Hello friends and welcome to my new blog series! This series will follow my journey to my first National NPC show and my second bikini competition! Here I will express my feelings on how I am progressing, helpful tips and useful information for competitors in the same shoes, and much more. I will also touch on my diet, workout regimen, and all the things that need to be done to prepare for a national level show!
Where to begin
To start this blog off I am going to touch on my last competition, the couple weeks I took “off”, and the prep that I am currently in.
My previous competition was on September 24th, where I placed 1st in novice, open, and overall bikini. Since I competed in a national qualifying show and place top 
two, I qualified to compete in a national level show. When I started this prep four months ago for my first show I had no idea that I would qualify, let alone attempt to compete in a national level show in the same year, let alone ever. After I won my show my coach told me that I had what it takes to compete in a higher level show. She then told me that there was one national show left in the season and if I wanted to go for it I would have to start another prep to get ready immediately.
After many days of contemplation I decided that it would be silly for me not to take advantage of the opportunity that I was given. After my first show there was exactly 7 weeks until the national show. The first week in I slothed around, let my body rest, and took advantage of the extra carbs that I introduced back into my diet. I increased my carbs to approximately 90-100g/day that week. I did a small amount of cardio and just got in my normal strength training sessions. The following week, week 6, I got back to my normal workout and cardio regimen. I did 60 minutes of cardio for the week and I increased my carbs once again. I moved up to 100-120g/ day which felt like so much to me since I was used to eating way under 80 during the 2 weeks previous to my show. My body finally started feeling a little better and my energy increased. I was killing it in the gym when I lifted but with the increased carbs I knew I had to be careful with putting on weight. This past week, week 5, I increased my cardio to 125 minutes (5 x 25 minutes/week). During this 25 minutes of cardio I do 10 minutes of Plyos/Hitt and 15 minutes on a machine usually. If I have enough energy to spare I will do a Plyo/Hitt session which might include sprints, sled pushes, and DrossFit styled WODs. If I feel tired I usually just do 25 minutes on the stairmaster and sweat out the pain.
Right now I am doing the same cardio as previously 5 x 25 minutes/ week. The main difference is that I decided to implement carb cycling into my diet. I am two weeks into my cycle and it is going well so far. If any of you read my first blog series, you will recall my attempt at carb cycling. After about a week of it I doubted myself and my calculations and I decided that it would be a safer route for me to stick with what I knew. I love my high carb days, but the second day of the double low carb day really gets to me. If you are in the same boat right now, just remember to keep pushing and to not give up!
What’s the Plan
With being less than four weeks out now, I must get every workout in and push myself further and harder than I did in my previous prep. My competing mentality seems to be caught in this loop of highs and lows, which has started to screw with my mind a bit. For starters, being on a carb cycle makes some days easier than others. One day I have tons of motivation and energy and the next day my joints hurt and I don’t want to get out of bed. This is when mental toughness and determination comes into play. Late nights have become an issue as well. I have an obsession with just staring into the fridge and sometimes I give into the cravings. When I cave in it is usually spoonful of peanut butter, a handful of almonds, or other “heathy” snacks. I know these decisions are messing with my fat loss but I believe that listening to my body and feeding it a little extra is worth it sometimes.
I think that this will be my last week of carb cycling before I really begin a hard cut. With some advice from my coach, I am going to drop my carbs down for the last 3 weeks with a few refeeds in between. When carbs drop so low it is very important to consume them before and after workouts to provide energy to your body. It is also important to incorporate refeeds to re-amp your metabolism. This week I am switching from IIFYM to an actual meal plan that does not vary much from day to day. This will help me stay on top of everything with more ease and keep me more accountable. No more planning out daily meals because it will already be done! Going hard in the meal prep!
Progress and Expectations
I started my bikini prep transformation at the beginning of July in 2016 with a starting weight at 125.6 at a 17.5% BF. Through my 12 week prep I slowly 
decreased weight and increased lean mass. My final weight at the end of my prep on show day was 115. I was very happy with my results. After taking a couple weeks to recuperate and get my carbs and energy back up I was sitting at around 117. The increased weight is from holding more water due to using creatine, increasing my sodium intake, and having a more flexible diet that includes foods that bloat me.
