Monday, May 30, 2011

What a weekend..Personal Training exam - passed and Fitness Competition - check!

Well, it’s all over and I have mixed emotions about everything. Competing was an amazing experience and I met so many wonderful people and had a blast! Yes, I am a little disappointed about not winning, but deep down that wasn’t the end goal for me. My goal to compete was accomplished. Like Paul Dillett said, its all about having fun and that's exactly what I did and I feel great about everything, especially myself. Confidence is something I’ve always struggled with and it’s a hard thing to be all the time. But confidence is sexy and I am so happy to have it back!
We all have our insecurities whether people understand them or look at us if we are crazy but they are just that, ours. This whole process has taught me so much about myself and that with a little drive, motivation and a lot of determination anything is possible. I pushed my body to the max for the past 24 weeks and I am so proud of how hard I trained and stuck to my meal plan. Being on stage last night was a rush like nothing else.
After staying up all night Saturday with my friend Jessica, who came over from Victoria to watch, talking about the WBFF (World Bodybuilding Fitness Federation) and whether I wanted to compete again and if this type of lifestyle would be maintainable for me over another few years and it really got my thinking. Is think something I want to make my lifestyle?
I have made a lot of sacrifices over the last few months and have been focused 100% of my efforts outside of work on training and gave up a lot of time with friends and family to be in the gym or prepping food, etc.  My passion is really about health and fitness and I loved being on stage and meeting all the girls but now I think that this has really engraved that I want to help others pursue their fitness goals whether it be to run 5K, build muscle or just feel better on the inside. I was overwhelmed by the sweet messages and notes of encouragement from friends, strangers and blog followers that has really got me thinking about how I can help others.
The blog started off as a way for me to talk about this journey but has become so much more than that. My journey isn’t over yet. Toronto is just a few weeks away and after a day of rest, its back to the gym on Tuesday. The competition in Toronto is with a different organization and I am purely going to compete in Oxygen Magazine’s model search and I am pumped. I am going to work even harder over the next few weeks to get tighter and a little leaner. Don’t worry, my White Spot binge carried over until Sunday night. I was going to go into details but it made me sick just rehashing it. Lesson learned....
On Sunday morning, Jess and I got up and enjoyed the continental breakfast at the hotel where I had a waffle drowned in syrup and mashed bananas. In the last 12 hours I’ve probably had an entire container of peanut butter. No joke. After breakfast we went to Granville Island and then to Kits beach where we spent lots of time walking and talking and it felt so good to visit with her. After I dropped her off at the ferry I went home where my dad and sister were preparing my mom’s birthday dinner. It smelt sooooo good and the best part was I could eat it!
I had another shower last night trying to get the complete tan off but I’m still looking a little orange to say the least. When I got up this morning it looked like a bomb had gone off in my room as I am still unpacking and doing laundry but trying to get some work done at the same time. I was so lost when I got up this morning and didn’t really want to eat anything because I didn’t know what to eat. Tomorrow its back to my egg white, oatmeal pancakes which means I need to do a big grocery trip today at some point. Tonight Natalie, myself and our crew of trainers and friends are going out for a celebration dinner which will be really nice.
Anyways, I had a great time and learned a lot and being back stage was so much fun and I will remember my first fitness competition forever. I will continue to learn and grow and hopefully help others on a mission to achieve their health and fitness goals. One day at a time. Toronto, get ready because I am going to be extra ready! Next stop, Oxygen Magazine and more fun times J
Oh, and I may not have placed this weekend but I found out that I passed the written part of my personal trainer exam and now all I have to complete is my first aid and practical and I will be a certified trainer! What a bonus.
I hope you all had a great weekend and thank you again for all your support. Keep following for more about my personal training and journey to Toronto.
Xoxo
Nicole
Eat. Sleep. Repeat until tomorrow.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

I want a cupcake sooooo bad!

Cupcakes here I come. And yes, that box is all for me. Forget the White Spot binge I've been planning for the past 15+ weeks on Sunday morning Jessica and I are going for a nice stroll around Granville Island and after I take her out to the ferry i'll be going and getting myself a cupcake and a tub of soya ice cream. I am pretty sure this will be followed up with a bottle of pepto and a severe food hangover. My dilemma now is what kind of cupcake I want....did I mention the bottle of champ I'll be drinking?

