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Post by Robin on Feb 16, 2012 8:44:05 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
I've been spending the last couple of weeks reading and responding to all your great posts. I figured I may as well write my own journal!
A little information about me
I'm 41; a full time Human Resources Consultant, a mom of 2 incredible boys (11 and 16 months; and married to a great guy. Life with young kids is a rollercoaster. Every day is crazy busy, but that is the way we like it! I wouldn't change a thing.
About 5 years ago, I lost my mom, dad and my mother in law within a few months of each other. Needless to say, it was earth shattering. My husband and I had to keep it together as parents while mourning the loss of our own parents. It was a tough time to say the least.
Nevertheless, once the fog lifted we realized that we have one life and it's up to us to enjoy it to the fullest, while providing a happy life for our children. That includes working hard to make all our individual goals come true.
How I decided to compete in figure at 41
My husband and I have always been active. We play sports together, run, work out at the gym and snowboard in the winter. We've always done this stuff together as a family. I've always wanted to really challenge my body and for years admired the women who had the discipline to compete in fitness and figure. For some reason. I never thought I had the mental toughness to stick to such a rigorous training and diet.
Now at 41, I made the decision to do it. Life is still as busy as ever but once I committed, my life changed for the better! I schedule in my training and meals like they are meetings. I have to be very planful every day when it comes to my own meal prep because I still have a family to feed. I've proven to myself that you can still have a busy life AND reach your goals. It just takes discipline and organization.
So far I'm really enjoying the process. I'm competing in the Novice Classic in Mississauga this year and I hope to enter at least 1 competition per year after that.
Who knew I'd be in the best shape of my life after 40? Keep training hard everyone. You are an inspiration to me. I'll keep posting my progress in this journal.
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Post by Robin on Feb 22, 2012 8:16:25 GMT -5
 12 weeks out (almost 11 actually) and I've tightened up the diet a little more. Gave up the 1/2 cup of yams I allow myself for dinner and now I replace it with a large salad with 3oz Turkey breast and some low fat balsamic dressing. I don't miss the yams at all which surprises me since I'm such a carbaholic. Training is going really well, but soon I'll need to pick up my cardio so I can lean out a little faster. Trying to get some more growth in my delts and tighten up my back. So far I have not been training my abs at all, other than at my kickboxing class once or twice per week. Interested to hear if others have heavy ab training in their plans or if they incorporate it elsewhere like I do. Lately all I want to do is sleep. Some nights I go to bed as early as 8:30. Just trying ot listen to my body and give it the sleep it needs to be ready for training the next morning. I really hope I'm not coming down with anything. I haven't been sick all season so I don't want to break my perfect record! Today is my rest day but I may hit the gym tonight for a little cardio. Tomorrow is shoulders and biceps - my favourite day of the week 
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vytis
New Member
Posts: 38
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Post by vytis on Feb 22, 2012 8:45:44 GMT -5
Rest is super important, especially for recovery during a prep. Have a great rest (with a little cardio thrown in, lol) day....  |
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Post by Robin on Feb 23, 2012 13:21:42 GMT -5
 Thanks for the support, vytis - I'm getting lots of ZZZZ when I need it. Protect the house...
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Post by Robin on Feb 24, 2012 10:18:53 GMT -5
Kickboxing last night and did 45 minutes of intense cardio this morning at 5:00 and I'm still buzzing. This week I'm feeling these amazing bursts of energy and endorphins. I'm not sure why I'm getting these natural highs but I'm loving it...Does anyone else feel this way sometimes? Today is back day (my second favourite day of the week). I also received my contest shoes yesterday....they are so sparkly and pretty....I want to wear them all day Don't judge...its a girl thing  Happy Friday to all |
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Post by Robin on Feb 28, 2012 16:29:52 GMT -5
To those who are attending the workshop this weekend, have lots of fun. I won't be there. I'm going to the UFE workshop next weekend instead (don't ask me why...I signed up a long time ago). I'll know to wait for IDFA next time.
45 minutes on the stairmaster this morning and hit my legs, glutes and hamstrings really hard today at lunch. I absolutely hate hate hate leg day and I can't figure out why. My legs can take a lot of weight and they shape up well but for some reason I find leg training very boring!
Tonight is kickboxing class at my gym. People are starting to ask me questions about why I'm leaning out so much and what I'm doing in terms of weights. I'm still not entirely comfortable telling everyone about my upcoming contest, but I do like the fact people are noticing changes ;D
I'm a little too critical of myself these days...I want bigger shoulders, tighter abs, more muscular back. I'm 10 weeks away and I want too much, too early. Need to slow down and live in the moment...really enjoy the process...it will come if I just keep working hard.
