week and I have to find a way to do more cardio in the evening 4 times a week. Carla, my trainer, said "only 30 minutes 4 times a week for now". I'm pretty stressed out.
I had my bodyfat percent tested again on Friday, and it was not motivating. It is possible that it was inaccurate, but if it is correct, I'm losing muscle mass. In case you didn't know...that's not good. It's probably from lack of sleep, and stress. I have to correct the sleep issue, and the stress issue, but I don't know where to begin. I'm falling further behind on my work. I have to decline to train people and give more of my clients to my other trainer, Deric. I also need to utilize more people to work hours staffing my gym, but for some reason no one wants to work, and being paid doesn't seem to be any consolation. For now, I'm going to assume that the bf test was fouled and try my best to stay focused and motivated. That's all I can do.
The hard work of 4 people unfolded Saturday at the NPC Northern Kentucky Bodybuilding and Figure Championships. I have been working with 1 female bodybuilder, 1 male bodybuilder, and 2 figure competitors. I was so proud of them and honestly proud of myself too. They worked so hard to get to their competition, and I felt like I did my job right because each of them was their absolute best on stage. Rachel, the female bodybuilder, placed 1st in her weight class. Harold, the male bodybuilder placed 4th in his weight class. Donna, one figure competitor, placed 5th in her height class. Angela, the other figure competitor, didn't place in the top 5, but looked great anyway. Now that this show is over, I'll have a bit more time to focus on me, and I'll definitely need it.
My life is unfolding. I have been dragging myself out of bed at 4am to do morning cardio 6 days a week up to this point. I have trouble getting to bed at night because I have lots of work to do in the evenings that I can't tear myself away from, and a husband that I don't get to spend enough time with who I also can't tear myself away from. Now, I'll be doing that 7 days a week and I have to find a way to do more cardio in the evening 4 times a week. Carla, my trainer, said "only 30 minutes 4 times a week for now". I'm pretty stressed out.
I had my bodyfat percent tested again on Friday, and it was not motivating. It is possible that it was inaccurate, but if it is correct, I'm losing muscle mass. In case you didn't know...that's not good. It's probably from lack of sleep, and stress. I have to correct the sleep issue, and the stress issue, but I don't know where to begin. I'm falling further behind on my work. I have to decline to train people and give more of my clients to my other trainer, Deric. I also need to utilize more people to work hours staffing my gym, but for some reason no one wants to work, and being paid doesn't seem to be any consolation. For now, I'm going to assume that the bf test was fouled and try my best to stay focused and motivated. That's all I can do.
Friday, March 9, 2007
The Plan...
The plan is already in motion. It started almost 2 weeks ago. Well, actually it started a couple weeks before that still. What's the plan for?, you ask. It's for my competition season. I'm a bodybuilder, and my season is already under way. The first of the two competitions I'll be doing is still 14 weeks away, but bodybuilding is all about being prepared.
The first part of the plan that my trainer let me in on was morning cardio. For those of you who don't know, 'morning cardio' means...roll out of bed and into your tennis shoes to get to the gym ASAP before breakfast. For me this means waking up and 4:00am. I started by getting up and doing between 20 and 30 minutes of cardio at my house in the morning just to get myself used to getting up earlier. I did that haphazardly for 2 weeks before the real plan came into effect. At 16 weeks out (that means my first show is 16 weeks away), I started getting to the gym by 4:30am for 45 minutes of cardio. I got off to a really good start, but I'm not sure I would have were it not for my volunteer cardio buddy, Scott. My good friend, Laura, volunteered her husband to suffer in the mornings with me.
Along with a consistent cardio regimen, started the diet. I can't eat whatever I want, and definitely can't eat as much as I want. Right now it's not so bad, because I get 2 cheat meals a week, but as the contest gets closer, I'll have to be more and more strict. I'm supposed to get a new diet in 2 weeks, and I can't wait to see what it will consist of.
Last weekend My husband and I want to the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic just like we have for the past 4 years. We watched the women's bodybuilding competition, met some new friends, and met up with some old friends. It was a good way to spend a weekend after being only 1 week into competition prep, because it was motivating and helped me to find my focus for the upcoming challenges.
I've made some progress so far, but not as much as I'd like to have. I was sick this week and had to make sleep a priority over cardio and training, but I have been sticking to the diet.
Here's to continued progress, and reaching new heights! Cheers!
The first part of the plan that my trainer let me in on was morning cardio. For those of you who don't know, 'morning cardio' means...roll out of bed and into your tennis shoes to get to the gym ASAP before breakfast. For me this means waking up and 4:00am. I started by getting up and doing between 20 and 30 minutes of cardio at my house in the morning just to get myself used to getting up earlier. I did that haphazardly for 2 weeks before the real plan came into effect. At 16 weeks out (that means my first show is 16 weeks away), I started getting to the gym by 4:30am for 45 minutes of cardio. I got off to a really good start, but I'm not sure I would have were it not for my volunteer cardio buddy, Scott. My good friend, Laura, volunteered her husband to suffer in the mornings with me.
Along with a consistent cardio regimen, started the diet. I can't eat whatever I want, and definitely can't eat as much as I want. Right now it's not so bad, because I get 2 cheat meals a week, but as the contest gets closer, I'll have to be more and more strict. I'm supposed to get a new diet in 2 weeks, and I can't wait to see what it will consist of.
Last weekend My husband and I want to the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic just like we have for the past 4 years. We watched the women's bodybuilding competition, met some new friends, and met up with some old friends. It was a good way to spend a weekend after being only 1 week into competition prep, because it was motivating and helped me to find my focus for the upcoming challenges.
I've made some progress so far, but not as much as I'd like to have. I was sick this week and had to make sleep a priority over cardio and training, but I have been sticking to the diet.
Here's to continued progress, and reaching new heights! Cheers!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)