See what it takes...

As most of you know from my earlier posts, I've always admired Ava Cowan.  I used her as my vision in how I wanted to shape my own body.  Even though it's never been my goal to compete, I knew how I wanted to transform my body just for my own personal satisfaction.  Will I ever have Ava's body?  No, but I can get mine to look the best that it can be and use her as my inspiration which what I still try to do.  I read her blog entries on a regular basis and was totally blown away by this one.  The commitment that she has to do what she does is incredible.  I thought I would pass it along to you so you can see what it takes to compete and be a professional at her level. 

Ava Cowan - Blog

One Week Out!

08/05/2011

Today marks the one week out from my contest.  I had a cup of coffee, my treat, and wanted to rub a few brain cells together to give you my update.

Getting ready for a contest, for me anyway, takes every ounce my soul has to give in order to be fully ready.  Fully ready meaning getting lean enough.  Just so you know, it never gets easier to do.  There are ways that you learn to have more balance and find certain things more tolerable, but I have never gotten more comfortable with the hunger aspect of this sport.  I use mental tricks to get through the rough times, such as cardio 3 times a day when I am on less than 50 grams of carbs per day.  I have been asked recently on Twitter how I am able to committ to getting to the gym 3 times a day to do my cardio.  I an nutshell, I picture any area that I am not 100% satisfied with, and that image alone makes me get up and go.  No matter what.

Speaking of nutshell, I also remove all food that I know I could "sleep walk" to and eat.  More specifically any nuts or peanut/almond butter.  I am required to eat very small amounts of healthy fats that are derived from nut sources, but I literally have to make it extremely tough to get to this close to a show.  I actually have to go and buy my raw unsalted almonds everyday so that I don't have them here in my house.  I will eat them, I am addicted and I have no defense.  Mark even has to hide his almond butter!  LOL, he knows I will sneak in and get some in the middle of the night.  And those calories add up quickly!  You have to know what you can and cannot handle, and I personally cannot be around anything that could ruin my prep.  It helps to get honest with yourself, and just eliminate anything that can come between you and the goal.

As for today, I have one more 35 minute cardio session that I will do here in the small gym.  It should be empty in there as it's Friday night.  Nothing worse than when you have to get some work done, and the good machine is taken by someone.  So after my 9 PM meal, I will head over there to knock this out.

I have really 2 solid cardio days before my schedule gets filled with hair, nail and other various appointments as well as packing for my trip.  I will start working on that on Monday.  I hold onto knowing that the hardest part is almost over.  Another thing I think about that motivates me is that I will already be ready for the Olympia.  I don't have to kill myself getting ready for the biggest show of my life.  I can relax a bit and maintain my physique for another month.

I do have 3 photoshoots lined up, that are for my portfolio, and I am pretty excited to shoot some new images.  I love the creative aspect of modeling, and it is very important to document these incredibly amazing moments in my life.

I will let you in on something that is on my mind lately along the lines of fitness modeling.  I still have the goal of being on the cover of Oxygen and Muscle & Fitness Hers.  Maybe you can send some positive  thoughts or suggestions to help make this a reality.  I do appreciate it!  And you know I will not give up trying.

I will Tweet, Blog and Facebook my Dallas results.

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