A few folks stated that they want me to remain transparent about the contest prep process.
So here goes.
I am three and a half weeks out and my diet is pretty extreme.
That is the nature of the beast. Some people - those with speedy metabolisms, or bodies that respond well / are naturally lean - may be able to consume large amounts of calories this close to a show. I am not one of them.
That is certainly not to say that I'm eating 800 calories a day and doing 2 hours of cardio - that's not the case, although I have heard of it (and witnessed the devastating effects). I wouldn't jeopardize my health. But I'm certainly not eating enough to sustain my activity level, which is kind of the point.
Everything from steak to egg whites to vegetables gets measured.
Between cooking my food (tilapia, chicken breast, lean steak, sweet potatoes, veggies) and Max's food (chicken breast tenderloin, oatmeal - he sucks at making his own, eggs, ground bison), I'm in the kitchen for at least an hour and a half a day.
I get crap for being "too skinny," "bony," and even "gross" at work. (You try explaining what a bikini competition is to your 73-year-old Yugoslavian bosses. Just try.)
My weight loss process for this show has not consisted of intuitive eating, eyeballing, or guessing. Being very precise has allowed me to lose fifteen pounds in the past thirteen weeks. (Weight control can definitely be achieved via intuitive eating, but I don't know of any physique competitors who utilize that type of approach.) That type of precision is why you don't see bikini, fitness, figure, physique, or women's bodybuilding competitors looking stage-ready year-round.
Getting stage-ready requires extreme measures (for most, but certainly not all, competitors) -- measures that no one can keep up 365 days a year unless they do so at the expense of their health.
And that's why, if you are on the precipice of an eating disorder or have just recovered or fear relapse, you should stay far, far, far away from contest prep. Prepping could easily morph into an eating disorder.
I admire you so much <3 my comments are getting repetitive, but it takes such a strong person to do this and deal with all the other outside drama you've got going on. I know I could handle a contest prep diet, but the questions and comments from other people would drive me crazy.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Tara!! Honestly the, "Do you have an eating disorder?" "Why are you trying to lose weight? You shouldn't/don't need to" / "Why are you eating that?" / "Well can't you just have a bite of [muffin/donut/whatever]?" is the most frustrating part. I just want to say, "I got this. Worry about your own life!"
DeleteYou`re doing your readers a great service by being forth-coming and honest about the unusual sacrifices and measures you`ve undertaken to reach your goals. We read so many blogs where they make this seem like a cake-walk (sometimes literally!) and in the end it just makes the "strivers" feel like losers. We're all rooting for you :-)
ReplyDeleteAHHH that is exactly what I was trying to put into words when I was writing about wanting to continue to be honest about what prepping takes... I have spent YEARS reading these blogs written by girls who are like, "I ate 2,500 calories yesterday and did no cardio and I still have abs!" Great for them, and I LOVE those bloggers as people, but I think they are the exception, not the norm. And I used to feel like crap about myself because I was like, "What's wrong with me?! Why can't I do that?!"
DeleteReally really glad you're continuing to post about this, I think it's so important to have someone who's prepared to talk honestly and openly about the contest prep process, and make it clear just what is involved, both in terms of eating and training, but also in terms of the commitment and planning needed. Kudos to you.
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued to know what you said to your boss!
haha well he and I have that conversation every damn day because he either has a horrible memory or is in the beginning stages of Alzheimers (my coworker/supervisor and I suspect the latter), so it varies depending on how annoyed I am that day. lol!
DeleteThank you for putting it like it is -- just stay away! I think a lot of people get into competition AFTER eating disorders and I think that it's dancing a fine line between obsession and dedication. I know for ME, I wouldn't want to do it: my recovery and freedom from worrying about food is still so new and awesome and exciting for me...but props to you for bringing this up and showing that you can do it without being obsessed for the wrong reasons.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you agree! AND I'm even more glad that you set and respect that limit for yourself.
DeleteAbsolutely 100%. People forget - or are not aware - that figure competitors and the men who appear on the cover of "Men's Health" don't look like that most of the time. Or even 364 days a year!
ReplyDeleteYou're doing so well, and you look fantastic! But it's an extreme look for a particular (temporary) goal.
I read the last post about thinspo really sadly. I'm lucky to have never had an ED, and looking from the outside is quite heartbreaking.
It is, isn't it? Such a waste of life =(
DeleteYou are doing so well! I am on pins and needles waiting to hear about the show. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how people feel the need to insert their opinions like they have ANY idea what it means to compete. Sorry fat man, your advice on my protein intake isn't needed. LOL!
It's hard for people to understand what it takes to get competition lean. Very rarely do I share what I eat on my blog because it's boring and I think I would exhaust myself trying to explain why I'm eating a particular food, why is it only a certain amount, etc. Oh the joy of being a competitor :)
ReplyDeleteT.
Ugh I exhaust myself discussing that in real life every day! I don't even bother anymore. I just say, "Because this is what I'm supposed to eat now." haha.
