14 Weeks and Counting.....

It's been a difficult week, but I got it done.  Several times, I just wanted to throw up my hands and quit.  I'm still concerned about overtraining and this week proved to be pivotal.  I've had no energy all week and I've started to have some pain in my left shoulder (an old golf injury) that just doesn't want to go away.  But, I still got it in ... 3 CrossFit workouts, 3 Figure workouts and 2 spin classes.  I was able to eat clean all week, though I'm not 100% certain that I got in all the calories I needed.

This week has proved to me that I can do what I need to, even when I don't want to!  I am strong, focused and determined to step on the stage looking more like a hottie in her 20's than a grandma in her 50's.  I believe I have a solid plan in place and I will follow through.  June 4th is still 98 days away and I know I can fight off the "I don't feel like it's" and the "I don't really have to today's" and "What was I thinking".  Yes, even the highly motivated (and I am motivated) have our doubts.  The difference is we never cave in.

Vince Lombardi said "Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit."

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So ....Watch your actions; they lead to habits.

Watch your habits; they form your character.

Watch your character; it determines your destiny.

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Tomorrow is Saturday and I have 3 workouts scheduled; in the words of Nike, I plan to "Just Do It"

105 Days to the Stage!

This has been the most interesting week, in my training cycle, yet the most boring.  I am basically a clean eater 95% of the time and enjoy whatever I want the other 5%.  With a Figure Competition looming, clean eating becomes critical 100% of the time.  I'm not talking diet (although that will happen soon enough), but eating whole healthy foods at every meal.  Unfortunately, I had to travel for work this week and thus the problems began.

I did manage three Crossfit and three BodyBuilding workouts this week.  I was also able to get in two Cardio workouts on my travel days, and will end the week with a gymnastics class (and possibly one more Crossfit WOD).  HOWEVER, sticking to clean eating, while staying in a dumpy Texas hotel was almost impossible.  And the influence of my co-workers (at least, the ones I like), with there partying ways, was no help.  Needless to say, with the exception of my eggs and bacon for breakfast, I ate mostly nuts and fruit.  I had one tolerable meal and that was grilled chicken and vegetables.  There was also the mandatory glass of wine and at least one shot of Tequila (you know, when in Rome...).  But, not a steak in sight, and we were in Texas, home of the American Cattle Rancher.  I mean WTF ... I can't believe we couldn't schedule a single meal in a restaurant with a decent steak.  Thank God I'm home!

My freezer is full of steak.  I've eaten two Filet's today to make up for all the beef I missed earlier this week.  I figure an extra steak can't do any more harm than Tequila shots, right ?  But the food is in place for tomorrow and I'll be back on track.  I'm still outside of the 12 week rule (not really sure what that is, but I understand there's no cheating or missing workouts once you hit 12 weeks out), so an extra steak here, a glass of wine there, hopefully, no harm done.  I've begged my team to let me put all travel on hold until my June competition.  We'll see how that works out!

Visually, I feel like my body is already improving.  Unfortunately, it's my shoulders and chest.  What I want to see are legs and abs.  My back is my favorite area to train, so I'm never concerned about the backside, I just know it will look great.  My arms are sticks, this never seems to change, but there are some little hills showing up :-)  I'm still feeling a little flabby, but I keep reminding myself that I'm barely doing Cardio.  I mean, really, I have 105 more days -- that's 15 weeks -- it's more than three months.  A lot of change can and will occur.

So, it's all work and no play from this point forward.  OK, maybe one or two cheats in the next three weeks, or maybe not ... I do have to wear a bikini!

I will persevere.

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PERSEVERANCE

Perseverance is not a long race:  

It is many short races, one after another. 

                           ---Walter Elliot

WOW ... Another week is behind me ... Just 16 weeks to go!!

