TCs Big Step

[keats]

Become the motivation and then you will be fine. Use yourself as inspiration as well as others to acheive your goals. Think of the pump as you leave the gym feeling great (thats always something I look forward to after a workout) and in the gym think of every set as your last set so you put that extra effort into it

[Top Cat]

Well once again another pretty crappy week but im managing. i havent given it in yet.

Worked all weekend, so didnt eat anything out of plan. however was pretty nakerd so didnt workout so hard etha.

A friends father died in the weekend so have been consolling her, and getting ready for the funeral, and then its easter. aaahhhhh! Going away for the weekend aswell so will have to try to fit in workouts at every opportunity. (come on weather gods)

Am doing mighty well i must say with not wanting to devour every single chocolate egg in the supermarket instead i stand there stare blankley for a moment then move on. Iv even managed to buy some for the family and not one has snuck into my mouth. "how strong am i?".

Because of my late nights am only having a protein shake for dinner and despite this havent been feeling too hungry.

Am loving my new leg workout/circuit. Its just about 6 leg exercises doing them for 1-2mins each with 0-30secs rest in between. some a long slow exercises and some are high HR so its a nice mix and i tell ya, my ass is burning by the end of it.

Tonight im doing back and bi's. Then off home to hide some easter eggs for my partner (how fun, just like being a kid again).

Eating plan for today:

Breaky - 1/2 c oats + 1 serve protein

Snack - 1/2 HPLC bar

Lunch - chicken salad

Snack - 1/2 HPLC bar

Dinner - chicken salad

Righty ho

till the next one....

[Top Cat]

Oh lordy, been a busy one this week.

Been pretty laxed with trainings due to working late nights. but that should be the last of that for a while.

Eating Plans giong well still on the same ol same, get a change tomorrow hopefully, as i have a nutrition appt.

Weights for tonight - Back & Bi's (Fav)

Been feeling a bit lost and doubtfull of my capabilities to competing. but managed to get my head around the whole situation and stop doubting myself, am definately my own worst enimy (wy does that look like thats spelt wrong?).

Partner and I have managed to find a new house to will finally be moving out of flatting and into a place of our own, just renting, but man o man i cant wait for that!

11 Weeks and counting. Am going to take some before photos tonight and will probably chicken out from posting them, hahaha, but wil be good to see where i started and have something to gauge my progess and results on.

Well till the next one.

[PT]

Hi TC...you sound like you're training really hard! Everybody has moments of self doubt about getting up on that stage - just keep training like a demon! It'll be interesting to see how your nutrition changes coz it looks like you're not having hardly any carbs?? Do you not have kumara or rice at lunchtime? Those protein bars are the devil in disguise I reckon - maybe look at having some "real" protein for your snack instead? Like another chicken or fish meal or egg white salad? Sorry just being REALLY nosey! :roll:

[Pseudonym]

As PT says, those feelings of anxiety are natural and we all get them - the mental game is a big part of the challenge of competing. Don't chicken out of posting your photos... We want to see how you're doing!

[Top Cat]

Hey All,

Mood: Pretty Good

Well im feeling on top of the world today. Took some 'me' time yesterday and just got my head around the whole competing and self doubt and realised im trying to tackle this in the completely wrong way. iv been trying to take everything on at once. silly! so iv started a daily goal, yesterdays was to not even nibble at things not on my plan. Today is to have no self doubt thoughts. i figure if i can take things 1 day at a time thats all i need to complete this.

You guys are right, the mind plays a HUGE part in this and i think i came into this not realising just how much.

Thanks for the tips PT your right, i definately need some better carbs and protein. so iv added 100g of kumera into my lunch meal and my afternoon meal is now 4egg white omelet (which might i add i love!), its got capsicums, cottage cheese, garlic and topped with a small can of lite flavoured tuna drools!

I have been trying to control my heart rate within the fat burning zones in the morning cardio sessions, its so hard to not just power on, as im one of those people that believe harder is better when it comes to cardio but have been told otherwise so we'll give this a go.

Am going to check out some comps that are coming up in the next few months to get an idea of how things work (and to not freak myself out). and also meet up with my posing instructor in a couple of weeks (eeek) so things are slowly coming along, operative word being slowly.

Other things happening in my life: my partner and i found a new place for just us, so yay we get to move out of the 'flatting' situation. THANK THE LORD! but because its a lil further away from the gym it means im going to have to become even more prepared, taking my work gear, meals, shower gear and afternoon gym gear to the gym with me in the mornings as i wont have time to go back home until the end of my evening workout session, oh what long days it will seem.

