Hi all! If you’re reading this in a Reader, please click on over and let me know what you think of the new layout (and thank you to those who have so far)! I wanted to simplify a bit, but things always go wrong with these sort of changes, so please shoot me an email or leave a comment if something seems off or missing.
Ok, so this accidentally became an awfully word heavy post..
First a Preview
I’d seen the various CSN Store promotions & giveaways on other blogs, but hadn’t really browsed around. I finally did, and wow, I didn’t realize they have over 200 online stores with pretty much any healthy living product (and some not so healthy, I skipped over the deep fryer) you could want, ranging from dining room sets and cookware to fitness equipment (I spent a little too much time browsing around that last one :p). Look for a product review, and subsequent recipe creations (hint hint) coming soon!
And the current going’s on..
FITNESS
Refresher
Sometimes we need little refreshers about what’s really important in life… and perhaps when pursuing such a selfish, egotistic and narcissistic ”sport” such as Physique competitions, you may need them more often (I don’t mean to offend any competitors by saying that, I am one after all.. it’s like making fun of someone with red hair & freckles.. we get teased a lot as children :p).
Nothing dramatic happened, all is wonderful in my world.. but something reminded me recently of how truly silly it is for me to ever get upset about something as meaningless as a number on the scale not going down, or whether or not a caliper measurement went down one or two millimeters this week. I mean really?! This is one of the many things I’ve been contemplating/realizing lately.. and it’s a great thing.. I’m just thankful to be able to train like I do, and it really makes me not stress quite as much about competition-prep. I can be so type-A sometimes, that I am thankful for refreshers.. they come in so many forms: talking to friends, reading blog posts and yoga.. they snap me back into what’s really important.
But with that being said.. today was..
Check-In
As of today the competition is 2.2 weeks away.. all I gotta say is, it’ll be interesting to see what happens when I cut water! Oh and don’t worry, when I “cut” water I’m still drinking more than the average person. I drink well over a gallon on a daily basis, so cutting down to half a gallon or on the last couple days, 1/4 gallon, makes a difference to me, but I’m not exactly dehydrating myself. So specifically, yet again, my weight remains the same, but my body fat % went down. It’s all relative, but for comparison purposes, my trainer had me at around 7.5% the weeks of my two shows last November (I tracked it here), and right now I am right around 8.25%. Am I really exactly 8.25%, no, of course not, but relatively speaking I’m <1% different from what I competed at last time. Weight you wonder..
Well let me say this first, I am completely 100% happy with how I look and feel right now. So this isn’t, at all, a weight complaint post, it’s more of a “what, really” post, haha… So I am actually right around 130 lbs right now.. oh I’m 5’4″. Crazy right?! That’s up just over 12 lbs over what I was at this far out last time.
As I’ve mentioned, I’ve been going back & forth a bit with regards to whether or not I’d compete August 28th if I didn’t feel ready. Well I think I’ve decided that I will compete no matter what. I always say that I want to get on stage knowing I did everything I could do be my best up there. If my best is good enough to win, then awesome, if it’s not good enough that day, then I won’t be disappointed as long as I know that I did my best. Have a been 100% perfect on my diet the last 6 weeks.. no.. could I potentially fit in more cardio.. yes.. but have I done my best with the situation I’m in, while trying to stay as healthy as possible.. mind & body.. YES! 
Over the last week I had wonderful conversations with my Dad, a close friend and my trainer over me competing in physique competitions and my future in it. I am in just such a wonderfully positive place right now, that I want to stay there, and I want to prevent any unhealthy emotions and physical issues after the show. After going to watch NPC USAs a couple weeks ago, a number of things made me think long and hard about why I do this. And I was very pleased with my conclusion.. I know I do this for all the right reasons. I have an amazing support system in the form of family, friends and all of you! I want to win of course, but for me it’s not about getting reassurance about how I look or that I’m “the best.” I truly enjoying working out, challenging myself, and especially meeting amazing people and having fun at shows. Heck I’m a Leo, and an only child at that.. there will always be a part of me that enjoys being the center of attention.. so put me in the micro-suit and give me some heals and I’ll go play on stage.. crap.. I mean that in a very, “I”m not seeking a career as a stripper” sort of way.. though they do make bank! :p I digress.. I do it because it’s fun! .. But I’d be lying like crazy if I didn’t admit that this dieting part is not fun.. no, it’s not fun at all, and I’ve definitely had a few rough moments this last week, where it all of a sudden got A LOT harder, and I seriously questioned “what the hell am I doing?” Basically, I’m hungry about 75% of the day. I’ll eat a meal, and an hour later I’m hungry again. Not “oh I could eat” hungry, but “holly crap, give me food now!” sort of hungry. It’s incredibly distracting when you’re trying to get work done, haha.. We made a couple changes to my diet today that I hope will help. After all, it’s only 2.5 weeks away, and I’m looking forward to having a blast with teammates who have worked so hard to be there!
As for after that show.. I have no idea.. maybe Ironwoman NPC, maybe Fitness American.. we shall see .. And I’m completely ok with that.. for now..
As far as the rest of today.. I finally made it to Yoga (it’d been over a week) for a noon-time Power Hour class.. it was awesome, and just what I needed. Then there will be Spin tonight!
NUTRITION
I started making one thing, then changed my mind half-way through.. this is what I was really craving..
