Back on stage - This is what 45 looks like

[sy2502]

psssst - sy, it is about time for new pics, pls

You ask, I deliver! Taken this evening to see if I am losing my phuking mind or what.

SevenWeeks_Back.jpg

SevenWeeks_Front.jpg

I tried to do what Anandagirl suggested, go back to pics of previous preps but darn it, I look so different from all of them I don't know what to think. I don't think I am in a bad spot tho. At least the suit isn't making a big dent in my sides, that's always a good sign

[Fiction2Fitness]

Thank you! Especially because I see myself leaner, so either I am delusional or I don't know. This morning I had the most defined 6-pack I have ever had IN MY LIFE! I know it doesn't show in the photos, but seriously, I couldn't stop looking at it in the mirror. I have biceps veins. BICEPS VEINS!!! Another thing I don't get very easily. Oh well, paint me green and call me a pickle then.

ooo bicep veins! I had people asking me if I'd lost weight a couple of months ago, when I hadn't lost any. The body is so strange at times.

Awesome progress pics, by the way. Love the suit.

[sy2502]

ooo bicep veins! I had people asking me if I'd lost weight a couple of months ago, when I hadn't lost any. The body is so strange at times.

Awesome progress pics, by the way. Love the suit.

Oh thank you so much! I had a lot of fun decorating it.

[anandagirl]

I can see the 6 pack!!!!!

[sy2502]

Weighted myself again this morning, 130lbs!



Ok, if I lower the calories and my weight goes UP it can't possibly be fat, can it? CAN IT? I mean short of being some walking, talking medical miracle with alien physiology, that isn't possible, right?

Oh forgot to say this weekend I had my first major brain fart of the prep. Friday I got home with an empty tank thinking I am going to fill up the following day. Except the following day I completely forgot, AND I forgot to look at the gage as I usually do when I start the car. So there I am on the freeway doing my usual 85mph, I mean 65mph office, honest, when my eye goes down to the console and... the empty light is staring at me, the gage is all the way down to empty, I must have been running on fumes. So there I am going toward the nearest exit screaming in the car "come on, come on you can do it, we are almost there, please PLEASE!!!" I did make it to the pump LOL, but my blood pressure must have been through the roof.

Then yesterday I had a minor brain fart when I was doing bench presses and wondering why the weight felt so heavy, geez why can I only do 6-7 reps when I can usually do more like 10? So I push through all my sets, then go to get the plates off the bar only to discover I had put the wrong weight on, no kidding it felt heavy, it WAS heavy!!!

[Mark1T]

You ask, I deliver! Taken this evening to see if I am losing my phuking mind or what.

Attachment 8913721

Attachment 8913731

I tried to do what Anandagirl suggested, go back to pics of previous preps but darn it, I look so different from all of them I don't know what to think. I don't think I am in a bad spot tho. At least the suit isn't making a big dent in my sides, that's always a good sign

I remember seeing your pics from previous years and I can honestly say that me like this year best. Hottt

Thanks for posting. I'm good for a couple of days.

Edit: Like your hair, too (hnnng)

[sy2502]

I remember seeing your pics from previous years and I can honestly say that me like this year best.

I dug out some pics from past comps, here's a side by side. Left to right:

lineup.jpg

1) Now, 7 weeks out
2) Last comp, I don't have a precise date but was pretty close to comp
3) Year before that, 6 weeks out
4) My first comp, after 9 weeks of prep

I don't think I am in a bad spot, all considered.

[Mark1T]

I dug out some pics from past comps, here's a side by side. Left to right:

I don't think I am in a bad spot, all considered.

Agreed. More muscularity.

[sy2502]

Weight this morning is 129lbs so I guess I left 1lb of water in the toilet bowl yesterday. It's annoying to have these swings of water weight, makes it really hard to figure out if adjustments to calories or cardio work or not.

[sy2502]

Today my manager wanted to take us all out for lunch for the end of the work on Incredibles 2, and I know from previous experience that she foams at the mouth if I excuse myself due to contest prep, so I had to tag along. I ate
- 5 nacho chips with salsa (no guacamole)
- a very small, very overpriced and very underchickened chicken salad
- a gallon of Diet Coke

Then went straight to the gym for "small muscles day" (shoulders, calves and abs)

- Shoulder presses, 6 sets
- Lateral raises, 6 sets
- Upright rows, 4 sets
- Front raises, 5 sets

- Standing calf raises
- Seated calf raises

- Decline bench situps with a 40lbs dumbbell on my chest
- Cable crunches

- 30 mins cardio

Hopefully no damage done.

[sy2502]

Weight this morning 128lbs so a drop of 1lb in 4 days, not bad at all. I wonder if my little "diet break" gave my system a little push. 8 weeks down, 8.5lbs down, 6 more weeks to go. I am liking how my upper body is leaning out, if only my lower body would relinquish the lard!