Its starting to get FREAKEN cold too, and im starting to feel it even more now that im slowly (there goes that word again) losing weight or should i say body fat.

New found saviours - diet coke, sugar free gum, asparagus, bamboo shoots

Meal plan for the day:

Breaky - beloved oats 1/2c and protein

Snack - boring old HPLC bar

Lunch - delish chicken stiry fry

Snack - egg white omelete and small can tuna

Dinner - Chicken stir fry

Snack - ww jelly if im still hungry

Workout For the day:

AM Cardio - RPM class

PM Shoulders + 20min cardio

Goal 4 the day - Positive thoughts (and no nibbling)

Till the next one.....

TC

[poos_n_wees]

Good to hear things are looking up! I like your "taking it one day at a time" perspective.. it gets a bit daunting when you're focused on a deadline and all the things that need to be done before then :? Nice one!

And coke zerooooooooooo is the bestestestest. Love that stuff.

Where do you get bamboo shoots from? Thats a new one...

[Mike Zero]

Good to hear things are looking up! I like your "taking it one day at a time" perspective.. it gets a bit daunting when you're focused on a deadline and all the things that need to be done before then :? Nice one!

And coke zerooooooooooo is the bestestestest. Love that stuff.

Where do you get bamboo shoots from? Thats a new one...

Why do you think they call me Mike Zero?

[Top Cat]

Hey Hey,

Well another great day.

Mood: Great

Manage to keep to my daily goals 2 days in a row (WOOHOOO, pat on the back for me!)

Poos - Bamboo shoots that iv found are in the canned food section round by the corn and stuff, i use them in my stir fry with a bit of thai curry paste (tsp), freaken yum and makes me think im having real thai ha haaa!

Workout last night was great, shoulders i find is a rather quick workout.

Then played indoor for a change in cardio after.

Today is same food as yesterday, except lunch is brocolli, beans and tuna.

Workout - Leg Circuit

yum i can smell something blimmen delish cooking in the kitchen, sure aint my food thats for sure. haha oh....sigh!

okey dokey...

Till the next one...

[Top Cat]

Hey All,

Well its less than 10 weeks till comp and im getting very nervous, i dont feel any more toned eeek! Lost my treat meals this week, booooo! now this is where the going gets tough.

Had a really good back workout last night, have changed my reps to 12, 10, 8, 6. increasing weights per set.

Food has changed a lil, am slowly edging out the HPLC bars and trying these new protein max bars. fingers crossed they taste alright. but then i find all protein bars taste like soap. Also another snack is weight watchers jelly with protein, yummo feels so naughty too but it isnt.

oh, anyone got any suggestions as to where to get my music cut? i think thats all i need to find, that and a choreographer but i think my posing trainer will help me out with one. but any suggestions are welcome.

Well its 10am and im starving so im off to have my beloved jelly and protein, mmmmm'mmmmm. (the small things aye)

oh moving house this week too, so that will need some perservarance (spelling) and focus to not stray must stay on track, not far to go now. :shifty:

Till next time.... :wink:

[Top Cat]

oh my god IM FREAKEN STARVING...ahhhh

Mood: average and starving, my stomach is eating its way out, the rumbling is disturbing the girls that sit near me.

Feeling pretty tired this week, and wont get much of a rest this weekend. Moving house starting first thing tomorrow morning, then got a friends birthday tomorrow night, then sorting out the house on sunday. i have to fit training in there somewhere.

have posing practise tonight, which im not looking forward to as there will be others there who look awesome, then there is me.

9 weeks to go and i feel like a heffer, so much to lose and so little time.

not really having any trouble saying no to the chocie biccies, which is a bonus and seeing my nutritionist on Weds so hopefully there'll be some changes.

Training this morning (cardio) was slow and tedious, just no energy.

am now counting down till lunch time....till the next one

[Top Cat]

Mood: Tired

Not sure why, been having good sleeps, out like a light as soon as my head hits the pillow.

Training

Good - have been training alone tho as my partner has his own league training, booo. but am managing.

