Hump week

Well this week has just sucked. Im not even going to try and sugar coat it. I have been fatigued, cranky, hungry, annoyed, disillusioned and downright over it. So in terms of comp prep - im right on track! I just couldn't get my mindset to shift back into positive gear, and it seemed the harder i tried to do it, the further away i got. It was wednesday afternoon when i was toying with the idea of throwing it in. Here are some of the things that ran through my mind: why am i doing this? It would be easier just to stop. No one would care if i chucked this in. Im not going to make it to the stage anyway so why bother?
So i sat with these feelings most of wednesday afternoon, swinging from 'you CAN do this" right back down to "But why are you doing this?" and back again.
Looking back over this week now im actually amazed at myself because despite the negativity, i didnt once cheat on my nutrition and still managed to get in 2hrs of cardio in everyday. So even though my mind was playing headgames - i was still in competition mode - a very good sign that i CAN make this to the end.
So after a bit of an emergency text to Corina asking what can i take supplement wise to make me feel normal again (oh and telling her i thought i might have a 'bug') she told me to get my bum into ASN to have a chat.
As i walked in i was greeted by glenn and corina who took some enjoyment in having a poke at me, saying "oh your tired and feeling unwell? oh yeah there must be something wrong... (laughter ensued)" and then "Lauren, you're comp prepping, this is how your supposed to feel! If you felt any other way, we would think there was something wrong at this stage!". Ok ok people, im new to this! I really thought i was going crazy! However the feedback from corina and glenn was that im on track and that im really lean upper body so now the weight has to start coming off the legs YAA!
Sooooo after my little intervention yesterday Im feeling positive, motivated and ready to do this. I have 9 weeks left and thats a little scary but i can also see the end now.
Oh and i have to give a big shoutout to my girl KT who visited mid week and took me shopping! lol nothing like a shop to heal the soul right girls?! Anyway she really took my mind off comp prep for a few hours and i lover her for that.
Oh and Glenn told me i can have sugar free Jols if i need them *big smile*. This has truly made my week!
So there u have it. Comp prep is not easy - in fact its downright torture at times, but losing focus is not productive. I can do this. I will do this.
Progress pics this weekend....
xxoo

10 weeks out...

Well doesn't time just fly when your having, uhhmmm, fun...! I am now 10 weeks out from comp which means i have been dieting and training for this now for 5 weeks - crazy. I have really made some fantastic progress with my body shape, and muscle size in just 5 weeks which gives me hope for the next 10. I am under no illusion about the next 10 weeks being as smooth sailing as the last 5 however. With the small drop in calories with my new diet and the increase in cardio, i am finding myself hungry at times and tired. I am also becoming less tolerant and increasingly snappy especially towards the end of the day. The funny thing is, though, is it passes as quickly as it comes in a sort of schizophrenic manner! hahah! No im not going crazy, im just a little fatigued people!
Anyhoo, im more determined than ever to see this through and am excited about more body changes to come. In particular im excited (and nervous) for my bum and back of my thighs to start coming down. This will be the last area and it really is driving me crazy! Hopefully they will come in before comp - or else its goodbye July, hello september comp.
Ok so my measurements from yesterday are as follows:

Bodyfat: 13.2% (over 7 sites)
Weight down: 500g (sitting at approx 59kgs)
Girth measurements: Down in all areas except upper body (which is good)

I would give the specifics of these measurements but i have left them at home, so i will post them next time. My weight has really slowed down, but that is to be expected. 1/2 kg drop per week until comp will see me come in at 54-55kgs which would be ok.

I have been slamming the cardio over the last few days because i have been given strict instructions by glenn and corina not to do weights. I have injured the head of my bicep and it has been very painful even on the lightest of weights. So i have been on anti inflammatorys and on thursday hopefully i will be ok to get back into the weights. Just a minor setback but at least it is not a leg or groin injury - that would mean the end of my comp prep for sure, as u need your legs to do cardio!

So this week I have the wonderful KT coming to visit me. This is my bestie from canberra and she rocks! Looking forward to having a movie night on wed and then shopping on bridge road on thursday (don't tell my husband!). Kate has been following one of my nutritional plans (Unique will be launching Nutritional packages and consultations run by me in the next few weeks so watch out for them)and she has lost nearly 7kgs in 3 weeks! Awesome job and proof that if you follow the 'right' plan, it WILL work.

I will be posting some progress shots in the next few days. Corina has asked me to do some progress shots in my ASN gear so i will be organsing some nice shots not the dodgy ones i have posted so far!

Ok well that is it for the updates, i hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend break!
xxoo

Ordinary, so so, blah...

