Staying on Track

It's hard to believe that 2 weeks ago I got up on stage for my very first fitness bikini competition.  After so much hard work, I actually felt really good to be up there.  The hard work paid off.  As the diet got harder, I felt lighter and leaner.  As I trained harder, I got more toned and felt stronger.  It really is about a consistent diet and exercise program.  Getting into this shape was definitely not an overnight fix.  No true weightloss program is.  In 9 weeks, I lost 13 pounds and went from a size 6 to a 4. 

BEFORE

AFTER

The last two weeks after the competition were challenging as I felt like I was on a "break."  Similar to being on "vacation."  I didn't go crazy on eating everything in sight.  I over endulged a little bit on protein bars and steak.  I was having 2-3 protein bars a day.  After you eat clean for so long, your body becomes really sensitive to food.  Either it was the protein bars, the red meat, or both, I became really bloated at night everyday this week.  I ate my last protein bar yesterday.  Out of sight out of mind......I hope...... I also didn't train as hard these last two weeks.  As much as it felt good after I worked out, it was also pretty comfortable NOT working out.  I can see how easy it is to fall off the wagon when it comes to keeping up a fitness program.  That is why it helps so much to have a workout buddy and/or personal trainer. 

Participating in a fitness competition was the only thing that kept me motivated long enough to stay on my diet and fitness program.  Therefore, I'm signing up for another one in May.  Yup, I plan to do it all over again.  I have 4 weeks until my next competition.  Mark your calenders for Memorial Day May 28th in Venice where I will be participating in the Muscle Beach Competition.  It's alot of fun and FREE! 

I didn't "win" or even place in the top 5 in the last competition.  It is so easy to get discouraged when you're trying to lose weight.  Imagine adding a layer of competition to that as well.  This was a personal victory.  I got into the best shape of MY life.  That is totally something to be happy about.  I also now realize these things don't happen over night.  The women we see in Oxygen Magazine or Self, are in great shape because of hard work and not some magic pill.  Time and practice make up the essentials to becoming an expert at anything.  So why not apply this to getting into the best shape that I can be in? 

It's back to salads for breakfast!  Yum.  Thank goodness for my Galeos Miso Dressings! 



Less Discpline and More Satisfaction

As of today, there are only 2 more weeks left for my first bikini fitness competition.  I can't believe I gave myself only 9 weeks to get ready.  In a way, I work best under pressure and so this tight deadline was more of an incentive to work harder. 

I have heard many times now, "You have so much discpline."  At first, YES!  I became a hermit.  I knew that my weakness around food would prevail as it always had.  I would just start my diet all over again the next day, right?  Wrong. I didn't have a choice to start my diet all over again.  Initially, I sacrificed my social life to stick to my program.  After I lost a few pounds, my diet was not as hard to follow.  I began to feel so good about the clean and healthy food choices I made.  I truly believe that I am now fueling my body to function at its optimum potential.  The discpline and sacrifices paid off.  I now can have more of a social life.  I know now how to order my food to keep it clean.  I know the best restaurants to suggest when trying to eat clean.  I know yummy tricks with protein powder.  I found great recipes, spices, and dressings that make dieting easy.  Some moments still require discpline but most of the time I am fine because satisfaction with the results keep me motivated.  I know that to continue or maintain those results, I need to continue to fuel my body with the right foods.  Nachos and French fries are not on that list....... 

Here are a couple of my secrets I've learned that have made dieting easier.   

Dressings
Galeos Miso Dressing! - It's lowfat and I'm addicted.  All the flavors are good, but my favorites are Southwestern and Ginger Miso.  (Albertons or Vons)

Bolthouse Farms Yogurt Dressing - Ranch or Caesar.  Refridgerated section at Albertsons or Whole Foods.  Only 40 cal!

Spices
The Spice Hunter - Salt Free Mexican Seasoning. (Whole Foods)

Protein
IsoPure - Cookies and Cream Zero Carb.  I mix this in my tea for a Latte.  You can make pancakes by adding oats and egg whites.  I also love to mix a scoop of protein with 1 cup of greek yogurt.  MMMMMM.  My friend also recently introduced me to mixing it with half a sweet potato.  It rocks!

Snacks
Turkey meatballs, Sweet Potato Bites with Chopped chicken, Mashed Yam with Protein Powder, Green Beans, Shrimp with lemon juice, Protein and greek yogurt, or Salad.

Have a workout buddy and/or trainer.  This training would have been extremely challenging to stick to had it not been for having a workout buddy and trainer.  I work with a competition trainer 2 days a week and then a buddy 3 days a week. 

Abs - Sorry, but this comes truly from a clean diet and crunches.  I'm not one for doing tons of ab exercises.  I do pilates 1-2 times per week.  It tones my abdominals and also improves my posture. I also use an ab wheel for 100 roll outs about 2 times a week. 

If you are interested in seeing what one of these fitness competitions is like, I am participating in the NPC Amateur on April 14th in Culver City.  You can purchase tickets at www.musclecontest.com. 

Feel free to share any secrets you may have!