Ali's Blog

    Here you can read about my process during training and competing for the NPC Miami Bodybuilding & Figure/Fitness Championships on November 29, 2008.

    One of the greatest accomplishments anyone can achieve is the one where you set your mind to something and you fulfill it.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Title: feelin in the groove

I normally wait a week before I blog, but I felt a need to. My body is so sore. I just can't seem to recover from anything. My legs still hurt from saturday! My abs hurt from monday and my fingers even hurt! i sound like such a cry baby lol. For the first time I really feel in the groove. Like there's no looking back. I'm really really excited about the end of november, but at this moment it seems sooooo far away! i'm weighing in on saturday, so i'll blog more then with some updated numbers. btw, i know i said i was only going to eat fish for protein, but i've only incorporated more of it. I'm sticking with 5oz of chix for lunch and dinner (along with a lovely plate of greens) and 4oz of fish in the afternoon. then i'll go back and forth between fish for lunch and/or dinner, to keep it interesting. My face breaks out so bad when i go through these things..i think its all the oil i consumed in the last few months just coming out of me lol. My goal for saturday is 2 more pounds which would put me at 125. so we'll see.

Saturday October 18, 2008

Title: Another one down

This morning I weighed in @ 127.4. I lost 2 pounds this week, which is right on schedule. I did an hour of cardio on the treadmill every morning and trained 3x this week. My skin is starting to break out because of the lack of certain nutrients. I do eat every 3 hours (about 6 meals a day). But the variety just isn't there. Its the same foods, very bland, very flavorless. My muscles are already getting sore (and staying sore). I really felt it last night trying to sleep. I just can't get comfortable because my body just hurts. Its so funny that I feel this so early on...these are all symptoms of the last 2 weeks or so. I've got so many school projects that are seriously getting overlooked. ugh. But its great that i'm taking some of the toughest courses now in the MBA program (because it'll keep me out of trouble on the weekends). My goal for next Saturday (November 1) is to be at least 125lbs. Realistically I'm not sure. I'm going to switch up the diet a little bit this week to see what happen. I find that fish (tilapia) really works well with my body. Chicken is very meaty but keeps me sustained longer. So we'll see, I've got a lot of tilapia to cook up.

Wednesday October 15, 2008

Title: The numbers are in...

Here goes: 127.8lbs 15% bodyfat. I've got 6.5 weeks to go...this makes it more real and more achievable. Its good to know that I'm not too far away and I actually gained 5lbs of muscle. woo hoo!! I got the lecture about "you should've taken this on day 1" but come on now...lets be honest. thats just to much to handle when you know you've been totally enjoying the past 3 months of laziness.

I think this time around, after the show i'm not going to stop training. I want to try and go through another 2 weeks of prep immediately after to see how it would feel to do 2 shows back to back. I'll take that sunday off and eat disgustingly, but get right back on that monday. i say this now. lol. but when you're on a roll..you don't want to stop. and i know the holidays are going to "fun" lol. its like everything is thrown out the window when i go home. which i love. but i can do a lot of damage in 2 weeks.

Saturday October 11, 2008

Title: holy cow...

Well, I weighed myself this morning (yet to do an official bodyfat) 129.2lbs. Wow, what a difference a strict meal plan and cardio can do to someone. I'm very pleased to see the drop (6lbs) although, I'm no where near I need to be...but I do know its within reach. I'm looking forward to busting my butt this coming week and seeing the results this time next week. My energy level has been ok, I try and keep busy...but I find I get rather irritable around the middle of day (nap time). To all of you who have experienced my "wrath" forgive me. All I can say is you'd be irritable too if all you ate was bland food every 3 hours. And when I mean bland....plain, baked: fish or chicken. PLAIN! egg whites with absolutely no salt.

There's come a point in the training where food literally becomes fuel....still waiting for that day.

Off to do cardio.

Monday October 6, 2008

Title: Let the games begin....

Wow. What a weekend. Lets just say that meal on Thursday wasn't the only calorie-laden food I consumed. Friday was leftovers, Saturday and Sunday...well.. I'm too embarrassed to admit. The treadmill this morning was a familiar place to be. Definitely can't wait to get in the "groove". I spent an hour on there--and it felt great!

No pinch today. 135lbs. I've got some work to do. Did I mention I'm hungry already and I have to wait another hour to eat again. I've tried to eat relatively good and on time during the last few months, and eating the same food so that I wasn't completely shocked this time around. I only miss a larger bowl of oatmeal versus the 1/4 cup (ahem..cooked) I have to eat.

I'll blog more later...

Friday October 3, 2008

Title: A little nervous...

Ok, ok. I gave in. Yesterday I had this mad craving for the worst food imaginable. I knew I should wait til my designated "Cheat Day" but I just couldn't. So I gave in. I won't give out all the details..but I will tell you it involved a chicken wing (or 2) pizza (or 2) and a frito (or 2). ok ok ok. But can I get a high five for not reaching for dessert?

My scheduled start day is actually Monday. Which gives me 7.5 weeks to shred down to contest shape. I was able to do 8 weeks last time...so I'm a little anxious about the even shorter time frame. This means absolutely no cheating. I have no problem following the super strict plan--its more or less pulling me out my current lazy mode. I need to bust my butt for the next 8 weeks.

I'm biting the bullet tomorrow by stepping on the scale and getting that lovely pinch test..you know the one where the trainer grabs all your fat to find out how much you have. Nothing like a big dose of reality to kick start you! My only fear is well...the amount of damage I've done in the last few months of football season.

Which is another thing...football season. Everyone says i'm crazy. How can you give up your beloved chicken wings and booze for 8 weeks of pure hell? I answer back with, "i need this". I need to compete. I love competition. I always have. Plus, I get the entire month of December to catch up.