Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Prep Shmep...

It's almost that time again.....



Ha ha... almost prep time!  I am actually really looking forward to the 2013 season for a few reasons.  I've had mixed feelings about it since the last competition.  Mostly due to feedback I've gotten.  Not due to how I felt coming in or how I felt coming out of the show.  I actually felt really good going in and have felt really good coming out of the show (no binge, no major gains to speak of, no post show blues).  All in all its been pretty great!  Let me explain.

2011... my prep was ridiculous.  I was doing NO weights at all... only cardio.  I was trying to lose a lot of the muscle I gained for Figure to compete in the Bikini division.  My diet was strict... very little calories, very low carbs.  I literally did not touch a weight for 6 months.  Now, before you start getting crazy on me I was NOT only doing cardio for 6 months.  Some of that time I was not working out at all.  There was a major hiatus in there, I was going through a lot of things in my life during this time as well so for a while the gym was no where on my list of priorities, I only "trained" for the show for about 8 weeks really.  In that 8 weeks I only did cardio whether it was a class or on the dreadmill.  Here were my results.


2012... I followed a 12 week program that consisted of weight training (circuits) and cardio (12-15 min sprints) and near the end I increased it to 30 minutes of sprints.  I absolutely LOVED this program.  My diet was not nearly as strict as in 2011, still tight but I felt better all around and I got to do what I loved most... lift weights again!  Here were my results.  I felt leaner, tighter all around.  I thought my package this show was all around, better.



My concerns:

Am I STILL in the wrong category?  This is something I have battled from the very beginning.  I was told when I first decided to compete to do Bikini because it was new and I was small and would have been PERFECT for it.  I could walk on stage next week said my trainer.  But I was certain that Figure was what I wanted to do.  I wanted to work my A$$ off and I wanted to put on that muscle and I wanted to earn it.  So I gained a few (15) pounds and I did it.  I earned it baby.  I did well.  I placed in every show.  I got told by a Pro that I needed to switch to Bikini , and then I showed her she was wrong by winning the next show I did and earning my sword.  And then I got to the National stage.  That was when I was delivered my reality check.  So I decided that Bikini was where I needed to be.  So here I am in the Bikini division, yet now I am being told I should be doing Figure.  I am just so confused.  I'm too muscular, I'm not muscular enough... I just feel  like I am not sure where to go or what to do sometimes and then seeing the judges score sheets adds to that confusion a little....

OPEN BIKINI B
171134112311
242202333144
603226541222
254317227553
225311474465
42353655736
20485786877
15528868688
(source)

(I am #60) Some of the other classes were ALL OVER THE BOARD as far as how off the numbers were. It was pretty shocking to see actually.  I have never seen score sheets look like this before.  I'm used to them looking more equal all the way across.

I did recently learn that there some of the judges were NGA judges, not NPC judges which makes sense as to why the judging was so all over the place.  The criteria is VERY different in the two organizations.  I have also learned that in 2013 that is going to change and there will no longer be NGA judges judging at the NPC shows.  That makes me think that maybe, just maybe the girls with a little more muscle might have a little more luck going into the 2013 season in the bikini division.  I am hoping so!

So for now I am giving it another season.  Bikini Twenty Thirteen here I come!  I want an overall win baby!  

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Do-Nuts about it....

So, I've mentioned before that at work we do what we call "breakfast club" every day.  A few times we have made donuts.  Healthy donuts of course.  I have told my husband and kids about them and have told them that I really wanted to get a donut pan so that I could make them at home for my family.  Well at our Company Christmas party we had a gift game and in those gifts I knew there was a donut maker.  I knew this because I was there when it was purchased however I was not the one wrapping but I was determined to get it.  Well guess what folks.....






 Recipe:

1 C whole wheat flour (or flour of choice)
1/2 C sweetener of choice
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 C Almond milk (I used unsweetened vanilla)
1 tsp vanilla
4 Tbsp applesauce (no sugar added)

I made a glaze using Ideal Powdered sugar, Almond milk and some Orange extract, but you could easily make any sort of glaze or frosting to top these with.  I think next time I will try making an actual frosting.  My kids loved the added sprinkles.  I left them off of mine.  Took about 6 minutes to make in the donut maker.  It came from Target if anyone is interested in getting one.  I have a feeling this will be coming out every weekend around here!

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Groundhog Day

The last few weeks have just been so crazy you guys.  We have SO many things filling up our week that I honestly cannot wait for the weekend just so that I can breathe only for the weekend to come, and for it to be just as busy as the week was and before I know it, its over and I am sitting at my desk Monday morning again as if I never left Friday evening.  I guess my point is I just really wish my schedule would free up just a bit.  As it is we have stuff Tues-Thurs every week.  These are things that are set in stone.   They are busy things.  Appointments (dance, sports, etc) that on some nights run until 10 pm but keep us VERY busy.  The remaining nights of the week get filled up with things we can't do the other 3 nights of the week, things for my church calling, errands, etc.  So here comes the weekends, oh the blessed weekends... when we can just sit around and do NOTHING.... (que the Angels).... YEAH RIGHT! I am exhausted.  Anyway, I talked my kids into seeing Santa one last time.  I think this is the last year I might be able to pull it off.  My son is 12, and as it was I had to really beg him, as we stood there in line he wasn't happy "mommmmm.... I am the oldest one here.  Everyone is like fourrrrrrrr" but thanks to Janetha who was taking the pictures (my kids adore her) that made it better.  They were able to relax and go with it.  She got some great shots of my BIG kids!