4/28/18 Saturday
I am 2 weeks away from stepping on a platform again. Just thinking about it gives me butterflies (I tend to feel this way before a heavy set or stepping on stage/the platform).
I was just sitting at my computer reading about recovery… And I can feel aches and pains.
I feel tight in so many places. My joints are all cracky when I move. It is like I’m an 80-year-old woman! LOL.
So I wanted to talk about what it is like going into a meet, what to expect, and how I handle it all.
When you first start meet prep… The weight generally feel good, and “light.” You are able to progress week to week. All that feels amazing and gets you super amped up for the meet.
But as the weeks go by. As you continue to train. As the weights get heavier and harder… You body gets more and more beat up. It is very similar to getting ready for a bodybuilding show. You feel more and more tired/fatigued. Except with powerlifting… You feel like an old man! LOL. Your body hurts all over. Haha.
You have to keep pushing through though! You have to train! No matter what (unless you have a serious injury of course)!
You have to eat your meals. Good, quality meals!
Eat good = perform good = look good = feel good!
It is totally normal to feel tired and beat up going into a meet. The fatigue levels continue to accumulate as you continue to train.
4/30/18 Monday
I am currently at work (the dealership). Man oh man! I am exhausted!
I was like falling asleep while I was on the spin bike this morning. And I just feel like my whole body is super heavy. I feel like I need a few days of just sleeping!
But on a lighter, more awake note... My meet is getting closer and closer!
It seriously came so fast! (that's what she said! ahahahaha!)
Let's continue from above...
FATIGUE! When you are getting ready for a competition, meet, show, game, etc... You are most likely training hard! Intensity is increasing. Or volume (depending on what sport)... That all means that you are creating more muscle breakdown, more fatigue.
This is why it is "normal" to feel beat up going into a competition.
This is when you have to pay extra close attention to your SLEEP, NUTRITION, RECOVERY, ETC. (all of those things are always important).
HOW DO I HANDLE FEELING LIKE POOP?
For the most part... I just deal with it. But I know that isn't helpful at all.
1. I try my best to get the sleep that I need. If you follow me... You know that I do not sleep much. But I do try to take naps.
2. I stretch and roll 3ish nights a week. You have to find a happy-medium with stretching and rolling out. If you do too much of it, it can actually cause more damage and cause you to be sore, which you don't want.
3. LOTS OF WATER, and I follow my macro plan. Like I mentioned about... Eat good, feel good, perform good!
4. When I can... I get work done with our in-house chiro KELLEY! She is amazing! She does massage, cupping, chiropractic work, and she also gives you homework exercises.
5. I stay positive. I know that I am going to feel like poop! I also know that I will get a deload the week before the meet. Which will help bring my fatigue down a good bit.
If you are getting ready for a meet... I hope this helps. :)
OKAY... Before we end this blog.... Let's talk about the pictures.
Picture 1:
This is my current shape. I am at the end of my off-season. Sitting around 129lbs.
I have been working hard this off-season. In the gym and in the kitchen! I am pretty happy with the way I look.
And I am very excited to see what is under this fluff!
Picture 2:
PORK BELLY MAC & CHEESE! From Grassa! Handcrafted pasta in downtown Portland. I really enjoyed this! It was just enough pasta. I didn't feel overly-stuffed. Plus, I did share with Tony :)
After eating pasta... We went home and ate some treats. I made some Fake Fudge, Semi-Healthy Cookie Dough Truffles... And I also bought the new Oreos! Piña colada and Kettle Corn! & we still have some Mystery Oreos! I was in heaven! LOL.
Picture 3:
Bulls eye! Tony, Des, and I went to Archery World in Vancouver, WA on Saturday. It was so fun! & soon after we started I said I was going to get a bulls eye... AND I DID! Lol.
That's it for now.
Go check out my training logs at www.MuscleMentor.net