At my 10-week check-in with my coach, IFBB Pro Kristi Tauti, I was hit with my first road bump. As I mentioned in my last post, the last week or so has been lacking in motivation and drive. Given this, I wasn’t feeling 100% confident heading into my check-in. While I was not certain about where my body would be, I was not prepared or expecting the results that came. At 12-weeks, I weighed in at 125.4lbs with an 11.2% body fat percentage. When I stepped on that scale at 10-weeks out, I weighed in at 131.8lbs—that’s a 6-pound gain in a matter of two weeks! To say I was shocked is an understatement.
Immediately, guilt, confusion, disappointment and self-doubt rushed over me. Working quickly, Kristi recalibrated the scale and I stepped on again—no change. With sadness creeping in from every corner, we took my measurements for my body fat percentage, and the results? I went down .1% in body fat. What is going on with my body? My bewilderment just seemed to grow and grow as the check in went on.
With a calm and professional demeanor, Kristi attempted to steady the waters. We came to the conclusion that I had gained muscle and am holding on to a lot of water right now. Gotta’ love female hormones. With her vast knowledge of a competitor’s body, Kristi adjusted my nutrition plan from 1850 calories/day to 1650 calories/day—lowering my protein slightly and changing my protein sources. With the nutritional adjustment, I did drop a few pounds over the next few days. While this change eased my mind a bit, my confidence was still shot. Whether or not the weight gain was due to a muscle mass increase, it still felt like I was farther from my goal with less time to get there.
TRUST THE PROCESS
Trust the process…that’s what I have to keep telling myself. I know that Kristi understands what is best for my physique and she will not lead me astray. With the check-in behind me, I entered this weekend discouraged. While one would think that those results would push me to work harder in the gym, it had the opposite effect. Feeling defeated, I had no motivation to hit the gym, and I wanted to throw my nutrition down the drain. I spent the weekend simply going through the motions, trying to combat negativity and move forward.
That said, with every crash there is a recovery. Mondays are an ideal day for recovery, for renewal, for rebirth. This Monday morning became my day of renewal, as I decided that this state of self-pity was over. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I was not strong both inside and out. It is incredible how powerful the mind can be. While I have been hindered by a slight case of plantar fasciitis, I decided to bite the bullet and hit my AM cardio hard, get my heart rate up, building a sweat-inducing cardio plan. Here’s what I did:
20 minutes Running @ 7.0mph
20 minutes Bike Hill Climb Intervals
20 minutes StepMill Intervals:
30 seconds @ 160 steps/min
90 seconds @ 75 steps/min
20 minutes Elliptical Hill Climb Intervals
I ran faster, spun harder, stepped quicker and worked the elliptical at a new level. This physiological shift in perspective directly translated into physical success. Since that workout, my mood has continued to improve. In addition to the physiological shift, I had an experience at the gym that has boosted my morale even more. While lifting shoulders heavy (my favorite!), I was given an incredible compliment by a fellow sister of fitness. She said she was training for a figure competition, and my physique was what she was striving to look like. I repeat my physique inspired her! Whether she realizes it or not, her comments have justified everything I am doing, erased that discouraged mindset and reignited my motivational fire.
A WORD TO FELLOW FIT FEMALES
To every woman brave and strong enough to step inside a gym, toe-to-toe with the men, you are an inspiration. Whether you are just beginning your journey to a healthier life, or a long time member of the gym rat club, each moment you continue to push on, you inspire others to do the same. I applaud you all. Without you, I would not have the desire and the passion to push on every day. Thank you. Never stop. Train hard.