Well another week of training is done.   Not sure if I've actually made any changes in my figure, but I'm certainly having fun trying.  My bodybuilding coach has told me to stay away from the scale and I really want to have my body fat measured, but that has also been banned.  So, I just look in the mirror and depend on the experts for guidance.  Although, at 12 weeks out, I will have measurements done and pictures taken so that there's a clear before and after.  (I might even share them, right here, so stay tuned!)

I still haven't made a final decision on my posing suit, but I promise to finish that up soon.  I want the suit, shoes and jewelry, selected, purchased and ready to go.  I hate last minute scrambling, ok, not really, but it does sound good :-)

I got in 4 Crossfit workouts this week, including Fran and Barbara.  I also got a new PR on Front Squats, 125#.  Well, it was really by default since I had never done a 1RM Front Squat, but hey, I'll take it!  I've completed 5 body building workouts this week, and will do 1 more tomorrow, plus a gymnastics class.  I also had a chance to complete another pole dancing class this week ... can you say FUN!

The most important accomplishment this week was finishing the Fran Challenge.  I saw my time improve approximately 40%, and that is nothing to be ashamed of ... now if I can just figure out how to do the "Girls" Rx'd, or for that matter anything Rx'd!   I did get a chance to see myself, on video, doing kipping pullups, and I can tell you, the problem is no hip action.  My Crossfit coach has been telling me that for months and I just didn't get it.  Now I do ....  Andrew, I promise you, I'll work on the hip thing! (hmmmm ... he really does know what he's talking about!)

Since my figure competition is early June, I'm already thinking ahead on activities for the remainder of the year.  I'm pretty sure it will be more Crossfit (yes, I'd like to increase the number of days I'm in the box each week), Cycling and a few adventure races (i.e., Metro Dash, Tough Mudder, Run Amuck, Warrior Dash), you know the kind of races that allow you to show off your Crossfit skills.

Well that's it's for now.  It's becoming very obvious to me that Crossfit is winning this battle.  But I'll hang in there and complete the figure competition, as planned.

Just 16 weeks to a fabulous new me!

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Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass …. 

It’s about learning to dance in the rain!

Question of the week: Training or OverTraining ......

Well it's been awhile since I posted but I believe I'm back on track.  After two colds, in two weeks, I'm finally feeling back to full strength.  My training is moving forward, in fact, so much so it just might be out of control!

I'm still getting in regular Crossfit workouts, three mornings a week.  I just finished my 8th month at the box, and I'm stronger than ever.  Not a lot of PR's, like in the beginning (when every workout was a PR), but I'm definitely seeing the numbers move up.  I had a PR last week, during a 6am class and I can tell you, that doesn't happen often.  It was a real thrill and keeps me focused on what's really important.  I also continue to put in practice at home for some of my weaker skills.  I am determined to master double unders and dead hang pullups, this year, while improving my ring technique so that I can finally get a muscle up.

My bodybuilding/figure workouts are also gaining momentum.  Not a lot of change there, just pick up the weights and complete the reps and sets.  From a volume standpoint, these workouts are happening six days a week, which may be too much.  I definitely want to hit the competition stage in great shape, but I also want to continue making advances in Crossfit.  Over training could definitely crush both those goals, so I'm trying to keep a watchful eye on my schedule.  Yeah, I know, most people can't get to the gym often enough and here I'm worrying about too much.

But, the experiment continues!  The training gets more intense each week and I just hope it's not all too much.  I haven't even mentioned the weekly gymnastics class and the occasional venture into pole dancing.  I can tell you flipping on mats, jumping from balance beams, swinging on rings and poles, is no joke.  Both require strength and balance, in areas that we just don't use everyday.

Me getting assistance on the rings!

But the big news is 'FRAN'.  She whipped my A$$ four weeks ago, but I'm going after her with a vengeance tomorrow.  I had no rhythm the last time I took her on, but this week I've got a plan.  If I can shave even one minute off my total time, I'll be one happy girl!

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BELIEF

Belief fuels enthusiasm, and enthusiasm explodes into passion.  

It fires our souls and lifts our spirits.