I don't want to think about it too much because I don't want to be disappointed with my choice. I've already checked their website and looked at a few flavours but nothing jumped out at me. I'm saving my feast for Monday night when my coach, and all our trainers are going for dinner in Yaletown. I've also scheduled lunch with Maryia on the Tuesday but we haven't decided on where just yet. So much too eat, so little time before I am back in contest mode again. LA couldn't come quick enough.

I am doing my last show in Toronto in mid June and two days after I'll be heading to LA for work and I can't wait! Skechers knows how to through a party and I plan on enjoying it because the last two trips I've been down for I have been in training mode which involved packing my meals, not drinking and working out in the morning = not fun. This means I'll also get to have my first ever In and Out burger and considering some lady, in US I might add, was crying because they were opening one 5 minutes from her house I have to assume they make a mean burger.

Yesterday I had a complete panic attack after I was advised my suits weren't be-jeweled enough and that my costumes would loose marks which means I'm back to the drawing board and yes, I realize its Tuesday. I lost my *cool* on my way home from my posing practice to the point where I almost couldn't breath. I tried to remain calm, but it didn't work and it left me restless which led to a poor training session today on my part but as always David, as always was to the rescue.

Warning...unfriendly vent....I'm tired of 10 different people telling me 10 different things and always being polite and nodding. From now on, I am going to have to be honest and that might involve dropping an F-bomb. I'm sorry to be harsh, but I am under a lot of pressure because along with this competition, my first one ever, I have to study for my personal training exam that is on Thursday. This is a big undertaking for me because I struggle with MC exams. I realize it was my decision to take on all this but with only 4 days until the competition I can't change the way my body looks or what outfits I'm wearing so the best thing you can do is high-5 me.

After training I needed a big hug and boy did I get one. I really didn't want to let go and just wanted to give in and have a good cry. Yes, I sound like a major loser but my emotions are off the chart. My personal training sessions have turned into therapy over the last month and I feel like I should be paying him double for what I am putting him through. I have no idea how he does it. The only thing that keeps me sane are David and all the people at the Oval. I can't help but be in a good mood when I'm there and it feels like such a good distraction.  I think I might go through withdrawal on Thursday now that my cardio will be done as of tomorrow.

Tonight I am going to go and visit Natalie and see if she has an outfit that I can borrow and then I'll do some more studying and work on altering my suits. Over the next few days I have to start gathering together all the little things I'm going to need as of Friday morning when I head to the hotel. I plan on watching movies and playing Angry Birds thanks to the brilliant suggestion of my friend.

Anyways, I had a lot on my mind and I thought it would be better to get it off my chest so that I could snap out of it and move on! Thanks for letting me vent :)  I hope you are all having a great Tuesday and getting stoked about the Nucks game! I am heading to the Oval now so that I can catch some of it while I am there.

Happy Tuesday!

Eat. Train. High-5 or Hug. Sleep. Repeat.

Nic Out!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Week 1 - photos and overall transformation

How could I forget to include my weekly photos! This is the last batch before Friday. Crazy to see the changes my body has gone through over the last few months of training. No turning back now!

Let the water loading begin.

My knee has been major bugging me and its frustrating because I only have 5 cardio sessions left and I really want to be able to push myself to my max but I'm also thinking long term. I'd like to push myself for WBFF but I still have to train for Toronto starting next Monday for the show in June. I really don't want to blow my knee out and end up injuring myself to a point where I can't train at all. I've decided to take it down a knotch now so I can extend my health over the next while. Realistically, I'm happy where my body is at this point and I have to "trust the process." Between now and the next 5 days I can't cram like I could for an exam. What's done is done and I just have to stick to my plan. Focus and breathe.

It's hard to believe that David and I only have two more weight sessions left and as of Wednesday, its the home stretch. I am still sore from our crossfit workout on Saturday. <<Side Note: Did I mention how obsessed I am with crossfit?! Check out this link.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8_IRIWbNFo>> Saturday we did this butt kicking 30 minute leg workout and on Tuesday and Wednesday we will only do 30 minutes because my meal plan will be changing and I could have eaten a 20 oz steak and a bowl of pasta after our workout Saturday. Yes, I was that hungry. I am starting to mentally and visually prepare myself for being on the stage. That's a little sneek peak of where I'll be standing in a few days and I am trying to envision myself there doing my poses that I have been practicing.
My family bought their tickets along with my friends Erin and Jessica are attending. Jess is coming from Victoria to watch and it really means a lot. My trainer D-Sizzle is also coming which puts me at ease because he has been by myside through all my training ups and downs and mini meltdowns and his support is unconditional. Natalie is going to be in Cali competing this weekend which will be cool because we will be do contest prep at the same time but in different places.
Talking about, contest prep. Mine began yesterday. For now it includes water loading and tanning exfoliation. Exciting stuff I know. I drank 3 L's of water and today I'll drink 4. It will increase by a L a day until Friday where I drop down to 3 L's. I also started using Jan Tana which is an exfoliating scrub and lotion that I have to use everyday to help balance the PH in my skin to ensure my tan goes smoothly. On Friday I will check into the hotel and get all set up there for the weekend and then its go time people!

