I will probably catch up in more than one post – it will take me days to go into any kind of detail!
First and foremost – I’m not competing! I know you aren’t surprised! I’ve decided comp prep is just not healthy. Certainly not for me, and not at the moment anyway.
My business is flourishing and has been growing rapidly ever since it’s inception (more on that later). But mostly, my body doesn’t want to play the game. I’d been training 2 x day and dieting for 6 weeks, with nothing to show for it (except some massive improvements in my shoulders and back which of course I am over the moon about). My body fat won’t budge. My trainer (Carter Schoffer from PN, who is just amazing) can’t figure it out. He believes there’s something physiologically that is preventing me from reacting as I should. In his words:
You’re doing something, by training for a physique competition, which starkly contradicts what your body is designed for. Adding to this, you’re doing it after a lifetime of similar contradictory behaviour/actions (training for previous shows) and while battling a number of ailments (adrenal fatigue, GI issues, and possibly an undiagnosed condition). Moreover, like Olympians, Nobel Laureates and the like, this isn’t an everyday / every person feat. I point this out to communicate a couple things. The first is that this should be hard – very hard. You’re directly going up against nature / evolution with one hand tied behind your back (the wellness/health issues) and you’re doing so in an effort to compete against a select group of other high calibre competitors. The second and related point is that as a direct result you’re going to feel like liquid laugh more often than not. This is what’s meant by sacrifice, determination and whether or not it’s worth it. Much more than a time commitment, prepping for a show is a mind, body and soul commitment that doesn’t leave room for anything else. It’s not healthy and not conducive to one’s non-competition related goals/demands/likes. This is why most physique competitors aren’t stable, don’t maintain healthy relationships, and are reliant on drugs – uppers, downers, painkillers and performance / physique enhancing substances. To do this the hard way – without drugs and while maintaining a modicum of normality – requires everything you have.So, I thought about it and thought about what I really wanted – and you know, it’s not the actual competition. Sure I’d love to get leaner to really see the improvements I’ve made in my physique over the past few years as there have been many. But, the competition itself doesn’t do much for me – it’s the journey I enjoy, the process of watching my body change over a 12 week period. However, the journeys of late have been a bit of a nightmare for me. And you know what – no, it’s not worth it!
I actually count myself very fortunate as I do not have a problem offseason in maintaining a healthy diet and weigh/body fat percentage. There are so many figure girls out there who struggle to stay in shape year round and blow out big time after a comp. I have been there done that but now I manage my off season really well. It’s just the on season I have trouble with! I can sit on 15% body fat comfortably, but to get any lower my body is going to fight tooth and nail – and I am tired of fighting my body!! So, I’ve finally decided I’m happy to look like I do above, year round.
So, what am I going to do now I’m not killing myself with training? I’m going to focus on LIFE BALANCE! I am going to stay in great shape, year round, and I will do less training for more result. It’s nigh on impossible for me to dedicate 2 x sessions a day to training unless I neglect my business, my home, my husband and my family. And if competing, the likelihood of having to do 3 x day was becoming a reality.
I know that for me and training, less equals more. I knew as soon as my cardio was bumped up to all high intensity I’d be a goner. But, I was recovering so well with the fantastic supplement program Carter had provided for me, that I thought maybe I could handle it THIS TIME.
For now I’ve cut back to 1 day on 1 day off, and cardio on other days – the cardio intensity depends on how I feel. I can control my food intake so much better when I am not overtraining. It’s quite likely I’ll get leaner by doing less.
So, what else am I going to do?
Holiday!!
I’m going to Mexico in December!! I can’t wait!! My present to myself (and my hubby of course) for a wonderful year for Ideal Bodies Online. We are doing a 7 night cruise to the Mexican Riviera on this magnificent ship, the Sapphire Princess. We then have 8 nights to spend between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. We booked our frequent flyer flights last week, and the cruise, just have to look at accommodation and Mexico flights. I have some accommodation picked out, very flash, but hey, it’s probably our last overseas holiday before we try and start a family! There – I said it! That’s the plan for 2009. I’m getting on a bit and we don’t have any more time to waste! Whether it happens will be up to the man above. If it does happen, it will be a whole new journey and one I am excited about!