Yesterday we did a little experiment, we had some friends over for brunch, and I have to say it was an excellent idea for socializing without blowing my diet. I think breakfast has so many more and better options for somebody dieting than, say, dinner. I could eat within my diet without sticking out. And being brunch, there wasn't alcohol involved. We ate outside, the weather was nice, sunny, not too hot.

I am also very happy today because my husband got an offer for a consulting job. It's only for a month but phuk it, I'll take it, heck yeah! And it's something I am pretty sure he's going to like a lot, and who knows where it can lead, right?

So between my little company lunch, my having people over without blowing my diet, my hubby's job offer, and my weight back on track I am in a really good mood today!

Yesterday was chest and biceps:

- Chest presses 6 sets
- Cable press/flies, 6 sets
- Incline presses, 5 sets
- Incline bench DB curls 4 sets
- Preacher curls 5 sets
30 mins of cardio

[mavd]

And being brunch, there wasn't alcohol involved.

We have different definitions of brunch! Mimosas? Bloody Marys?

All kidding aside, I agree it's definitely easier to be good at breakfast.

[sy2502]

We have different definitions of brunch! Mimosas? Bloody Marys?

All kidding aside, I agree it's definitely easier to be good at breakfast.

You do have a point there... But people know we aren't big drinkers anymore so I don't think they are too surprised if we don't serve alcohol at brunch.

[anandagirl]

We have different definitions of brunch! Mimosas? Bloody Marys?

All kidding aside, I agree it's definitely easier to be good at breakfast.

That's me tooo! LOL

Nice work staying on plan through lunch!

[sy2502]

Last weekend there was another local show by the same promoter, here are some pics of the winners. Darn the girl that won Figure overall is a frigging BEAST!

http://musclesportproductions.com/im...year_filter=22

[Mark1T]

^^They look great, sy. But, so do you and you are natty.

Pretty sure Anna Var was there competing

[sy2502]

^^They look great, sy. But, so do you and you are natty.

Pretty sure Anna Var was there competing

I hear Winnie Stroll was also there, not sure how she placed

[Mark1T]

I hear Winnie Stroll was also there, not sure how she placed

Oh, she did real good apparently

[sy2502]

I uploaded a cheesy abs shot in my gallery, gawd I need to find the money to get a new phone with a better camera!
Also I was looking at the photo and wondering if I have a hernia in my lower belly or something, until I realized that's by lowest abs. So I don't have a 6-pack, I actually have an 8-pack. Yeah baby!!!

[Mark1T]

Abs looking good, sy. My question for today is: What is your hair color going to be?

Personally, I really like your red or dark red hair like auburn. It differentiates you from all the others and it looks like you're on fire

[sy2502]

Some update pics, i have lost some more since my last set of photos, although my weight is still around 128lbs, so not sure what's going on, but I have leaned out so I am going to trust the pics over the number on the scale.
5 weeks left, they have already opened registration for the comp, so I am going to have to do all the bookings. I am still undecided on whether to sign up only for 35+ and 45+ or also for Open.
I don't know for other competing ladies, but for me, psychologically, it's harder when I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. For most of the prep I set myself into this mental mode of being in prep, but as the end comes near my brain starts to jump ahead to after competition. I don't know, it just gets harder to stay on track the last few weeks for some reason. I need to make double effort to keep my head in the game.
It doesn't help that I am hungry as phuk, and there's still over a month to go my god it's going to be so tough. And I am not even that lean, I can't imagine what the ladies that look like they belong, on stage, go through to get so lean.
My brain is sputtering even more these days. I got a nail in my tired on Friday and sure enough forgot all about it as soon as I got home, so now here we are in Memorial Weekend and I have a nice flat that nobody can fix because everything is closed. I could have had it fixed Saturday, but as I say, I forgot all about it. So infuriating!
As you may tell, I am not making any sense, because my brain isn't working so I better stop writing. Here's the progress pics.

NineWeeks_Front.jpg

NineWeeks_Back.jpg

[Fiction2Fitness]

Envy on the back and the abs. You're looking good to me. I don't compete on stage but can understand the struggle with the light at the end of the tunnel in dieting. Just trying to get to that healthy range for me seems hard ot fathom and I can't see where it's going sometimes in a cut. Body has never been past this point so I don't know where I'm going but keep pushing through. Have inspiration like you as well. Helps.

[sy2502]

Envy on the back and the abs. You're looking good to me. I don't compete on stage but can understand the struggle with the light at the end of the tunnel in dieting. Just trying to get to that healthy range for me seems hard ot fathom and I can't see where it's going sometimes in a cut. Body has never been past this point so I don't know where I'm going but keep pushing through. Have inspiration like you as well. Helps.