Tomorrow is my rest day...ahhhhhhhhh
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Post by Shaun Campbell on Feb 28, 2012 18:27:22 GMT -5
Thanks Robin. We will have fun Too bad you won't be there. Email me if you want to come out on Sunday.... info@idfa.ca. Legs are a love, hate thing. Keep training hard. You are a walking billboard... Enjoy the attention Nothing wrong with that. Shaun IDFA |
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Post by Robin on Mar 5, 2012 16:13:17 GMT -5
...Compare yourself to the person from yesterday.
I love this quote - I stole it from Nicole Wilkins' site actually (who won the 2012 Arnold again this weekend by the way).
I often find myself comparing my progress to other competitors as we all prep for shows. My gym has a lot of figure/fitness competitors and many of them are already in peak condition! It inspires me to push harder for every workout and keep my diet in top form as well. I love seeing other bodybuilders working out. They are in the zone...but I have to keep reminding myself to focus on the fact that this is MY journey and I can only be the best I can be. So for the next 10 weeks my goal is this: To be a little bit better than yesterday. If I stick to this goal every day, I can't go wrong!
Today I trained my chest, triceps and now I'm integrating more intensive calves and abdominal training into my program. Tomorrow is leg and abs day. Have an awesome evening everyone
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Post by Robin on Mar 7, 2012 16:33:31 GMT -5
Thoroughly enjoying my rest day today and can't wait for my early morning HIIT and afternoon training session tomorrow morning (Back day).  Strip sets, super sets and plyo intervals are common themes for me over the next few weeks. 9 weeks out and I find I'm getting REALLY hungry at night. I've stopped carbs after my 3pm meal and I'm really missing the 1/2 yam I used to have. Trying to drink tea and go to bed early to help curb the cravings...suggestions/tricks welcomed and needed pls!!! Nobody has posted in awhile...where are all of you? |
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vytis
New Member
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Post by vytis on Mar 8, 2012 16:45:33 GMT -5
Thoroughly enjoying my rest day today and can't wait for my early morning HIIT and afternoon training session tomorrow morning (Back day). Strip sets, super sets and plyo intervals are common themes for me over the next few weeks. 9 weeks out and I find I'm getting REALLY hungry at night. I've stopped carbs after my 3pm meal and I'm really missing the 1/2 yam I used to have. Trying to drink tea and go to bed early to help curb the cravings...suggestions/tricks welcomed and needed pls!!! Nobody has posted in awhile...where are all of you? Training...where else, lol. I have a new shot of the legs in my journal... |
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Post by Robin on Mar 20, 2012 9:01:12 GMT -5
Given the silence in the IDFA support board, I hope everyone is busy training and preparing for their shows. Training is going well and the diet is as tight as ever. I don't have cravings these days which tells me my mind is completely focused on where I want to be contest time. A few family members and friends have now purchased tickets which is great and gives me extra incentive to bring the best "me" to the stage. Have recently signed up with a posing coach for a few private sessions. I'm hoping she can give me some good feedback on my posing and presentation skills. I'm having some trouble on the lat spread but I hear it takes time to master. Holding those poses is tougher work than I thought!!! I hope everyone is doing well and staying positive as we approach our respective shows. Keep going! |
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Post by Shaun Campbell on Mar 22, 2012 20:31:48 GMT -5
Keep working hard Robin. Yes the lat spread takes some time to master.
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Post by Robin on Apr 11, 2012 10:13:56 GMT -5
It's been awhile so I thought I'd check in. Things are going as planned but do you ever really feel 100% ready for the stage? My coach says I'm exactly where I need to be so I hope he's right. God...I hope he's right:)
Double cardio has begun and I am so tired at the end of the day. I'm seeing everything come together as the weeks progress so that's whats keeping me going. I had to take 2 days off training last week due to sickness...it felt like a setback but my body just needed some time to recover before I got back to the gym.
The diet is really tough now but I'm still staying focused. I don't know a lot of figure competitors outside the gym so I'm around a lot of "normal" people eating "normal" food. Its definitely a challenge always having to explain why I won't eat this or drink that. My coach helps me keep me focused, but he can't be with me every day.
I keep telling myself "this is worth it....you will thank yourself ...you'll see"
I'm practicing my posing and presentation every day now. It really helps me feel comfortable in the shoes too which is good.
I can't wait until contest time...I'm really nervous but excited at the same time. See you then!
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12 weeks out (almost 11 actually) and I've tightened up the diet a little more. Gave up the 1/2 cup of yams I allow myself for dinner and now I replace it with a large salad with 3oz Turkey breast and some low fat balsamic dressing. I don't miss the yams at all which surprises me since I'm such a carbaholic. 
Thanks for the support, vytis - I'm getting lots of ZZZZ when I need it. 
