Tag Archives: training

You Ate What?

Posted on by
Reply

“You Ate What?”

May08-4A lot of people have been asking me what I ate during my training.  Although time consuming to prepare, it was actually pretty simple.  Meal 1 – 1 whole egg, 3 egg whites, ¾ cup oatmeal, 3 oz of lean meat (chicken breast, sirloin steak or fish).  Meal 2 – two scoop protein shake with 20 oz of water.  Meal 3 – 5 oz lean meat, ½ cup brown rice or 4 oz sweet potato, 2 cups vegetables.  Meal  4 – 2 scoop protein shake with 20 oz of water.  Meal 5 – 6 oz lean meat and 2 cups of vegetables.  Dessert – sugar or fat free jello or pudding.  And that’s it.  Everything was carefully measured out.  You didn’t miss anything between the lines.    If it’s not written above then I didn’t eat it.  No pasta, no fruit, no sausage, no popcorn, no cheese, no milk or dairy products, no hot fudge sundaes.  NADA.  Now there were things I could have substituted that I don’t like, but the above is simply what I ate for four straight months.  My excitement came in the form of my pudding cup at the end of the day (dulce de leche or chocolate mint) and I was able to add variation by switching vegetables and meats.  I also found a wonderful muffin and waffle protein recipe for my first meal every morning.

My training has stopped for the summer and last week was my first real week of ‘normal eating’.  I was told to ease back into regular meals, but I don’t think I listened very well.  Sunday (5/18) –  Qdoba for dinner, Monday – Panera for lunch with a caramel pecan brownie, Tuesday – popcorn at the movies,  Thursday – Quizno’s for lunch and Famous Dave’s (2 sausage links, corn bread, baked beans, apples, and corn) along with Homemade Pie and Ice Cream Kitchen for dinner, Friday – a gyro with fries for lunch and a Krispy Kreme doughnut (chocolate iced crème filled) back at my office, Saturday – a cookout (2 servings including Adrienne’s wonderful macaroni and Arnita’s peach cobbler), Sunday – brunch at Blu, two cookouts (more great food) and dessert at J. Alexander’s (carrot cake).

Sunday at 3:00 in the morning – an overly full stomach and heart, heart, heartburn.  I didn’t feel sick, I just couldn’t move.  I was supposed to celebrate my birthday on Monday by going out to eat with my friends for lunch, but I had to cancel.  I felt if someone stuck me with a pin I would have exploded.  Instead I had a healthy birthday and we went walking around Seneca Park for exercise.  I fortunately/unfortunately got most of the meals I missed eaten in one week’s time.  I was worried about ‘blowing up’ but luckily I also worked out throughout the week at the gym.

While I won’t continue the extensive meal plan unless I’m getting ready for another competition, I also won’t just let loose like I did last week.  I believe there is a great way to balance the two and I’ll find that balance right after I eat that one bowl of whole wheat pasta with sausage from Macaroni Grill!!!!  (-;

(and yes, it’s no wig – the hair is cut)

M.Y.  May 2008

Eight Weeks of Training

Posted on by
Reply

“Eight Weeks of Training”

Mar08-1For the past eight weeks I have been training for a figure competition.  I gave up all of my favorite foods: pasta, sausage, cheese, bread, fruit, and desserts.  My meals consisted only of chicken/sirloin or fish, brown rice, egg whites and vegetables, vegetables and more vegetables and protein shakes.  Nothing else for 8 weeks with five meals a day.  I also found myself at the gym more – six days a week.  Some days of training required morning cardio so I found myself dragging to the gym at 5 in the morning.  Yes, five in the morning for a two hour workout.  The worst was probably the water.  The final week of prep had me drinking 2 GALLONS of water a day.  I was running (not walking) to the bathroom every 30 minutes.

I noticed physical changes throughout the entire process.  While my weight didn’t change, by body fat decreased by 5% and I lost two inches in both my hips and waist.  I also gained muscle and overall looked more tone.  I had to give up a lot of things, including dating.  I wasn’t able to go out to eat at restaurants and although I could do movies, the smell of popcorn drove me crazy.  Not only that, but after work and working out, all I felt like doing when I came home was eating and then sleeping.  It really was all about me during this time.

My first competition was this past Saturday in Covington. My goal was Top Five in my height category. There were over 100 women entered and at first I was intimidated by everyone. You immediately start sizing yourself compared to others.  The more I looked at others, though, the more I realized that I looked as good, if not better than many.  I felt more at ease. There were six height classes and I was in the 2nd shortest (figures)!   Being on stage in front of the judges was glorious.  I’ve grown up performing in front of others and the surge of energy is amazing. As they start giving out awards for my class, I realize I have a great chance of winning – and I did!!! First place, which qualifies me for nationals, what a thrill! (and the pizza I ate while driving home was so tasty!)

I’m still on cloud nine and it’s not only for winning.  I set a goal and saw it through.  I found myself cooking a week’s worth of food every Sunday and going down grocery aisles that only healthy people stroll.  I pushed myself physically. I stayed focused, surrounded myself with positive people and resisted temptation at every corner.  Only time shall tell what my figure future holds!  Click here for the complete blog.

M.Y. March 2008

Get In Shape Girl

Posted on by
Reply

“Get In Shape Girl!”

I’ve always been a competitive person.  I started competing in gymnastics at the age of six. I had practice four times a week, every week. Once I entered middle/high school, that transitioned into cheerleading.  I also was active in track.  Unfortunately, many of the sports I grew up doing are not things that you can do into your adult life.  Unlike basketball, you can’t just throw on a leotard and go bust some flips at a local gym with other people your age.  (My students always thought I was a cool teacher because I would flip for them when they had good behavior).  Even track isn’t the same.  Distant runners have all the fun. There’s a marathon every other weekend. How many hurdles have you seen lined upon the street or how many adults recently have you heard yell, “Go! Stick!”? (I think I’m FloJo at Urban Active and do my own Olympic Trials for the 100).

I was able to perform again a couple of years ago when I danced for the Louisville Fire. That was a blast, I loved being in front of so many people, but I disliked the goofy appearances we were required to do.  So now in my 30s I wondered what else I could do to physically challenge myself.  My new boyfriend’s name is Jim (aka the GYM) and you can find me there on a regular basis.  He’s always been around, but recently we’ve started being more committed.  I love weight lifting, cardio, pilates and classes.  It’s all a thrill.  Over the years, people have asked me when I was going to consider competing in a figure/fitness contest and I always brushed it off – until now!

Officially starting last week, I have started training for a figure competition.  My life like I knew it has permanently changed.  Meals consist of eggs, chicken, oatmeal, vegetables and protein shakes. My refrigerator has never looked so beautiful!  My workouts are more focused.  It will be interesting to see the changes that may occur and if I’ll be ready for my first competition in a couple of weeks.  As I write right now, I’ve already endured my first injury (and it was painful) but like they say, “no pain, no gain”.  I won’t be able to write about it every week here in Onyx, but feel free to check out my blog on my progress – gofigureyeager.blogspot.com.

M.Y. February 2008