Week 8: Team T & E: E Conquers the “Scale Monster” and Earns a Cheat Meal

Coach: Tammy Strome

Whoohoo!

Eftihia has dropped 4 lbs in the last 3 weeks, so I’m feeling confident that her head’s in the right place. A lot of people don’t realize that a large component of this process is mental; if you fully embrace it the body will follow. Mental resistance creates a barrier that affects the body too. I’ve seen it many times.

E’s now living the mentality of “I am doing this because I am an athlete and this is my sport.”

She’s in “the zone” and that’s right where I need her. The great news for her is that her progress has earned her a controlled “cheat meal” over Easter weekend. This will be good for her both mentally and physically. The extra carbs will fuel her training and mood for a few days and she’ll get an extra metabolic boost.

E’s still sleeping well; the Six Pack 2 night time formula has really helped with that. If sleep problems do arise then they are usually because carbs are dropping lower. E also takes 5HTP to help with her serotonin levels. It helps improve mood and sleep.

Speaking of sleep, E has started capitalizing on the refreshing benefits of a “power snooze” in the day. The replenishing effects of this during contest prep or intense diet and training cannot be overstated. If you can fit it in, your body will thank you.

Tune in to Thursday’s blog where I’ll provide you with some tips for spicing up your lean eating nutrition plan.

Yours in health,

Tammy

Client: Eftihia

YAYAYAY! I earned a treat meal on Easter!

This is the first time in 3 years that I get to eat Easter dinner with my family! Although this is quite possibly the MOST controlled cheat meal I’ve EVER had during contest prep, I can at least sit at the table and munch on something other than broccoli and asparagus!

It has been super hard  for me to go this long without a cheat this time around (again proving that every prep is different) because I’ve been feeling so cranky and irritable. In previous prep experiences I didn’t get this cranky until the last two weeks before the show! But I’m getting used to extra cardio and finding ways to distract myself.

Soon, I may start wearing a sign on the treadmill that says: “I’ve been on this for 45 minutes…please talk to me!”

The great news is I feel like I’ve conquered the “scale monster.” I’ve stopped checking my weight on the scale every day and have begun focusing on my overall look instead. It’s working! I’ve dropped another 4 pounds in 3 weeks, so I’m now 134 lbs. My measurements have had a significant dip in the last two weeks too, so my hard work is paying off. My stress hormones are in check as well!

What changed? I think I allowed myself to let the process take over and I fully committed to it. All I know for sure is that the results are coming in…always good!

I find this time around naps are the best thing for my sanity. If I can muster one into my day, I DO IT! It really helps me mentally.

A challenge is that I have been exceedingly hungry in the mornings, just based on how low carb I am right now.  So I down water just before AM cardios to trick my brain into telling my stomach I’M FULL! Hahahaha! It works. The only problem is that while I’m doing plyo cardio, visions of waterfalls dance through my head, so I’m running to the bathroom every two seconds!

Training this week was tough, especially when working around gyms that are closed over the holiday. Tammy suggested I try doing my morning cardio outside, which feels like a good idea. Surely it will help to get some fresh air and natural vitamin D.

On the subject of nutrients, Tammy has taught me that supplementation during contest prep is not only necessary but VITAL for survival! I had almost forgotten about 5-HTP, which I used during my last prep to level out my serotonin levels. I’m now trying it again; so far, it’s helping me feel more relaxed and energetic in the morning.

Sweating or extreme internal heat has also started. My whole body feels like a furnace while I’m lying down or getting ready for bed. This is where sleep disturbances come into play. Thankfully I have another supplement that helps with that: the Six Pack 2 PM formula.

I’ll have to start posing soon…ICK. This should feel exciting for me but I guess I feel self conscious about it:

…pose, pose, walk, pose, smile, wave, pose, walk, wave…the mirror is my friend…the mirror is my friend!

*Sigh.* The joys of show!

On to the next challenge…