Whew.

I always like to think of myself as FOREVER YOUNG but this Nicole Wilkins Transformation Challenge has me realizing that I am no longer in my 20’s and I have to take steps in my body work self care to ensure that I perform at an optimal level.

My Goals

  • To Get back into more intense Strength Training
  • March towards my Goal of being able to do 3 Unassisted Pull-ups again
  • Improve my Conditioning with High Intense Interval Training
  • Complete all 60 Days of the Program

I didn’t include any cosmetic goals because I’ve stopped making those types of fitness goals.  I have found that once I start focusing on numbers then the learning and fun goes all away and it becomes less about challenging myself and enjoying the process and more about the numbers.

I didn’t weigh myself at the beginning or take any measurements.

What it is….

Nicole Wilkins is a 4 time Ms. Figure Olympia.  I did her free Thanksgiving Week Workouts for the last 6 weeks of the years and I enjoyed them so much that I decided to sign up for her 60 Day Transformation challenge because I wanted to challenge myself!.

 

The Program

There are 2 Phases to the Program.

Phase 1 is about Muscle Building techniques so the workouts employ a lot of advanced techniques like Rest Pause/High Volume of Work (7 Sets for some exercises)

The Strength 5 Days a Week of Lifting Weights and 3 High Intensity Interval Cardio Training workouts a week.

4x Figure Olympia Champion, Nicole Wilkins

I teach 2 Group Cycle Classes a week so it is tough for me to get in 3 HIIT workouts a week but I am doing my best.

I’ve started taking Les Mills Sprint Cycle class 1-2 times a week (It’s HIIT and only 30 minutes), I do the Treadmill, or I do some Metabolic Weight lifting/Stepmill.

Week 1 I got in 50 minutes of HIIT Cardio on My Own

Week 2 I got in 55 minutes of HIIT Cardio on My Own

The Strength Workouts are challenging but that’s what I wanted.

Nutrition

Since Nicole is from the bodybuilding world, the nutrition is bodybuilding inspired but I was encouraged that she includes Whole Eggs and More Calories especially in Phase 1 since the goal is to add muscle.

However there are directions to eat every 3 hours and weight and measure food which I will not do.

I look on the website for good recipes and all that but I will not be weighing and measuring food.  What is interesting is that intuitively I have been drawn more to a lower carb nutrition style.

I eat meals from The Whole30, Drop 2 Sizes, and my own repertoire.

I will admit that I am intentionally saying, “No” to dessert and pointless carbs as I like to call them.

It’s tough…

The thing about this program is that it is tough.  It’s more intense training that I have done in a while and I am feeling it.

I remarked that in my 20’s I could do these 2 hour workouts, teach classes, etc. and barely need any recovery.  As a member of the #fitnessover35 club, this is not the case so I have to be smarter about some things.

My main weapon are my Body Workers.  I have 2 that are amazing!  After my massage with one of my therapists on Thursday, I felt like a new woman!! Body work is essential as you get older and want to do more intense training for optimal function.

I believe tissues are severely neglected and we must keep them as pliable as possible to minimize injury risk and increase performance.  We’re starting to learn more about Fascia Tissue and the importance of keeping it healthy.  I know for me tissue work and keeping hydrated are essential.

It’s tough but I keep telling myself that I will keep showing up and doing the work so that I can complete the challenge!!