Note to peeps, 3 L's of water a day = lots of bathroom trips. I'm not looking forward to Thursday when i'll be up to 7 L's...eek!

Eat. Train. Sleep. Repeat!

xo Nic

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Blondies back people and 7 more sleeps.

Thing have been going really well. After my weights with the D-unit, I hit up Starbucks and then my hair appointment. Stephanie did the most amazing job and I love my new do. Can't wait to show it off and overall it definitely helped up my overall moral at this point. My knee is definitely sore and after my 2nd cardio last night my knee was killing me. The upside is that, I only have 11 cardio sessions left so I will be cycling for the last stretch. My abs are coming in and I am getting excited, oh yeah. 

After my cardio, I practiced my posing for a bit and I am happy with how it is coming along. Even though Nat is in Louisana, I had the chance to talk to her about my knee and she told me to have an Epsom Salts and elevate my legs. I did that and took some Advil before bed and my knee is still sore and I'm not going to push it. There is no point in me blowing my knee out at this point.

Yesterday I went to the dentist to get my teeth polish and my front tooth filed down 0.5 mm. They are still sore today. I am not a fan of the dentist but its not their fault.

Today I did a crazy workout with David. 8 rounds of 175M row as fast as possible with 25 dumbbell walking lunges (as many as possible in a min). It hurts to go up and down the stairs. Thanks David - hand hug. I am taking a little break before I go to the gym to do rd 1. cardio and then I have rd 2. cardio tonight.  After our workout today we only have two left. Crazy I know.

I booked my hotel for Friday and Saturday night and got a good deal so I am happy about that. I can just take all my stuff there on Friday morning and be situated and not worry about driving back and forth between Vancouver and Richmond. It's also my moms birthday on Friday which I feel bad being so unavailable for but she is very supportive and understanding. It's hard to image that this time next week I will be on stage at the River Rock for pre-judging. Everything is coming together nicely and I am stoked! After my cardio today I am going to spend some time practicing my posing just to get more comfortable in my shoes and confident with every pose I hit. On Monday, Natalie and I are going to go over my posing which I am happy about because I can prepare all I want but since I've never done this before I really don't know what to expect. All I can do it power through and be confident with what I am doing and it seems to be working.

My energy levels are definitely on a roller coaster but my mood swings are under control which is good. Yesterday I had a major power nap and I think that helped a lot so I might have a few more of those over the next few days. I started getting my food prepared and my fridge cleaned out so I don't have any distractions. I will be so full of water I probably won't be that hungry by Wednesday but I have no idea. One day at a time.

As for now, I'm going to get some work done before lunch. I hope you all have a wonderful long weekend!

Eat. Train. Nap. Train. Sleep and Repeat!

xo Nic

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Single...

Single digits...holy snikies! 9 more sleeps :)

Yesterday was kind of a tough day. My morning was a gong show and I turned in the hanrgy hulk in the afternoon and had zero energy. On top of all of this, my knee was really sore which hadn't been a problem over the last 20+ weeks so why now. There is my vent for yesterday. Out of my system...sorry :S Other than my knee and being over hungry I got a lot of work done and it was a gorgeous day.

Today is off to a way better start and I am in super good spirits. It was gorgeous this morning on my way to the gym and I managed to get in 30 minutes. I drove with no music and the windows down and I couldn't help but have a huge smile on my face. I only aimed to do 30 minutes this morning because I wanted to give my knee a break and I'll do the other 15 after my weight session at 9.

Everything has to be timed so perfectly around my eating/sleeping schedule, its ridiculous. Food has become apart of my schedule and just another routine item in my day. I no longer get excited about making my morning pancakes because I am usually fighting the clock for time but after meeting with Nat yesterday I am going to enjoy every last oat, drop of hot sauce and stick of gum because as of next Tuesday, everything gets cut. Everything.

