^May 7, 2009 ^

^ May 8, 2010 ^ (2 weeks out from my first Figure Competition)

Still quite a bit away from where my lower body needs to be….but damn proud of how I look!!!!

Don’t think you can make a change in your life?  You think you have too far to go?  You think you’ll never be happy with your body?  Make the change NOW and you’ll start the journey toward a happier you TODAY!

Can you look back a year ago and say…if only I’d made the change then?  Imagine where I’d be now!  Don’t waste another day thinking about it. Start your journey to a healthier and fitter life now!!!  Enjoy living your life!  “Feed” and “fuel” your body!  Treat your body with the respect it deserves.

The photos  above were taken 366 days apart.  The first set in 2009 was taken when I was finished “bulking” and had ballooned up to over 165 Boo.  The second set I am at 143.  What a different 20-25 pounds of fat makes!!  Amazing!! It didn’t need to take me a year, but that was part of my journey. And I successfully gained more muscle (I think) and maintained all the muscle I gained while bulking (I think).

My before picture is to the left here – before the bulking at the beginning of 2009.  You can see the changes I made in a year and a half. You can make MORE changes than I did! You can do this even better and faster than I did!! Start today!!

I really do have to keep a picture of myself on my iPhone to remember what I look like because I can’t remember that it’s me that looks like that!  It doesn’t feel like me when I look in the mirror. I can’t believe that’s actually ME!  It’s surreal.  It feels like I’m looking at someone else’s body. It feels too good to be true.  It isn’t! It will take some time for me to get used to feeling like I’ve earned every bit of this……

<<<<<<———————January 10, 2009

You deserve it too!

Make ONE small change TODAY that will get you one step closer to your goal!!!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

UPDATE – I am definitely doing the show in TWO weeks!!! TWO WEEKS!!!!!   I may not be ready for the pro stage and hell, I may be last place but who gives a $%&*??!! Not me!  I’m getting up on stage to fulfill and complete a personal goal. I have learned SOOO much through this process (check back for a post-show reflection post where I’ll tell you all of that) and it has been SOOO worth it. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything and it has been one of the toughest, if not the toughest experience of my life thus far.  What a great lead in to the next phase of my life – motherhood and childbirth (God willing!)!!!

EPIPHANY – I had an epiphany last night while I was lifting biceps and watching how vascular I’m getting….it was like looking at someone else in the mirror. It was a very weird experience.  During that time I was thinking. I had the gym all to myself on a Friday night doing my cardio and my lifting.  No men that I had to give the evil eye to tell them to mind their own business. Anyway, I was thinking…..Now most of you who know me know that I’m a realist!  I like definites.  I HATE hypotheticals.  And, I don’t speak in terms that I KNOW I will do something unless it’s really a sure thing….like this show. I’ve said that I “plan” to compete on May 22 because it hasn’t been a sure thing until now and so I was just planning it.  Well, I’ve also said MANY times that my PLAN was to get in the best shape of my life before I got pregnant……

I DID IT!!!!  I did that!!!  I AM!!!  I am in the best shape of my life and I am 27 years old.  I’m not planning it anymore. I’ve busted my ass and I did it!  What is the best shape of my life???  I have low body fat, yes. And being vain (which I am) and insecure, that was part of the goal. I wanted to get as lean as I could so that selfishly I could try to “control” some of the pregnancy weight gain process to ensure as much enjoyment over my pregnancy as possible. BUT also I wanted to “train” for the marathon of pregnancy and childbirth and really be in great physical shape to carry around an extra 30 pounds and to give birth (the toughest workout of my life!!!)  I DID IT!!!  I’m in better cardiovascular shape than I ever have in my life.  I hate cardio and I’m doing it TWICE  a day.  I bought a bike to make it fun and keep it up. I found a cardio combat class that I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!  I’m still lifting moderately heavy – ok I’m still the strongest chick in my gym (a status I hope to ALWAYS hold)…I welcome you all to join me in the ranks of lifting the big weights and I will welcome any girl into the club who wants to join me….THAT is a huge source of pride for me….maybe it shouldn’t be, but it is. (Side note – It’s a sense that I am doing what others say I shouldn’t be able to…lift w/ the boys…I’m a woman but I am a strong woman and I am SO proud of that accomplishment.)  Anyway, I am in the best “shape” of my life in ALL aspects!!!  Ah, and add mental “shape” and the fact that I don’t crave cookies and cakes right now. Sure they taste great but I am craving healthy sweets like raisins and smoothies!!!  I am able to look at unhealthy foods now and say “I don’t want to put that in my body” versus “Whoa is me, why can’t I have that?” and “When can I have that again….after May 22?”  THAT is a profound place for me and my mental health and eating disorder issues.  I am viewing my life in a manner of HEALTH and it is SOOOOO FREEING!!!!!   What freedom to CHOOSE to pack my own meals because the ones out in the town are not good for my body versus feeling trapped like I have to pack my meals for this stupid show.   Wow, the power of our thoughts…the power of our mental perspective!!!!

