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Throwback Thursday!

I am sitting her in the kitchen writing this. Listening to my relaxing playlist on SPOTIFY, and enjoying the surreal feeling of having just finished my last workout before my first bodybuilding competition. I can't even describe it.

My senses are heightened, colors are brighter, smell, touch, and sound are all new to me as an infant seeing things for the first time. Much the same feeling as falling in love, but this is a new love. Loving myself, my accomplishments, and taking a moment to cherish my hard work. No matter what happens Saturday I am proud of myself for what I have accomplished and learned through this journey.

2008-2013

I graduated high school in 2008 with a budding love for fitness. THEN aerobics, running, and swimming were my drugs of choice. I would pick up the occasional dumbell only when forced. (Thanks Mrs. Posey for putting up with my lazy butt in weight training class!) Dieting meant not having thirds and avoiding eating the whole cake. Skinny was in, and minimal effort was needed to maintain that in the teenage years. 

2008

120 lbs

body fat 20%

THEN apples were always best with candy or caramel

On my journey I discovered a challenge in cycling and yoga. I began taking a Hatha yoga class at Lifetime Fitness in Tempe AZ. For the first time in my life I was able to touch my toes! Adding cycling to my swimming and running, I soon went on to triathlons where I took 3rd place for my age group in 2011. (This was after months of sickness, weight gain, hospitalization, and being bedridden for weeks.)

2011

143 lbs

body fat unknown (Highest I ever measured was 25% in 2012)

 

yoga on the beach of Half Moon Kay

Post win of the Rio Salado Sprint Tri

I began seriously weight training a year ago to help myself become a stronger yogi. NOW I am rocking confidence and direction in life that I never knew I could posses. I am a full time personal trainer, student, and friend to many. I am loving life and loving my body! I am able to enjoy the payoff of my hard work and discipline today because God has blessed me dearly. Dieting to me now is a lifestyle change. Watching my macros, consuming a gallon of water a day, taking supplements, eating clean, and the biggest change of all was learning food prep. Exercise is a way of life, strength along with cardio and stretching is all part of my weekly routine.

2013

120 lbs

body fat 10%

You too can change your body and achieve all your dreams! Doing research, hiring a trainer, and putting away your excuses are all pieces to the puzzle. Hope this post inspires you, please leave me a comment if you enjoyed this! Don't forget to subscribe, follow, and share!

7 Steps to Overcoming Food Addictions for the Christian Bodybuilder

Food addictions are no joke. I don't want to take the time to explain what it is or the science behind it. If you want a good information read then click on the below photo for a bodybuilding.com article on food addictions.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/eating-compulsion-refined-food-addiction.html

I have personally noticed that with more dieting and restrictions associated with bodybuilding and competing. The risk to develop and eating disorder is increased.

I also want to note that some of us are at higher risk than others. Many of us just have an addictive personality that gets triggered by different addictions. Those could be anywhere from drugs, alcohol, food, sex, gambling, dating, social media, excessive exercise, shopping etc. You can get addicted to anything that causes pleasure in the brain. 

Being a bodybuilder and being put under a large amount of pressure with your diet. You might find it increasingly difficult to maintain healthy eating as well as a clear mind. I have written up 7 helpful steps to take for you to gain a hold over your overeating.

Muscle Yogi @ Dead Horse Point

1. HAVE A YOGA MEAL: You can read back on an older post of mine about mindful eating.  HERE but the main point I want to highlight on specifically for the bodybuilder struggling with food addiction is to slow down. When you take a bite, put your fork/spoon down, chew, swallow, and then pick up your fork/spoon and prepare your next bite. 

2.SUPPORT: The first time I made myself throw up after a cookie binge I was embarrassed and a little frightened that I might now have an eating disorder. Two days later I was getting fitted for my stage suit and confided in the lady I was renting from on what I had done. Her advice was to talk about it. Be open and acknowledge that this sport is risky. Many many many girls competing will develop lasting food disorders and self image problems from this sport. So talk about it! Find a support group and let your friends know what you are going through. Ask your friends to help hold you accountable. See if you can spend time with friends who are understanding and will not tempt you. To expound on this I want to say that finding and attending OA (over eaters anonymous) meeting can be a HUGE blessing. I was so nervous to go to my first meeting, but was met with a comfortable and non judgmental environment full of people who understood and cared. If you want to find a meeting group near you then click HERE.

3. REMOVE: What are the foods that trigger you the most? For me it is peanut butter and chocolate. Even just typing these words makes my mouth drool and dream about my last binge on the stuff. If you can, then try to keep them out of the house or at least out of reach. If you don't see it, then your brain won't get triggered with thoughts of pleasure this item will bring. 

4. SURRENDER: Admitting that you have no power to control yourself when you get into a feeding frenzy is a major step to take. Pray to God that he will lead you from temptation and have faith that the moment of crazy food obsession will pass. 

Nicole Wilkins Figure Pro and  3 time Olympia winner

5. BREATHE: When I get that crazy feeling of hunger and emptiness that show dieting brings on. I close my eyes and practice deep breathing. Yoga is a deeply spiritual practice and must be looked at with caution as to not be led into false idols or pursuit. I have, however, found the practice of pranayama and zen breathing to be extremely helpful in controlling emotions, cravings, pain, and maintaining mental clarity in all situations. 

6. WRITE: Journalism is one of the most therapeutic things you can do. Pick up a pen or a keyboard and just let your thoughts start to flow. I guarantee you will discover a lot about your addiction and yourself in the process. 

7. FIND A MANTRA: Fill your pinterest, scrapbooks, and mind with quotes that inspire you. Listen to positive music like Mandisa "Overcomer" this is a song written by a Christian artist about her journey fighting past a food addiction. Just know that every time you fall down, you have the chance to stand up stronger than before. 

You're an overcomer
Stay in the fight ‘til the final round 
You're not going under
‘Cause God is holding you right now
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it's hopeless
That's when He reminds You
That you're an overcomer
You're an overcomer

Find peace in knowing that God is in control of your life, even if you feel out of control sometimes.