OKC Grand Prix - 9 weeks and counting!

When I met with Jeff last, we discussed future shows. I knew at the time that I wasn't ready to be done for the season. He mentioned me trying to get ready for Texas State in October and possibly Oklahoma City Grand Prix at the end of October. He said, "let's shoot for Texas State, see how you are, and make a decision then." That sounded good to me. I even asked him to give me a new menu to hold me over until he had my new plan ready. Let's just say I haven't quite gotten back into a routine yet. My intentions were there...are still there...but my mind just wasn't ready.

Why do we self-sabotage? I know that I don't feel well when I eat crap, so why do I do it? I know that cheeseburgers aren't going to give me more muscle and donuts aren't going to help me burn fat...so why does my mind want them...constantly?! After letting myself gain almost 15lbs back from contest weight, I decided not only was it time to get real, but it was time to get real real quick. I have to hold myself accountable. That's the only downside to not working with a trainer in the gym. What helps me stay accountable is writing. Even if no one reads this, me taking the time to write down my feelings and intentions keeps my mind right. The other biggie is getting back into a routine. I had written about my routines or habits at one point. I need to get back into the groove with them. Cooking larger quantities, grocery shopping on my specific day that I used to, hitting up the gym around the same time...etc etc etc.

Ugh. That reminds me, my workouts have gotten a lot harder. It's like my last group of exercises was the minors and now I've stepped up to the bigs. The first leg program was killer. So much so, that today is the first day since Thursday that I'm not sore. I even had to split it up the day I did it. I only got through the 125 jump squats and 1 set of 50 lunges before my body wanted to stop. At that point, I hopped on the elliptical and chatted with a gym buddy for 30 minutes. Later that night, I was back up there...I even had Shane time me when I did my sprints. I'm not sure exactly what got me, but I had some serious soreness. Needless to say, that sidelined me for the rest of the week. I got my yoga in, but didn't lift again.

I have gone to bed every night for the last 4 days saying, "ok, back on track tomorrow." and have yet to stay on track. I think it's the "I'll start my diet tomorrow" syndrome. I know way too many people that do that...and now, myself included. Well, tomorrow IS when I will be back on track. I have my day planned out in my mind and have even prepped food for tomorrow. Part of what will make it easier is Shane is starting his meal plan that Jeff wrote for him tomorrow. I took a look at it, and it's legit. I'm a little jealous of his 2 allotted cheat meals, but then again, he's not trying to get on stage in 9 weeks.

I can do this. I know I can, and maybe that's why I've been slacking. Well, no more slacking. Tomorrow starts Tricia's road to a first place victory!! I think I can, I think I can, I know I can, I know I can!

It's tiiiime!

Shane starts back with classes tomorrow, all my teacher friends have their students back tomorrow, and as I sit here tonight thinking about what to write about, I can't help but feel like tomorrow is MY first day of school. I start back up with contest prep tomorrow for my next show and haven't been in the gym in what feels like forever. I have butterflies! Mostly because I have gotten to know a lot of people at the gym being there everyday. It's only been about 10 days, but feels more like 30! Crazy how a little time off can really mess with you.

To get more stage-time and practice, Jeff suggested I compete in the Texas State show in October. After taking this past week off completely, I'm ready to get back into the groove. Jeff sent me my plan which included my food and revised workouts. In order to put more muscle on, I need to increase volume. This means more reps and more weight. Shane and I totaled up my leg workout...it's insane. It's around 450 reps total. My legs get tired just thinking about that. Thank goodness for Jack3d and glutamine!!

I know that it will all pay off, but leg workouts are not my fave. They're tiring. I just have to think about how awesome my booty is going to look...legging all fall/winter!! Haha!! This next show will be fun since I already know what I'm in for. It won't be as big as Europa...and supposedly not as political. I think with the amount of time I have before the show, I will be able to put on some good muscle and have a little better look. It will all be in prep for my first NATIONAL show next summer-possibly in Chicago! Who wants to come with??

Thinking about it all gets me excited. The workouts may be rough, but I know I can do them. I just need to make a good play list and get mentally prepared for the next 8 weeks. I need to remind myself to just take it one day, one workout, one meal at a time. Luckily, I get a cheat meal for the moment on the weekends. We have one more reservation for restaurant week that I didn't really want to miss! Haha! Well, it's time for bed. Gotta rest up for my busy day tomorrow!

