Physique prep in numbers

Fewer than five weeks to go! *gulp*! This time in five weeks I’ll have done a bodybuilding show and will be fine-tuning things for my second… It’s all coming round very quickly!

Here’s an update on training, posing, bikinis and all that important stuff. Physique prep-by-numbers, if you like.

Body composition
Going up
Lean mass. Hooray! My friend Heidi came and “zapped” me (bioimpedance test) yesterday (thank you, HSC!) and, whilst I recognise there is a degree of error either way, one thing’s for certain – my lean mass has gone up, whilst my weight and body fat have gone down. So I’ve lost weight, but it’s fat not muscle. Which is all I care about!

Going down
See above – body fat. We’re not sure of the exact % since there is a degree of error with any method of measurement, but it’s definitely gone down (and hasn’t taken any of my precioussss muscle with it).

Diet
Going up
Vegetables. Specifically, broccoli. If only because I placed an online supermarket order a week or so ago and must have hit the wrong button because the guy delivered TWO CARRIER BAGS full of broccoli. I think it was about 12 heads of the stuff. Still, it’s good for me! And I’ve come up with a few cracking new recipes.

Going down
Dairy. Goodbye, my darling! See you on the other side! Also, soy. Farewell, Costa/Starbucks soy lattes and mistos!

Training
Going up
My weights! Still! I am delighted by this. Despite bringing my calories down slowly to lose body fat, I am stronger than ever, adding weights to the bar and feeling great.

Going down
Energy levels after about 3pm. Seriously, want to book a meeting with me, or need me to work on something new? Book me in the morning. In general, I’m feeling fine, but as my body has less and less body fat to run on and starts zipping through glycogen faster than ever, I am crashing earlier in the day.

Supplements
Going up
Caffeine consumption. I know, I know. I try to limit it but… I fail. Plus I have discovered a lovely new mid-afternoon treat: Starbucks Via, ice cubes, non-dairy millk and a bit of Xantham gum, all blended up in my blender. Milkshakey caffeiney iced deliciousness.

Going down
Erm, nothing really but I have an unopened box of pre-workout stimulant stuff which I bought ages ago, assuming I’d be needing it at this stage in prep as I’d be so tired. I haven’t even opened it and I’m really pleased that I’m still feeling strong and full of energy and don’t need the stuff even at this stage in the game.

Hydration
Going up
Water. I’m trying to chug down 4-5 litres a day and finding it pretty easy which is amazing for me as I’m usually rubbish at drinking any water at all.

Going down
Our stash of loo roll.

Cardio
Going up
Walks with The Fit Dog, and interval training sessions.

Going down
Longer cardio sessions. Not that I really did those anyway during prep. But I don’t have a lot of energy or enthusiasm for really really long dog walks anymore. An hour or so is our limit.

Measurements
Going up
Sometimes arm and leg measurements (around, not length! that would be weird) although I think this is partly user-error and partly because we measure on different days, so sometimes we’ll measure just after I’ve done a leg or upper body session so I’ll still be pumped.

Going down
Waist, hips, all the important bits.

Clothing
Going up
The amount of velvet bikinis I own 😉 Also, input on Facebook from kind-hearted souls who have been humouring my endless “what colour bikini should I order? vote now! vote now!” updates.

Going down
Or falling down – my jeans. Seriously, still think lifting very heavy weights makes women bulk up? I am the smallest I’ve ever been. Which reminds me of another thing…

Other people’s observations
Going up
The amount of people who say variations of “…but how can you enter a bodybuilding competition? You’re small!” Also, people coming up to me in the gym and asking what I’m training for.

Going down
The amount of men in the gym who use any equipment I’ve just used without asking if I am still using it. Also, the amount of men in the gym who offer to help me lift stuff back into the racks, etc.

Mindset
Going up
Motivation, excitement, focus, drive. The belief that I can actually do this, and that I might do well.

Going down
Nerves about posing. I thought I’d be terrified but I’m not. Mind you, ask me again when I’m about to step onstage!

Rest
Going up
Massages.

Going down
Sleep quality. I sleep horribly at the best of times but, really, it’s getting beyond a joke. Wake up times for the past few days (including weekend days): 6:27, 6:27, 6:14, 3:00….! If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, please please leave them in the comments. I am getting desperate.

Body temperature
Going up
Our heating.

Going down
My body temperature. It has been colder this week though, hasn’t it? But…brrrr!

Thoughts about whether or not I can really do this thing
Going up… and down… and up… and down 😉

Is there anything you’d like to know about prep? Please ask and I’ll do my best to answer.

Physique prep in numbers is a post from The Fit Writer blog.

Nicola Joyce – the Fit Writer – is a freelance copywriter and journalist who writes for the sport and fitness industry. Her main website is here.