As I mentioned yesterday, Natalie sent me my contest prep which starts on Sunday evening with water loading and then my food changes Wednesday. As we walked to Nesters I picked her brain with questions about things I couldn't eat and when she said chicken, salad and asparagus in her email she meant just those three things. As of next Wednesday I will ONLY be eating chicken (boiled - less sodium), asparagus and salad (spinach - no dressing). That is it. Literally. No condiments, hot sauce, vitamins, Splenda, coffee, supplements, gum, oats, eggs or egg whites. Nothing but chicken, asparagus and salad 5 times a day :S In regards to portion sizes, I'm not sure how many ounces each meal is because apparently it is really hard to eat all that chicken through out the day due to the amount of water in your body from water loading. I am very curious as to how my body is going to react to all of this.

Have I mentioned that I dreamed of burgers last night?! Proabably not something I should be admitting but on the Sunday I am going to White Spot and ordering a burger, fries, yam fries, calamari, deep dish apple pie and a lemonade to wash it down. I don't want anything green and loads of ketchup. No, I won't be eating this all to myself I just want a little of each. I say this now, but we'll see if I actually do it. Nat gets home at 2:30 on that Sunday and we are both pie fanatics so we will probably go get pie and ice cream somewhere which actually sounds perfect. Enough about food for today. I just eat and made myself hungry rereading that...

Time for the gym. Have a wonderful day and enjoy the sun. Thanks for all your positive messages :) Today is going to be awesome!!!

Eat. Train. Sleep. Repeat.

xo Nic

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

It hurts to laugh...

As promised, David focused on abs and calves yesterday, as my legs were still fatigued from our workouts on Friday/Saturday. Know I get the importance of an ice bath. We are going to be doing one last heavy leg workout on Saturday and I will for sure be doing an ice bath after that to ensure a quick recovery. I only have 5 more weight sessions left until the "big day." Yes, the big day. My last workout will be on Wednesday and then its rest time until Saturday. It's really hard to believe that next Saturday I will be on stage.
Everytime I laugh, cough, bend or do anything that involves abdominal stability it hurts. Thanks David. But I guess I asked for it :S
Today, I got up early morning, made breaky, studied and went to the gym for cardio - rd 1 so that I could get into the office early. This afternoon Natalie and I are meeting for a pep talk and to practice posing. I always feel better after we have our little chats and I will see her next week before she leaves for her second competition and before my competition. We are competing the same weekend in difference places. I'm sure we will be constantly texting, but one day at a time...
Natalie sent me my contest prep and it all that starts on Sunday evening with water loading. As if it wasn't enough that I have to pee every 10 minutes but I will be drinking even more water up until Friday next week. I'll keep you posted on how that goes. Other than that, it doesn't seem that bad considering everything I have sacraficed over the past 20+ weeks to give up sodium and any condiments for 5 days and on the morning of the competition I get to have half a sweet potato in the morning and rice cakes with natural nut butter throughout the day! The reason being it helps you from passing out on stage. Some girls tend not to eat during the day so they don't get bloated but I don't want to risk passing out on stage #embarassing.
After trying on my suits yesterday I have to admit that it is starting to sink in a little and I am happy with where I'm at. After my mini meltdown on Tuesday and two pep talks, I was reminded that I have to stay postive and not stress because that will not help the process. I keep repeating my mantra over and over to myself.."trust the process."
Tomorrow I'm getting my hair done! I am so excited because I haven't had my hair done in 6 months and my hair dresser is amazing. Friday I am going to the dentist to get my teeth polished and other than that I just need to buckle down and study!
Tonight I'll be doing rd. 2 cardio at the gym so I can catch the Nucks game and doing a little grocery shopping at Nesters because they never receive their shippment of lean ground turkey breast yesterday. It is important to get ground turkey breast otherwise you get all the goodies of the turkey, it you know what I'm sayin'

Anyways, time for me to get back to work.  Go CANUCKS Go!

Eat. Train. Sleep. Repeat.

Nicole Out!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

My suits are here, my suits are here!!!!