Food Bender

Lunch today marked the end of my weekend...almost week long...bender. I knew things were getting bad when after feeling like crap all day from food the day before, I decided to eat Wendy's for dinner. It really didn't even taste good, but I kept eating it. What was wrong with me?! When Zoe made her sign for "want" and pointed to my french fries (yah, I got a combo) I quickly hid them. Why was it ok for me to eat it, but not her? Everything I had eaten for months prior, I was happy to share...except for the end when I needed and wanted every little ounce of food that was on my plate.

I met with my coach, Jeff, today to talk and plan my next show. Despite how hard it seemed sometimes, I really enjoyed the whole process. I want to do more. I want to compete in at least one national show. Just to see where it could go. Most national shows are out of state and it would be a fun reason to jet off for the weekend. Jeff asked me some different questions about how I was feeling and what I thought of the show. I shrugged at how I was feeling. "I'm ready to be back on a plan. I didn't know what to do when I didn't have to follow a certain routine." He laughed at me saying that I didn't know what to eat for breakfast on Monday morning. Shane had told me, "whatever you want babe." I just knew I didn't want egg whites.

Jeff said the hardest part for competitors is the post-show time. Transition is hard for just about everyone, no matter what they're transitioning to or from. Add food to that, and you're setting yourself up for one crazy ride. I'm still recovering from my bender. Stomachache, headache, lack of energy...the list goes on. I just can't help but think, "did I always feel like this?" I don't think I did, but I definitely didn't feel as good as I did when I was eating clean. I'm ready to get back into the gym (haven't set foot in it since Thursday) and get back into my food groove. I have some muscle to put on in the next two months and am ready to kick some butt!!

My next comp is going to be either Texas State or a show in Oklahoma...or both! I will know that for this next one, A candy bar or A cookie will suffice for my post-show "binge". No need for entire packages...my stomach and body will thank me. :) Now it's time for lunch: mixed greens salad with water packed tuna and basalmic dressing. Yum!

Europa and Beyond!

As I sit here in a slight sugar/food coma, I am searching online for different shows, bikinis, and overall motivation. This weekend was so amazing. When I think back, everything is a blur. I just remember the feeling I got being up on that stage. It was nervousness mixed with the rush of adrenaline. My lip quivered the entire time I smiled and I'm not sure if I was breathing.

When all was said and done, I was already thinking about what my next move would be. Placing 5th qualified me for a national show. As exciting as that is, I want to do a few smaller shows and continue working on building some more muscle. It's exciting to think what a little more hard work can do!

I texted Jeff letting him know that I wanted to meet to discuss my fitness future. We'll see what he says on Thursday. I'm debating on whether or not to do the Heart of Texas show in September. If I don't do that one, I'll be resting a little bit before hitting it hard to get ready for something at the beginning of the year.

The "season" is almost year-round. A lot of shows are in the summer months with the big scattered throughout the year. I may decide to do a Jr National show which is just a warm-up for a National show. All kinds of things to think about! If I can keep the muscle on and keep building, I have no doubt good things will be in store for me. :) Now, I just need to find a sponsor! Any takers??

I'm ready!!!...I think...

Guess what? This will be my last blog before the Europa Supershow Dallas!!! **I got my nails done yesterday and the sound of them click click clicking on the keyboard is quasi-annoying, so this may not be a long one.**

The past few days have been a bit of a blur. A fun blur, but a blur. Mixed in with trips to the store for more fish, chicken, or sweet potatoes, was a facial, hair appointment, and mani/pedi. I have my bag pretty much packed and purchased a fun new cooler today for all my food for Friday and Saturday. Tomorrow is when the fun stops, however. I'll be cleaning house for most of the day along with drinking a gallon of water. No seasonings, condiments, or anything to drink other than water is allowed. No biggie. The chicken Shane grilled for me tonight smelled yummy, I don't anticipate it being too bad. Despite my penchant for tex-mex, I'm ok with a pretty bland diet. I don't really add salt or pepper to things and can do without ketchup on my SPF.

