Yes so we start the descent...thank god. Im not goning to lie - this prep has been a biatch with PMS and a bad attitude. Let me explain. Since i competed last July in the INBA, I have wanted to compete again. I was really bummed that i never got around to competing in october last year - hey i was too busy eating.
My prep last year was tough, i had to try and build muscle, that i didnt have, and then try and trim all the fat, which i had a lot of, in 15 short weeks. It was a slow form of torture at times. At 15 weeks out i STARTED on 2 hours of cardio a day with weights chucked in!! I built up to 3 hours very quickly, and so my day consisted of 4hrs of workouts. So by the time i competed in July, the thought of having to maintain my physique for another 8-12 weeks for sept/oct comps had me convulsing. All i wanted to do was stay away from the gym, eat and socialise - something i hadnt done for 4 months.
I vowed then, that I would compete in the start of the year comps for 2011. Xmas came and went, new years came and went, and everytime i thought of having to cook up a batch of brocolli, chicken and sweet potato, i became panic stricken and ill at the thought - not a good sign. It just so happened too that my coaches were moving out of the area - and everything just felt off. So fast forward to April and i felt things coming together a bit more. I actually felt like prepping agaain and so i went in search of uber coach extrodinaire. Mega fail. Sometimes this industry can be chock full of egotistical d!ck wads - and boy of boy did i meet a couple in my search for the perfect coach.
I finally found Rosa, who in the end turned out to be a complete flop for me. A coach is supposed to be supportive, motivating and inspiring. I found myself completly unsupported and unmotivated, which is when Glenn (my uber coach) came back into the picture and put me back on track.
Long story short - i feel like i have been treading water with this prep for so long. I have been prepping for AGES, with little results because the fit wasnt right. Now with 8 weeks until the Canberra State Titles im pleased to say for the last 5 or so weeks i have been on fire with my prep and im finally seeing results.
My weight is slowly dropping, my body fat is really dropping now and im starting to feel lean and very much in control.
I was really tired last week, and i just feel amazing this week and am still pumping out the same weights as last week. Win! This means that whilst i still need to get super lean with any prep, maybe i will look more muscular this time round, i really hope so. I also havent had to do any more cardio than my 45 mins before breakfast and 30 mins in the afternoon (walking home from work usually knocks that on its head anyway). This may seem like a lot to some of you out there - trust me, this is a walk in the park!
So the 60 day count down is on and i intend to give it my all.
This weekend marks my 33rd birthday. Argghhh bummer. I hate getting older, and usually it means bday cake...Glenn thought i was kidding when i asked if it was still ok to have a bday cake. What? So sue me for asking.
Anyway, Michael is taking me out to a 'Glenn approved' restaurant that will do plain steak and green beans for me. Yaaaaa. Yep, thats sarcasm people. I will be indulging inn a little something, maybe a sliver of cake or share a dessert with Mick, and only because i have had a good drop this week in weight and body fat. Its all about balance.
So there you have it, my prep is on the downhill run and im excited to see the results that have already started to come. Bring on Sept 18th!
Til next time...xx
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Did someone say tupperware?
I get a lot of people asking me how it is i can be so organised to eat up to 8 meals a day. Well i believe the time spent in the kitchen prepping clean meals is JUST as important as yout time spent in the gym lifting heavy. Ok, truth is, id much rather be in the gym lifting than cooking my meals - but its all part of the process with competing. So here is what it looks like in our kitchen every 4 days....
Yes, that is 20 containers...4 days worth of brocolli, chicken, rice, sweet potato and a couple of other bland things. Being prepared like this, is half the battle of prep and something most people are not willing to do - hence the small amount of competitors each year!
So today I had a session with my coach Glenn. Glenn is a maniac. Glenn makes me do things that i would never have dreamt possible. Case in point, i did 140kg leg press this afternoon. That is 2 of me plus my dog Niko - and Niko is not slim. Sorry Niko.
At one stage i had Glenn on one side spotting me and Michael on the other...you know your in serious trouble when u have 2 big boys spotting u! I thought i might throw up, or cry, or scream at Glenn - or possibly all 3 all at once...hmmm tricky. But i love it. I love to train heavy. I love the ache in my legs for days afterwards, and more importantly, i love how it makes my legs look on stage when i have stripped off the fat!
So prep is going awesome. I have put all my demons to rest and am not playing anymore. No one can do this but me, im in the right mindset - i know what to expect with prep so im mentally prepared when the going gets tough - and boy oh boy does it get tough...BUT you will never see me bitchy or narky or miserable in the gym. Oh tired for sure, no question. But never moody. I think being in contest prep and being moody has got a bad reputation. Clients say to me all the time 'oh poor Michael, your in prep, he better get used to the mood swings huh?!!".
Ummmm no actually, i dont allow myself to be aggressive, moody, bitchy or disrespectful of people just because im in prep and short on carbs. If you walk around moody all day, then you probably should think about partaking in a different sport. I think people tend to give themselves a hall pass cos their in prep. Well i dont think that way at all. Check your attitude at the door people - u choose how you behave, carbs or no carbs.
So im plugging away, making great progress and enjoying the process again. I love the support i get from my coach glenn, my husband, the trainers at our studio and the clients - so thanku all!
Oh surprise surprise its nearly time to eat again...til next time...xx
Yes, that is 20 containers...4 days worth of brocolli, chicken, rice, sweet potato and a couple of other bland things. Being prepared like this, is half the battle of prep and something most people are not willing to do - hence the small amount of competitors each year!
