Imagine training hard for a competition, for about 16 weeks. That's 4 months folks. Yes, 4 months of diligent training and cardio, disciplined eating, anticipated "cheat meals", and the wonderful anti-social life one becomes rather accustomed to.
This is my life about 2 times a year. I choose my competitions very carefully because I like to also give myself room to live a little. Training for these things is obviously very restricting.
But you know what...some shit always happens to me. Always. It's like the Gods (or Goddesses) put me through a test or something. Every time I'm close to a competition, a new challenge in my life appears. It usually involves finances.
This year, the car broke down. I took it for an oil change at a location that shall remain nameless until I decide what I want to do with them, and 5 minutes after I drove off, my car was smoking everywhere. It also wouldn't accelerate. The car is still all messed up and I am now forced to keep a rental car. The money that's supposed to go toward the very last details of my competition (hair, nails, tanning, food, travel, entry fees, etc.) are all being eaten up by the damn rental.
Why oh why is this happening to me?!!! I am so close to just saying f**k it and not doing the show on April 3rd. I am just so overwhelmed by the stress factor.
What do you guys think? Should I just find a way around this? Or just wait till next time?
By the way, I'm looking FIERCE! Pics coming soon!
What's in my competition day bag?
Some of you who follow my facebook updates may have noticed the teeth/stomach aching posts with photo of my "goodie bag". This is my special bag filled with nothing but sweets and items that I love but can't have during my contest prep. Even though that's the first thing I make sure I pack, it is certainly not the only thing that I have to make sure I add to my bags for show time.
I'm huge on learning from mistakes and making sure I work with the knowledge I gained from them. Last year while I was getting ready to compete at the Atlantic States I made several boo-boos - one being leaving way too late the evening before the show, and waking up extremely tired and in a horrib
le mood.
This year I plan on leaving way earlier so this means I have to be extremely thorough with my needs for the next few days leading to stage time.
I hope this post gives those of you who are competing soon some ideas...and if you think there's something I need, feel free to comment and let me and my readers know!
So here are some things I bring with me:
*** Skincare tips - treat this as you would your wedding day or that one other special event. You do not want to mess around and get a facial or start a new skincare regime the week leading up to the show. It might turn into a disaster!
So what's in your competition bag? Did I miss anything?
I'm huge on learning from mistakes and making sure I work with the knowledge I gained from them. Last year while I was getting ready to compete at the Atlantic States I made several boo-boos - one being leaving way too late the evening before the show, and waking up extremely tired and in a horrib
le mood.This year I plan on leaving way earlier so this means I have to be extremely thorough with my needs for the next few days leading to stage time.
I hope this post gives those of you who are competing soon some ideas...and if you think there's something I need, feel free to comment and let me and my readers know!
So here are some things I bring with me:
- Competition Suit- aside bringing my own, I also bring an extra one or two. You just never know who might be in need of one or what might happen. Helping others backstage, despite the competitive mentality, is always in my mind
- Shoes - don't we all love those clear 6" heels? I also bring an extra pair or 2
- Bottle of Pro Tan- for touch-ups in case it's needed
- Bikini Bite- always always have this handy. The last thing you need is to have your ass or boob pop out of your suit and pull a Janet Jackson on everyone
- Suit Fixer Uppers - I keep a kit with various size crystals, glue, safety pins, etc.
- Resistance Bands - very helpful to warm up backstage. It also helps the nerves!
- Jewelry - earrings, bracelets, and all your stage bling
- Make up - most of us do our makeup or have it done prior to the show but please be sure to have the appropriate items for touch-ups. Also, DO NOT FORGET your false lashes. These are very very important to open up your eyes since the stage lighting is so harsh and bright.
- Wipes - I always bring baby wipes with me because they are such a multi-purpose item (makeup removal, to clean up suit, when toilet paper runs out...lol)
- Appropriate clothing - ladies, why oh why do you insist on trying to wear a cute outfit backstage to only have it ruined with pro tan? Bring loose fitting clothes, preferably black, and slippers!
- Toiletries - bring your deodorant, toothpaste, razors (you never know when your hair might decide to make an appearance) and other toiletries just in case. Remember, most of us take our last shower the day prior to the show so by the time this is all over, we don't smell so nice and pretty.
- Hair accessories and tools
- Full length mirror
- Tampons/Sanitary pads - Mother Nature has its way of showing up when uninvited
- Snacks/Food
- Ipod - helps you relax backstage!
*** Skincare tips - treat this as you would your wedding day or that one other special event. You do not want to mess around and get a facial or start a new skincare regime the week leading up to the show. It might turn into a disaster!
So what's in your competition bag? Did I miss anything?
Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
My diet has changed drastically I'd say. Comparing from my first years as a competitor to now, I'd become accustomed to cooking! I used to rely on protein shakes, meal replacements and such to get my nutritional needs while dieting. Right now, I'm enjoying foods like it's my birthday!
My absolute favorite meal right now has got to me my baked chicken breasts, sweet potatoes and lettuce. I be tearing it up.
Since I'm not yet at the point that I have cut out my sodium intake, the way I make my chicken makes me look forward to another meal. Had I not been able to season my chicken, this post would not exist. LOL.
So here's what I do with my chicken. I like to buy the boneless chicken strips by the way. I am lazy and hate cutting meat. I don't know...just grosses me out.
I place my chicken in a container and sprinkle it with Meat Tenderizer. I season enough to last me a couple of days.
Once I'm ready to cook it, I add some McCormick's Lemon & Pepper seasoning (salt free). This gives my chicken such good flavor!
The baking itself doesn't take long...less than 30 minutes for about 8 - 10 strips.
While the chicken is baking, I take a sweet potato, run it under water, and then throw it in the microwave anywhere between 4 - 7 minutes, depending on the size.
When it's all ready, I smash it, add a sprinkle of salt, get my chicken, and enjoy!
Oh, I cut up some Iceberg lettuce, add vinegar and throw in the mix.
For someone who's dieting and hasn't tasted "real" food in a while, this is like the one thing I look forward to on a daily basis. I eat this about 3 times a day and I have not grown tired of it!
If you are starting out on a diet or simply want to lose some weight, I highly suggest this! I promise you will love it!
My absolute favorite meal right now has got to me my baked chicken breasts, sweet potatoes and lettuce. I be tearing it up.
Since I'm not yet at the point that I have cut out my sodium intake, the way I make my chicken makes me look forward to another meal. Had I not been able to season my chicken, this post would not exist. LOL.
So here's what I do with my chicken. I like to buy the boneless chicken strips by the way. I am lazy and hate cutting meat. I don't know...just grosses me out.
I place my chicken in a container and sprinkle it with Meat Tenderizer. I season enough to last me a couple of days.
Once I'm ready to cook it, I add some McCormick's Lemon & Pepper seasoning (salt free). This gives my chicken such good flavor!
The baking itself doesn't take long...less than 30 minutes for about 8 - 10 strips.
While the chicken is baking, I take a sweet potato, run it under water, and then throw it in the microwave anywhere between 4 - 7 minutes, depending on the size.
When it's all ready, I smash it, add a sprinkle of salt, get my chicken, and enjoy!
Oh, I cut up some Iceberg lettuce, add vinegar and throw in the mix.
For someone who's dieting and hasn't tasted "real" food in a while, this is like the one thing I look forward to on a daily basis. I eat this about 3 times a day and I have not grown tired of it!
If you are starting out on a diet or simply want to lose some weight, I highly suggest this! I promise you will love it!
Random thoughts...
I'm exhausted. I didn't sleep well last night...couldn't get my mind off of things. But they were all good thoughts. I was thinking about how incredible it feels to have someone in your life who elevates you and who sees more potential in you than you see in yourself. It just feels so great to have someone who gives you unconditional support, who listens, who appreciates being listened to, who absorbs, processes, and then recites the points you've tried to get across in his own words.
It's good to have someone who doesn't judge you for your mistakes but who rather sees them as stepping stones, something to learn from, something you can take with you and turn it into a more positive outcome.
It's also great to have someone who makes you laugh...someone who, despite taking life serious, knows how to humor it cuz let's face it, life is funny sometimes.
So do you know someone like this? Do you have someone or several someones who fit this profile?
I do!!! :)
It's good to have someone who doesn't judge you for your mistakes but who rather sees them as stepping stones, something to learn from, something you can take with you and turn it into a more positive outcome.
It's also great to have someone who makes you laugh...someone who, despite taking life serious, knows how to humor it cuz let's face it, life is funny sometimes.
So do you know someone like this? Do you have someone or several someones who fit this profile?
I do!!! :)
Arnold pics and training updates.
The 2010 Arnold Classic came and went and it was by far the most fun I've ever had. I've gone to the Arnold year after year, but for about 2 years in a row, I just wasn't into it, or into competing. Even though this year I had been going back and forth on going, at the very last minute I decided, along with my friend Tracy, that...what the hell, I've had a rough couple of weeks and needed to get away. So I did. And boy am I glad. I needed to take my mind off of this depressive state of mind after losing my father. I was feeling very alone and instead of sitting around moping, I decided to get out.I arrived early Friday morning and went straight to the expo. I was immediately tied down at the rxmuscle booth and I was happy to assist! It was an interesting experience nonetheless to meet people you know by screen names and shake their hand in real life. I also had the opportunity to re-connect with so many competitors I hadn't seen in a while, as well as make new friends in the industry. One of those happens to be IFBB Figure Pro Ann Titone and her husband, Jack Titone, who run the Jacked Up Divas team. I absolutely love his training philosophy, not to mention his sense of humor. The ladies, including my lovely friends Tracy and Ali, all look absolutely fabulous! To check out my Arnold fun pics, click on the photo above.