What I am looking forward to is how my body responds. We shall all see the results on Friday!! Many pictures to come. My heart pounds just thinking about it. It's a mixture of emotions...nervous, excited, scared, determined... I'm looking forward to the whole weekend, actually. I'll have friends and family joining me at Europa as well as afterwards for a yummy dinner that Shane put together. On Sunday, Zoe is being baptized and we'll have family there for that as well! It will definitely be a weekend to remember, a weekend of celebration. If I happen to also have a trophy to show for it, that would rock! If not, I'll be ok, but will have something to work towards in the near future.

Time to get some rest. Stay tuned for a show recap on Monday! :)

It's tiiiiime!!

Well, here I am, 5 days out from my FIRST EVER NPC bikini competition!!!

I had been waiting on pins and needles all day today for my email from Jef
f detailing what this week would look like. Every time my phone would go off, I'd excitedly check to see if it was him.Finally, when the email did come, I quickly opened it to read, read, and reread it. I couldn't be more excited about the next 5 days.

I'll make my last official run to the grocery store to grab a few things that are on my menu for the week...PEANUT BUTTER!!! My workouts are going to be fun for me, I'll be hitting up upper body, lower body, then total body. Cardio

every morning when I wake up and then *BAM!* it will be Friday!!!

I can still recall what I felt when I first mentally committed to this show...then how it felt to vocalize it. Now, I'm days away. It's crazy how fast time goes. I know it will be such a good feeling to step on that stage for the very first time. My stomach will be doing flips, just like it did when I practiced my walk on Saturday for Jeff and Greg. I'm really good at picturing things in my mind. This time is a little different because I'm doing something entirely new. I try to picture it bigger than I think it will be, scarier than I expect it to be, and of course me kicking butt.

The email from Jeff included a list of "tips" for the show. It listed a few things I needed to make sure to pack like sheets, a pillowcase, and pedialyte. Three things I would not have thought to bring. I'm guessing the hotel I'll be staying at won't appreciate a body-size spray tan stain and the pedialyte will quickly rehydrate me once I step off that stage.

Time to eat my egg whites and hit the sheets. I have cardio to do when I wake up! Let's do this!!

One week from now...

One week from now I will be on stage under the bright lights strutting my stuff! It's crazy to think about. I think I'm ready though. Mentally, but not necessarily physically. I don't know if I'll ever feel ready physically...to me there is always something you can improve. That is not to say I like the way I look, because I do, I just have extremely high standards for myself.

I got my super dark spray tan today. As I sit here, I realize that not only am I dark, but I'm stupid dark. I like it. :) Pictures to come tomorrow! I'm looking forward to talking with Jeff about what this next week is going to look like. I'll be busy with all kinds of prep stuff and that's a good thing, it will help the time fly by! Big thanks to everyone who has helped me along the way, even if it was a quick word, it means a lot!

Tomorrow is posing class, I'm ready to see who shows up. I'll have my game face on (which translates to a perma-smile for the stage) ready to show Jeff what I've been working on. He was in Vegas competing in the USAs. One of the guys he works with, Steve Kuclo, won men's bodybuilding overall and earned his pro-card. He's proof that hard work and dedication pay off. While I'm not trying to have 30" biceps, I am trying to be the best I can be. Even if that means tilapia for 1/2 of my meals!

Time to rest my body and get some much needed sleep! Check back tomorrow for pics from posing class...it will be my last one before the stage! EEK!! Goodnight all!

Creature of Habit

We all have habits. Things we do on a regular basis- hourly, daily, weekly, etc. The past few days I've noticed just how many habits or rituals I have. Most all of it is part of my routine and when that routine is thrown off, it shows. Whether it's that I'm scatter-brained for a minute or my whole days goes to pieces, change of routine really effects me.

When I wake up in the morning, I head to the bathroom. I then throw on some sweat pants and go get Zoe. She gets a clean diaper and we get ready for breakfast. I get hers ready first and she eats and watches me make mine. We do that almost every morning. When we're both done, she shadows me while I throw a load of laundry in, clean the kitchen, mop the floors, or unload the dishwasher...sometimes (rarely) all of the above.

If I workout in the morning, I drink my Jack3d and listen to Kidd Kraddick in the Morning on my way. I typically park in the same spot each morning, put my sun shade up, then gather up all my things. I use the same locker every time. I picked it because I wanted to have one that was #1-5, #1 & #2 were too small, so I took #3. It's a tall locker, so I put my keys and sunnies on the top shelf, hang my bag, and take my heels for posing out. My iPod gets clipped to the same spot on my tank or sports bra and I head out for my workout.