However, at 5 weeks out I weighed myself and saw that I was at 115.8! I was very excited that I was already down to my stage weight without the water depletion. This progress fueled my fire and reminded me that I can push myself further to bring my best self to the national stage. My end goal is to be between 110-112 pounds on stage day. A leanness that once I never thought could be achieved to be honest! It is amazing what your body can accomplish once you decide to stop giving up and put in the work!
My meal Plan
Below is a very basic outline of 
my diet that I am using this week. I will most likely substitute certain meals in and out due to time and work. I will also alter each meal by adding in carbs such as sweet potato, oats, rice, and starchy veggies during my moderate and high carb days. Most of these carbs will be structured around the meals before and after my workout and breakfast.
Meal 1: 6 eggs/ 1 whole egg/ veggies/ 30g oats (ex. veggie omelet)
Meal 2: 5 oz. chicken/ 10 almonds/ veggies (ex. chicken, cauliflower, veggie stir- fry)
Meal 3: 5 oz. chicken/ 10 almonds / veggies (ex. chicken salad/ veggies)
Meal 4: 5 oz. fish/ 10 almonds/ veggies (ex. lettuce wrap tacos/ veggies)
Meal 5: 1 scoop of protein powder/ yogurt or water (ex. Protein yogurt, smoothie, milk shake)
Supplements
My supplements have increased since my last show. I decided that it wouldn’t hurt and might possibly help to add in some additional supplements. My supplement routine during these next 4 weeks will consist of:
- A Multi- Vitamin
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B12
- Fish Oil
- Glucosamine
- BCAA
- BCAA powder (cut 2 weeks out)
- CLA
- Creatine Monohydrate (cut 2 weeks out)
- Fiber
- Protein Powder (cut 2 weeks out)
All the other things
I decided to reuse my bikini since I have only worn it once before and they cost a mini fortune in the first place. I plan on buying some fake boob add-ins for my suit so I have a little more to work with. I am also going to apply my own tan again and use Pro Tan for the color. I loved the color on me and it maintained very well plus ill save about $140. I am reusing my shoes and most of my jewelry but I did buy some new bracelets and rings for a bit more bedazzle.
Having done a competition before has really given me a piece of mind when it comes to thinking and worrying about little things. The main concerns that I have for this trip are the process of making the trip to Miami. For one, I have never been to Miami and the area will be new to me. I plan on arriving Tuesday that way I have time to relax and make sure I have all the food and supplies that I will need for the week. Getting together a hotel, plane tickets, and everything else has been a headache. As of this moment I have my registration completed and sent in and I booked a studio apartment in downtown Miami for the week. Plane tickets and small purchases are all that are left for the most part!
NOTE TO SELF: Compete closer to home next time. Doing so will away all the added expenses and time that travel adds!
Measurements: 10.22.16
• Height: 5’3
• Weight: 116
• Arm (biceps): 9 3/4 in
• Chest: 31 1/4 in
• Bust: 32 ¼ in
• Waist: 25 in
• Hips: 30 1/4 in
• Booty: 32 1/4 in
• Thighs: 20 in
• Calves: 13 1/4 in
Goals for the week:
STAY ON TOP OF EVERYTHING- Stay mentally tough and keep up the positivity!
Pose 5x/ week (my posing needs HELP)
Cardio 5x/ week
Buy plane tickets
Meal prep for the week and plan accordingly
As for now, I am going to keep fighting through this carb-less brain funk that I am stuck in and keep pushing through! I am making a promise to myself and to you that I will try my hardest during these next 4 weeks to create my best self! I cannot wait to see how far I can push this month!
Last but not least, thank you for following my journey as a fight my way to the National stage. I already have butterflies! Can it just be Nationals yet? I wouldn’t mind laying on a beach at the moment. Until next time.
