the suit - changes - weight is just a number

This morning, I've been putting together bags of old clothes to take and donate to a local shelter. Before I toss "the suit" into the bag, I figured I'd take one last picture to see where my life has taken me.
In 2007, I reached 215lbs. The photo on the left is from my 25th birthday HAHA please ignore the face. I was pretty inebriated and the bow on my chest... well, I was cracking up because as a thank you for my surprise party, I was presenting my (then large) boobs to my boyfriend as a thank you. Ridiculous... so proud that I don't live that lifestyle anymore.

The center photo is from Labor Day 2009. I was in graduate school and had done Weight Watchers. I was in OA for my binging and my workouts are what you would classify under "cardio queen"-- I literally went to the gym at Marquette and would bike for 40 minutes and then get on the elliptical/arc for another 30 minutes.
But what this shows you is that I, genetically, have a large stature. My muscles had no shape because I was terrified of getting bigger. I had grown up being ashamed of my genetic gift and the idea of lifting weights and adding any additional size was terrifying for me!

The right is today. 10 weeks out from stepping on stage for the first time in a NPC Figure competition. I would like you all to look at the numbers... you look at me and nobody guesses I weigh 170lbs. That SOUNDS like a huge number. I'm just around 12% body fat right now and with contest prep, I'll likely be about 12 lbs tighter when I step on stage.
I'm a size 8 or 6 sometimes...but I have to buy larger to fit my shoulders and legs then get everything taken in.
***PLEASE NOTE ~~ I AM WAY BELOW WHERE ANYONE WHO IS NOT INTO BODYBUILDING/COMPETING SHOULD BE!! AT MY AGE, <17% IS CONSIDERED "EXCEPTIONAL" SO PLEASE, DO NOT SET GOALS BASED ON WHAT SOMEBODY LIKE ME HAS TO DO FOR COMPETITION
I have been lifting weights for almost a year and I am THRILLED about the shape my body has taken (and the transformation continues). The major strides I've made as far as self confidence goes are beyond what I thought possible. Sure, I still have my insecurities and it stings when ignorant people tell me I look like a boy or call me too muscular... but the positive feedback I get from most people in my world helps lift my spirits. Changing your body really does change your mind... and the reverse is true too! There are such huge emotional changes that accompany physical transformation!!!! This is why my goal is to call myself "Wellness Coach" offering personal training, diet consultation and emotional support counseling.

So... saying goodbye to "the suit" and hello whatever comes next along my journey.

click on image to see full size

Video

A coworker asked me to be his Guinea pig for a sample highlight reel he'll be making for his clients. Pretty sweet ;) even though I had no clue how to do speed bag and I kept laughing on the glider LOL

SAMPLE VIDEO

**we'll be making another one... and I'll be prepared this time-- wearing better clothes & shoes, plus including more weights and things that I am working on (aka no speed bag lol)

Lean

Alright... so today I clocked in with 11.8% body fat. I'm ahead of schedule with the leaning out process. This means THE BEST THING EVER-- I get to eat more :)

I've been asked about what I've been eating. Here are my typical meals (without portions as that won't help any of you...since in doubt anyone reading this is my size haha)

M1 - 8am
Old-fashion oats + whey protein

Pre-workout snack (optional depending on time of workout)
Almonds or an apple

Post-workout
Whey protein + glutamine

M2- 10a / M3 - 1p / M4 - 4p
Chicken & green veggie (add brown rice or sweet potato on high carb days... chicken can be subbed for turkey, talapia/pollock/any white fish, tuna, veggie patties or deli ham)

M5 - 7p
Huge mixed greens salad or slaw with Dijon and vinegar... sometimes add eggs (or beans on high carb days)

M6 - 9p
PB & celery
(Sometimes I eat a sweet potato with cinnamon and stevia if I'm doing early starved cardio or heavy legs the next day...build up glycogen so my energy lasts through the workout)

That's sort of what my days look like during prep. I am incredibly active. I don't wear a pedometer, but I'm sure I put a few miles on each day... plus at least an hour of working out.
I eat simple, "boring" food a lot because it is fast and convenient fuel :)

I am NOT telling anyone to eat this. I am not a RD. This is simply a quick post to show an idea of the kinds of foods I eat while leaning out for contest prep.
I cycle my carbs-- keeping them low for 2 days and then 1 day of "average" ratio (3:2:1).