It's the question that lingers in my brain on the daily. I am literally 3 weeks shy before I step foot on stage half naked in front of people I don't even know. Am I terrified? Not really. Maybe... kinda? Nervous? Just a little. It's the same feeling I used to get when I did theater in high school and I would run through my lines over and over again -- in hopes that I wouldn't miss a line when the spotlight hit my face. I keep thinking about walking in those heels and how I will do my best to NOT fall on my face.
The preparation for this competition has been and continues to be challenging. Physically, I feel like my body is in a constant shock from the workouts I've been doing. This week, I started committing myself to doing 'two-a-days' with sprint intervals in the morning and then either bootcamp training, metabolic workouts and strength training in the evenings. Last week, I did a couple 'two-a-days' with conditioning rounds on the prowler in the evenings, but I soon realized that if I'm out or up late and try to do early morning workouts -- the devil in my body comes out and shuts everything down putting my ass to bed.
For example, after a long hectic week from work and workouts, my body pulled a ninja move on me. I couldn't function and my body was hating me. On Friday, I left work early and went straight to bed. Let me tell you that the THREE hour nap that I took made an EPIC recovery on my body. It's crazy what rest can do for your temple that is oh-so-precious.
I'm sore, but motivated. Truth of the matter is, there is ALWAYS some muscle on my body that is sore. Foam rolling, stretching, nutrition and recovery is the only way to keep my body healthy and to continue seeing results.
My biggest challenge thus far has been my nutrition. I am compliant with my diet 99% of the time. 99 PERCENT! When I say compliant, I mean that I am eating protein with every meal 4-5 times a day. I am drinking at least a gallon of water a day (sometimes TWO gallons!) and I am eating my green veggies as much as a HULK could. As for that .1%? (ONE PERCENT....!)That's coffee my friend. Ugh. I am being brutally honest with you because I am NOT PERFECT. No one is. I wouldn't say that I am a coffee ADDICT but as of lately it's just that one cup that makes me feel warm inside. If I don't have it, I'm okay without it. I KNOW what I need to do and that is to cut it out COMPLETELY. At least for the next three weeks. I can do it. There are no more excuses.
Everything else in my diet has been clean, I just need to eat more. It's already tough enough on this Green Faces diet 'Phase II' -- to eat more when I'm not even hungry. However, with the amount of workouts I'm doing I should be consuming about 1400 calories a day, when I am only reaching around 1200 a day. It is hard to fathom how I am going to eat more when I already feel like I eat a lot, when I am barely eating carbs. I just need to remember that I need to eat good carbs right now -- so hello yams and sweet potatoes, I love you long time.
I will keep you posted on my how my diet will change as I get closer to bikini time!
Okay, let's focus. Back to the title of this blog entry. "What can I do to get BETTER?"
With THREE weeks under my belt...
Here is my formula:
1. 100 % Compliant with nutrition (No MORE Coffee!)
2. RECOVERY (Rest, Stretch, & Foam Roll)
3. Training (Continue to push hard & challenge myself)
Just THREE things to FOCUS on for the next THREE weeks!
Let's DO it! STAGE READY BABY!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Week SIX Over = Another SIX Weeks!?...
How did week six arrive so fast? I know I'm a little late on this blog post, but I've been swamped with my so called - 'Life.' Week 6 officially ended this past Monday, June 13th. It's been challenging, tiring and exciting all at the same time.
What are my results after grinding and sweating it out for the past several weeks?
Let's take a look from the very beginning to the end...
Week 1: May 1st, 2011 VS. Week 6 FINAL Results: June 13th, 2011
Week 1 Weight: 135.2 lbs
Week 2 Weight: 131.2 lbs
Week 2 Weight: 131.2 lbs
Week 6 Weight: 131.4lbs
Week 1 - Week 4 - Week 6 (FRONT VIEW/SIDE VIEW)
There it is! Week ONE VS. Week SIX! I feel great and leaner than ever before. I've built up my strength, confidence, endurance and stamina through these several weeks....BUT... as always, I am ready for the next CHALLENGE!
What does 'Another SIX weeks' MEAN!?
