Post Show Re-vamp

This next show is going to be different. Yes, it will be my first time at the Palmer, but that's not what I'm talking about. What I'm talking about is this time I'm giving it my all. I was not 100% headed into the Francois, for many different reasons - and it showed.

I was flat, I was soft, and I was stressed - I was in a place where I didn't feel like myself at all, and that stuff shows when you get on stage. Yes, there were other things that played a part - nerves, food timing, etc. But when I hit that stage I knew my body didn't look as good as it could have - as good as it did just 2 weeks before. And while yes I placed 3rd, it was 3rd out of 5 - I beat an older lady and a girl who seriously couldn't pose. I'm not trying to throw a pity party or looking to be reassured - I'm proud of myself for going through it all. I just didn't enjoy anything about that day...ok that's a lie...I enjoyed my post pre-judging Chipotle. A LOT.

And there were points of growth - my legs and back. So yes it wasn't all negative. But I think that for any competitor, it's hard to get excited about that kind of finish.

But as hard as it was to get through the Francois, it was like a switch just flipped. Because once it was over, I couldn't wait to re-vamp for the Palmer. Being open and honest with my coach was huge. We both knew something went wrong - She could tell I was stressed and she could tell my body had adjusted to the meal plans in a negative way. So we re-evaluated and changed the game plan. My new meal plan has me energized and FULL. Not just a full belly but my muscles are "fuller" too. (It's amazing what a little almond butter can do to a person's life!)

Overall, I just feel better - mind, body, and spirit.

Whatever it was that had me down before the Francois - I'm happy to say it's passed me. Even at work - I'm not just sitting in a negative window all. day. long. Do I wish this could've passed before walking on stage? Of course! But I'm so thankful for all the people who continuously believe in me; my coach, my husband, all my friends and family. For believing in me enough to help pull me out from this hole I found myself sitting in.

Now I'm hungrier than ever to see what I can do at the Palmer. And I'm going at these next 2 weeks with everything I've got!

(mic drop)

Everything and Asparagus

I literally breathe, pee, and sweat asparagus.

This prep - man, it's been rough. I've felt very alone a lot throughout the whole thing. And I know it sounds horrible because I'm surrounded by an awesome support system. But these last like 4 weeks I've just been in a bad state of mind.

Until finally I had to give myself a pep talk. Grow the heck up and get over it - you chose to do this - your life doesn't suck - suck it up and put on a damn smile.

And crazy enough, it worked. Don't get me wrong, I'm still dying for the stage to get here so I can stuff an Oreo in my face and have a celebratory meal - but I'm not unhappy about literally everything.  

I find myself trying to fight for a balance in my life. And I'll be the first to say - it's nearly impossible and completely exhausting. How do you go about balancing work, life, responsibilities, friends and family, AND your goals in the gym? Balance is really the perfect nirvanic state that you think is achievable. But here’s the truth: it’s bullshit. I'm constantly teetering on one side or the other - Never perfectly balanced. That’s not to say that striving for balance (or perfection) isn’t a noble course. But, at some point I have to accept that I’ll never achieve 100% balance and forgive myself for it.

 Remember: energy flows where attention goes.

My attention is on this show. But how do you explain to your boss - "This show is my current priority. I'm going to get my work done but right now, I'm not going to be an over achiever." Or when she's asking you for the third time if everything is ok - "Yes, I'm just trying to figure out how to meet these deadlines. Can we push them out till AFTER June 3rd?" 

It's hard for people to really understand what it's like being a show girl, I get that. So feeling alone is sometimes part of the gig. But this shit is no joke. It takes a lot of time, money, support and, most of all, dedication. It's a fire that has to burn 24 hours a day 7 days a week. We dedicate an insane amount of time to have just 30 seconds onstage showcasing our hard-earned physiques. 30. Seconds. And the minute you let up, the minute you say "just one bite", is the minute you let the flood gates open. And I don't care who you are - it's never just one bite. 

It sounds CRAZY - I know. But I enjoy doing it. It's just sometimes I wish I could do everything, all the time, with the same level of energy.

Ready for the stage - ready for a pancake and an Oreo - ready to not be surrounded in a cloud of asparagus. Only 1 more week!

Prep Brain and a Rant

2 weeks out!!

If you want to know how things are going just go check out my Pinterest page and my pins may give you a clue hahaha. Food porn is in FULL effect. BBQ ribs, cookies, and brownies - OH MY. Don't mind me just over here dreaming about swimming in a pool of peanut butter.

Real talk though, overall I'm in a good state of mind again. Yes I'm exhausted...pretty much all the time. But I'm still eating some killer food (at least for breakfast). And I'm actually growing somewhat fond of the treadmill (pause for reaction...) But the forgetting stuff is killing me - I walk away from my desk and immediately forget what room my meeting is in. Even though I JUST looked for the 3rd time. Or when we go to Menard's and I ask Evan 5 times, "So what are we here for again?" #prepbrain is real people. REAL.

The biggest surprise this go around though has really been my meals - having grains (oats or cream of rice) so often, the amount of food, and there's been so much protein. Maybe I'm just not remembering the meals right (like I said, prep brain). But I know that last year I had the grains maybe twice because they didn't work well with my body (or in truth, with my head). This year I've NOT had them maybe twice...and my body has been responding really well. And I mean - getting carbs is just awesome.

I think getting out of the mindset that "carbs are evil" has definitely helped. I used to feel guilty eating carbs, even on plan. And I think a lot of girls think that, simply because society says "carbs are bad!" And yes, if you eat a family size pot of pasta by yourself in one sitting chances are you're going to feel like shit. But if I learned anything from last year it's trust the process and trust Chas. Always.

But I have to say - being a figure girl has is "bummer" moments. Like when I see the bikini girls on Instagram eating ice cream, fancy peanut butters, donuts, and waffles all during prep. LEGIT WAFFLES. Not my ground oats and egg white waffles (even though I stand by mine). And day of, backstage, as they're shoving Swedish Fish and jelly covered rice cakes into their mouths while I'm nibbling on my dry oats and asparagus... Lucky I don't poke someone's eye out. It's tough to understand how that actually works when I'm over here eating my 4th meal of fish...

That (rant) being said - that is actually what I think is so cool about this process. The nutrition! The workouts are one thing - and I've taken a stab at some myself even. But I'm constantly wondering, "how did Chas figure out what will work or not work with food?" It baffles me. And I know it works because I see first hand the changes that happen.

So when people say, "One bite won't kill you." I know it won't. But chances are my coach will be able to tell I had a bite and then she'll kill me. Trust Chas. Always.