Okay Lara, step away from the junk food!

It’s been two weeks since the Nabba-WFF West Auckland Bodybuilding Champs and I’ve been relaxing, refuelling and renewing my energy.  J

I’ve also been working on a strategy for the next six months.  I want to make some real changes for Nationals in October and the only way those changes will happen is if I have a plan in place, starting now.  So, it’s back into good clean eating and training with purpose!

When you have a goal you need to give yourself the best chance of attaining it.  That means being clear on the steps you need to take, working hard and keeping positive.  

I’ve got a pretty good understanding of training and nutrition, but with a bigger goal I wanted to know more detail, so I sat with my PT yesterday and gleaned some more knowledge.  For me that information is vital.  It sets a clear path and I’m really excited to see how things unfold over the coming weeks and months! 

Another key thing that I have been working on setting, or resetting, is the way I think about food.  When I make the decision to turn down particular foods it’s so easy to think that I’m missing out.  But the reality is I have much more to gain by eating clean and reaching the goals I set for myself, than what I am missing out on.  This way of thinking doesn’t necessarily come easy though… after all, I love me a bowl or two of ice cream!  But I’m learning to look at the bigger picture. 

Some days can be tougher than others, so I’ve been gathering a few recipes that I can use to satisfy any cravings without being detrimental to my goals. 

Today I made Chocolate Protein Banana Bread (recipe here).  I have made this before but it came out a little stodgy so this time I added a small teaspoon of baking powder and it’s much better.  Mine looks nothing like the picture in the recipe (in fact mine looks a little more like meatloaf, lol), but it’s tasty so I’ll keep it in my repertoire.  

I used BioX Rocky Road protein which I was given as my prize at the Bonanza in December.  It's a big tub and because it's very sweet (even for me) I still have plenty to use up.  I actually find it too sweet as a shake but it's a bonus to have on hand for other recipes!

Do some research; ask questions; make a plan; work hard; smile  J  xxx

Loved the process, the progress, and the competition!

Wow, so where do I start? 

The week leading up to comp (peak week) was a series of ups and downs for me, both mentally and physically.  I’m glad I took the last three days off work as this gave me a chance to get some really good last minute training and posing done with Lynne on the Wednesday, as well as not having to worry about the tanning process etc over the last two days.  I won’t give you a run-down of the whole week, but for example, on the Friday I woke up feeling awesome… like I could take on the world.  Then slowly over the course of the day and evening I started feeling flat.  Actually I started feeling podgy and bloated which made me feel so unsure about competing.  But come Saturday I was feeling good again.  I was nervous though… would I remember my routine, how many were in my category, what would they be like, should I even be here???  I knew I’d put in a lot of work, but I think that self-doubt comes easily at that point.  Refocus, breathe, and pull some additional strength from your supporters.  My daughter was texting me while I was back stage telling me that I would be awesome and that she loved me; those little things are actually big things at that moment J

Saturday I was awake pretty early getting my head in the game.  It’s easy when you are nervous to not want to eat, but it’s important to get the food in.  There’s a reason for it and so I had to make sure I ate.

Backstage I had another coat of tan applied (with touchups and glaze applied throughout the afternoon) and then had my makeup done.  Stage makeup is so different so I decided I would be pampered and let someone else do this for me.  Even had false lashes for the first time J

There were a lot of first timers so backstage there were nerves aplenty!  But we all encouraged each other and connected in a lovely way.  Tanning, pumping up, treats and laughter… all in a bid to keep ourselves sane until stepping out onto the stage.

My group were called to wait in the wings where Tony took me through my poses one last time and talked me through pump up (some delts, back and biceps). 

We did our routines first then all went back on stage together for our compulsory posing.  I was so happy that I didn’t forget any parts in my routine (although I almost slipped as I got into my starting pose, lol).  The compulsories… man those stage lights get hot, and it’s hard work!  I know from practicing that it’s not easy, but standing on the stage working to get into the best pose and hold it… that’s tougher than it looks.  Muscle contraction, positioning, breathing, oh and don’t forget to smile!

Working to hold a decent ‘relaxed’ pose while the judges awarded the placings… I was shaking so much.

I really didn’t know how the judges would see me, but I did my best and came away with 2^nd so I’m stoked!  I have been in touch with some of the judges for feedback as they indicated they were keen for the competitors to do this, and that’s been awesome!  I feel even happier since receiving the feedback and now know where I want my body to be for the next time.  Yes, I will be back!  Bodybuilding isn’t a quick process.  You have to be committed to the time it takes to build your body and I’m looking forward to setting a plan in place and working on my vision. 