Mon

AM - 1hr Cardio + 20min abs

PM - Back & Bi's

Tue

AM - 1hr Cardio + 20mins abs

PM - Legs

Wed

AM - 1hr Cardio + 20mins abs

PM - Shoulders

Thu

AM - 1hr Cardio + 20mins abs

PM - Chest & Tris

Fri

AM - 1hr Cardio + 20mins abs

Pm - Posing

Sat

AM - 1hr Cardio

PM - Leg Circuit

Sun

1hr Walk if i can be bothered

See the nutritionist tomorrow so will know how im tracking and what needs to be changed. Lil nervous, but il just wait and see.

Till the next one...zzzzzzz :-s

[Top Cat]

Hey All,

Well had my updated nutrition appointment yesterday and was told im working out a lil bit above where i need to be. My body is using carbs and carbs only as energy and not burning fat. Dam my body. So iv been advised to train in the fat burning zone. which im find so truly deceiving and am struggling with the concept. but in order to get the desired results i gotta listen!

Food has changed around a bit, i get yoghurt (WOOHOOO), and ww gravy (love it), other than that its still veg, chicken and protein powder. but definately manageable. with a lil over 8 weeks to go i have my work cut out for me alright, but thats how i love it. The more people say i cant do it makes me fired up and makes me even more motivated to shove it in there faces.

Mood - pretty good. Not too tired not too energetic etha tho, im feeling overall alright. no complaints, no cravings.

Going to check out the Auckland Champs this weekend which im looking forward to, which will give me that boost of motivation even more.

Life in general is good, feel a lil sorry for my partner, we dont get to see each other much these days, i leave home at 5.15am, and dont get home till bout 8pm, and he has league training so doesnt get home till around the same time. im not the needy type of girl tho so this doesnt bother me, as long as i get to cuddle up to him at night thats fine with me!

Only 8 weeks to go!!!

YEEHAAAA \:D/

[Varven]

Keep it going !

Question about abs... 20 minutes.. what do you do ?

And so many times a week, do you recover ok ?

Also what ab work do you do and do you use weight s for them ?

[Top Cat]

Varven, i do the hundy club different exercises on different days. Exercises from simple crunchies, so oblique crunches, to swiss ball, leg lifts, plank holds. Usually 4 sets of 25 reps (100) and 3 exercises a day, with 1min rest in between.

And yes iv just been told to give myself a break so weds are my break days. also i do lower back and count that as part of lower abs.

weights - i ad etha a med ball or small hand weights in some exercises.

i had better get abs that for bloody sure!

[Top Cat]

Hi All,

Well went and checkout the Auckland Champs in the weekend, and my god did that put the shits up me. it has made me realise just how much work i have to do in 8 weeks. those girls looked freaken awesome. Even 1 chic that i thought would win didnt, i was so surprised she looked way better than the other, or so i thought.

But it also got me motivated, all the people i spoke to who competed loved it and that has given me the boost i need. only thing is im scared im not gonna be awesome enough in time.

Have started looking at bikinis and shoes, which freak me out cos i dont think there is anyway to walk in those damn stripper shoes looking great, you just look odd walking on those things. so must start practising now!

Trainer has told me to keep training hard, and do heavy weights. i was doing 12, 10, 8, 6 reps increasing weights as i go but am giong to change that to 12, 12 10 10 or fail.

started sunbedding too, which gives me a lil boost cos the body just looks so much better when its brown haha.

food has changed

breaky - 1/2 c oats, 100g lite peaches, 1 1/2 serve protein

snack - tub lite yoghurt, 1 1/2 serve protein, 1 tbs slivered almonds

lunch - 200g veg (haha yep i have to weigh my veg), 150g chicken or tuna, 1/2 ww gravy

snack - 1 dr carbrite bar (my god these are sooooo good, fav is cookie dough flavour)

dinner - 300g veg, 150g chicken 1/2 ww gravy

snack - jarrah hot choc, 1/2 carbrite bar

am also taking carnitine pre cardio to help get rid of this fat that is holding on for dear life.

what i would like is some tips on getting these so called abs (buried beneath this layer of fat) looking awesome!

[poos_n_wees]

what i would like is some tips on getting these so called abs (buried beneath this layer of fat) looking awesome!