Food has been my biggest habit since it's been the same things everyday. It's easy to get into a routine when your diet is constant. I just rotate between "day 1" and "day 2" meals. The times may change based on what I have going on for the day, but I get them all in.

At night, I get ready for bed the same way. I pull my hair back and slip on a headband. I brush my teeth forever because I love it. Then, I wash my face and slather on some yummy night cream. I put my jams on and get in bed. If Shane's still awake, we watch a tivo'd Chelsea Lately and then fall asleep.

I love my habits/rituals and have been finding myself creating new ones that match my new healthy lifestyle. My days are much more detailed than this, and some days are even dedicated to certain things like grocery shopping, filling the gas tank, etc. Getting organized and staying organized are keys to success. It's the preparation that can make all the difference in whether you become what you want to be or not. It's now time for me to start my night time routine! Goodnight all!

NINE Days!!!

Holy moly, nine days...eight days tomorrow....

Where did the time go? I have a feeling that this next week will either fly by, or draaaaaag. This week has gone fast, so I'm guessing next week will too. Today, I took a little time to pack a few necessities in my contest bag. Dark chocolate M&Ms, pretzel M&Ms, peanut butter...mmm..., and some powdered donuts. I think my eyes are going to be WAY bigger than my stomach, but I know I will definitely love a little nibble of everything.

It's getting down to the wire, all I can do is keep posing, keep training, and keep eating--do what my coach says and all will be ok! Everyone has been so supportive, I didn't expect the reactions I've gotten. I don't really know what I expected. My family and friends have been really awesome. It seems that someone always texts, emils, or FBs me right when I need it. Shane has even put together a little invite for a post-show dinner, it was so sweet. Apparently, he wants as many people as possible to witness my pig-out. Ha! Bring it!

As my diet has gotten more strict, I haven't wanted to cheat more. It's when I look at how much time I have left until the show that makes me want food. I'm looking forward to a break from being so strict. I think I'll want to compete again, but I will want a mini-break. I have been thinking about how much our society revolves around food. Dinners out, movies with popcorn, Saturday afternoon icecream, hotdogs at the ballgame. All things I kind of miss. When I really think about it though, 3 or 4 months isn't much. It will all be worth it when I step on that stage. :)

Even though I had a power nap today, I am exhausted. I'll be getting up early to get my workout in tomorrow. Upper body circuit day, my FAVE! Goodnight!

Cardio Bloggin'!

As August 12th quickly approaches...11 days and counting...I find myself figuring out new ways to multitask! Today I'm blogging while biking. Don't worry, I'm on a recumbent bike. All I have to do is periodically check the screen to make sure my heart rate is where it needs to be.

So, here I sit at the gym being one of "those" people I shake my head at. The ones that sit/walk there on their phone/ipad/crackberry typing away. Hey, if it weren't for my heart rate monitor, I couldn't do it.

I have a lot to look forward to over the next 11 days. Not only will I continue to add muscle and drop fat but all the girly stuff starts. Hair cut and color (staying dark, just covering the blonde that keeps poking back through), trial spray tan, nails, and of course more post contest food shopping! LOL! This whole process has been fun for me, but I do love all the girly primping stuff that motherhood has put a hold on.

I've continued my daily/hourly visualization stuff that has kept me focused. I'm feeling more and more ready each day to show off all my hard work on that stage. I'm also excited to watch the other competitors do their thing. Victory loves serious preparation!

I have a feeling I'll be rolling up to the Dallas convention center with a big 'ol suitcase. Inside will be all the things that have been recommended to me to have on hand by fellow competitors. Track suit to stay warm backstage, hair dryer to stay warm backstage, every kind of snack I could imagine because I don't know what Jeff will want me to eat depending on how my body looks, bikini bite to keep my suit in place, lip gloss, flip flops, post-show outfit, and of course my suit and shoes!

Being the list maker/prep queen that I am, I already have most of this stuff together minus the food. While I'm hoping that my last week will be stress free, I'm not stupid. Time to finish up my cardio, drink some protein, and take my baby girl to the splash pad!