So, I have pages and pages and pages of things to write that I have learned through this process and will do a huge post.

Also, a sneak peak to the NEXT CHAPTER OF FITori……..

• HEALTHY RECIPES - healthy pancakes?  What? You ate healthy pancakes and muffins during contest prep?  Yes ma’ams and sirs…..I want to play with the recipes though and offer you both an option for contest prep that includes artificial sweeteners and natural ones.  So, I’m waiting on that. ALSO, I want to play with my photography and use those recipes as a way to play with my camera and photography skills!!!  I have been waiting soooo long to try out a TON of new recipes that I want to try, tweek, photo and share with you!!! I can’t wait!!!
• Sharing my own diet (once I’m not paying for it) and continued progress after this show – depending on how soon I am able to get pregnant.  But regardless, I hope to share some “diet” ideas with you all to help you all (who want it) with the tools needed to succeed in your weight loss and health journeys!!
• Fertility Nutrition
• Pre-pregnancy and Pregnancy Nutrition
• Nursing Nutrition
• HEALTH vs body image/fat/skinny
• Hopefully my own pregnancy progress pics – both getting big and then trimming back down again

I have been doing a TON of research – to the point of overkill, but luckily, you all will get to reap the benefits of that!!! AND, the beauty of pregnancy nutrition is that what’s good for a pregnant woman…hello, it’s good for all of us!!! I have learned SOOO much about glycemic index and blood sugar through that research and I can’t wait to share it with you.

SO EXCITED about what the future holds!!!!!!!!!!!!  And, as always, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for all of your support!!!! Without your support I couldn’t have done this and probably would have quit.

THANK YOU!!!!

Friday, April 30, 2010 (Thanks Alana for letting me know so I could switch the date – accidentally put MAY!)

Well, I’m down 2 lbs today after complaining that my weight hadn’t dropped in 2 weeks.  Interesting.

I’ve been wavering back and forth due to trainers’ advice and telling me they won’t train me.  I’m trying to decide what is right for me. I’ve received a TON of support from my friends and family and am SOOO grateful for all of my support!!!  I am such a lucky girl.  I’m 99% sure I’m still doing this show….stay tuned. There will be more info in a few days or a week.  Currently trying to decide if I should still stay the course or cheat/refeed tonight and take a few days off as I had planned before the 2 lb drop this morn.  Hmmmm…..decisions, decisions.

Take a look at my waist – definitely see my tummy trimming…finally! 

Oh and my suit will be here next week…it’s in transit currently. I can’t wait to see it!!!

Stay tuned………

Friday, March 23, 2010

Please forgive me for not posting more.  I have things to post and just haven’t taken the time to do it, but I have been thinking a LOT about posting about mindset, dieting and healthy liftestyle versus skinniness

I definitely see changes! Hallelujah!  I am very pleased with my waist and the way all of my skinny clothes are falling off of me.  BUT I am scared to death that I will be fat on stage.  I have decreased from 20.4% Body Fat to around 15.5% (by my calculations based on lean muscle mass and all from the dunk tank and my current weight).  I am sticking with the plan. I am seeing changes. BUT I ONLY HAVE 4 WEEKS LEFT….AHHHHHHH!!!!!

I am also wrestling mentally with what weight I will be able to maintain.  Can I maintain this? 4 weeks out?  Can I maintain what I was a month a go or two weeks ago?  Time will tell.  Healthy eating is a journey I’m on and we’ll see what happens post-contest.

My post-contest plan for now – eat out dinner after the show, church on Sunday morning, eat out breakfast after the show (I have planned what I want to eat) and then by lunch on Sunday, back to planned eating.  I’ll work on loosening up my meals but I’ll start there.  I’ve been eating on a plan of some sort since January 2009 so I don’t know any other way right now. That’s habit for me now. I have been doing extensive research on pregnancy and fertility diets though and learning about healthy eating in general.  Let’s hope I can practice the “healthy” eating concepts that I’ve learned about!

As always, thank you for your support! My friends and family are the best!!!

