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Monday, July 30, 2012

Anyone Can Do This

I used to think I'd never be able to compete in Figure.

I thought I lacked the work ethic, the dedication, the determination.


I thought I wouldn't be able to balance school, work, and competing.

I knew it was tough. I knew I was tough. I just didn't think I could be tough enough.

For those of you who are like me and are intimidated by the thought of competing, don't be. Once you get used to it, it can become second nature.

Instead of grabbing my purse and a coffee and heading out the door to class, then work, I pack & bring this:

 
That is Max's grandmother's purse. Inside is a gigantic lunch box containing all of my meals for the day, a reusable water bottle with a built-in filter, and a shaker cup full of coffee.

Having all of my meals pre-planned down to the gram every day actually saves time, too. I don't have to add up macros or plan meals: I just pack my tupperware. Easy-peasy.

And if you doubt your ability to stick to a diet - if I can do it, anyone can do it. Besides, the results will keep you motivated and focused. 


Max and I both always had this idea that prepping was absolute hell, almost unbearable, and made your entire life a struggle. I took the dive first, and when he saw how decent my experience has been this far, he decided to compete, too. Sure, it's hard, but everything in life is hard.

If you are like me and want to compete but are nervous, take my word for it and just go for it. You will be amazed by what you can do.


PS: I do not endorse competing for everyone. Those with a history of disordered eating or a propensity towards that type of activity/mindset should definitely be very, very cautious. For more on this topic, please see HLR's comment below! :)

37 comments:

  1. You are so very right. I'm still very new to this, but I've already found that the progress I've made gets highlights in some way on the days I'm feeling less-motivated and it helps me keep pushing.

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    1. Isn't it amazing - it always seems like just when my motivation is waning, someone says just the right thing.

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  2. I love this. It just makes me want to turn 18 faster so I can compete! You clearly represent what "dedication" stands for Sable. :)

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  3. hmm I'm not sure everyone can do it, but I'm not sure that's necessarily a bad thing.
    I think a lot of people who do this have recovered from (or even still in the throes) of disordered eating thinking (certainly from the blogs I have read).
    To do this your eating does have to be disordered (which is not the same as disorganised!) in a certain way and you have to have very tight control over your impulses.

    Of course this type of disordered eating is much healthier than anorexia,bulimia or binge eating but I still think that it should be acknowledged it's not "normal" eating and a lot of people struggle post competition to allow themselves to regain weight to a healthy female body fat level.

    Please don't take this comment the wrong way as a criticism or a downer as I love reading your blog and watching your journey. It's just something that has been niggling away at the back of my brain as I read these blogs leading up to competitions.

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    1. I think this is a valid point and I get a sense of it too from several blogs I read - the key is whether post-competition a person is able to 'let things go' more, or whether that same drive and tight control lingers to pervade every area of their everyday life. To me I know I do not have the willpower/discipline to compete, and I do think that a restricting past might 'help' with that - not in a critical way, but it gave me pause for thought...

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    2. This is a very good point. I have written in the past about the distinction between prepping and an eating disorder - although I have gained quite a few followers since then who probably have not seen those posts.

      I definitely don't think it's a good idea for EVERYONE to prep - I should have mentioned that & will probably add a footnote to that effect. It can definitely be a downward spiral for some and I don't think anyone who is not 100% recovered should attempt it - it's too risky.

      Thank you for this comment!!

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  4. I'm not planning to compete but I am really attracted to the preparation that goes into all of this. I feel like anyone could achieve whatever goal they have if they adapted the mindset and organization that figure competitors have when prepping for a show to suit their specific goals. It can be easy to eat right and get your workouts in if you make it easy for yourself, right? Way to get after it! I'm so inspired.

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    1. Thanks so much Kate!!! Exactly - I try to make it as easy as possible for myself. haha!

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  5. I had the exact same feelings when I first started prepping for this first show. I love to eat and cook so I thought it would be the hardest thing I ever did. Although I've had a few too many cheat meals along the way (ahem), it really hasn't been nearly as bad as I expected. I get to eat foods that I actually like and normally ate, but in smaller portions and prepared differently Planning is everything and takes out all the guessing and lessens your chances for wanting to cheat. Tupperware is our friend! I'm happy to know I'm not the only one walking around with a huge bag all the time :)

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    1. Exactly! I normally eat chicken, tilapia, salmon, and olive oil... I'm just eating less. Not a huge deal!

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  6. Does Max's grandmother know you've got her purse? ;)

    I wish I could have the self-discipline you display - you do make it look easy but to my mind it still requires a lot of focus and work. Pre-planning everything in itself must be tricky...or perhaps I just don't have a very co-ordinated brain :P

    You and Max could both win competitions already, I am sure. You're probably one of the blogsphere's most beautiful couples.

    xxx

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    1. She sure does! (did? she passed away in March.) I have like 10 of them. lol!

