On to The Important Stuff

The real question about competition day is what did I eat afterwards?

Well, I had a goodie bag in the back ready for as soon as I walked off stage for the final time. A big bottle of Gatorade, peanut M&Ms and Cheez-Its. (And lots of water. I was soooo thirsty)

Then at the house a little champagne, then a burger at the restaurant. And a little known secret -- there was a late night stop to the chicken and waffle house! Delightful!

But this week I'm back on the wagon and gearing up for the next show.

Veggieful

Because I've plateaued as far as weight loss and because I have a stress fracture in my foot (that happened about three weeks ago) I have to continue the 6-days no carbs, 1-day light carbs regimen. This way my cardio doesn't have to be as intense on the cardio day. Also, my weight loss should become more steady.

It's much easier this week than the first time and its Friday already, so you know what that means -- pretzel chips!! Yum!!

The other days, though, I'm pretty much only eating veggies and protein. Here's what I had yesterday for instance:

2 eggs
1 c. spinach
1 scoop protein (after workout)
1 cup steamed carrots
1/2 c. leeks
4 oz chicken breast
steamed collard greens
salad greens
cauliflower: steamed, blended with garlic and parsley -- pretty convincing "mashed potatoes"
1 scoop protein powder (before bed)

I'm trying to vary my veggies. Any suggestions?

Food Rant No. 1

I know I just talked about food, but it's really on my mind this week, so I'm going to tell you about the temptation that is around every corner. It's only Tuesday night, but I've encountered some of the biggest tourmenters.

First, from the boss there was "I just got back from Spain and brought chocolate for everyone." Followed shortly by a helpful co-worker's "it's so-and-so's birthday, there's ice cream in the freezer." Another exceedingly annyoying co-worker (soley because of his unhumanly high metabolism despite downing several bakery sticky buns a week) makes sure I'm aware of every treat in the office, just before saying "oh, right, you can't eat that."

To make matters worse, I had to attend a banquet tonight. What was for dinner? Bar-b-que!! The good stuff.

Besides the 'cue, there were rolls, baked beans, potato salad and cookies. Oatmeal, white chocolate macadamian -- I even saw a chocolate chip one that was dipped in chocolate -- are you kidding me?! I'm not talking about those crunchy, semi-stale, store bought cookies either. These suckers were the ones that obviously have 17 sticks of butter in them and soak through your napkin. Yea, those kind.

You'll be proud to know that I didn't partake. The progress I'm making pushes me to stay strong.

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day though and I am Irish girl after all. Guess I'll just have to add a few drops of green food coloring to my egg whites.

Ground turkey and other evil things

I used to kinda dig ground turkey (when it was mixed with ground beef as nature intended) but now it’s just a light-colored, odd-smelling substance that I eat several pounds of a week.

This week I'm actually doing a "test run" for the competition week. That means that since Thursday I've had no carbs except fibrous vegetables, and let me tell you, it sucks. Not only am I tired and grouchy, but I’m bumping into stuff and dropping things like I’m drunk.

The point is to deplete the body of carbs until the night before the competition, then load up on carbs that night. Your body should look its best the next day, but the timing is different for everyone, so this week is the test.

I’m really looking forward to the fun carbs I get to eat Friday night, like pretzel chips, rice cakes and low fat granola! I know, I know, doesn't sound exciting, but hey, when the only thing you look forward to eating each day is the one tablespoon of almond butter you’re allowed, pretzel chips are like crispy treats from heaven.

Other evil things;
DHA fortified eggs -- taste like fish and not in a good way
Psyllium husk -- edible sawdust
A cheese-less life -- no explanation needed