Oh geez, mine have been buried for quite a while now

Agreed, that comp over the weekend was motivating -- there was one girl in there (Andrea?) that competed in figure last year.. and to see her in the physique category with heaps more muscle was :shock: :shock:

Good luck with the heels! :grin:

[Top Cat]

there was one girl in there (Andrea?) that competed in figure last year.. and to see her in the physique category with heaps more muscle was :shock: :shock:

heck yeah they all looked pretty good. What did confuse me tho was what seperates Physique from Figure, cos some of the chics in Physique i thought probly could have competed in Figure. im not to sure myself now what to compete as. eeep! :-s

[Top Cat]

Hey All,

Well no no dont fret, i had my weekly catch up with the nutritionist yesterday and all is going fantasticly. I lost 2kgs of body fat, gained 800g of mass and that added up to a brilliant 3% body fat loss. WOOHOOO. so we're not changing anything in my programme for another week. Same 45mins cardio, 7 x a week + 4 x weights a week. Meals are all still the same.

So fully stoked with that outcome hopefully my body can keep it up.

Mood - FANTAASTIC

[Evie]

Very cool indeed, sounds like you are going really well. What amount of time was that BF% loss over?

Seeing as many comps before you do it is great. Whenever I go to watch I always end up with tight mucsles cause I tense up along with the people on stage as they pose.

Are you going to post any progress pics? It sure did make me accountable, even if my face was covered up.

It suddenly become real when you purchase the shoes and the bikini... each thing is like a little step closer even in the last week I felt like I was getting there bit by bit ... with all the waxing / nails / tanning / hair / more tanning ... it was really cool.

Glad to see your mood is way up there! And so it should be with positive results like your achieveing!

[Top Cat]

Very cool indeed, sounds like you are going really well. What amount of time was that BF% loss over?

that loss was over a week. so if i can keep that up that'l be awesome. im hoping to get to between 7-10% at the most.

yeah im getting more and more excited as time looms closer. brought shoes yesterday so they should arrive in the next week or so. and spoke to the bikini people and il be getting that in early june. it all seems a bit sureal to me at the moment because iv wanted to do this for so damn long and the thought of actually getting up there and competing is just crazy scary to say the least.

People say that if you can visualise yourself doing something then that helps and it will seem more real and more achievable and at the beginning i couldnt seem to visualise myself diong it, party because of the fear and partly cos i had so much self doubt. but as it gets closer i can see myself on stage (nervous as hell) and everything, its such a great feeling and i havent even done it yet. haha.

cant wait to practise my routine, id like to think of myself as quite the little performer but im sure once the choreographer (spelling) see's me she'll have a different idea haha.

[poos_n_wees]

I lost 2kgs of body fat, gained 800g of mass and that added up to a brilliant 3% body fat loss.

Holy progress there TC :shock:

[Top Cat]

Mood: Average

Had a bug on Thursday, which felt like i was dying. Had the worst stomach pains, felt like someone was stabbing me in the stomach. Think im still recovering from that as workouts have been a struggle. Takes alot of effort to get my heart rate up to the desired bpm. But we're managing just.

Feeling lethargic and very nervous that im not going to be ready in time.

With less than 7 weeks to go, when i look at myself i just dont see the muscle definition i want. I know and can feel im getting smaller thats not a problem but the only time i see the muscle come out is when im doing weights.

Workouts & Food is all still the same, havent strayed at all (yay for me) and crazely havent craved lollies etha, weird!

Just gotta get over this hump and see the light at the end of the tunnel.

1 bonus i can see is im getting browner (woopdee freaken doo).

well till the next one, where hopefully il be alot more cheerful.... :|

[Varven]

TC... quick question.. are you intending to use Thermo's at all ?

And I know dieting kills you recovery wise.. has the nutritionist encouraged you to use BCAA'S and Glutamine at all or a reason you are steering clear of them ?

Just IMO Glutamine when taken in heavier doses I found to have a huge relief in terms of recovery and sorenes... then again I have never competed in a bb type thing so wouldnt know.

[Top Cat]

TC... quick question.. are you intending to use Thermo's at all ?

And I know dieting kills you recovery wise.. has the nutritionist encouraged you to use BCAA'S and Glutamine at all or a reason you are steering clear of them ?

Just IMO Glutamine when taken in heavier doses I found to have a huge relief in terms of recovery and sorenes... then again I have never competed in a bb type thing so wouldnt know.

Heya Varven

Yeah, im taking glutamin prior to morning cardio which is amazing, think it might be the sugary taste that tricks me into thinking im having something sweet. BCAA's after cardio as i dont eat breaky till bout an hour after (travel to work), umm thermo's just started taking 3 x a day. which they are definately helping, just noticed over the past couple of days that my body seems to be feeling very lethargic and hungry. think its the bug tho (but im no doctor tho).