Another entry from IFBB Fitness Pro Sandi Stuart

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Somehow, I have found myself in the single-digits of prep weeks left til showtime ... YIKES!!!  It's just under 8 weeks until I take the stage, and it's hard to believe 5 weeks of dieting/routine work have already passed.
 
This prep has been very relaxed. Now, by saying that, please don't get the idea that I am slacking over here. QUITE the contrary!!! I'm probably one of the most focused, competitive people you will ever meet. (After all, I DID graduate from medical school at the age of 25.) Truth be told, I've put more hours of work into my fitness routine than ever, but that's because I absolutely LOVE the new routine I'm doing and have a BLAST performing it!  In my true-to-form, OCD style, I have not missed one single workout or cardio session, either.
 
Training is going well. I have a little steady state cardio now (two 30 min sessions per week), in addition to my circuits. Also, the latest 'fun' consists of sprint intervals finished off with a grand finale of ... get ready for it ... BURPEES!!! 3 sets of 10, thirty seconds apart ... full steam ... good form ... down thru pushup position and exploding up into a vertical jump ... NOT FUN while I'm actually doing them, but I feel like a rock star when that workout is over!
 
As for the diet, well, it IS starting to wear on me a bit. I find myself starting to bite my tongue and to think before I speak quite frequently these days. I've canceled plans with friends at the last minute so that I could catch up on much-needed sleep. But, after 5+ years in this sport, I've learned not to take the hunger or the fatigue that accompanies low levels of body fat out on others. They didn't choose this sport: I did. So, it's up to ME to handle my tired/cranky/low days in a way that doesn't alienate others. It can be a challenge at times, but life doesn't stop just because I chose to do a show. It never has, and it never will.
 
So ... what else is going on in my world, besides prep?  Well, this weekend, my husband (aka Coach Stuart) decided on the spur-of-the moment that he was going to teach me to play soccer! So, I had my first 'lesson' yesterday. I think he was surprised (as was I) at how quickly I picked up things!  I learned to trap the ball, good technique in kicking and passing, and power shots. My goal is to learn enough where I can try out for the adult co-ed soccer team in the fall. After my soccer lesson, I worked with him on his handstands :) I'll be honest ... he's got a ways to go before he is ready for the fitness stage (haha), but he was certainly a good sport.

- Sandi

Posted Feb 09, 2010 by Erik Ledin.
This entry is filed under Guest Blogs, Contest Prep, and IFBB Pros.