      It's really not - my diet is written out and I keep it right in my kitchen so I just fill up the tupperwares and label them so I eat them in the right order. If it wasn't for that I'd be all over the place but keeping everything in the kitchen helps!

      Thank you SO much. Sometimes I feel like I'm not pretty enough to be with him :/

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  7. I think its great that you believed in yourself & planned accordingly to meet your goals!! Thats the way to get them accomplished girl!

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  8. My planning is good, but you take yours to an epic-ly awesome level. If it weren't for my loose skin on my lower stomachs from birthing child-spawns, I would seriously think about competing. Yet my inability to compete sure does heighten my cake-eating prospects... don't look at me like that. I'm trying to create a positive spin here.

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  9. "Sure, it's hard, but everything in life is hard."

    I love that, it reminded me of something dean karnazes (ultramarathon man) said:

    “Most people never get there. They're afraid or unwilling to demand enough of themselves and take the easy road, the path of least resistance. But struggling and suffering, as I now saw it, were the essence of a life worth living. If you're not pushing yourself beyond the comfort zone, if you're not constantly demanding more from yourself--expanding and learning as you go--your choosing a numb existence. Your denying yourself an extraordinary trip.”

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  10. Totally agree with you. I'm not prepping for competition or actually lifting anything heavier than my 6year old for that matter, but meal planning, shopping right and prepping meals is ESSENTIAL and I would say 50% of the reason I can now stick to a weight loss plan at the moment.

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    1. Absolutely!! <Meal planning is where it's at!! haha

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  11. Meal planning is the way to go, millions of plastic containers and all! I find it also makes life cheaper as my budget is similar week to week or whatever.

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    1. Absolutely!! I have 5x more tupperware than plates/bowls :-X

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  12. I love the way you've been talking about competition prep. You still have healthy perspective; it's not wrecking your life. Some people make comp prep sound like being awake during surgery...or something equally awful...maybe THOSE people shouldn't be doing it..

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    1. Than you so much Sara!! I agree - if it makes you ,iserable don't do it!! I do definitely understand having a bad week or two here or there of course but the good should outweigh the bad!

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  13. I'm not going to lie... Seeing you go through this has shown me that I think I could do it too. Whether I actually want to is another question, but at least now I don't see it as an impossibility!

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    1. Thank you so much Stephanie!! If you ever have ANY questions, please feel free to email any time! <3

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  14. While I do not plan to ever compete in figure I'm SO LOVING reading all these posts. The human body fascinates me and bodybuilding is so... scientific. It's fun watching the transformation. (And thanks for adding the ED warning - I def. agree with HLR...)

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    1. I'm so glad Charlotte!! <3 I love the absolute science & math of my progress too - it's so interesting!

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  15. oh yes..takes focus, and also have to be prepared to basically form your life around the show when it comes close to it. Everything has to be precooked and preplanned...I have to admit it can be hardto find a baance the first time around. I also am a HUGE advocate for having a healthy relationship with food. If one has a past of an eating disorder and may have certain triggers, then competing is certainly not the right route! You ahve to be OKAY with the fact that this is a hobby and it is all for a goal. You do not eat, train or look the way you do on stage year round. I love the advice and insight you give!!

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    1. Definitely! I think this process has cleared up my relationship with food a little bit - I no longer look to it for comfort. Of course, who knows what the next 6.5 (O_O) weeks will bring but hey - one day at a time right?! :)

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  16. I work in a bakery, surrounded by sweet-smelling, delicious cupcakes and decorating custom cakes. For someone with a sweet-tooth, it's a dream job, but in the midst of contest-prep, it's a nightmare.

    You are so right about the amount of discipline and dedication it takes; and if you want it badly enough, cupcakes don't even appetizing. As I prep for my 3rd show, being prepared and focused, like you mentioned, is key.

    Can't wait to see pics of you on stage!!

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    1. I am definitely glad I'm not working in a bakery right now haha. Although I suspect you're right - when you're hungrier for your goals than for a cupcake, it has no power over you!

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  17. This post is very inspiring, not just for someone who wants to compete, but anyone who wants to try something they may love but is going to be hard. If it wasn't hard, it wouldn't be worth it! You are going to rock your competition, Sable. You work so hard and I know that your dedication will pay off. Thanks for taking all of your readers along your journey so far, it's so interesting to learn about your lifestyle and I love how honest you are.

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    1. Thank you so much Allie!! You are so sweet =)

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  18. Thank you for this post! I'm seriously considering training for a figure competition (I've been talking with Laura at sprint2thetable, and she's directed me to several of your posts when I've had various questions), and it is great to hear messages like this! I'm a little overwhelmed by it all at the moment and it DOES seem beyond my abilities, but that doesn't mean I can't try--it sounds like it just becomes easier (mentally/schedule-wise, not necessarily physically ;D ) and that is SO good to know!

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    1. Hey!!! Thank you so much for stopping by & commenting! =) It really does become easier. You can adapt to almost anything...and you'll look back a few weeks in and think, "Why was I so nervous about this?" I promise :D

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