DeleteHey Sable, I'm glad you're continuing to post about this too. You've been very honest and open the whole time that this is for PREP, and not a normal, year round routine. I read yesterdays post but my phone wouldn't let me comment for some reason, so let me say now, that that blog that you linked to makes me absolutely nauseous. It's dangerous for stuff like that to be on the internet! I'm proud of you and your strong attitude, and I really can't wait to see how you do in this competition!
ReplyDeleteIt is incredibly dangerous, and honestly, I don't wish Nicole any harm despite everything she's said to and about me and a SLEW of other bloggers...I just wish she would stop publishing that horseshit because it's harmful.
DeletePeople have no idea what stage compeditors put themselves thru to get ready for comps. It takes INCREDIBLE discipline and it sometimes worries me because it can trigger disordered eating.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Ever heard of Dana Lynn Bailey? I am fascinated by her physique and how she stays YEAR ROUND! She is NOT everyones cup of tea and obvioulsy has great genetics but check her out if you havent.
I will be following your progress and cyber rooting you on!
Big hugs
I LOVE Dana Lynn Bailey. Biggest girl crush EVER. And she is SUPER strong! Did you see that video of her a few years ago benching her bodyweight 20-something times??? I think it was at the Arnold.
DeleteYes I did.....dont laugh but I watch her videos before I get in the gym to pump myself up....lol
DeleteInteresting. I cannot even imagine what all happens and you are so awesome for going through it. I know it will all pay off for you! You are seriously one of my biggest blogging idols..is that weird...I don't care.
ReplyDeleteI have heard some total horror stories about competition prep, including for the bikini division. It is indeed a fine line because the behaviours and attention necessary are so closely linked to those 'necessary' for anorexia. Through your whole journey you've remained very honest and grounded about everything, and I'll be keeping everything crossed for you not only for the competition itself, but for afterwards.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a plan for after the event? I just wondered because some of the gym ladies who compete always have things mapped out to avoid the burnout and possible negative physical/emotional effects of competition prep, once things are over and done with.
xxx
VERY good question, and one I plan to address - I do have a solid plan for "after." I'm scheduling a photoshoot (now that the government has told me I can't rack up student loan debt right now, I've gotta spend frivolously somewhere else, right?!) and will slowly reverse the diet. So, for weeks 1-4 after the competition, I'll follow the same diet I'm following now; for weeks 4-8, I'll follow the plan I followed from weeks 8 to 4. :)
DeleteI had the exact same question. I think I would psychologically struggle with the "after" then the lead up to the event.
DeleteYou are a Wonder woman to manage all above plus take care of two babies at your house.
ReplyDeleteOk, I’m the one with the eating disorder breathing at my neck every day, so I’m a little envious of the restriction and discipline (hello the anorexic me!) therefore I could hardly imagine myself in your shoes. But you seem to be on the roll. Keep it up, gorgeous – can’t wait to see you in that show!
xoxo.
Honestly having the kittens and wanting to spend every waking second with them (I know, I'm weird, they're my surrogate children) has made this all a lot harder!
DeleteDon't be jealous - this is definitely no way to live for more than a few months.
So how fucking stoked will you be after the competition!!!! You're almost there, and almost done!
ReplyDeletehaha right!! I can't wait!
DeleteLol @ trying to explain to your boss what a bikini competition is!! I lived with my best friend while she prepped for her first comp so I know first hand of the dedication required to compete. You are sooo close!! So excited for you :-)
ReplyDeleteYikes. I really admire how you don't complain about this process. I know I've said this before but those people who complain about how contest prep is the most excruciating experience of their life should get a new hobby.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. It's MY choice to compete so I have NO right whatsoever to make everyone around me miserable. I mean - I am a little grouchy. BUT I try to keep it in check.
DeleteThe warning is definitely appreciated Sable - clearly, a lot of work and discipline goes into the process.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to aim for a competition sometimes, but I think I need to make sure I'm 100% healthy in my relationship with food beforehand (while I think it's pretty healthy, I definitely have the occasional slipup) before I try pretty much for reason you state - it looks like it could cause an eating disorder (or a relapse) to occur if you're not careful.
i'm having such kitten envy right now!!! i think i screamed out, "kittens!" :) i'm so inspired by your mental discipline & your ability to put aside the past ed to move on and achieve your goals!
ReplyDeleteLove the honesty. When you're not naturally lean it is SO hard to force your body go there.
ReplyDeleteWhat i personally can't stand (though i have never gone trough a restricted diet so maybe i shouldn't judge) is when people do nothing but bitch about their competition diet. This woman on instagram - that has a physique that i'd kill for- just started doing keto. And she's constantly complaining about it. I mean.. nobody is forcing you to do this you know?
And damn woman, that photo from posing the other day - you look so HOT! Wow! :)
I'm getting more and more curious about starting prep, i'm excited to bring it to another level!
Yuuuuup I totally agree. No one is holding a gun to my head making me do this, so if I hate it, I need to either suck it up or quit.
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