I was so pumped last night after my cardio session and as I was leaving the gym thought, "yes! I am back" but that thought came to an abrupt halt this morning as I struggled to get to the gym. My alarm went off at 5:55 with hopes that I would be at the gym by 6:15 and home by 7:30 to have breakfast. This would give me enough time to rest in between my weights session at 9. I got up, dressed and set to go out the door and decided that maybe I should just run outside since it's so nice. I got organized to run outside and as I started walking down my street I changed my mind again because of my knee that’s been bugging me and decided it would be best to go to the gym. It is now 6:30...
I finally got in my car, after debating just going back to bed and doing my cardio later, and made it to the oval and did 30 minutes and was home by 7:40 and started making my pancakes. Then I started contemplating whether I should just have a shake since my body would only have an hour to digest the biggest meal of the day. What's wrong with me! I need to have confidence in every decision I am making. Enough! A big breakfast was needed because I knew that David would put me through the ringer in the gym. Fewffff....deep breath...
On top of all of this, yesterday I realized that I have to stop counting down the days.."11 sleeps..."etc because pretty soon I will have no sleeps yet and I might miss out on the whole experience including everything I've worked so hard for over the past 22 weeks. Everyday needs to be enjoyed and taken in because this night will come and go so quickly and I want to enjoy every moment. Today is a perfect example. I have been waiting to get my suits since the beginning of May even thought I met Tanya in March. What happens if I'd been focusing all my energy on opening a box to be disappointed? Then all those moments where I was so focused on my suits arriving comes and goes and I missed focusing on training, pushing myself during cardio or getting enough sleep. Each aspect of this journey is important and I am going to spend more time appreciating them.
Seriously though, 11 sleeps. Insert big smile here.
Oh! How could I forget. I talked to Natalie last night and told her I felt super bloated and that I was holding a lot of weight or water and she told me to have a sweet potato with meals 3 and 4 today and a 6 oz steak for dinner. Holler! Hopefully it helps. I am going to enjoy my meals today, yippie! As for my meal plan, it is all going to change on Sunday. I will get my sodium/water/ food plan for the week leading up to competition and I can already tell you that all I will be eating is chicken. Not even a single egg white. It will be chicken, chicken, chicken. Maybe if I continue doing competitions I should live on a farm so I can have my own chicken coop and fresh veggies all the time...not to sound barbaric or anything.
During training today I had a little mini melt down just with everything going on but managed to contain it. David is so supportive and such a good trainer and knows when and how to push me.  After training and a visit with my sales reps, I headed home to a package that was waiting. My suits. I got home and as I was about to tear into the neatly, individually wrapped suits I stopped myself. I took a moment and sat down and took the time to enjoy the moment. I unwrapped the each package one by one and admired Tanya’s beautiful work. I was going to take photos, but I’ve decided to keep it under wraps for the big reveal. Sorry...
Natalie leaves on Thursday for Lou but I will get to see her briefly tomorrow to do a little posing practice so I can work on some things while she is gone. My head is in check and I am going to just go day by day. That’s all you can ever do.

Enjoy your Tuesday!

Eat. Train. Sleep. Repeat.

xo Nicole

Monday, May 16, 2011

Negative Nancy vs. Positive Patty..

This is my version or example of Jekyll and Hyde...Positive Patty vs. Negative Nancy attitude. I’ve tried putting on a leash on my mood swings and I felt like I was doing a good job until my sister rolled her eyes at me when I said this. I’ve been trying to keep an even keel...Anyways, I will admit that on Saturday after my hour workout (which was real challenge) and 45 minutes of ball busting cardio, I was in Starbucks waiting my turn to grab a quick coffee and this guy budged right in front of me. Normally I would have let this go, but I kindly pointed out that I was in line along with a few other people. He looked at me like I had a 3rd eye ball. Not sure who he thought he was, but I assure you he looked nothing like Prince William so he wasn't getting away with it. After I got my coffee, and was stared down by this guy, I went and watched my trainer finish his Crossfit workout called "Filthy 50" and it was kind of a nice role reversal. I had the coffee and got to watch him sweat for a change. Usually it’s the other way around. Not sure if you've ever heard of Crossfit before but that it mad intense. You have to have some serious balls to do crossfit that’s fer shizzle.

I definitely didn't feel myself Saturday morning but by the afternoon I was as good as new. I spent the day studying and doing a little bit of work before I finally dragged my butt to the gym to do my second cardio. My hamstrings are still hating on me from my workouts Friday and Saturday. I can see an ice bath helps as a recovery tool. My legs and abs are what I want to focus on for the next two weeks but that I also really need to "Trust the Process." One of the reasons I was in such a slump on Saturday morning was that I weighed myself and I am back to my cursed weight of 128.4. This means I need to kill myself for the next two weeks at the gym doing cardio and leave it all on the table. Since I only have 12 more sleeps I should do as much as I can every chance I get so I don't have any regrets when I'm on stage.

