Watch Out, She Swings!
Seriously, I think this should be an official medical affliction.. Fitness Cutting Bipolar Disorder, or something like that! I’m generally a pretty even-keel person, and I’m usually in a pretty good mood. Of course, like everyone, I have my good days and bad days, but overall, I’d say I’m a cheerful person. But good grief! With each passing week, as I get closer to my competitions, it is ridiculous how my mood swings from day-to-day. One day I’m the happiest person on earth. I’m super pumped to go to the gym, be productive at work and attentive at school. I’m chipper, talkative and couldn’t be better. Then for no apparent reason, the next day I feel borderline depressed. Nothing’s changed. No bad things have happened. But I’m suddenly struggling to convince myself to move, let alone be excited to workout or enjoy/appreciated classes. At multiple times during the day I’m on the verge of breaking into tears. But then the next day comes, and all is well again. I’ve been going through this cycle for the last few weeks, and to be honest, it’s getting quite frustrating! I’m not really sure what I can do differently. I think it might just be a part of the emotional/psychological aspect of cutting/contest prep.
But enough about my issues :p How about a lil fun! Yesterday I went to the Cardinals game. Sadly, the game didn’t go so well for the Cards, but it was fun hanging out in the suite with some of my favorite Sports Business kids!
All was well at this point 
Workin It Monday
Today’s workouts rocked! Got Triceps & Biceps and Cardio in this morning. I new I was going to be doing spin later in the evening so I mixed up cardio to keep it interesting. Started my workout with a 15 minute jog (~6.5 mph), then lifted, then went back to the treadmill for 10 minutes of Sprint HIIT, then side shuffles for another 10 minutes (incline at 10.0, 3.5 mph). Felt great! After work it was back to the gym for spin class, which rocked today!
The Protein Pancake Evolution
So yet another Protein Pancake “recipe.” Inspired by Fitness & Spice’s creative and delicious-sounding use of Starbuck’s Via I created the
Mocha Protein Pancake
1 scoop VPX 0-Carb Protein Powder
1 packet Starbuck’s Via
3 tbsp Egg Whites
2 tbsp Pumpkin Puree
Dash of Cream of Tartar
* Whip it up in the Magic Bullet and cook like a normal stove top pancake.
This turned out SOOO good. The Via gives it a great rich taste while the pumpkin keeps it nice and moist. I think I could create a protein pancake cookbook at this point.
Special Delivery
Yay! Look what was waiting for me when I got home
My Glo Bars!
How cute!
I have heard so many wonderful things about Oh She Glows‘ Glo Bars (Glo Bakery) that I had to give them a try. Tomorrow’s a carb day so I’m going to allow myself a taste, but for the most part I think I’ll have to wait a few more weeks to dig in. Just one more thing to look forward too!
And on that note, with no school this week, it’s now movie night! I’m leaning towards Rent or Fever Pitch, hmmm
Has anyone else experience such emotional swings while training? Whether it be for a fitness competition, marathon, triathalon, etc.
Fun Links
I’ve never experienced emotional mood swings when training for a marathon or triathlon. I think that the mood swings are due to diet. When I trained for endurance events, I always had enough food (I always ate whatever I wanted).
On the other hand, when you are dieting for a show, it is ALL about diet. When I’ve read other competitors’ journals, I have seen similar tendencies. A lot of them said the 4th week out from the comp was the worst! I’ve also seen some competitors say that they did not have a bad prep (and actually enjoyed it) and they attributed their good prep to their diet coach.
That’s awesome that you got to watch the Cardinals game from a suite! I bet that was a blast!
Good luck with the rest of your prep!!
Love your blog, Alyson. I love all your dedication and that you are sharing your journey with us!
You are on a mission and nobody better not mess with that 
Next time you prep for a competition it will be THAT much easier for you, because you’ll know what to expect from the dieting and how your body will respond. Keep up all your hard work. When you are done shining on that stage you will be able to ease up and enjoy a nice carb coma 
I have never competed for stage but have learned all about healthy nutrition and training from many years working as a group fitness instructor and from the many competitors I’ve met and trainers from my gym.
3 yrs ago I followed everything I had learned and won a 12wk transformation out of 65 men and women at my gym and I know the mood swings you are talking about! For everyday health, it is best to eat a balance of protein, fat & carbs but the ratio changes drastically when you are dieting down for a stage. Those healthy carbs that feed your brain and your energy stores and your feel-good factor are being cut to the bare minimum. You probably get irritated if anything gets in the way of your scheduled workout or your next meal or if anybody just gets in the way, period!
If you ever had a bite of something you’re not supposed to have, you may start thinking you’ve messed up your whole body, ruined your chances of doing well and may even start doubting yourself. These thoughts are normal. Your brain will try to mess with you. Your body is burning up the excess energy now…let those thoughts go and continue to do your best. Living on a competition diet is not something that anyone would or could do forever. Any contest diet moods swing you may be experiencing is a common result of carb-cutting. Maybe over time and with future contest prepping it won’t be so bad or so drastic, because you’ll know what to expect and you’ll know you can get through it! It’s time to put your game face on and picture yourself on that stage. You are almost there and you are doing an awesome job!
Think of it this way: When you go on a long road trip for the first time, the trip always seems to take forever and there’s a little voice in your head pleading, ‘are we there yet?’. The trip home always seems much shorter. This is your first contest prep. You are almost there!!
Oh yes, i’m the mood swing queen. I think some of it is from red hair though
I’m REALLY bad this week. Only 11 more days and then the stress of competition prep is lifted off. I will go to what I was eating over the summer which included Kashi, fruits and an occasional sandwich. I was in much better spirits then 
I am a moody thing, too, when I’m sleep deprived and am calorie/carb cycling. Hang in there…it will pass!
Love the protein pancake recipe, btw! You clever thing!
I’m doing Kentucky Muscle on Nov 14th!
My pumpkin got nixed a few weeks ago and i’ll be backed up ever since LOL!
Mmmm…greek yogurt with berries and if i’m feeling naughty I may add granola!