Coach: Tammy Strome
This week E entered her final week of prep before the the big “dial-in” week (when she’ll have a special diet, training etc.) and I must say I’m totally impressed with her “champion attitude.” What I mean is that, even though she’s physically and emotionally exhausted from all her training, plus her aunt just died so she feels sad about that, she’s still giving 100%.
So…”champion attitude” means giving 100% no matter what happens, no excuse. It’s not easy, but it’s the only way to make it if you want to be the best at what you do.
For example, E’s hard work is paying off big time. Her legs are really coming in with the rest of her body. Her shoulders and back continue to show great improvement over last year.
My main goal right now is to help E present her physique in a relaxed fashion. I don’t want her to “over pose” as the judges really don’t want to see that on stage. The ball will be fully in her court on that stage, so she has to own it and make sure the judges notice her. There’s no room for negative thoughts or lack of confidence.
This week is her final week of prep before dial in. Next week her diet and training will shift. We’ll also start manipulating sodium, water and adding some carbs and fats in the final days before the stage. These are small changes that produce big results. I will chat more about this in my post on Thursday.
I saw E’s suit this week and it’s beautiful. Celeste did a great job! The color is perfect and it’s nicely decorated. Tanning, hair and makeup are booked so, aside from the final changes, this chick is ready to roll!
Be sure to check back for Thursday’s post where I will talk more about “dial in” and what that’s all about. It’s my favourite part of contest prep!
Yours in health,
Tammy
Client: Eftihia
It was a super hard week. On top of the usual training challenges, my aunt died. It was difficult to wrap my head around her passing, and even more difficult to manage the emotions, as I’m quite depleted now and almost anything can shift my moods.
As hard as it was, Tammy was there for me and supported me through this crazy week. Once again, she was able to help me when all I wanted to do was give up!
I’ve been sleeping better since the funeral. I’ve moved some workouts around to accommodate more rest in between workouts and I’ve PUT MY FOOT DOWN and said “no” to any more family outings and commitments. Honestly, I KNOW I cannot give any more of myself to anyone now—it’s too close to the contest. These next two weeks will literally be all about me!
In an effort to improve my mood, I went shopping this week for outfits for a photo shoot I’ve booked before my show! This is the best way to mark all the hard work I’ve put in during the last 12 weeks and, especially, this last week! I can see changes every day. The body fat is just melting away. Tammy is pleased and, for the first time in 12 weeks, so am I!
Because I’m two weeks out from the competition, I know that this is the last week of my current diet. I will have a special diet for “dial-in.” Also, I can start imagining life without cardio in future! BELIEVE ME…it’s fun to think about that!
Mostly all I think about right now is show day. I love being on stage! I get to stand there in my absolutely LOVELY bikini and smile for the judges and for my incredible family and friends who stood by me through this journey to the stage—these family members have put up with my moods and workouts and food prep, and these friends have encouraged me to keep going when all I wanted was to go back to bed.
I’m so close now…so close…and so excited!
I can’t wait to meet all the other lovely women who worked hard to be on that stage with me too, and celebrate the day with them, no matter what the outcome might be!
At this point, I can finally recognize the work I’ve put in, the hours of prep and cardio that got me to this point, and take a hard look at the person inside (not the outward picture) and say: “WOW”!
It has been an exhausting, daunting and overwhelming task this prep, but I’m stronger, more determined and finally more BLOWN AWAY that I HELD ON and coped through things that I thought would break me.
The “negative-thought gremlins” were always hovering in the background, waiting and hoping for me to fail, to sneak away with my tail between my legs, but those old thoughts were wrong.
I will NOT give up. I will NOT give in. I am the phoenix rising from the ashes! Watch me fly…