My wonderful business!
As for business, Ideal Bodies Online continues to go ballistic! I have another tv interview coming up next Friday in Melbourne! New Zealand’s prime time current affairs program Campbell Live loved our Today Tonight story so much they wanted to do one of their own with one of my NZ clients.
http://www.3news.co.nz/TVShows/CampbellLive/Home/tabid/283/Default.aspx
So, I’ve booked the dermabrasion, the spray tan, the hair and makeup. We fly down on Friday morning (we actually have a fancy dinner to attend that night at the Grand Hyatt too), my hair and make up is right across the road from my apartment, and the interview is at 2.30pm. I definitely shall not be getting fake eyelash thingies put on this time – what was she thinking?
Amanda Laurie is set to appear in a large circulation magazine mid September. And of course the fabulous Julie Ellwood is this month’s Body Blitz winner which makes it let’s see, about 15 winners over the last 4 years. I think our track record proves we are the best! I have simply incredible after photos coming in all the time. It’s no coincidence that we can barely keep up with client demand even though there is now a plethora of online training sites out there. What do they say…imitation is the best form of flattery??!
Ok well that is my wrap, there is much more but I will write in more detail over the next week or so. Hi Kimmy 
It was great to get your message. Think about you often, hope you and Kim are both well. How about a trip to the Gold Coast? We must get together soon!
Hi Zita, lovely to hear from you!! I had been thinking about you and wondering what had been happening in your life. I hope all is well amid all that study and work!
And something to finish off with that also hit home is this excerpt from an article from the great John Berardi. I felt it was very apt and I’m sure this will resonate with many of you:
I’d highlight this factor; put a gold star next to it, whatever. Really, take note. It’s that important. Perhaps the most important thing I’ll mention here.
The truth is, some girls simply can’t walk around at their mental ideal weight.
Yes, they can get better. Yes, they can make progress. However, every single one of us has to come to terms with something. We have to come to terms with what our bodies look like with a reasonable amount of intelligent exercise and a reasonable, intelligent eating plan.
Here’s the reality check.
The most successful Figure Athletes walk around at 12 to 15% body fat or less year-round. And many of them are doing much less exercise than your girlfriend’s doing now. Plus, many of them are eating much more than she is now!
For example, one girl I work with walks around pretty ripped year-round. But, to achieve this look, she only has to do 4-5 training sessions per week and eat clean. Not strict. Just clean.
Now, when it’s time to get her show-ready, we really dial things in. The exercise volume goes up. The nutrition gets spot on.
But when we’re not getting ready for a show, we keep her habits sound, keep her nervous system fresh, and keep her eating enough to function in every day life — to be healthy. This way, she can maintain an “ideal” body without destroying her health, her metabolism, and risking overtraining.
Here’s the hard pill for most women to swallow: It just so happens that this “balance point” allows this girl to stay around 12% body fat year round. Lucky her!
Of course, it’s not just luck. She’s been training hard for years, has learned how to eat and exercise for her body, and is a paragon of consistency and discipline. Still, many women with the same characteristics and background wouldn’t be able to maintain 12% body fat year round doing what this girl does.
So it’s part hard work, part consistency, and part “thank you mom and dad.”
To this end, sure, your girlfriend could diet her butt off and train like crazy to walk around at 12% body fat. Or she could even go crazy hard to get figure ready. However, that’s not sustainable. It’s too time consuming and makes it impossible to have a real life.
Also, it always ruins other parts of their lives. They get bitchy, moody, and are always stressed out about exercise and their bodies. No fun to be around!
Finally, there are health consequences. The girls who push, push, push year-round always end up destroying their bodies. Their health suffers, and eventually, they end up blowing up, gaining a lot of fat and finding it impossible to manage their body composition.
The key is this: Your girlfriend has to get her habits dialed in to the point where they’re healthy, sustainable, and fun. They must be intelligent, too, but that’s a given.
Then, over time, her body will slowly improve and she’ll learn what her body looks like under these conditions. Eventually, if she wants to get leaner for a specific purpose, you can do that.
You’ll just have to fully understanding that she’ll have to return to her “normal” healthy habits. And that when she does, her body will end up looking like she does at that balance point.”
Things can wait you know 
