The Game

Prep has turned into a game for me. I know this is funny, but so much keeps being changed in my prep almost weekly that it has almost turned into a game of keeping up. As I'm writing this, that makes it seem far more fun than eating boiled chicken and doing 80 mins of cardio every day.

At 4 weeks out I am ecstatic. I can't stop thinking about being on stage. I wear my posing heels probably a good hour everyday. I practice my posing in our gym's studio before my lift every afternoon and semi-practice as I am making dinner.

Training Games: Still losing strength but doing it. I feel more tight than I ever have. I love the changes that are happening. I can honestly say I am loving the process right now. Seeing new definition every day is keeping me motivated. I moved my running to afternoon only so I've had some carbs (from veggies) before expending every ounce of energy on that. Eesh.

I've been kind of getting in a zone with cardio lately. I don't know what it is but my mind goes off... and then all of a sudden... its done. Crazy! I had a beautiful experience the other night running my dog... I had some Mumford & Sons playing as I was running into the sunset with my Big Boy and my mind just zoned for the full 40 mins. Sigh! :)

Diet Games: I am on a whole foods diet this week. For those who don't know what that is, it means I am not consuming any protein powder which I was about 3x daily. I was having tummy issues during cardio still and was running out of whey anyway, so I am now doing meat all the time. No shakes after my workout. I still have some casein for my pre-sleep shake and will continue on that for a bit longer. So I am now consuming... Let me think... OMG 2 lbs of meat every day! (WHAAAT?! Okay you guys, I honestly only just figured that out. Wow, no wonder I am having to do meal prep multiple times a week. Holy MEAT!)

I don't have a hard time with meat in the morning after my FMC. I do, however, have a hard time consuming 8 oz of tilapia right after my workout (500pm) and then consuming another 4 oz for dinner (6pm). And then a shake at 8pm. The evenings are hard. Should I feel hardcore??

I am also moving towards the direction of eating primarily fish for my meat sources. This is hard. Its being phased in this week, and I hope will be my primary my meat source next week. I hope I can handle that. But I only have a few weeks left and if there was anytime to do it, it would be now! I want to come in looking my absolute best and feel proud knowing I pushed myself, even in my food choices, to get there!

Posing Games: Again, almost twice daily. I know its crazy but I want to feel completely comfortable... Posing in our gym's studio really helps because the stage floor is a lot like the studio's! So, it helps to even be comfortable with that, so tripping is less likely. :) And I've noticed that I'm pretty shakey when I'm practicing... which I guess is helpful to know how I'll be feeling that day anyway. ;)


4 Week Check In Games: The check in was literally only 20 minutes. Because I am right on track. :) Noticeably different.

Miscellaneous Games:
Well, now that I've figured out why I am having to do meal prep a couple times a week... I think I'm going to have to figure out how to condense that. Its too much work, that will probably get forgotten, if I don't get it done in the weekend.
I wish I could explain to you guys how busy my life is right now outside of prep. I'm working, volunteering, doing chores... and we live in the country. Country chores are far greater than city chores, or take far more time anyway. I've got weddings (flowers) to do on the weekend. And driving time? Wow. I've noticed I run a lot of red lights during contest prep. Hmm.

Apparently, I am and have become the bag lady. I get a lot of flack about this. I typically only carry 3 bags around in a day: Cooler, handbag & gym bag. This day I was caught with a lot more... See my "I'm caught" face.

BUT THEY'RE ALL FUNCTIONAL!

Weight is down to 109.25 lbs! I love that I've been lucky enough to consistently see a decline.

ON GOING GAMES:
-TO1D! The October 1st Decision: This is an on-going discussion of where I am to get my burger post-comp. I like specifics and it needs to be a place that also has beer. Feel free to weigh in if you have a favorite place in Spokane or nation-wide chain!
-Competition Surprise: Getting ready to unveil, but am anxious about it. :) I have no idea how anyone will take this, but the reality is... its where my dreams are taking me. Stay tuned and I'll begin taking guesses anytime you all are ready. ;)