On July 23rd, I will be participating in my first EVER... Bikini Competition. Am I ready!? Not right now, BUT I KNOW I will be! I am going to take my GRIT up a notch and train harder, focus my discipline on nutrition (GOODBYE COFFEE!) and to remember the importance of RECOVERY.
I will continue to blog about my progress, nutrition and challenges for the next several weeks as I keep my GRIT alive!!!
Thanks for reading everyone!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
WEEK 5 - ?
If it's 'just' one of them days, then the Monica song needs to be blaring in my ears right now. "That a girl goes through..." (I know you're singing it right now...)
I slept a total of about 13 hours last night and I feel like ????. Is this normal? I wish I had one of those charts full of pictures and descriptions of different moods to choose from so I could try to figure out which one I feel like today and why. Maybe sleeping 13 hours yesterday wasn't the greatest idea after all. On the other hand, it could be my hormones typing these words right at this moment. I mean, after all I am a Cancer and my mood swings follow the tides of the ocean and the moon, so I blame my sign.
So there's that big question mark. It's now Week 5 and I have one week left of this contest. How am I feeling? Well, let's just say I've learned a few things over the past week about my body.
Number One: I need about 8 hours of sleep a night for my body to fully recover from a workout. This is also including eating healthy.
Number Two: Recovery is more important than Quantity. If I'm putting in a high amount of quality and intensity into my workout, recovery is needed in order to see results.
Number Three: Sleep is like my lover. People always say, "Sleep is overrated, You'll sleep when your dead." I agree to disagree. Sleep feels so good. (TO ME) The only time I will sacrifice sleep is for the following reasons: good company, a good laugh, meal, book or movie. I guess that means I sacrifice sleep a lot when need be.
Listening to my body has probably been the most beneficial thing I've done lately. Please note that your body will shut down if you don't. It fights back like a shark attack. Trust me.
I'm ready for WEEK 6. Let's GET it!
I slept a total of about 13 hours last night and I feel like ????. Is this normal? I wish I had one of those charts full of pictures and descriptions of different moods to choose from so I could try to figure out which one I feel like today and why. Maybe sleeping 13 hours yesterday wasn't the greatest idea after all. On the other hand, it could be my hormones typing these words right at this moment. I mean, after all I am a Cancer and my mood swings follow the tides of the ocean and the moon, so I blame my sign.
So there's that big question mark. It's now Week 5 and I have one week left of this contest. How am I feeling? Well, let's just say I've learned a few things over the past week about my body.
Number One: I need about 8 hours of sleep a night for my body to fully recover from a workout. This is also including eating healthy.
Number Two: Recovery is more important than Quantity. If I'm putting in a high amount of quality and intensity into my workout, recovery is needed in order to see results.
Number Three: Sleep is like my lover. People always say, "Sleep is overrated, You'll sleep when your dead." I agree to disagree. Sleep feels so good. (TO ME) The only time I will sacrifice sleep is for the following reasons: good company, a good laugh, meal, book or movie. I guess that means I sacrifice sleep a lot when need be.
Listening to my body has probably been the most beneficial thing I've done lately. Please note that your body will shut down if you don't. It fights back like a shark attack. Trust me.
I'm ready for WEEK 6. Let's GET it!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
WEEK 4 - HeartBURN!?
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word, "HEARTBURN?" Call the fire department! Just kidding. Personally, I think of the Alicia Keys song:
It's an aching feelin'
Inside my chest
It's like I'm goin into cardiac arrest, uh
Adrenaline rushin in my body, All my power I just can't fight it
Doesn't matter how, I keep on tryin
I can't deny I've got this heartburn!
And then, I think of Pineapple and how I don't want to put another piece of that atomic bomb inside my mouth ever again. (It gave me HEARTBURN!) Let me explain: On Monday, I was so ecstatic that I could finally indulge and eat a carb, that the first thing I wanted to inhale was fresh pineapple shipped from Oahu. Three juicy-refreshing pieces and five hours later; this burning feeling inside my chest felt like a nuclear explosion! It felt like a thousand pounds was sitting on my sternum. (I'm thinking the weight of an elephant.) I thought I was going to die! (Hypothetically speaking.)
