HOME STRETCH!!!!!  YAHOO!!!!!
 
Thing are shaping up nicely here. I continue to see changes in my physique, and my routine has progressed from execution to performance. I love this part of prep, where I actually get to ENJOY running my routine.
 
Training changed a bit this week. Stubborn fat protocol cardio starts tomorrow, and I'm oddly excited about it (as those of you who are on my facebook have probably seen). I do NOT like having to get up and get cardio done before breakfast ... I am NOT a morning person (in fact, if you ever wake me up, you should be very, very afraid LOL) ... but that particular cardio is so tough that I always feel a huge sense of accompliment when it's over.
 
As for diet, well, I got my first unlimited refeed on Thursday. (For those of you not familiar with refeeds, it's sort of like a cheat day, but with rules. The foods one may 'refeed' on must be low-fat carbohydrates, and as long as the day's total fat grams are under 50g, the carb source is pretty much up to the discretion of the individual. Also, there is usually a structure of number of 'free' grams of low-fat carbs per meal ... hence the term 'structured refeed'.) I had a lot of fun with it, lemme tell ya!  8 lbs worth of post-refeed bloating worth of fun, to be exact!!!!  But, I trust in Erik and in the process, and I also know how my body responds. I've never had a refeed where I've gained weight; I either drop below my baseline once the bloat dissipates, or stay at my baseline weight until a bigger refeed is instituted.
 
I really enjoyed watching the Arnold webcast last weekend. The quality of it was great this year (well, except for that loooong pause in the middle) and it was really inspiring to watch my fitness sisters do their routines. It's always fun to see what the other girls have been up to practicing their routines; sometimes I get so 'in the bubble' with my own prep that I  lose the big picture. Anyway, that webcast made me stop and reflect on why exactly I choose to compete, and what my future in IFBB Pro Fitness holds. Placings can sometimes be controversial, and I think anyone who competes ONLY for a placing/score will ultimately leave disappointed. I firmly believe that when I allow a panel of judges to determine my self-worth, that it is time for me to hang up the heels. In my opinion, that's not a healthy attitude, nor one that is conducive to happiness or longevity in the sport.  I love the satisfaction I get from seeing my physique progress from season to season. I love the sense of accomplishment I get from mastering new routine skills. And, most of all? I looooooooooove those 2 minutes onstage of being a 'hambone firecracker' (as my friend Stacy Curcio calls me). The louder the cheers, the more people I hear calling my name? The bigger my smile becomes when I'm on that stage. THAT is why I compete: for ME. I have nothing to prove to anyone but myself, and when it stops being fun? Time to move on to the next great adventure!!!
 
I've been asking myself some difficult questions this week, and to be honest, I still don't have the answers. I am not sure at this point if I will be onstage in NY or not.  My routine and physique aren't ready yet, but they will be ... of that I'm sure. I just need to figure out if the hustle and bustle of 2 shows in such a short time period is within my capabilities at this point in time. Some of you may not know, but I am a full-time, board-certified emergency physician. I juggle a constantly-rotating schedule, a hectic/high intensity job, and the normal 'home stuff' (4 four-legged 'kids' and a husband of almost 6 years that I love dearly). I also am a contributing author to a local magazine, as well as to bodysport.com. I guess one could say I'm busy ... or 'overextended'. I prefer to say that I'm 'living life to the fullest and squeezing the most out of this life that I can', because I've always been a believer that my attitude determines my aptitude.  So, at this point, I think it's best for me to just take my life one day at a time ... and enjoy the process of training/dieting/prepping/competing while not letting other areas of my life suffer.  I won't decide until the last minute about NY. Why create unneccessary stress? I'll just continue along my comfortable road of taking each day as it comes.
 
Until then, I'm hitting every workout like it's my last, with the same passion and intensity that I throw into the things that I adore. Because I do adore competing, and training, and becoming better and better each time out of the gate. So, until next time!

XOXO Sandi

Posted Mar 13, 2010 by Erik Ledin.
This entry is filed under Guest Blogs, Contest Prep, and IFBB Pros.