So today I had a session with my coach Glenn. Glenn is a maniac. Glenn makes me do things that i would never have dreamt possible. Case in point, i did 140kg leg press this afternoon. That is 2 of me plus my dog Niko - and Niko is not slim. Sorry Niko.
At one stage i had Glenn on one side spotting me and Michael on the other...you know your in serious trouble when u have 2 big boys spotting u! I thought i might throw up, or cry, or scream at Glenn - or possibly all 3 all at once...hmmm tricky. But i love it. I love to train heavy. I love the ache in my legs for days afterwards, and more importantly, i love how it makes my legs look on stage when i have stripped off the fat!
So prep is going awesome. I have put all my demons to rest and am not playing anymore. No one can do this but me, im in the right mindset - i know what to expect with prep so im mentally prepared when the going gets tough - and boy oh boy does it get tough...BUT you will never see me bitchy or narky or miserable in the gym. Oh tired for sure, no question. But never moody. I think being in contest prep and being moody has got a bad reputation. Clients say to me all the time 'oh poor Michael, your in prep, he better get used to the mood swings huh?!!".
Ummmm no actually, i dont allow myself to be aggressive, moody, bitchy or disrespectful of people just because im in prep and short on carbs. If you walk around moody all day, then you probably should think about partaking in a different sport. I think people tend to give themselves a hall pass cos their in prep. Well i dont think that way at all. Check your attitude at the door people - u choose how you behave, carbs or no carbs.
So im plugging away, making great progress and enjoying the process again. I love the support i get from my coach glenn, my husband, the trainers at our studio and the clients - so thanku all!
Oh surprise surprise its nearly time to eat again...til next time...xx
Monday, July 4, 2011
Bikinis and stripper heels...yes this is a sport
So the days are ticking over in my comp prep - in a good way. Things have finally clicked into place for me and im in that zone where i dont have to think about it - i just DO it. This, people, makes prep a breeze. The mental challenge with prep is trying to convince yourself, sometimes on an hourly basis, that you can keep going and you want to keep prepping. When things finally click into place mentally, its just easier.
So im about 11 weeks out to my first show in canberra and about 12 weeks out to my other comps on the central coast, sydney and melbourne. So we all know what that means...its bikini time!!!!
This is the equivalent to going wedding dress shopping - no, im not joking. So much thought and effort has to go into the stage bikini, because it can make you or break you. A bad colour or fit can make all those months of prepping a waste of time and effort. A good bikini can make the difference to placing in the competition. So this year im opting to go with the legendary Jo Rogers. Jo has been making bikinis for competitors for ever, and knows how a bikini should fit. Last year i opted for a fairly neutral bikini, bronze and gold colours. This year im going for something with a lot more dazzle and bling. But of course - you will have to wait to come see me, or photos for the big reveal! But let me say this - its GORGEOUS!
Im starting to feel a little fatigued this week, although im still trying to build my legs, im also in the process of dropping macros and calories, so the body has to work harder on less food.
Im starting to see the fruits of my labour...finally. Im in a much better position this far out than i was last year, so i should bring a much better physique to the stage this year - thats all i can hope for.
All my measurements are coming down and fat percentage is also steadily dropping. My posing is also getting much better, and im hitting some of the poses now with very little effort - win! To get on stage and be able to hit poses quickly and effortlessly is half the battle.
All in all, everything has dropped into place and im feeling strong and happy. I owe alot of this to my coach Glenn... he keeps me focused and calm, something a good coach should do at all times through prep.
Went to the INBA All females on saturday night - wow what an inspiration. Last year i was on stage not knowing what the hell i was doing! Now i can look at it from another perspective and see the areas i need to work on. All the girls looked amazing and there all winners just for getting up on stage. It has inspired me to do better still and I cant wait to step up on that stage again.
Ok im off to eat so keeping training hard and eating clean xx
So im about 11 weeks out to my first show in canberra and about 12 weeks out to my other comps on the central coast, sydney and melbourne. So we all know what that means...its bikini time!!!!
This is the equivalent to going wedding dress shopping - no, im not joking. So much thought and effort has to go into the stage bikini, because it can make you or break you. A bad colour or fit can make all those months of prepping a waste of time and effort. A good bikini can make the difference to placing in the competition. So this year im opting to go with the legendary Jo Rogers. Jo has been making bikinis for competitors for ever, and knows how a bikini should fit. Last year i opted for a fairly neutral bikini, bronze and gold colours. This year im going for something with a lot more dazzle and bling. But of course - you will have to wait to come see me, or photos for the big reveal! But let me say this - its GORGEOUS!
Im starting to feel a little fatigued this week, although im still trying to build my legs, im also in the process of dropping macros and calories, so the body has to work harder on less food.
Im starting to see the fruits of my labour...finally. Im in a much better position this far out than i was last year, so i should bring a much better physique to the stage this year - thats all i can hope for.
All my measurements are coming down and fat percentage is also steadily dropping. My posing is also getting much better, and im hitting some of the poses now with very little effort - win! To get on stage and be able to hit poses quickly and effortlessly is half the battle.
All in all, everything has dropped into place and im feeling strong and happy. I owe alot of this to my coach Glenn... he keeps me focused and calm, something a good coach should do at all times through prep.
Went to the INBA All females on saturday night - wow what an inspiration. Last year i was on stage not knowing what the hell i was doing! Now i can look at it from another perspective and see the areas i need to work on. All the girls looked amazing and there all winners just for getting up on stage. It has inspired me to do better still and I cant wait to step up on that stage again.
Ok im off to eat so keeping training hard and eating clean xx
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