My suits arrive tomorrow and words cannot describe how excited I am to open that box! It will be like an episode from Extreme Makeover Home Edition when Ty yells, “move that bus!” I think things are going to start get very real over the next little while. All the appointments I have booked are starting to come up including my personal training exam with Canfit Pro that I am studying for. It’s probably a good distraction to have that, training and work to keep me on tract with my eating and prevent me from grazing which at this point I haven’t be doing any of because of the stupid scale. Another reason I haven’t been grazing is because of that saying “i’ll start Monday.” Well there aren’t too many Mondays left for me to use up before the competition.

I told David, well I think he could sense my frustration because I wasn’t my bubbly self, about this on Saturday and he gave me the story about muscle being more dense than fat. I should take this as the truth because I did my heaviest deadlift to date, 175 lbs. Who knew I could lift so much?! On Saturday we did this crazy circuit. It involved me doing as many rounds as I could in 20 minutes. The round was 5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups and 15 squats. I got through 12 rounds which means I did 60 pull ups, 120 push-ups and 180 squats, yeah buddy.

Natalie is only 5 days away from her Louisiana competition it’s so important to practice with her as much as possible. She will be home next Monday so I will have a few more days with her before she jets off for another competition in California.  On my way home from my second cardio session I went to superstore to pick up some things before I went home and had a great dinner. My sister had her friends over for the hockey game and my eating behaviour was quiet the topic of discussion. “Not even cookies” was the best line. I have literally been eating egg whites, steel cut oats, veggies, lean group turkey, chicken and nuts for the past 20 weeks. And that will soon change.

I did my photos early this morning so that I could be at the gym by 7 am. I need to get into a routine for this last push and one of those things is getting my cardio done early. This is probably one of the longest posts I’ve done in awhile but I figure tomorrows post will consist of me writing “OMG I LOVE MY SUITS, LOOK! <picture>” Anyways, I have a list longer than Santa’s right now so I will write to you all very soon.

Eat. Train. Sleep. Repeat.

Nicole

Friday, May 13, 2011

3 weeks out.

I don't know what happened but the Blog site was down for a few days and I lost some of my work which is terrible because I had written this long posting about my trip to LA. Instead of re-writing everything I am going to post my 3 weeks photos and then update you in my Monday post. As of today I have 15 sleeps until my competition and I am getting soooooo excited! Yesterday I met with Natalie to chat about everything. She is competing in 9 days in Louisiana so we are going to be doing lots of posing practice this weekend which I need in a big way.

My suit hasn't arrived yet and won't be here until Tuesday morning. Words cannot describe how excited I am to get my suit. The lady, Tanya Theberge - http://www.thebergeswim.com/ makes the most beautiful suits ever! I'll take pictures on Tuesday when I get the suits. As so today, here are my photos from week 3. On Sunday I will be taking my week 2 photos! Crazy I know.

My cardio has been bumped up again. I am doing 2, 45 minute sessions that include a 40 second sprint every 9 minutes. I always want to run outside or ride my bike but I feel so obligated to competing my cardio at the gym to ensure that I am pushing myself as hard as I can during that 45 minutes. I believe this is the most cardio I will do before I start to cutting back in a week or so. My food will also be changing in the next week. No more egg whites as of next week. All protein will be lean chicken....I can hardy wait to find out what my contest prep will be like which happens the week leading up to the competition. Water loading could start as early as next week where I could be required to drink up to 9 L of water in a day! Holy crap.

Anyways, here are my photos from last week and I'll write you all on Monday.



Eat. Train. Sleep. Repeat.

Nicole

Friday, May 6, 2011

Chillin with the "early birds"

Today I rolled out of bed and literally into the pool at the Vancouver Aquatic Centre, the one near Nat Bailey. My alarm went off at 6 and I was in the pool by 6:30. Since I am doing 2, 35 cardio sessions right now I have been trying to mix up the types of cardio I'm doing to shock my muscles a little. After a few laps I forgot what a great workout swimming was. I am use to swimming 25 M lengths but today they had the 50 M lengths open and lets just say I got my workout in. The reason I wanted to get my workout in so early is so that I could give my body a break before my weights session with David and my cardio workout later at 5. That rest time in between workouts is really important.