One thing that I could never really see very well while I was training was the improvements I was making to my back.  It’s pretty difficult to see this in the mirror or to selfie it for reference, but I certainly love the progression when I see this photo!  (photo credit: defined photography)

A big thank you to everyone; your support means so much to me! xxx

Peak week!

Yippee, five more sleeps!  

This week’s goal is to maintain focus whilst allowing myself to feel the excitement building... and it's building :-)

Some of the things in my diary for the week are:

Water!

PT session and measurements with Bridget

Cardio with Tony and his crew to keep things upbeat

Posing and routine practice with Lynne, with a serving of kick ass no doubt, lol

Wednesday = prepack my bag ready for Saturday (bikini, backup of routine music, bikini bite, weights/resistance band, food etc)

Thursday = last cardio, first tan, and rest

Friday = registration, second tan, and rest 

Have a great week everyone!  

You got this!

There's only 1 ½ weeks until the big day and I’m pumped!!!  :-) :-) :-)

It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve worked hard and I’m so excited!  To get back on the stage and show some muscle has me smiling inside :-)   I’m not one that naturally likes the limelight so I never thought I’d hear myself talking about the enjoyment of being on a stage, but when you find something you really enjoy and you have a sense of self-pride about what you’ve achieved, it’s nice to have a few minutes to show your peeps.  In this sport that means being on the stage and learning to show off a bit ;-)  I’m looking forward to sharing the day with some awesome people, people who have given their all to training hard, eating right, and doing what they love to do.  Yippee! 

So, what have I been doing since the last post? 

Training, eating, training, sleeping, training, eating, training, sleeping, hahaha! 

(today, as an example - cardio before and after work, leg session at lunchtime, posing and routine practice after dinner)

It really honestly does take commitment and passion to do this.  You’ve GOT to want it.  I had a couple of tough weeks recently where I just kept finding myself not quite doing enough of what I should be doing; my head wasn’t quite in the game; I was procrastinating quite a bit.  At that time you need someone to tell you how it is; someone to make you realise that if you want it, you’ve got to put in the hard yards.  Luckily I’ve got a few awesome people who got me back on track mentally and once that switch in my head clicked, the physical desire to work my ass off came back. 

Bodybuilding isn’t for everyone, I realise that, but try some stuff.  Find something you enjoy, and really ENJOY it.  Enjoy the learning, enjoy the hard parts, and enjoy the way it makes you feel.  Strong, supple, relaxed, confident, fast, whatever it is, enjoy it :-)

Build each other up!  If you know someone that is working towards a goal, encourage them and let them know you are proud of what they are doing.  It doesn’t have to be a goal that you would aspire to, it doesn’t even have to be in an area that you enjoy, but we all need support and encouragement and your little words might be just what they need to hear that day :-)

We should recognise when people are doing good things and tell them.  I’m not just talking about women encouraging women, but people encouraging people.  Use social media, tell them in person or go old school and post a little note! <3

** Time has flown by and I haven’t been updating this blog as often as I had intended to, but somehow that just fits with what life is like sometimes for me.  Competition preparation has to take priority so forgive me, lol.  xxx

Why do I train in the evening?

For the most part I train in the evenings.  Not straight after work, but usually after about 7pm.  There are a few reasons for this:

I am and always have been a night owl

The gym isn’t packed

I don’t feel rushed

It keeps me from sitting on the couch thinking about food!

I do train at lunchtime some weekdays, but those sessions are obviously time-short, so mostly I prefer to train in the evening without feeling rushed.  Weekends are more flexible and I work my gym and cardio around my family and other commitments.  Everyone is different, so just do what works for you!  :-) 

This week has included:

A great physio session to get my body feeling balanced again

Some good strong training sessions

Removing carbs from my menu

Getting my routine choreography sorted

Competition day is fast approaching!  I’m feeling really good, but need to make sure I get more cardio in to reduce the old body fat percentage.  I also want more definition in my legs this time so putting some extra energy there.  I have some great support which I’m so thankful for, but this time feels a bit different as I’m really doing it on my own.  I don’t know what I’m up against in my category, and the name (WFF Miss Extreme Body – Physique) is pretty scary in itself, lol!  From what I can tell (and I may be wrong) the majority of ladies enter either Bikini or Figure so I’m not really sure what to expect.  But as long as I step on stage knowing that I’ve given it my all, I’ll be proud.  Have a great week!  :-)

Friday's sunrise