Ok well today has been less than ordinary, so so and blah all rold into one. Just having one of those days me thinks! Nothing in particular has happened to cause my meloncholy, and yet I still feel a bit blue. Thank goodness for my husband, who just has a way of gently soothing this Leo lion's snarl! Despite being bitchy, whingy and quite rude to my husband within the space of about 10 minutes - he gave me a hug, told me i was beautiful, and then told me the chicken i was cooking smelt amazing! Do we all have special people like this in our lives or did i just get a little bit lucky?
Anyway, yesterday i felt on top of the world - today not so much and tomorrow is a new day.
Alright so I recieved my new program from Corina yesterday and today was the first day of implementing it. Actually i was stoked with it! I get to keep half a banana, my oats AND my protein shakes YAA! I had been expecting a horrible turn of events and had imagined up the worst case scenario so i was pleasantly surprised. Some of the nutrient timing has changed and my portions are smaller again but other than that i really cant complain. It will change again and get stricter still, but for now, im happy.
I seem to have injured the top of my bicep and possibly my rotator cuff. Best case scenario is that i have strained my bicep - RC injuries take a lot longer to heal, so fingers crossed. Im sticking to my old weights program until next week just to see how it goes. My cardio has now increased to nearly 2 hrs a day, which doesn't seem like much - UNTIL YOUR ACTUALLY DOING IT!!!!! Its just finding the time to fit it all in, but cardio is so important for stripping fat so its non negotiable.
So all in all, things are good and once i get over my shitty day, it will be great!
Measure, photos and weigh this sunday, hopefully things are still progressing, although it hasn't felt like it this week, despite eating and training being 100%. I know things will start to slow but i really need to get off a little more fat before im happy for things to slowdown!
Ok, off to bed i go...maybe a good sleep will remove the funk...
xxoo

The last hooray!

Just a quickie to post some pics of me and hubby heading out for our date night. My very last cheat meal for 3 months, and actually i feel ready now to tackle the next 12 weeks.
Food will always be there but you only get one body.
So, new diet and new training schedule on tuesday - lets start seeing some changes!
Have a great weekend everyone!
xxoo

"Optimism is essential to achievement...

...and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress" (Nicholas Murray Butler). I love this quote, it is exactly where i am sitting with my mindset at present. I have to be optimistic in order to move forward with this journey...and therefore i have decided to post some 'progress pics'.
Ok , now bear with me. This is me at 14.6% body fat and unable to do any elegant poses (as well as nooooo tan)!



So i need alot of work - but things are heading in the right direction.
12 weeks lean down starts on tuesday so hopefully some of the muscle i have been building will start to come through.
Ok so there you have it - that was nerve wracking but i know you are all here to support me soooooo bring on JULY!!
Best of luck to all the girls competing on saturday in melbourne at the INBA. Mick and I are going for a sticky beak and im quite excited to see what the whole deal is.
Oh and did i mention i get a couple of treat meals this weekend? SHWEEEET!

xxoo

A pat on the back

So yesterday i gave my coaches corina and glenn a progress report. I have to tell u, these are some of the nicest people i have had the pleasure of knowing. After giving them a run down of my weight loss and bodyfat percentage (oh and a little almost kinda whinge about whether or not my legs are going to come in on time...), I got the nicest reply. I was told that i was doing an amazing job and that they are already so proud of me and that they can see just how committed i am to this process (oh and that to stop worrying about my legs - it will happen!). Im not sure if its all the training leaving me quite tired and the lack of carbs but i found myself getting quite emotional...ahhh yes Lauren getting emotional...those of yoou that know me will be laughing right about now, those of you that don't, well im a sook. Self confessed, there you have it.
Oh but then i get another message through saying relax my meals for fri, sat AND sun and enjoy my weekend cos the next 12 weeks are going to be full on....ummm cheer or cry people? Hmmm so as i approach my 12 week lean down, a new eating plan and new training program, i find myself, well, how to put this politely? Shitting myself. Im new to this world of figure and find myself wondering just what kind of torture im in for the next 12 weeks? Well after pulling myself up off the floor, all i can say is 'bring it'!! Im ready to do this!
So my next thought goes veeeerrrryyy quickly to my 'free' weekend. But alas im not going to indulge like i have been given permission to. I have decided on a cheat meal for saturday night and sunday night only. I know, very boring, but why undo all my hard work and feel like crap on monday? Better to enjoy 2 planned meals and ease into mondays madness.
Michael and i are going to have a sticky beak at the INBA event this saturday (goodluck to all the girls competing BTW!)and then head down chapel st to find some yummy food. Im looking forward to it, my poor husband is being deprived a little at present so he deserves this night out. Oh and speaking of my hubby, last night after telling him about my feedback from corina and glenn, he brought me home flowers to say just how proud of me he is...awww he really is my heart and soul. Michael is doing an amazing job of training me and pushing me through mentally and physically, without him, this would not be achievable.
Ok well im off to cook up some sweet potatoe mash but before i do i just want to give a shout out to kate my bestie from canberra who will be travelling to see me in july to do my hair and makeup for the all females. kate is a superstar when it comes to all things beauty and sparkle! We did makeup artistry waaayy back in the day and i would not trust anyone but her to touch this mug! Not only is she coming to do my makeup but she is also coming for moral support. Thanks KT your fabulous (see you in a few weeks!).
Ok need to go relax now but i hope everyone is training hard and watching what they eat.
xxoo

Bikinirama!