While I was at the pool I made friends with a retiree named David (ironically enough). I was just resting in between laps and he said good morning, which I thought was really nice. We chatted for a little about the pool, the weather and retired life as I have been trying to be more understanding and supportive towards my dad now that he's retired. I find I am learning a lot about what my dad must be going through now that he's retired from talking to other people that have gone through work withdrawal as I like to call it. Anyhow, our chat came to an end as he had to "run off" in the water. Helps get his heart rate up which was good because it was time to finish up my laps so I could get home and make breakfast.

I looked up at the clock and it was 7 am and I could feel that hunger was coming over me and when I get hungry it happens fast. We are talking 0-10 seconds flat before I'm starving and can't function. This is what I like to refer to as being "hangry." If I feel like I'm getting hangry, I keep my mouth shut, smile and have a hand full of almonds or chew some gum until I can get to my fridge or pre-packed cooler. I wouldn't consider myself an angry person, I am just trying to stay positive and polite towards the people around me. The whole meal plan and exercise exertion can really play tricks on your body and your mind which some people might not understand. To put it in perspective, cut everything you love our of your daily routine. I'm talking coffee, muffins, chocolate, pizza, alcohol and anything else delicious and replace it with protein shakes, egg whites and chicken and two workouts a day = hangry if not fed. Don't get me wrong, it's a life style by choice I am living right now and know this is what I need to be doing to succeed.

I will have some great stuff to dish for you come Monday morning. Talks of ice baths and my photos! I hope you all have a great weekend and Thanks again for your continued support! Only 22 more sleeps until the big day. I feel like I'm preparing for the "big day." Maybe that's how I look at it from here out. The "Big Day."

Time to hit la gym.

Eat. Train. Sleep. Repeat.

Nic Out!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Oats-yeah!

So I got my meal plan back last night. Waiting to open that email from Nat was almost as bad as waiting to get an exam back. The best news is that oats are still in my meal plan but instead of 1/2 c. I only get 1/3c. This is fine by me because I can still make my pancake with this so I'm a happy camper.  I thought I'd attach some photos of how I stay motivated and on track. Yup. I told you - planner.

The other good thing about my meal plan is that I get to eat more! Now that I'm eating more...I am doing more cardio :S To help mix up my gym routine I've started doing some cardio kick boxing for one of my two sessions a day. http://www.30minutehit.com/ Check it out for a free trial. Char down at 30 Minute Hit Vancouver is awesome and knows I need to keep a intensity high cardio session when I come in and is sure making me work for a sweat. I love how I feel after I do the Hit. It is unlike any cardio workout I've ever experienced. You should try it!

I did my cardio at the Oval this morning so that I could practice my posing. My posing is starting to come along and I am feeling more comfortable in front of the mirror and getting stronger holding certain poses that look good. I will need to start practicing in my suit and in front of people next week to make sure that I am confident with the way certain angles look. Half way through my posing I started feeling a little sick to my stomach. Maybe it was nerves or I was just really hungry so it was time to get home and make some lunch.

Today is food prep Thursday. I have a lot to do for next week as I will be away for work. The guy that I am job shadowing is LA is probably going to think I'm nuts carrying chicken and HB eggs in my purse. But there is no time for error and I know that the trip is short and that I can make good choices. I have already scoped out the Whole Foods near my hotel, called to ask if there was a fridge in my room and what type of equipment the gym has = dork. If you know me well, you will think this is totally normal behaviour because I am 100% a planner.

A few thing I've started doing to prevent grazing is drinking water (flavored with Crystal Light, sweetened with Splenda) and chewing gum. I think I might be a gumaholic...I have gum in my car, gym bag, jacket pocket, living room and by the fridge (just incase I go in there to eat something I shouldn't...) I also leave myself little reminders to keep myself going but for now back to work!

Eat. Train. Sleep. Repeat!

Nic OUT!




Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Please, oh please let me keep my oats.

It's hard to believe that this journey started for me back in November when I met Natalie Waples, IFBB Figure Pro at a boot camp with Tommy Europe.  She was this beaming ball of energy and I was so drawn to her amazing personality that I wanted to know more about what she did. After spending a few weeks looking into what she did as a fitness competitor I met with her in January to pick her brain with questions I had about what she did and if she thought I could compete as a fitness model. After our coffee meeting we had set out a time line and picked a competition that left me 24 weeks to train to become a fitness model and from there it has turned into a life changing experience.

