I don’t know your goals, but I do not know that many people are becoming more aware of their health and wellness. The purpose of this post is to encourage you to love the skin your in, make time for your internal and external well-being, and stay the course. In no way do I promote you looking like me, as my message always was and always will be to be your best YOU possible, whatever that looks like to you!
My point here: change takes T.I.M.E. and consistency; Ditch the “I want fast results” mindset. With that, I’d have no material for this post!
Picture A: 6 months post baby #4; 5 cardio classes a week; NO resistance training; in a caloric deficit
{Insert TWO YEARS}
Picture B: 2 months in to my weight training plan. I was a newbie in the Workout Center. I hung up my cardio bunny hat and got under the bar, learning to focus on form and lift one rep at a time; I was doing some cardio; Eating at maintenance; Lifting free weights 3-5x a week
{Insert TWO MORE YEARS}
Picture C: I had lifted weights consecutively for 24 months. I do body-part splits (example: legs on a day, back/shoulders on a day, 2 Rest Days, etc.) I had been with a Coach for one full year who guided my workouts and monitored my nutrition. She had prepped me for the 2014 NPC Figure Bodybuilding season where I took 12 weeks to diet down in a caloric deficit and I was in transition to another show and another Coach, Brooke Erickson, at this point. I was being Reverse Dieted and slowly adding calories back in as we prepped for the National-Level North Americans Bodybuilding Competition in August 2014. My lifting was and still is 5 times weekly, 2 Rest Days, and a few sessions of HIIT, Interval, or Steady State cardio. {Just a few!}
The biggest factor in ALL three seasons of my life was my Nutrition. I started tracking my food from Day One in October 2009 on my journey. I eat a lot of food, but within my own self imposed low sugar, higher fiber guidelines. I also focus on getting 8+ hours of sleep a night and drink at least a gallon of water each day. It’s a system.
I whole-heartedly promote resistance training and moderate cardio. My ways may not be your ways, but I can say that whatever goals you have or plan you are working, just keep going. Consistency is your best friend. Show up and work your plan with 110% effort.
And we all have a Day One!
You may have hiccups and not hit your workouts or nutrition on plan {that is life!}, but when you ARE on, be ON!
Give it your all, time and again!
There is no secret, there is no easy button. It’s truly just like living in the movie “Groundhog Day”, but actually enjoying every part of it. Make if fun, meet new people, challenge yourself, involve your family, focus on one workout and day at a time.
Get new workout shoes. Wear a cute top. Get a Coach or seek accountability. Whatever it takes to keep you engaged, just.keep.going.
Be your biggest fan. Your body will follow your mind’s lead!
Where am I today? Well I’m in a building season and growing my lady curves (behind the scenes!) I’ll start dieting down this summer for a local Indy show in August 2015 and then be ready for North Americans in September in Pittsburgh, PA one week later!
-Mindy
Email: [email protected]