Friday, April 16, 2010 * 5 weeks out from May 22, 2010 show

A lot has happened this week. I will share with you at a later date. I’ve made a lot of progress this week both mentally and physically. I’ve made a lot of changes…both mentally and physically.  I got a spray tan…and you can tell b/c my belly button is dark (oops) and if you could only see my hands and feet.    I’ll have to be more careful tonight when I go back for my second coat. I’m down another pound and I think it’s definitely visible in my waist! I see it in the mirror and in my clothes and think it shows in the pics as well – not just the tan.

I’m back to enjoying this process again and feeling strong and healthy. I’m eating more (not less) and working out less (not more) and feeling better.  Thank you all for your support and for tracking my progress. It helps to push me when I don’t want to go to the gym or don’t want to stay on my diet….I remember that you guys (girls) will be checking my blog next week or in a few days and will want to see my progress….so I better deliver!!!

What you eat in private….shows in public!!!

April 7, 2010 ~ 6.5 weeks out

I am still holding some water here from eating some carbs over the weekend. Tsk! Tsk! I know!  Moving on….

I definitely see a smaller layer of fat over my abs and a trimmer waist (from behind) and thighs.  My clothes fit better! Hallelujah!  If I compare these with the pics from last week I definitely see a difference, even though I’m holding some water still – the scale is high still from carbs – Boo!

Tres (the trainer) cut my diet WAY down starting tomorrow….pray for me.  He cut out one meal and cut down the rest of the meals.  My carbs are way down.  And, I’ll be doing more cardio. God help me…really!  I am so excited to see results…can’t wait.  There’s not much time left so……I can do it!!!!

]]> http://fitoriblog.com/progress-update-6-5-weeks-out/feed/ 3 http://fitoriblog.com/progress-update-less-than-8-weeks-out/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=progress-update-less-than-8-weeks-out http://fitoriblog.com/progress-update-less-than-8-weeks-out/#comments Tue, 30 Mar 2010 21:02:54 +0000 tori http://fitoriblog.com/?p=659 Tuesday, March 30, 2010 I’m pretty impressed with the changes this week!  I’m down another pound AND I’VE BEEN SICK!!! I missed the  gym multiple days in a row, so this is no cardio and no lifting, JUST DIET! And, Tres added in more fat to help me get over the cold/sinus stuff I had and it worked! So, more calories, less working out, but a strict diet AND RESULTS!!!!  To me, that’s a true testament to how important diet is!!! I’m 7.5 weeks out now!  Starting to worry about tanning and makeup and make preparations for these things.  Need to start working on my posing soon. I picked out a suit designer and I’ll blog on her soon. She’s really affordable so I’m excited [...]]]>

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

I’m pretty impressed with the changes this week!  I’m down another pound AND I’VE BEEN SICK!!! I missed the  gym multiple days in a row, so this is no cardio and no lifting, JUST DIET! And, Tres added in more fat to help me get over the cold/sinus stuff I had and it worked! So, more calories, less working out, but a strict diet AND RESULTS!!!!  To me, that’s a true testament to how important diet is!!!

I’m 7.5 weeks out now!  Starting to worry about tanning and makeup and make preparations for these things.  Need to start working on my posing soon. I picked out a suit designer and I’ll blog on her soon. She’s really affordable so I’m excited about that.

I cant’ tell you how FANTASTIC these last 4 weeks have been during this contest prep for me. I’ve learned so much. I’m really enjoying this.  I am loving the process, the changes and the discipline of doing this and watching what happens. I feel excellent.  My clothes fit well.  I think this is a maintainable weight for me right here and I’m happy here so I’m excited to see how much further I can go….which was the whole point in competing for me…how far can I push my body!  (Or how low can I push my body fat and how will I feel there?)

This journey has taught me how much effort goes into being lean and strong and obtaining the “look” I have wanted for YEARS!  I have a HUGE appreciation now for my own body and what it does for me. I have a huge appreciation for how I look now and no longer look in the mirror and see my flaws and wish I were better. Instead I look and see how hard I’ve worked to look this good. I see how I want to continue looking and feeling this way. I see that this weight for me is not ridiculously lean but has taken a very strict diet and workout regime for me to obtain this and I am proud of my body and how hard I’ve worked to get here. I’m proud of my muscles that are finally starting to show…the many, many hours in the gym I’ve spent lifting in order to gain these strong muscles!

I would encourage anyone to compete just once….I am loving this process, this journey and am so excited about the next 7.5 weeks!!!

