So far, so good!

Day 3 and I will say it is not as hard as I originally thought. The diet has me eating so many times and so often that I usually can't even eat my last meal or two. I've upped the anty to my workouts and am really enjoying the intensity. I did legs Monday, Arms yesterday, and today will be an ab blast!
Studying for the NASM exam continues, as well. Learning how and why everything works fascinates me!
Anyway, on Saturday I will post my entire routine and diet. Let's see how long I can go without cheating!

xoxo

It Begins! Day 1

I did it. I fought the mental agony and woke up at 4:30 AM to be at the gym by 5:45. I spent a good portion of Sunday prepping my multiple meals for work today. I have to down six meals faster than I think I can possibly consume them- but I'll do it. I had multiple 'last suppers' over the weekend so I would not be tempted with anything remaining in the house!
I am currently on a 1400 calorie per day for light days (I had to increase my calories by 200 because I kept getting faint during workouts) and 1600 calorie per day on heavy days. My macro- nutrient breakdown- for now- is 50% Carbs, 30% Protein, and 20% Fat. I am testing my cals and macros for now because I'm about where my body seems to do well on it.
Do note I am not using a nutritionist; I have searched countless diet plans all over the place, but I do stick closely to what Jamie Eason's plan is, just because of the convenience and her body type is similar to mine.
To the workout: I did a very intense hour and 15 minutes of Legs today. My routine includes squats, lunges (stationary and walking), split squats, lying leg curls, step ups, dead lifts, butt kickbacks (I named those lol), and blasted my calves. The calves are the only leg routine I do until failure at the heaviest weight possible. This is my most stubborn muscle to grow and I need to focus on getting some mass there. I do them every 3 days, sometimes every other day.
I do not do leg presses and before you correct me on that, it is for the simple reason that my quads are EXTREMELY developed, even when not weight lifting. I did leg press and quad targeting exercises early in my traiing and it increased my mass significantly even with low weight. You use what works and leg presses do not work for me- I am sticking to bikini and fitness model dicvisions so too mass there is not what I need.
Tomorrow I'm doing arms and I'll start up my dance classes next week again. I have begun studying for the NASM exam along with my boyfriend and a couple other personal trainers, as well, as of yesterday. So on top of my job, my side job, my training, my dance, my security + study group during work lunch, I am also studying for the NASM exam. Busy is my new norm for a while!
Will post pix soon!
xo

Calm before the storm :/

What have I gotten myself into? I have registered for my very first bodybuilding competition on August 10 in the DC area. I will be competing in the bikini and fitness model division. Now, most who know me know I am very involved in weightlifting and fitness in general. Some may say maybe I'm little bit too much into it, but I figure its a healthy habit to have. I go to the gym almost every day and have religiously followed Jamie Eason's 12- week plan, which I modifed as I was already lifting pretty regularly. I even ran my last (for now) full marathon this past January, so very fit I have always been. But, my boyfriend, a marine- turned personal trainer, began encouraging me that I may want to consider competing. I took it lightly at first, but the more I trained, and the more people began taking notice of my physique change, I started to seriously consider it. So, I registered for the OCB Presidential Cup. Now I'm thinking, crap, no turning back now. No more midnight munchies (how can I part with my beloved fruity pebbles, the Tomas burger, or the pretzarellaronis (invented by us, may let you all in on it later :o), and no more skipping breakfast. Now, don't get me wrong: I know what the diet is like, because I've followed it most of my adult life. But, I work out so often and so hard (I also do pole dancing 2 to 3 times per week) that I was able to get away with less- quality food choices and not really have it affect my physique. But, I'm going to be on stage with women who are cut to shreds and have done it right- so I will, too. Part of the reason I'm doing this, though, is like so many women, the media has portrayed an ugly image of beauty for us: bone skinny, zero muscle tone (no ass) models, that I, being all of 5'3" and 112 pounds, could break them in two with no effort. How is that pretty? Having a nice round firm butt, athletic and toned legs, flat abs, and sexy shapely arms is what is pretty because it is HEALTHY. I want to try to change the concept of beauty to women FOR women. Being a stick is not attainable by very many, and usually by eating just enough to stay awake, no joke. Or, they eat and purge, we all know this. But, being in bikini, fitness model, or figure shape is totally attainable by all. It doesn't matter your shape, size, age, kids or no kids- anyone can be healthy and fit and the best each individual body type can be. If I can help at least one girl realize this and have her change her lifestyle for the better, then it will all be worth it :)