Let's talk about......

Admit it, Salt-N-Pepa just cued in your head ;) lol  I always want to have stuff on this blog that people want to hear.  I can babble on about anything but if you are reading, there's *something* you are looking for but I can't know what that is if you don't tell me.

So per my Facebook post, here's what you wanted to hear (in no particular order....)

1. My workouts & how much time I spend in the gym?

Without getting into my program specifics, I will tell you that I'm training 5 days.  I do body part splits meaning that I will train "parts."  For example, back & biceps, chest, triceps & core, legs are even split out into glute/hamstring & quad focus.  That changes every 5-6 weeks.  I am doing HIIT (high interval intensity) cardio 3 times a week & have a couple smaller sessions as well.  My gym sessions range from 45ish - 80ish minutes.  3 days longer, 3 shorter & one rest day.

Do I get tired?  Yes.  My training is hard & can be as hard or as easy as I want it.  And since I want to bring my best physique, I work HARD!  When I leave the gym, I'm pooped & if I had anything left to give, then I didn't work hard enough.

I am smart though.  If I'm supposed to do cardio post training & am feeling too tired, I will do it after work at home.  Cardio can be on machines at the gym or completed by doing circuit training (think Tabata style.)

2. How am I feeling emotionally & physically?

Honestly, I feel AMAZING!!!!! My prep is SO different than it was before.  Let me preface this with mentioning the first show I prepped for was awesome.  My body was a science project & I was put on several different "types" of diets to get ready BUT I felt pretty good leading into the show.  It was with the local coach that things went bad.  EXTREME diet, severe water depletion & diuretics.  BAD BAD BAD.  I rebounded, got depressed, felt horrible...you get the picture.

Now?  I truly feel good.  Mentally, I have to work through training sometimes BUT I can do it & I can push a little harder every day.  Physically, I'm still hitting PRs (yes, at 10 weeks out) so that makes me feel pretty awesome.  I keep saying that I don't even feel like I'm dieting.  Why?  Flexible dieting.  We are permitted (within reason..using good judgement) to eat anything we'd like as long as we fit it in our macros (specific numbers for protein, carbs & fat we are "prescribed.)  So yes, I do have a piece of chocolate daily.  I had some pizza on Sunday with a giant salad.  The only thing I did cut out fully is alcohol (by choice.)

So yep, feeling awesome & leaning out right on track.

3. How to start?

This is SUCH a huge topic so I will cover it another time but easy place to start?  Clean out your cupboards of things that are just too tempting for you OR work on having only a portion of what you'd really like (I prefer this but if you can't do this yet, it's okay...toss it for now!)

And start moving.  Go for a walk....even if it's around the house!  Just move your body!!!!

4. How is this different from the last time?

This is the BIGGEST question that I get only because so many of you witnessed the last process.  The major difference is the diet.  We follow a flexible diet, nothing off limits (within reason), not given a list of foods that we can choose from, etc.  I eat 80% "clean" meaning unprocessed "good" choices but anything coming from a container is processed somehow (almond milk, protein powder, PB, etc.,) you get the picture so I don't focus on the "clean" eating term but just make good choices.  I still use some products from a line that I've used for several years but I also use other products that help keep me at my best.

So, that's that.  Did I miss something?  Want more about anything specific?  Let me know!!!!

Putting it ALL out there!

I've been asked for pictures so I mentioned having a Bodyspace page now because I've entered the BB.com #200ktransform contest.  Well, I've not only uploaded current pictures there but also where I started last April.

Those who are close to me, know the struggles we've faced in the last few years with miscarriages, fertility struggles & such.  The stress, medications, surgeries, procedures, etc, truly affected not only my mind but also my body.  It was a mess.  No matter what I tried, I would find a good flow then lose it again (which means re-gain some weight.)  I supposed I just wasn't ready to fully let it go (cue the song.....)  At any rate, last April I signed up for Lori Harder's 60 Day Transformation contest to get in a new place mentally.  I also attended her Bliss Project with friends in Chicago.  *enter HUUUUUUGE mental shift*  Heather got her groove back!!

As that contest ended, I felt refreshed & wanted to truly start lifting again but started to feel that "stale" feeling I had.  With that, I left a team that I had been a part of for a VERY long time (almost 8 years) & while it was a hard decision to make, it was the right one for me.  Fast forward to a month later, signing up with Team Best Fit Body & the rest is history.

So as you look at my pictures, remember, everyone has a story, a journey if you will.  And we all have to fight to get back to our good place.  If I had to stop today & live where I am, that would be okay but I'm hungry for more ;)

Here's the link to my BodySpace Photo page.  Feel free to follow along!  I will continue to update there as well as here!!

Note:  I sat here staring at this for almost 10 minutes before hitting publish.  It's hard to face reality sometimes of where you've been BUT I know that someone (who may never speak up) will see this & think "wow, I really can do this too" & that will be enough for me!!!

Live well, friends!

12 weeks to go!

So, I'm slacking.  But only in keeping this thing updated.  Everything else is BANG on!!!

New protocols started last week for nutrition & cardio.  New training program starts on Saturday after I wrap up the current 6 week plan.  What I LOOOOOVE about the training is hitting the PRs in the last couple weeks.  KB (husband) actually stopped mid-cardio so he could spot me on squats.  That's support!!!

I've also found a suit that I'm in LOVE with.  It's simple but flashy with stoning & connectors in the right places.  And no, I won't be posting it just yet ;)  In time but if you have my number, I *might* text it to you.  (tease, I know.)

Last week, I was asked about prepping meals, how do I do it, do I spend hours, etc.  NO WAY!  I'm a fast & simple "dieter." I will cook up lean ground meat, portion out for meals & toss in cooked rice (brown or white) & frozen veggies.  Bam. I will also use dinner leftovers for lunches.  Prepping for show (or anything else) can be as hard or as easy as you make it.  I choose easy!  No, we don't have kids but we both work full-time (KB travels weekly for work) & I am in grad school so our extra time will not be spent with me in the kitchen outside of usual meals.

One other thing, I have joined the Bodybuilding.com transformation challenge & will be updating stats, pics, etc over there.  Feel free to find me, friend me, etc over there.  My name on there is fitness_runner!  Current pics are there but since I have them out there, this week I'll post current (tomorrow is check in day) with where I started with this team in June.

Happy Monday!!! Make today great & don't let anyone say you can't!!!!

Still there?

So tell me, what do you want to know?  I'll babble without suggestions too, you know but if there's something you'd like, let me know!!

More tomorrow....