40 days and 40 nights…

… to go til my bodybuilding Final, that is. And, whilst I won’t be fasting that whole time, things are going to get tougher from here on in.

This is just a quick post to check in. I haven’t got much to update!

Training is going really well, I’m still lifting heavy (8-10 reps) and am actually putting my weights up. I don’t know how much longer this will last but I’m making the most of it whilst I can!

I think I’ve put on some size; we shall see…

I’ve added more abs work into my training and am now posing almost daily, with one longer session a week.

Cardio remains pretty low – although I’m doing a lot of walking! – with a focus on intervals and plyo stuff.

I’m trying to sleep as much as possible, even grabbing naps during the day (at the weekends, at least) which is just blissful. There’s something about falling asleep during the day, with everyday background noise seeping into your dreams, which feels deliciously decadent!

Diet is good, I’m changing up my protein sources and enjoying lots of lovely different meats from Athleat (<— put "nicolamillichip" in at the checkout for a 10% discount) and Osgrow. I discovered the latter through Helen Milton, who won the Figure Lightweights at the most recent BNBF qualifier and, to my mind, looked in fantastic condition with superb symmetry – she brought a great package to the stage.

I got given almost 2kgs (!) watercress yesterday by the fruit and veg man at the market – it was the end of the day and he was packing up to go home. I’m trying to eat it all before it wilts away to nothing, but if anyone has any good watercress recipes or ideas, I’m all ears! (Ideally something which will prolong its life whilst I eat most of it raw).

I’m having a biosignature assessment done soon which I’m fascinated by. I can’t wait to find out what feedback and recommendations I get.

All in all I’m feeling pretty chilled out, just trucking along taking things one day, one meal, one training session at a time. I’m really enjoying the days (which are pretty regular at the moment) where I feel really “at one” with prep, like I’m doing everything I can and enjoying it all, too. It’s a lovely blissed-out feeling and I’d like to bottle it up for a quick spritz later down the line when I’m riding the rollercoaster of the final few weeks!

How’s your training going? Have you ever had biosignature done? Tell all!

40 days and 40 nights… 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.