Moving into week 4

I had my week 3 check in with my coach on Friday. He's very happy with my progress, which is great motivation for me. There is room for improvement with my eating, but I'm smashing all of my gym sessions which is great. I'm feeling good!

I think back to pre kids Tina and laugh at how I thought I was too busy for everything. Ha! Not a chance! I'm the busiest I've ever been at the moment, and life is just going to continue to get busier as I move forward with off-season coaching into pre-comp phase and with Alice growing every day. The difference now is that I'm motivated, disciplined, and goal-orientated. I have my mind on that stage (even though it's still 8 months away) as every day is a chance to progress. It's going to go so quickly no doubt.

Today was hard. Alice was unsettled for hours last night which meant lack of sleep and then she hardly slept today. Add in the fact that Jack is fill of energy and it has been go-go-go from the time we woke up. My husband suggested a walk to the park this morning to which I jumped at the chance. But come the time for me to go to the gym I was exhausted and emotional! There are no time for excuses, however, so without thinking about it I just got dressed, put my shoes on, grabbed my things, and off I went. Of course, I instantly felt better once I got into my session.

I will be sharing a progress photo on Friday so stay tuned.

2 weeks in

Long time no update! I just had a realisation that I hadn't updated for a while so whilst the kids are occupied I thought I'd write a blog (instead of stacking the dishwasher!).

As of Saturday I am 2 weeks down. I've smashed every training session, however my food has been a little off here and there. Just a couple of off plan meals really. But all in all I'm actually getting good at tracking my meals and it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Sometimes it's still a little tedious, and I don't expect that I will enjoy tracking my food all the time, but it's made me realise a few things.

1. Prior to tracking I was eating too little protein, too much fat, and possibly not enough carbs.
2. I'm learning about food, which I didn't think was still possible haha. Sometimes I am surprised by what macronutrients a food has.
3. I thought I was eating enough fibre. No I wasn't.

I'm following flexible dieting (or IIFYM) for this prep. It's great being in charge of my own food choices! I have a lot of fat to play with, so I make sure I fill most of my fat with healthy choices and then fit in a little treat if I feel I need one. That's the other thing with tracking my food - now that I'm eating enough of what my body needs I'm finding my cravings have decreased dramatically. I still really feel like chocolate or whatever sometimes, and I usually leave my treats for those times. Before I started I found myself craving sugar every single day. I'm feeling so much better for it! Another reason I think I am craving less is because I decide what I eat. I'm not limited to a meal plan from my coach. He gives me my macros and off I go. I don't have to eat only foods considered "clean" so when my body is happy my mind is happy, and vice versa!

I'm happy with my progress so far. I will take my measurements and check in with my coach tomorrow morning.

Ok, the kids have seen that I'm occupied elsewhere and have let me know that is not on lol. My time blogging is up for today!

One Step Closer

I had a chat to my coach yesterday! Every thing is in place and now I await my training plan and macro split. I'm getting really excited about getting back into a lifting routine. I've been lifting regularly, but I have been feeling like I just need that little extra. A goal to lift my game!

Not looking forward to tracking my macros again but it's definitely needed. My eating has been a bit out of whack lately so I'm sure it's going to be the kick up the bum I need.

I will be keeping my upper/lower split but consistently lifting 6 days per week. I'll be in off-season prep for the rest the year and then pre comp will begin early next year.

Nine months to go until comp time!

Photos and measurements completed

OK.... this is the nervous bit. I have sent off my before photos and measurements to my coach. There is so much to do over the next 9 months. You can see my before photo on my Instagram (@thefitmumma_) as I'm too lazy to get it off my phone and onto my computer! I might post it on here later.

9 months... the length of a pregnancy. Considering how LONG 9 months feels when you are pregnant, I am confident I can achieve what I have to in that time. Not saying this is going to be easy. I've done enough research over the past few years to know that competition prep is far from easy. I'm sure there will be good times, but I'm sure there will be crap times too. Like when I really don't want to do some cardio, or I can't be bothered tracking my lunch, or I can't be bothered going to the gym because I've had a long day or I've gotten up during the night with the kids.

BUT this is a goal I've had for three years now, and it's something I just want to do for myself. I may do it once and decide it's not for me, or I may love it and continue. Who knows...

So it's August...

Long time no update! There is a good reason for that, and it's because I haven't been doing anything! I've been a bit busy this past week at least, so I've taken to doing quick little workouts at home.

But this morning I look at my phone and realise August is here, as it has been for a few a couple of days now haha. To say I'm nervous is an understatement. Coaching starts this month. Half of me wants to just head to the gym right now and the other half of me wants to go to the toilet (what I do when I'm nervous..haha) and go hide under the covers. I assume the latter won't get me on stage though..

Plodding along..

Nothing really to report this week so far. I'm really just plodding along. I couldn't get to the gym this week so have just been working on my nutrition and doing what I could at home. It's been a full on week as my cold that I now has seems to suggest!

I've probably mentioned this before but I've been enjoying a bit too much sugar lately, so I've been concentrating on minimising my intake. I'm doing well! I'm not avoiding it completely, just ensuring I don't have it every single day or in large amounts.

Thinking of starting with my coach earlier than I originally thought.. will have a think and update when I've decided!

The day has finally arrived!

Well, I use the word "finally" loosely. It's not as though it's been months and months, but it still feels like it has.

I have sent my paperwork back in to my chosen coach. I'm really quite nervous and there is always thoughts in the back of my head of "what if I can't do this?" and "should I be doing this?". A bit of background: I have been wanting to compete since 2012. I did have plans to compete in season B 2012 but it was clear I was not ready. I did not leave myself enough time and I look back and cringe at the thought of it. Plus I know so much more about nutrition, training and body composition now than back then. I've come a long way and so has my head space! I won't lie, though. There have been plenty times in the last month where I have thought I should just not start prepping. I'm very good at shying away from a big task. so much so, that in the middle of labour with my son (the pushing stage to be exact) I decided I couldn't do it anymore and it was too hard and he was just going to be stuck there forever haha! I quickly realised what a ridiculous thought that was and continued pushing. I mean, there was only one way he was getting out by then so I couldn't just give up! And I've just gone way off topic..

Anyway, back to my negative thoughts above, I am assured these thoughts are normal and I had some lovely past and present competitors give me some pointers for handling comp prep. I should add, I'm not even in "comp prep" yet.. the prep I will be starting with my coach is off-season prep, but I will still treat is as though it is just as important as on-season prep because it really is. What we can achieve in these few months before official prep starts will help a lot. I start mid next month! This gives me just enough time to finish my 4 week challenge.

Even though I'm nervous as anything, I'm confident that I can do this. I've seen enough before and afters to give me the confidence that anyone can do this. I'm confident in my choice of coach too. Make sure you stick around for posts once the coaching starts; I'm sure it will be a hoot!