It wasn't until the end of January that I started training weights because I had gotten really sick. At first the doctor thought it was mono but it turns out that my body had shut down from my over training. This was long before my training and nutrition was supervised and I was working out on my own. I would just go to the gym and stay for hours and wasn't feeding my body enough fuel and it took my body a long time to recover from that but after having a meal plan created for me and a weight program set up with my trainer, I was set. The last 24 weeks have gone by so fast and its crazy to think that I only have 24 days now.

When Natalie and I first met she asked for me to take photos, record what I was eating and how much I was working out. She was shocked when she looked at my meal plan and estimated that I was only in taking around 950 calories a day and working out 3 hours a day. This could have had long term damage on my body. Now I am eating around 2000 calories a day and working out a lot less. Even though I was eating really well and clean I wasn't eating enough. Your body really needs fuel when  your training at a high intensity because your constantly burning calories.

Anyways, training has been good and I am happy with how my body is coming along but I want to work on my butt and legs so we have been focusing on that. David had asked how I was feeling and I said that my the only part that I found was taking time to recover were my legs. They have continuously been fatigued and David asked if I'd even had an ice bath because they are good for recover as they help reduce swelling. I have seen the blow up ice baths but an at home remedy? He said you said you fill the tub with cold water, buy 4 or 5 bags of ice and dump the ice in and jump in 5 minutes at a time. I haven't done one yet but its on the agenda for Friday...I'm trying not to think about it and don't you worry about documentation. I'll post pictures and a full play by play of this wacky idea.

I literally just got off the phone with the lady making my suits and she is sending them next week! Yippie! I also have to start working on my second outfit for the show which is similar to a Halloween outfit....I have a few ideas in mind but you'll have to wait and see what I decide on. Nat also asked me to send her my current meal plan so she could tweak it. It shouldn't change too much but I am praying that oats will still be on the list. I live for my steel cut oats. If she cuts that I'll be living for my hot sauce. How exciting am I?!

Next week I'll have my photos and ice bath story for you! Have a great HUMP DAY!

Eat. Train. Sleep. Repeat.

Nic Out!

Monday, May 2, 2011

4 weeks :)

Only 26 more sleeps until my first fitness competition! I made a calendar at the beginning of this journey, 20 weeks ago, and this weekend was kind of a big deal because I tore off the final month before the month of my actual competition. Every day when I get up and look at my calendar, all I'm looking at is the final stretch. Everything is coming together!

Since my sister/ photographer is in Vegas I got my mom to take my photos today and had to get up at 5:45 am so she could and that is why I look half asleep in my photos, but here they are...Today was also very exciting because the curse is broken! I'd been weighing in at 128.4 for the last 3 weeks but today I weighed in at 127! Everything is becoming very surreal and I cannot wait! I just need to make sure that I am getting lots of rest as I did not sleep well last night and have a very busy day...


I can't believe I am so close to my goal. It seems like time has just flown by and when I think about everything I've done and learned I look forward to continuing with this type of lifestyle just not as strict. Its almost summer and I enjoy a bottle of wine every now and then. Eating clean, on the other hand, is something I want to continue doing because I've reach a certain point where its hard for me to even image going back to how I use to eat. I was a closet eater who liked muffins from whole foods and grazing during the day who has a major sweet tooth and addiction to pie. It was hard in the beginning, as I am sure many of you can relate to if you've ever tried "dieting". I never say I'm on a diet because I'm not. I am following a certain meal plan which includes eating clean. This type of eating has lead to several benefits including my skin which has cleared up, my digestion has improved and a few other things including how I feel.

This weekend Nat and I hit up Superstore and I thought I was going to come out with a lot more condiments but I figure since I've gone this long without that I can make it another 26 sleeps. I did buy a few things that I needed. Such as...
Steel cut oats - great for my pancakes :)
Red Hot Sauce (Lime flavour) - I put that s*$# on everything. No really. I put it on everything....
Peanut Butter - no sugar or salt added and its only 100 calories per tbsp. Delicious!
Garlic powder - salt free. I thought it was time to mix up my chicken a little
Crystal Light made with Splenda is sooooooo good mixed.

At this stage my food is good and so is my training and the next 26 days are going to fly by so I'm going to kill it! The rest of my training sessions have been booked, my tanning is booked, my hair and makeup are booked. Knowing that I have everything lined up that I need to succeed makes me feel confident and prepared. I even had my makeup done the other day as a dry run and it looked amazing! Just like Barbie. After having my makeup done, I couldn't wait until for my suit to arrive. It is all coming together and it sooooo exciting!

Eat. Train. Sleep. Repeat.

Nic Out!