Savory Oats! This was 1/3 c Coach’s Steel Cut Oats mixed with 1/2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast & 1 tbsp Salsa, topped with 3.5 oz Chicken Breast, 35 g Pinto Beans and another tbsp of Salsa.. totally hit the spot
FUN
A Few Posts
Here are a few posts I’ve dug lately:
1) From Eat, Live, Run, “ELR Food Philosophy.. Again”
My comment on this post:
I think if someone glanced at my blog they would think I would be one of the ones on the other side of the fence on this one.. but that SO isn’t true! I absolutely couldn’t agree more. My biggest struggle is the moderation part. I tend to be an extremist with whatever I do and have trouble finding the off-button with sweets (alcohol, fried food, etc have never been a problem there, just sweets.. who knows why). But perhaps it’s because I do attempt to restrict myself too much. I think life is far far too short not to have a cookie when you really want one!
2) Alison Either’s, “Europa Texas on the Horizon,” talking about Fitness and it’s demands
3) And just because apparently I’m a masochist: How Sweet It Is’ “Better than Crack Brownies“
Fun Links
I like the new layout! It's much cleaner and easier to read.
And you are doing so great.. 8% body fat is incredible! I hope I can see you soon!
i love this post. You are one of the most level headed people I know, and I truly love reading your blog and following your journey. As you know, I am a NEWBIE in every sense of the word I am still learning my body, what foods effect me, what works, what doesn't. I dont know any of that now! I do know that I love a challge and love pushing myself. I am so thrilled to see the results of hard work. You are right, this is such a egotistical sport, it is hard to not think of it like that, but none the less, it is a sport, it takes focus, dedication and time. I admire you, I really do. I am so thrilled that you are in a postitive place, and the support system helps beyond what people knwo. Without a support system, it is jsut so hard to do this on your own.
oh and that meal looks awesomeeeeee xox
Really like the new look! Very clean! You are doing great & whatever happens, happens but you put in the work!
It sounds like your mind is made up and you have a very good outlook on the show. With that mindset, you will definitely do well in your show. There's a reason you are so disciplined and working as hard as you do and it's paying off. Now go SHOW it off! Excellent post and good reflection!
Love the new layout! Sounds like you're doing great and have the right attitude towards the competition, which I think is awesome.
Love the "refresher" you are right we shouldn't focus so much on that number on the scale!! Keep it up girl 8% body fat is awesome!
Love the post and the newsletter. In my inbox, I just received another newsletter-type email with a cleanse kind of thingy from a women's mag. Omg, such a world apart from your food choices and musing. Even though your food intake is so restricted, there is just so many attitudes about food out there (especially in women's mags??) which are devoid of imagination and joy – whether they be ment for purpose or for pleasure.
I love reading your posts exactly because you so often "check in" whith why you are competing and how you are feeling about it – and congrats on still feeling on the right track
. I read the ELR post, too, and I'm loving the attitude but I feel like I am on the fence about purpose/pleasure most of the time because I am ill. A lot of the time, food will be something I eat for a very specific purpose: avoid feeling worse. Even if that means boiled chicken and veggie stock four times a day. When the purpose is important, pleasure easily takes the backseat for me, but getting back to eating is always tricky – I have to stop and think many times, when I go back on a normal diet (which is still restricted for me) am I eating this because it is good for me and will help me run, lift and be social again? Am I eating it because it is something I really enjoy it? Or is it because I feel I should, because everyone else is eating it, or because I have not been able to eat it for a long while, although it may not be good for me, or maybe even though I'm not sure it will contribute to making me sick again? Long story 
just wanted to let you know why reading all your great thoughts on food is interesting to me, and thank you for all the great posts (and thinking!) you are doing here.
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
Thank you for this beautiful comment, it really means so much to me! I totally know what you mean about "check-in" about the reasoning behind our feelings and foods we chose. It's easy to get into habits (of sorts), but I guess (as cheesy as it sounds) it's all a journey, and the best we can do is learn from past mistakes and do better next time! Hope you're having a wonderful day
great post, Alyson, and so happy you have your head screwed on totally straight regarding it all. you always did, and you seem even more resolute and sure of yourself and just in a good (great!) place about it all. Im so happy for you! And I am happy to hear you say, no matter what Aug 28 is ON! Yay! I am not a gray shades girl in those situations. I would need to know, yes or no, 100% whether i was doing it or not…i mean my god, it's like 15 days away?!?! GOOD LUCK! you dont need "luck" though…you've worked for it!
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
Thanks Averie! Keep me update on your plans, and I'm so sorry about the creepers that have been messing with you..
I love the new layout!
I'm the same as you. I put myself through comp diets etc…but really would LOVE to just be less crazy about things. Maybe when i'm 50
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
haha.. wishful thinking.. perhaps we'll be the most sane 50 year olds ever!.. righhhhtt :p
I LOVE the new layout. and your positivity rubbed off and I am much happier today:) Thank you for helping to put things in perspective. xoxoxo
Your realizations about why you compete are perfect because they are for you. Keep up the great work girl, you have such great discipline and you’ll do great.
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
Thank you for your support!
i think it's so awesome the realizations you've come to about yourself and competing! i think as long as you keep a smart mind about it and stay doing it for yourself because it makes YOU feel gooood then that's whats important but one it makes you miserable then its not even worth it right!