If you haven't been following, It's now WEEK 4! Do you know what that means? CARBS! And only TWO more weeks left until this contest is officially over. Or is it!? (I'll spill the beans in a future blog about my next fitness venture.) So far, the only carbs I have polished off are apples and that heartburning pineapple. I haven't really been craving anything else besides coffee and possibly a strawberry pop-tart, or maybe a brown sugar one? Since I've been able to consume anything that has or had a face I'm pretty happy with a steak and believe it or not, I'm in love with bacon now.
What can I eat now that I am on Phase II?
Oatmeal - Small Apple - Milk - Pineapple - Plum - Cherries - Sweet Potato - Carrots - Cottage - Cheese - Grapefruit - Beans - Apricot - Grapes - Citrus - Baked Potato - Protein Bar - Yogurt (with less than 20 grams of sugar) - Handful of Nuts - Peach - Berries - Whole Grain Bread (Ezekial Bread, 1 slice) - Avocado
The point is to keep the following guidelines from Phase One, but now add one of the following items above once or twice a day. (Depending on my workout of the day.) Most importantly, all the foods above must be consumed with protein.
Now onto my results. You'd think after four weeks I'd be used to the soreness that invades my muscles daily, but the answer is NO! Everyday it's a different muscle, soreness and a completely different ache. As the Game would say, "Hate it or Love it." Or the title of the movie, "It's a Thin Line Between Love & Hate." Personally, my body relates to both titles greatly.
It's an aching feelin'
Inside my chest
It's like I'm goin into cardiac arrest, uh
Adrenaline rushin in my body, All my power I just can't fight it
Doesn't matter how, I keep on tryin
I can't deny I've got this heartburn!
And then, I think of Pineapple and how I don't want to put another piece of that atomic bomb inside my mouth ever again. (It gave me HEARTBURN!) Let me explain: On Monday, I was so ecstatic that I could finally indulge and eat a carb, that the first thing I wanted to inhale was fresh pineapple shipped from Oahu. Three juicy-refreshing pieces and five hours later; this burning feeling inside my chest felt like a nuclear explosion! It felt like a thousand pounds was sitting on my sternum. (I'm thinking the weight of an elephant.) I thought I was going to die! (Hypothetically speaking.)
If you haven't been following, It's now WEEK 4! Do you know what that means? CARBS! And only TWO more weeks left until this contest is officially over. Or is it!? (I'll spill the beans in a future blog about my next fitness venture.) So far, the only carbs I have polished off are apples and that heartburning pineapple. I haven't really been craving anything else besides coffee and possibly a strawberry pop-tart, or maybe a brown sugar one? Since I've been able to consume anything that has or had a face I'm pretty happy with a steak and believe it or not, I'm in love with bacon now.
What can I eat now that I am on Phase II?
Oatmeal - Small Apple - Milk - Pineapple - Plum - Cherries - Sweet Potato - Carrots - Cottage - Cheese - Grapefruit - Beans - Apricot - Grapes - Citrus - Baked Potato - Protein Bar - Yogurt (with less than 20 grams of sugar) - Handful of Nuts - Peach - Berries - Whole Grain Bread (Ezekial Bread, 1 slice) - Avocado
The point is to keep the following guidelines from Phase One, but now add one of the following items above once or twice a day. (Depending on my workout of the day.) Most importantly, all the foods above must be consumed with protein.
Now onto my results. You'd think after four weeks I'd be used to the soreness that invades my muscles daily, but the answer is NO! Everyday it's a different muscle, soreness and a completely different ache. As the Game would say, "Hate it or Love it." Or the title of the movie, "It's a Thin Line Between Love & Hate." Personally, my body relates to both titles greatly.
Week 1: May 1st, 2011 VS. Week 4 Results: May 26th, 2011
Week 1 Weight: 135.2 lbs
Week 2 Weight: 131.2 lbs
Week 4 Weight: 132 lbs
Week 2 Weight: 131.2 lbs
Week 4 Weight: 132 lbs
  |
| Week 1 Front VS. Week 4: Front |
  |
| Week 1 Back VS. Week 4: Back |
  |
| Week 1 Side VS. Week 4: Side Compared to my weigh in two weeks ago at 131.2lbs, I've gained almost a pound back. So in total, I've lost 3.2lbs. I always tell myself that the number on the scale means nothing. It's all about how I feel and look. As for my body fat percentage? I will share those results at the end. Am I happy with my results so far? Yes. The only question that invades my OCD personality is, "Where is my six pack!? It will only make me push harder. Two weeks in COUNTING...! |
Friday, May 20, 2011
I Always WANT what I CAN'T Have...