Oh you are so kind!!! I wish I could get better pics to show how nicely my upper body is coming in, but I can't seem to find a good way. But I'd dare say my upper body is looking the best so far. That's pretty much what I try to concentrate: beating my previous self.
And I think we all need our own inspirations. Mine was a friend who almost died of a stroke at 33 years old, a month after having her first baby. That was the year I did my first competition. She did such an amazing work in her recovery without ever complaining, and frankly if she could learn to talk again, and use a whole side of her body again, and care for a baby on top of that, and come back to work, then losing some fat to parade on a stage in my underwear was silly stuff compared to that. Thing is I have never had the guts to tell her how much courage and strength she gives me. I am not very good at saying this kind of stuff.

[anandagirl]

Oh you are so kind!!! I wish I could get better pics to show how nicely my upper body is coming in, but I can't seem to find a good way. But I'd dare say my upper body is looking the best so far. That's pretty much what I try to concentrate: beating my previous self.
And I think we all need our own inspirations. Mine was a friend who almost died of a stroke at 33 years old, a month after having her first baby. That was the year I did my first competition. She did such an amazing work in her recovery without ever complaining, and frankly if she could learn to talk again, and use a whole side of her body again, and care for a baby on top of that, and come back to work, then losing some fat to parade on a stage in my underwear was silly stuff compared to that. Thing is I have never had the guts to tell her how much courage and strength she gives me. I am not very good at saying this kind of stuff.

I don't think anyone is, really. Because when you imagine going to say something like that you feel you almost sound silly. or at least that's how I feel. I suppose I'm better if I write it down, so if you do want to share it with her, write her a card. That way she also has a memento, and you have time to compose something that says exactly how you feel

I do envy your abs! We all have parts that come easier than others - I remember once you said something about someone having striated glutes. LOL that would probably be me if I ever dieted down for a show, because my abs are where I hold the fat. 100% I'll have striated glutes before you ever see abs on me

[sy2502]

I don't think anyone is, really. Because when you imagine going to say something like that you feel you almost sound silly. or at least that's how I feel. I suppose I'm better if I write it down, so if you do want to share it with her, write her a card. That way she also has a memento, and you have time to compose something that says exactly how you feel

I do envy your abs! We all have parts that come easier than others - I remember once you said something about someone having striated glutes. LOL that would probably be me if I ever dieted down for a show, because my abs are where I hold the fat. 100% I'll have striated glutes before you ever see abs on me

Damn those genes!!!! Yeah us mediterranean women were made to bear children with our thunder hips and thighs! Striated glutes to me are like unicorns and winning the lottery, probability of happening to me = 0. Strong jelly of those who get them. I am pretty sure I'd lose my hair before I lose my butt fat.

[Mark1T]

To me, I think you look better at this point in time as compared to past times you were on stage. You looked great then, but you are leaner now and to be very honest, your buttissimus is the best it has ever looked. Your experience, training and diet are showing.

[anandagirl]

Damn those genes!!!! Yeah us mediterranean women were made to bear children with our thunder hips and thighs! Striated glutes to me are like unicorns and winning the lottery, probability of happening to me = 0. Strong jelly of those who get them. I am pretty sure I'd lose my hair before I lose my butt fat.

Too funny! I think I would be happy with thunder thighs if it meant I didn't have a muffin top. I guess the grass is always greener

[sy2502]

Yesterday morning I took my car to get the tire fixed and my blood sugar dipped really bad and I almost passed out. I don't think I'll be lowering my calories any time soon, even though I am not losing much weight at the moment. Passing out is no fun.

[kimm4]

Yesterday morning I took my car to get the tire fixed and my blood sugar dipped really bad and I almost passed out. I don't think I'll be lowering my calories any time soon, even though I am not losing much weight at the moment. Passing out is no fun.

Oh my goodness that's no fun. Are you using weekly refeeds? I've been so busy so I need to catch up. I do have your last peak week plan if you want it. I think your calories are a little different from what we've done before, but if you need a guideline that you can easily tweak I'd be happy to send it over to you.

[sy2502]

Oh my goodness that's no fun. Are you using weekly refeeds? I've been so busy so I need to catch up. I do have your last peak week plan if you want it. I think your calories are a little different from what we've done before, but if you need a guideline that you can easily tweak I'd be happy to send it over to you.

^^^ Do you folks see why Kim is the best, period?

I haven't done refeeds, I had a couple of diet "breaks" like my work anniversary lunch, my group lunch, and the brunch with friends, but once I tallied the calories I ate in those circumstances, I really wasn't that far off my usual calories, so I wouldn't call them refeeds. I am having a bit of a mental block regarding refeeds, I keep telling myself "this weekend, it's a refeed", then when I get to it, I can't bring myself to eat over my calories. I know it's stupid, but maybe this weekend will be the one I can finally get it done.
I still have your plans saved from the past comps, I will be following it religiously. Love you girl!