The past 3 days have been all rest for me. I started to feel really tired and under the weather Thursday night. It also was my time of the month 
So being tired, achy, and bloated just comes with the territory. Either way, my body was asking for a break and I did listen.
Friday I did pop into the gym to do some LISS or Low Intensity Steady State Cardio. Basically I walked on a stepmill for 45 mins with my abdominal sweat band on and got some good reading in On days I am lagging I choose to do LISS over HIIT, just to give my body a bit of a break. LISS is another great way to burn fat without losing muscle. It takes longer and is much slower paced, but is just as effective in burning fat.
Over the past year or so, I have made many friends who compete, or are going to compete this year. Few are following the same methods as I am, others have been going the route I wanted to avoid. When someone first suggested that I compete, my immediate answer was no way. Mainly because I viewed the lifestyle as unhealthy. I already knew some former competitors who had done damage to their bodies with the rigorous dieting. I feared metabolic damage as well as not wanting to put myself through the misery of starving myself to win. After talking with many different coaches, trainers, competitors, as well as doing my own research, I realized I could do this a healthier way, if I planned it out right. I knew that if I tried to do this last year, I would not only do damage to my body, but I would also not be stage ready. That was why I decided to do the bulk last year. I gained some muscle, but a ton of fat with it. I was still learning about what macros would work best for me and my calculations were quite off ha ha ha Even when I started my cut in August, I was still not quite where I needed to be macro wise, but I knew I wanted to take it slow and that this was all a learning process.
When I found IIFYM I was skeptical, but willing to learn. I knew I had enough time to experiment with the process. So many claim you have to eat “clean”, eat low fat, eat low carb, high protein, all these different methods to lose fat. I have come to learn it is all untrue and some very unhealthy. Losing fat is all about calorie deficits. If you want to lose, you reduce. If you are looking to gain muscle you increase. Low fat diets hurt your heart health and can cause muscle loss by lowering testosterone levels in your body. Low carb diets typically promote high protein intake. If you are consuming too much protein, you can actually cause damage to your kidneys. The lower carb levels also pose a threat. Does it work for fat loss? Yes, but at a cost. Metabolic damage as well as other health risks. The studies are there. You can read just one by CLICKING HERE .
The measures some go or their coaches have them go to be able to compete absolutely blows my mind. I am floored by how trusting people are. Just because someone calls themselves experts, doesn’t necessarily mean they are. I listen to all advice given to me, but I also research it before implementing anything. I am a mother first and foremost. My health and the example I set for my daughter always come first.
Watching the meals posted on all of the social media outlets and seeing their meal plans is quite shocking to me. I couldn’t imagine not only eating so little, but also not having carbs to fuel my body and mind for rigorous training. Meals like this aren’t bad, but when it is all you eat for 6 meals a day, your calories are too low and your carbs are non existent.
Setting yourself up for an unrealistic lifestyle, teaching your children unhealthy views of food, not to mention causing damage to your health from long term dieting in an unhealthy manner. I am watching several girls doing this method. Yes, they have lost fat and lost it fast.They also have lost the muscle they worked so hard to get. 3 went from planning on competing in figure to switching to bikini. Some have plateaued with no where to go but even lower calories and more cardio. It is really scary to watch.
Some have contacted me about my plan. Wondering if I truly think I will be ready for the stage by eating the way I am. My answer is yes. I may not be losing as fast as they are, but I am purposely taking my time. I am choosing my health over everything. Some think I eat junk all day. LOL It is far from the truth! I eat 80-85% healthy meals everyday. I do indulge everyday as well, but I am on track and it is working. It is a lifestyle that is realistic. To have my daughter ask if I want one of the cookies she baked in her easy bake oven and NOT turn it down. That is the world to me. I am a competitor, but also a mother. I want to be able to share in everyday moments with her, without having to worry about if it will affect my goals. I also don’t want to have her think she is eating or doing something bad, when she isn’t there is nothing wrong with having the occasional cookie or sweet treat!
I was told that I do not have the discipline to be a competitor because I chose the IIFYM lifestyle. I was told I won’t be stage ready. As of yesterday I am 9 weeks out. I am not ready yet, but the package is slowly tightening and coming together. Even with a bloated body, I am still able to see my abs forming. I have friends who have already proven that this lifestyle works for competitors and everyday people alike. It is my first competition and I am still learning what is working best for my body. Will I come in at pro level? Ha ha ha no probably not, but the fact that I have only been training a bit over a year and this is how far I have come, to me speaks measures!
Although my progress is slow, I have maintained much of my muscle. I personally believe come showtime, I will be ready. I am competing novice and overall. I am confident I will place in novice. Hopeful I will place in overall As I said, it is a learning process. I will take what I learn from this year and apply it to making myself better next year. To those who choose to do the other diets, please at least do the research into what not only works best for you, but will keep you healthy. Losing all the fat and being stage ready for one day, isn’t worth risking your health or even your life.
Hope you all have a fabulously fit day!!!
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