Ok this is a quick post b/c we’re off to the gym! Time is running short lately. I’m behind in getting back to emails and my masters classes. But, I’m holding it all together…barely.  The house is a bit messy though I feel like I’ve been cleaning all week…how does that happen? I’m spending time w/ the hubby – most important thing. And, trying to keep up my closest girlfriend relationships also! I’m enjoying this process a lot though! I am close to seeing some shredded abs and can’t wait!  I have Tres getting me a new diet later today and I CAN’T WAIT!  I will be miserable, I’m sure, with less carbs and more cardio but MORE CHANGES!!!

Thanks for all of your well wishes and support!  I have a blog post coming soon on progress & maintenance.  Also, one on positive vs negative attitude and motivating weight loss.

Busy girl didn’t charge her camera. Busy girl hasn’t touched her camera in a week or more.  Busy girl’s camera almost died during photoshoot. Photoshoot was rushed and here are the results!  These are at the wrong angles and the camera is in the wrong place.

I got my shoes! And, I definitely see a difference in the rear shot – mostly in my waist – from that rear shot. I have work to do on my lower half but that’s the last to lean out so not too shocking there.

The scale hasn’t budged much but I’m looking leaner so it’s working!  (Can’t wait for the scale to move though!)  Last week it was after the weekend that it moved – Sunday/Monday – so hopefully it’ll be the same for this week.  My lunges/stadiums/cardio over the weekend budged the scale maybe….or the rest….who knows. That human body is AMAZING!!

Feeling really good in the gym!  Feeling like I’ll looking really lean. Feeling bloated but Tres cut my diet soda (I needed it out anyway) and cut down on my sodium (which should help the bloating too).  Maybe I’ll drop some water soon and the scale will move   Wondering also if the carbonation is causing some bloating so I’ll ease up on that too.

Happy training…off to do lunges and stadiums, then combat cardio class!!! WOOHOO!!!

February 27, 2010

Well, it’s been quite a month of soul searching to decide what I wanted to do and I’ve decided!  I have such a sense of peace about my decision!  Here’s a brief synopsis of my dilemma.  My trainer and I didn’t really click from the start but I trusted his philosophy so I went with it.  Turns out we really didn’t mesh well.  Also, turns out he was not willing to get me to my goals in time for my upcoming show. He wanted me to continue to cut slowly, however long it took, and not set a date.  I needed a date to get psyched about this and dedicate to it.  I was feeling hopeless with no end in sight and finding it hard to get motivated to stick to a program with so little results showing.  Experts say that in order to reach your fitness goals you need to set a goal with a date – set a 5k, triathlon, marathon….contest date!  Funny how they’re right!  Not surprisingly, I guess, I sent a professional email advising my old trainer that I would love to work with him in the future because I really liked his overall philosophy (we’d spoken about a pregnancy diet plan) but that at this time I was going to reach for my goals and go in another direction.  Well, he replied back much more unprofessionally than I ever expected. I’ve thought about posting that info here but feel it’s not worth mud-slinging. I just want to be done with that negativity. I’m sad it had to end that way. I never like to have drama or conflict with people. I don’t think it’s necessary as adults.  I think it makes more sense to tell adults that we don’t like each other and would prefer not to work together and move on. What’s the big deal?  I don’t like everyone on the planet and I don’t expect that everyone will like me. No harm. No foul.  It’s funny that him telling me I won’t reach my goals has given me more drive to reach them….just to prove him wrong.

So, I decided on a new trainer!  His positivity is already showing both in how I feel and thus how I am training and dieting. I’ve stuck with his plan 100% even though it’s taken a lot of time….many hours at the gym.  I am doing a more “normal” or “mainstream”  12 week contest prep, like most other competitors do.  I hope to be ready in time for the show on May 22. If not, I’ll do bikini or I’ll push it back 4 weeks to the June show.  I am really enjoying this process, with an end in sight!  (Of course, after that end, I will not eat whatever I want and not workout ever again, but I will not be spending 3 hours in the gym daily anymore and I will enjoy cheat meals now and then out with the friends and family).  I am already seeing results so along with the positivity of my new trainer, the results are helping to push me along to my goals.

Thank you friends and family…you all know who you are….for helping me with this decision!  I had a really hard time deciding and agonized about it – whining to all of you about what to do – and can’t thank you all enough for your help!!!  I am the luckiest girl to have such a great support group!

Check back because I will do be adding special posts both on Nikki, my friend and inspiration, and Tres Bennett of contestshape.com – my new trainer!