Lately, I've been having quite a few people ask me questions about how to eat healthier, reach their weight loss goals and change their body composition. I find that my answer is generally always the same. Eat healthy..food! Drink healthy...water! Do cardio and weight training most days of the week. Plain and simple...no magic pills...no special powders...no secret.
When people ask me how many calories I eat, they seem quite shocked when I tell them it's about 2000 calories per day. When I was training for the competition, it was around 2500 calories per day. (Friend me on the "my fitness pal" app and see what I eat :)
Another common question is: Did/Do I take supplements? The only "supplement" I used/use was/is protein powder to help me reach my daily protein goal. I do not have different bottles of different pills lined up in my bathroom, I get my nutrition directly from food...the "pills" I take are the ones prescribed by my MD...plus, fish oil, Vitamin D and Target Brand Multi vitamins.
I love it when people ask me questions...I enjoy sharing my struggles and successes...what has worked, what I doubted and what has also shocked me (ie: eating MORE resulted in a lower body fat and higher muscle weight...probably the healthiest I've EVER been in my life).
I will be starting a "transition" nutrition plan on Monday. Christine has written out guidelines for me to reach on weight training and non weight training days. Both with different Protein, Carbohydrate and Fat targets. The intent of this plan is to provide the nutrition needed for me to continue to add on muscle weight. I will be eating a lot more...again!
I still get "cheat" meals...which tonight was homemade chocolate chip~oatmeal~peanut butter cookies--my favorite!! The dough tasted incredible!!
I am trying to "enjoy" food, but am still recovering from pneumonia, so, the focus of my eating the last couple weeks has been to give my body healthy foods to hopefully help me recover faster. It's been a slow process...Patience...I'm working on it...
I plan on tackling each day with a positive attitude and will be thankful that I have the ability and support to continue on my fitness journey.
Let's see what this ol' body can do...again...
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Just in case you were wondering..Yes, I am stubborn!
I've been asked a couple times when I'm going to start blogging again...well, might as well be now!
I can't believe it's only been 3, almost 4 weeks, since Brittani and I walked on stage. I keep looking at the pictures and thinking back to that day and still can't believe it is already done!
So, now what? I've met with Christine since the show to get some help with the off season time. From the judges critiques, I need to work on growing my shoulders and arms to make my physique look more balanced. I don't have a waist...that's just how it is...but I can change how my upper body compares to my lower body by building up the muscle bellies above the navel!
Recommendations are to put away the food scale..enjoy food...don't worry about lifting and just get back to "normal" for a couple weeks. Well, that's kinda hard to do after 12 weeks of structure. Even for someone like me that really isn't a "structured" person. Yes, I do like to keep things in order (to a certain point--my house is NOT always tidy:)...and I do like to keep appointments (but don't really LIKE to be told what to do!)...so, when you've adapted a lifestyle that revolves around eating, measuring, lifting, scheduling, counting and posing...it's hard to just quit!
Our bodies are funny...the mind may say one thing, but the body can really tell you what to do...for example...I did stay away from lifting (for about a week). I did put away the food scale, measuring cups and spoons. I did enjoy treats and sweets and a beer or two. I returned to teaching my balls-to-the-wall~let's get this~ high energy~pinging off the walls ZUMBA classes. Then what does the body do? Says "hold on their, Missy, I have another plan for you!"
It started with a sinus infection...then, just yesterday, was diagnosed with pneumonia. Did I feel this coming on?? Yep...I can tell when my body is tired, when I'm pushing it too much, and when I'm starting to feel like I need to rest (it's ONE of the positives for having Rheumatoid Arthritis)...but did I listen..of course not. I kept going...pushing forward and now along with an inhaler and a strong Kick-the-bug-in-the-ass antibiotic...I'm recovering.
I guess you could say I am lucky...I really haven't had a fever..maybe catching the sinus infection early and starting on one antibiotic contained the sickness.
I'm looking forward to spending some down time this weekend with my hubby...removing me from my daily schedule is a good thing. Looking forward to getting back to normal and working on filling up my muscle bellies for my next upcoming competition...
I can't believe it's only been 3, almost 4 weeks, since Brittani and I walked on stage. I keep looking at the pictures and thinking back to that day and still can't believe it is already done!
So, now what? I've met with Christine since the show to get some help with the off season time. From the judges critiques, I need to work on growing my shoulders and arms to make my physique look more balanced. I don't have a waist...that's just how it is...but I can change how my upper body compares to my lower body by building up the muscle bellies above the navel!
Recommendations are to put away the food scale..enjoy food...don't worry about lifting and just get back to "normal" for a couple weeks. Well, that's kinda hard to do after 12 weeks of structure. Even for someone like me that really isn't a "structured" person. Yes, I do like to keep things in order (to a certain point--my house is NOT always tidy:)...and I do like to keep appointments (but don't really LIKE to be told what to do!)...so, when you've adapted a lifestyle that revolves around eating, measuring, lifting, scheduling, counting and posing...it's hard to just quit!
Our bodies are funny...the mind may say one thing, but the body can really tell you what to do...for example...I did stay away from lifting (for about a week). I did put away the food scale, measuring cups and spoons. I did enjoy treats and sweets and a beer or two. I returned to teaching my balls-to-the-wall~let's get this~ high energy~pinging off the walls ZUMBA classes. Then what does the body do? Says "hold on their, Missy, I have another plan for you!"
It started with a sinus infection...then, just yesterday, was diagnosed with pneumonia. Did I feel this coming on?? Yep...I can tell when my body is tired, when I'm pushing it too much, and when I'm starting to feel like I need to rest (it's ONE of the positives for having Rheumatoid Arthritis)...but did I listen..of course not. I kept going...pushing forward and now along with an inhaler and a strong Kick-the-bug-in-the-ass antibiotic...I'm recovering.
I guess you could say I am lucky...I really haven't had a fever..maybe catching the sinus infection early and starting on one antibiotic contained the sickness.
I'm looking forward to spending some down time this weekend with my hubby...removing me from my daily schedule is a good thing. Looking forward to getting back to normal and working on filling up my muscle bellies for my next upcoming competition...
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