It's the truth. You know you have had that feeling at least once in your lifetime. You either know what you want, or want what you can't have, or don't know what you want at all. This isn't a blog entry for me to spill out my deepest secrets of dating and how I sometimes end up wanting what I can't have later down the road, when I could have had it in the first place. (sigh) Nope. Not today. That's a whole other story.
This saying, "wanting what I can't have" is all about my week full of family festivities. It's been a challenging venture to say the least, for me personally. My friends, cousins, aunties and uncles flew in from Hawaii last week for my cousin's graduation from Seattle University of Law School. So, what happens when my family comes into town? Food happens. Fine dining happens. Desserts happen. Parties happen. And did you forget? I'm doing the Green Faces Diet. No drinking. No carbs. No sweets. Nadda. I struggled to keep my eyes open for those late night dinners and happy hours. I swallowed my tongue (not really, but I wanted to) when everyone else was eating mashed potatoes and rice crispy treats in front of me. Just imagine yourself sitting in Molly Moons Ice Cream Parlor and smelling those homemade waffle cones and not being able to eat it. (Try me.)
Since I've been on this 'Green Faces Diet' I've been craving the most random things. Here are my list of WANTS:
*Pop Tarts - (Brown Sugar)
*Coffee - (I'm not even an avid Coffee Drinker, yet I'm craving it)
*Peanut Butter & Jelly
*Cereal - (Any sugary kind)
*Cookies - (moms Homemade cookies)
*Apples - (With Almond Butter)
*Chocolate - (any kind)
*Chips - (Nacho Cheese Doritos)
*Cake - (Red Velvet or Ice Cream Cake - Cookies & Creme)
*Almond Butter
*Snickers
*Recess Peanut Butter Cups
I will only take partial responsibility for my bitchy attitude, my snappy comments and smart ass remarks at everything. I hope my family did not take any offense to my unknown behavior. I know I'm bossy, but I'm not normally a bitch. I was/am BOTH! I was/am carb-less and PMSING, which is now on Day 11. (Please bear with me if you are my friend, I promise this will pass.) At least things should get better. Starting next week, I can finally have one carb a day, and two carbs a day when I do strength training. Yay to sweet potatoes and apples. Oh, how I've missed you.
Besides the Bitch that I've become, it's not so bad. I'm on Day 19 and I'm feeling stronger and leaner. I'm looking forward to Week 4. I'll be doing my weigh in soon. Until then my friends, thanks for listening.
This saying, "wanting what I can't have" is all about my week full of family festivities. It's been a challenging venture to say the least, for me personally. My friends, cousins, aunties and uncles flew in from Hawaii last week for my cousin's graduation from Seattle University of Law School. So, what happens when my family comes into town? Food happens. Fine dining happens. Desserts happen. Parties happen. And did you forget? I'm doing the Green Faces Diet. No drinking. No carbs. No sweets. Nadda. I struggled to keep my eyes open for those late night dinners and happy hours. I swallowed my tongue (not really, but I wanted to) when everyone else was eating mashed potatoes and rice crispy treats in front of me. Just imagine yourself sitting in Molly Moons Ice Cream Parlor and smelling those homemade waffle cones and not being able to eat it. (Try me.)
Since I've been on this 'Green Faces Diet' I've been craving the most random things. Here are my list of WANTS:
*Pop Tarts - (Brown Sugar)
*Coffee - (I'm not even an avid Coffee Drinker, yet I'm craving it)
*Peanut Butter & Jelly
*Cereal - (Any sugary kind)
*Cookies - (moms Homemade cookies)
*Apples - (With Almond Butter)
*Chocolate - (any kind)
*Chips - (Nacho Cheese Doritos)
*Cake - (Red Velvet or Ice Cream Cake - Cookies & Creme)
*Almond Butter
*Snickers
*Recess Peanut Butter Cups
I will only take partial responsibility for my bitchy attitude, my snappy comments and smart ass remarks at everything. I hope my family did not take any offense to my unknown behavior. I know I'm bossy, but I'm not normally a bitch. I was/am BOTH! I was/am carb-less and PMSING, which is now on Day 11. (Please bear with me if you are my friend, I promise this will pass.) At least things should get better. Starting next week, I can finally have one carb a day, and two carbs a day when I do strength training. Yay to sweet potatoes and apples. Oh, how I've missed you.
