Don't under estimate the power of 1%

I'm usually a modest person...in the world of figure competing, you have to be everything but. You're on the scale, off the scale, pinching, measuring, physically pushing your body to limits you never thought you had in you. Posing, smiling, walking in heels around the house, flexing...the mirror has to become one of your best friends. You're probably asking me why I'm doing this....good question...

I'm new at this...At first, i took the approach of 'what the hell..sign me up...lets do this.' I have now established a new appreciation, motivation, and clear minded approach to my short term goal of competing my first figure show. Training with a body building mentality is something I have never considered, yet even done too much research on. After speaking to a handful of fitness professionals I have learned there is more to it than just looking the part...you have to play the part. One of the reasons why I have not tapped into the methodology of this training is because its cut and dry. Heavy weight. Push. Pull. Dumbbells. Bench. Squat. Run. Get after it.

I...along with the majority of our society want to train to move functionally. Do exercises that can improve movements in our everyday life. Training movements, not muscles. I'm going against the grain here with my training, and that is what I'm finding to be the hardest part. By no means am I saying the body building training style is a 'bad' way to train. The science behind it is brilliant....for the percentage of people who want to get big, train muscles, and compete.

8 weeks away from my competition. 8 weeks until I have to stand up on stage in a bikini that hardly covers anything, clear heels, enough tanning lotion to cover a side walk, and yes...a smile. Time to get after it, clear my head of thinking too much about 'what training i should do' and just train smart. So yes, I'm continuing to throw up the bar at the gym, asking for spotters, picking up the heavy dumbbells, and loading up the bar for squats and dead lifts. I sometimes stand back and smile at myself thinking of what others are thinking. Probably asking first, why all my training outfits match perfectly down to my shoe laces, and what I'm training for...because its obviously not how many females in the gym train. I'm standing in front of the mirror curling heavier dumbbells than the guy next to me. I just smile and give that extra 1%.

Giving that extra 1% these past 2 months has given me the results seen below:

Again, pushing modesty to the side--I am what I am...weight, size, body fat, Lean mass, fat mass...I'm now throwing it all on the line for you.

April 26 Weight 143 18% Fat Lbm 107 Fw 36

May 7 Weight 138:16% Fat Lbm 116 Fw 22

May14 Weight 136: 16% Fat Lbm 114 Fw 22

May 26 Weight 134:15.6% fat Lbm 113 Fw 21

June 18 Weight 133:15%fat Lbm 113 Fw 20

So as you can see, 1% is 1%. Adding it all up, results are in. I still have a long way to go, but so far results are results.

Its been quite the journey, mainly because of my active lifestyle. I am tapping into my lean tissue due to my calorie expenditure throughout the day. Working out, teaching classes, cycling, living and breathing and not eating enough.

Never thought I would say that.

The science behind this training is incredible. I've learned so much about my own body, what works, and what doesn't. I could have seen greater results, but it was my stubborn way of 'training how I wanted to' that is and was hindering more results.

From here on out--

Keeping my eye on the prize...going the distance...being okay with making the uncomfortable comfortable.