3 weeks out (21 days left)

It is a couple weeks out from the show and I feel like i'm hitting a wall. Knowing myself, I'll keep pushing through it. I have not complained much about anything, due to the fact that I know I'm doing this to myself, and admittedly, I like it (most of the time). From what I've heard this is the point in prepping where everyone is feeling this way; so at least I know, mentally I am not alone. The show is so close, but yet so far, the diet and workouts seem to drag on and on, but I will get through this. Like I had mentioned in a previous blog, the wise words from my husband, "If it was easy, everyone would do it", rings in my ears when I begin to feel down.

When I get tired, feel my legs going numb, or want to puke... another mantra I have taken on is "it is not your body giving up, it's your mind", then I tell myself to quit thinking, quit being a pansy, and get yo'ass movin'. It is amazing what you can make your body do if you just keep pushing. I find if I just let my mind go blank, and focus solely on the movements of my muscles, the workouts go much faster on the days I'm feeling low on energy.

Today a co-worker told me that all sales people are weird... at first I thought he was just referring to "the other" sales reps. Then I realized he was including me in that statement... I proceeded to ask him what was so weird about me, and his response was "you work out like crazy, you carry your food in a bag everywhere you go, and other people feel guilty when they even drive by a McDonalds because you wouldn't eat it. I mean, god, you're training for a fitness competition for god's sake"... I just kinda laughed because if that is what's weird about me then... THANK GOD!!! lol

I am now doing every other meal a protein shake, nixing the carbs (breakfast oatmeal and lunch time brown rice) for three days back, on on the 4th then back to none, and upping my cardio to 6 days a week an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening after weights.

I will not be posting anymore progress shots of myself, i think it might be fun to save my final shots for the show. I will take pics in between so when I post pics from the show I can show progression up until the competition.

I do not know how to explain how bad I want this. How bad I want to win. A part of me wants to say "just be happy if you place" or "just be happy if you fit in on stage"... but the other part of me says "you could so win this". I want first place like I want air. I want to make this my lifestyle... I mean hell, I'm pumping myself up just thinking about how bad I want it.

Things I need to work on:
Posing more naturally
transitioning between walking and posing
push harder these next couple days on leg workouts
be more strict on eating schedule ( I eat every two hours. 8, 10, 12, 2, 4,6, 8 but some days it gets off if a meeting runs over, or work stuff comes up)
Drink MORE water
DO NOT GET STRESSED!!!

enough chatter... MORE INSPIRATIONAL PHOTOS:

4 weeks out... Holy S***

Hello Folks! So, now that I have gone public with this whole thing via the FB contest through WBFF and Ink Magazine, I figured it was time for an update.

If you are just now tuning in for the first time, let me give you a quick update. Since mid to late January I have been training for a fitness competition with the World Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (WBFF).  My blog is called October's Hope because when I originally began my quest for ultimate fitness(hehe), I started alone, and did not think I would be able to compete until October... Then I met my trainer, Jackie Anderson. To my surprise, she told me I would be able to compete in May. Now I will be competing in the US Central Championship with the WBFF on May 12th, 2012, and I am terrified lol. Before the show Ink Magazine and WBFF partnered up together to have a preshow contest, which is why I asked for all your votes.

I have been using this blog as a medium to cope with my uncomfortable feelings, posting my workouts, diets, progress, transitions, frustrations, hopes & dreams, inspirational photos, tips, but most importantly it has been my form of public accountability. I feel very vulnerable, and many times embarrassed, but I know that it will all be worth it in the end.

My secret is that my dream is to do everything fitness related. Training, competing, photo shoots, nutrition, own a gym, provide space for competitions, be a sponsor, teach others, start children's programs for health awareness, I WANT TO DO IT ALL! I want to inspire people , I want to BE INSPIRED!

I know I've just begun to get started in all this, but I have found my passion in it, and I want to keep doing it for as long as I can.

Well, that is enough passion for one blog in a day... see below for my current workout, diet, weight, and progress shots.

Workout:
A.M. Cardio- 1 hour (includes HIIT 3 times a week)
Monday- biceps/shoulders
Tuesday- legs
Wed- just cardio 30 min
Thurs- triceps/back
Friday- legs
Sat-just cardio- 30 min.
Sun- OFF
P.M. Cardio after weights 30 min.

Diet:
oatmeal with Blueberries, egg whites
protein shake & almonds/wlnuts
chicken and green veggie, brown rice
chicken, veggie, brown rice
chicken/veggie
egg whites
protein shake

weight: 120.5
body fat percentage- about 18-19% (the BF measurement thing at the YMCA said I was 15.5%, but those can be off by about 4%)

As you can see in the pictures below, I have made significant progress since the shot I submitted for the preshow contest with Ink Magazine. I can't wait to show everyone the final result at the show!