Well its been a little too long between posts - but its not my fault - the computer ate one of my blogs, so here i go again!
Training has been going awesome, im lifting heavier each day which is great, and although sore im happy cos this means things are a movin! My food is spot on, it has to be if im going to lean down in time, and im actually enjoying it now and not just going through the motions.
Had measurements today and im really pleased with my progress. Im under 60kgs now so i have around 6kgs to lose over the next 12 weeks. I really want to come in around 54kgs or lower to at least be a little competitive. The good news too is that all my girths are dropping and my body fat over 7 sites has come in at 14.5% as of today.
So leaning down is going great but i just have to try and get some more muscle going because im afraid im going to come in too small. My shoulders are looking ok and abs are starting to come out, but legs ooohhhhh they need some work! So I have been hitting the stairs at the studio twice a week for 30 mins just to try and get my glutes and quads to come to the figure comp party!
Ok so as the title of this blog states - i have ordered my bikini!! Its so exciting and soooo nerve wracking! Let me tellu, there is nothing like a tiny tiny bikini to get your arse motivated! The lovely helen was great help and knows her stuff so gave me an idea of colours and designs. Im going to keep my bikini a surprise until stage though...ooohhh the suspense! She is very honest too as she sees a lot of figure girls and she told me i look like im on track,i have a very petite frame and that (surprise suprise) i need my thighs to come in *sigh*. Hahha! She said that its unfair but its the last place all the girls tend to lose their fat. oh well, seems as im not alone in this.
Ok so bikini ordered, now to get my stripper heels woo hoo!
Alright well thats it for now, off to have a bit of a relax but good luck to alll our clients doing trail walker this coming weekend.
xxoo

The countdown...

Happy Easter Everyone! Hope you have all had fun and relaxing breaks and enjoyed a few choccies along the way.
I am now exactly 24 hours from finishing my trial water load and deplete. Oohh thank goodness because this my friends was one tough test. It has been extremelly satisfying to know that i have the strength and determination to not even want to cheat on such a restrictive plan, but hey I'm allowed to say I'm glad it will be over soon am i not?!
Michael took photos and measurments yesterday and the difference in just 2 weeks of comp preperation is extrodinary to say the least. I knew the changes would be quick, well they have to be, but i was also shocked that i could see the changes as i am usually so hard on myself. My girth measurements have come down, my weight is down another 1kg so that is nearly 3kgs in 2 weeks so far, BUT the best bit was the callipers. Now at Unique we use a body composition machine to measure body fat percentage. It is accurate but not in the bodybuilding world. Bodybuilders will only ever take calliper measurements because it gives a really good indication of where fat is placed on the body.
So Michael took measurements from 7 sites (7 places on my body) and my body fat percentage has come in at...(drum roll please)...15.5% !!!! yaaaa! This means i am only 5.5% away from being stage ready. Corina is stoked with this aswell and so this has inspired me to keep pluggin away at my training and diet.
It was a bit daunting to hve to get to 10% bodyfat for the stage but little did i know i was already nearly there! Now don't get me wrong, the next 12 weeks of prep are going to be greulling but at least i know i am now in with a shot of getting on stage.
This week will see me order my competition suit with all da bling! According to my colourings i should aim for a deep purple, dark blue or black bikini for stage, so i am working towards something like this. I also have to order my stripper heels (!!!) this week so i can start practising walking in them and i guess i will have to start learning posing routines soon too... hmmm much to do such little time.
Oh and i must give a shout out to Amanda and Stu on the birth of baby Georgia May! Well done guys she is just beautiful - and that hair, wow! Michael and I went to visit the happy couple in the hospital on saturday and this little girl is just gorgeous with wads of black hair! We left with baby Georgia snuggled into dad and sound asleep...awww! Too sweet.
Ok well that's it for me for now, im off to have a coffee - black of course!
xxoo

Chicken tastes like Victory...

Hmmm well this is what my coach corina told me a couple of days ago. It was 8.00pm and i had just finished my 11th meal of chicken and sweet potatoe but i still had one meal to go at 10pm. Just the thought of putting another piece of chicken to my lips was making me gag. Not a good sign. Thinking i was going to get a sympathetic ear from another female i text corina asking if i could skip the last meal of the night. Her reply... 'Chicken tastes like Victory!'. Ummm maybe im seasoning it incorrectly. Cos the chicken im eating tastes dry, bland and uninviting. *sigh*
I love her enthusiasm to the sport - its why ive got her helping me, and the phrase got me thinking.
This journey to the figure stage is not about the food, or the training or the meal timing - of course those things are crucial but the real journey, the real challenge is psychological. Its easy to eat certain foods at a certain time and push through training but what is it that allows us to keep going day after day? I believe it is all about individual drive, dedication and commitment. Without these things we have no resolve.
Competition prep is not a day by day thing, it is an hour by hour process. By this i mean every hour (maybe even less) i have to give myself a pep talk to keep going, to keep fuelling my body and making sure i do that last 30 minutes of cardio each day. This is what makes this sport so draining and so difficult. My resolve is strong, but that may only be for the next 20 minutes and then i may have to convince myself to keep going all over again.
It is a mental game of cat and mouse and its bloody tough.
So 3rd day of water load and deplete, 3 more to go.
Wish me luck!