Besides the Bitch that I've become, it's not so bad. I'm on Day 19 and I'm feeling stronger and leaner. I'm looking forward to Week 4. I'll be doing my weigh in soon. Until then my friends, thanks for listening.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Why I HEART Asparagus... & PEE Smells? Don't CARE!
It's Day 12 and I am pretty positive I've eaten Asparagus in just about every single meal. In my Omelet? DONE. With my chicken? DONE. With my steak? DONE DEAL. A la carte? DEFINITE DONE DEAL. Roasted. Grilled. Sautéed. Chopped. Raw. Cooked any way possible, I'll eat it. EXCEPT the kind in the can. GROSS! Fresh Asparagus is the only way to go.
So now to that burning question that I know you are ALL thinking... "Doesn't your pee smell funny?" "Stinky" "Is your pee yellow?" The answer is, YES my pee smells, but it's not THAT bad. YES, it's yellow but not lemon yellow. I did a little research on these green spears and learned that most people produce the odorous compounds after eating Asparagus, but only about 22% of the population can actually smell it. So if someone tells you that their pee doesn't smell funny, they could be telling the truth.
For those of you who can smell that distinctive stench in the toilet, it's because of certain compounds in Asparagus that are metabolized such as ammonia; which is also a reason why Asparagus is considered a diuretic property. What the hell is a diuretic property you ask? A diuretic is any drug that elevates the rate of urination and all diuretics increase the excretion of water from our bodies.
Was this too much Asparagus talk for a Friday? Can't you tell I'm addicted? Well, take it as my lesson of the day. Asparagus. It's healthy, it is low in calories and sodium. It provides a good source of vitamins, calcium, magnesium and zinc, dietary fiber, ETC. ETC. ETC.
And to cook it? All you need is a little OLIVE OIL, SALT & PEPPER to season these stalks.
P.S. Yesterday, I did my weigh in and I've dropped 3lbs! I am now 131.1. The six pack is forming... I can't wait to see what Week 4 will bring!
Below, please enjoy a few of my Asparagus cooked meals. Enjoy!
So now to that burning question that I know you are ALL thinking... "Doesn't your pee smell funny?" "Stinky" "Is your pee yellow?" The answer is, YES my pee smells, but it's not THAT bad. YES, it's yellow but not lemon yellow. I did a little research on these green spears and learned that most people produce the odorous compounds after eating Asparagus, but only about 22% of the population can actually smell it. So if someone tells you that their pee doesn't smell funny, they could be telling the truth.
For those of you who can smell that distinctive stench in the toilet, it's because of certain compounds in Asparagus that are metabolized such as ammonia; which is also a reason why Asparagus is considered a diuretic property. What the hell is a diuretic property you ask? A diuretic is any drug that elevates the rate of urination and all diuretics increase the excretion of water from our bodies.
Was this too much Asparagus talk for a Friday? Can't you tell I'm addicted? Well, take it as my lesson of the day. Asparagus. It's healthy, it is low in calories and sodium. It provides a good source of vitamins, calcium, magnesium and zinc, dietary fiber, ETC. ETC. ETC.
And to cook it? All you need is a little OLIVE OIL, SALT & PEPPER to season these stalks.
P.S. Yesterday, I did my weigh in and I've dropped 3lbs! I am now 131.1. The six pack is forming... I can't wait to see what Week 4 will bring!
Below, please enjoy a few of my Asparagus cooked meals. Enjoy!
 |
| TB, Asparagus & Veggie filled Omelet |
 |
| Rotisserie Chicken, Artichoke, Spinach & Asparagus |
 |
| Salmon, Green Salad, Mixed Veggies With Asparagus |
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
WEEK 2... DAY 9... And I'm a B*TCH. (Did You See That HURRICANE!?)