When I got back home, I was supposed to resume Garrett's plan of cutting cardio down drastically. I have to say that I freaked out. I took some photos early that Monday and was really down because of some feedback I got. I know Garrett knows my body and how it responds so I had to really focus on what HE was telling me and shut everyone else out for a little bit. People who compete need to really rely on ONE person for guidance, otherwise, you will drive yourself crazy by hearing all sorts of feedback - do this, do that, try eating this, or that. But in any case, I'm so glad I followed Garrett's advice...slowed down on the cardio, cut calories a bit, dropped carbs, and just took last week to train hard.
Toward the end of the week I could totally see a HUGE difference in tightness and leanness. I would love to show photos but I think I'll wait and keep ya'll guessing. Hehehe.
So right now I'm feeling pretty comfortable and confident about things. I am also aware that I am not perfect and that there are some body parts I can't change - my booty (thanks again, mom) or my tiny genetically ungifted calves, for example - but I'm trying my best to modify them to be stage ready. Aside from that, there is nothing else I can do but hope that my hard work has paid off.
I will keep you guys posted as far as competition is concerned! And don't forget to check out my website - www.sweetcapri.com.
See ya'll soon!
Hello, my name is SweetCapri and...
I just got an INTERVENTION! It wasn't much after I sent out my website updates - www.sweetcapri.com/updates.htm, and some photos to my trainer that I got an email from him. I freak out when I get emails from Garrett that are rather lengthy and detailed. This was one of those. That means he notices something is not on track. But I'm thinking...I'm doing all this damn cardio so I KNOW I'm lean ...what could be wrong? How about TOO much cardio? Yup, I have been doing so much cardio, that I am burning way too much muscle and I am starting to look skimpy and not as tight. Uggh. I keep hearing about the massive amounts of cardio other women do when they are training for a competition so I'm thinking I need to do the same. I never did that much in the past. I tried it last year, and it was ok, but I had to cut it down tremendously towards the last few weeks. I have a feeling the same is going to happen this year. Doing that much cardio does nothing for me, especially if my calories are very low.
I was told by my friend Stephanie Villers, who looked at some of my photos on facebook, that I didn't look as muscular as I did in the past. She was right. I think I have burned way too much muscle and I'm praying this week I can slow it down a bit. I was doing so much that I'm actually embarrassed to disclose the amount. :(
Thankfully Garrett caught it on time...and has made some significant adjustments to my diet and training, including a rest day. Yup, a mandatory day OFF. I wasn't resting at all!
But I agree...doing that much cardio on an empty stomach first thing in the morning was killing me. I would leave the gym feeling weak and shitty, and starving! I was hungry all day long...which led me to crave crap that I wasn't supposed to eat...especially at night. When I trained for the 05 New England's, the year I won the overall title, I was actually pretty happy and cheerful all throughout my diet. I mean, yeah those low carb days came but they went real fast, meaning I wasn't a cranky mess all day long. I also did at the most, 45 min. of cardio if I recall. It seemed to work well for my body.
I will update you guys with some pics hopefully by the middle of the week and make note of any progress and/or changes in my body.
Questions and comments always welcomed!
I was told by my friend Stephanie Villers, who looked at some of my photos on facebook, that I didn't look as muscular as I did in the past. She was right. I think I have burned way too much muscle and I'm praying this week I can slow it down a bit. I was doing so much that I'm actually embarrassed to disclose the amount. :(
Thankfully Garrett caught it on time...and has made some significant adjustments to my diet and training, including a rest day. Yup, a mandatory day OFF. I wasn't resting at all!
But I agree...doing that much cardio on an empty stomach first thing in the morning was killing me. I would leave the gym feeling weak and shitty, and starving! I was hungry all day long...which led me to crave crap that I wasn't supposed to eat...especially at night. When I trained for the 05 New England's, the year I won the overall title, I was actually pretty happy and cheerful all throughout my diet. I mean, yeah those low carb days came but they went real fast, meaning I wasn't a cranky mess all day long. I also did at the most, 45 min. of cardio if I recall. It seemed to work well for my body.
I will update you guys with some pics hopefully by the middle of the week and make note of any progress and/or changes in my body.
Questions and comments always welcomed!
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