If you personally know me, I am a nice person. PROMISE! It's not even that special time of the month, but I feel like my mood swings are like riding the 'Tower Of Terror' 24/7. Literally. I feel fatigued during my workouts, excited when I get to eat every 2 hours, but then nauseated at times after my workouts. I can't keep my eyes open after 11 P.M. I chew gum to satisfy my sweet cravings, but I think I've over chewed my jaw because every time I bite down it feels like someone is sitting next to me flicking my temples with their finger.
Welcome to the challenge of "Green Faces Diet, Phase One! And, I LOVE a CHALLENGE!" My family tells me I am no longer a joy to live with, but how would they feel if they couldn't eat a carb or sugar? I felt my temper and anxiety rise this weekend as I watched my sister make homemade banana nut cupcakes and devour them in front me. Sometimes, I think I'm going to lose it... but it's all about...
Yes. Self Discipline. I use this as a reminder for my nutrition, thoughts, exercise, sleep and hydration. Thanks to my trainer, Luka Hocevar for the bracelet; it's just another mental reinforcement to help me stay on track. It's very similar to how those 'balance' bracelets work. (i.e. the Placebo affect.) At least that is my opinion! So with reference to my blog title and how I've been feeling I'm going to try my best to focus on saying positive things on how I am feeling to see if it changes my mood.
Besides my crazy mood swings, I've been getting my ass kicked in boot camp, small group sessions and semi-private sessions. Last Thursday, I came to my usual boot camp session ready to get served and let's just say I got more than I deserved! Up on the white board was the word, "HURRICANES." What the hell is that? It's 15 minutes of torture! See for yourself.
HURRICANES:
1 minute of each exercise, 3 rounds
Kettle Bell Deadlift
TRX Squat Jumps
PUSHUPS
Lunges with band pull aparts
Split squat band rows
FINISHER: (Yes, there is always a finisher)
(30 seconds each)
Wideout jumps
Squat hold
Reserve/Forward lunge
Burpees
And then you die. (Speaking on behalf of my body.) Every time I come to boot camp the workout and intensity is different, which I love. If you're up for a challenge, love to be pushed mentally and physically and want to get in the best shape of your life you need to join Renton Results Bootcamp. I promise you won't regret it!
I can't wait for Phase 2. Only 12 days left!
Welcome to the challenge of "Green Faces Diet, Phase One! And, I LOVE a CHALLENGE!" My family tells me I am no longer a joy to live with, but how would they feel if they couldn't eat a carb or sugar? I felt my temper and anxiety rise this weekend as I watched my sister make homemade banana nut cupcakes and devour them in front me. Sometimes, I think I'm going to lose it... but it's all about...
Yes. Self Discipline. I use this as a reminder for my nutrition, thoughts, exercise, sleep and hydration. Thanks to my trainer, Luka Hocevar for the bracelet; it's just another mental reinforcement to help me stay on track. It's very similar to how those 'balance' bracelets work. (i.e. the Placebo affect.) At least that is my opinion! So with reference to my blog title and how I've been feeling I'm going to try my best to focus on saying positive things on how I am feeling to see if it changes my mood.
Besides my crazy mood swings, I've been getting my ass kicked in boot camp, small group sessions and semi-private sessions. Last Thursday, I came to my usual boot camp session ready to get served and let's just say I got more than I deserved! Up on the white board was the word, "HURRICANES." What the hell is that? It's 15 minutes of torture! See for yourself.
HURRICANES:
1 minute of each exercise, 3 rounds
Kettle Bell Deadlift
TRX Squat Jumps
PUSHUPS
Lunges with band pull aparts
Split squat band rows
FINISHER: (Yes, there is always a finisher)
(30 seconds each)
Wideout jumps
Squat hold
Reserve/Forward lunge
Burpees
And then you die. (Speaking on behalf of my body.) Every time I come to boot camp the workout and intensity is different, which I love. If you're up for a challenge, love to be pushed mentally and physically and want to get in the best shape of your life you need to join Renton Results Bootcamp. I promise you won't regret it!
I can't wait for Phase 2. Only 12 days left!
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