One of the biggest takeaways I received in my failed attempt at becoming a Figure Competitor was the idea of cycling Nutrition and Workouts.

One of the tenets of aesthetic training is the cycle of Bulking/Cutting. You eat more/Train Heavier when wanting to put on more muscle mass and then you eat less/train lighter/do more conditioning type workouts when wanting to lose body fat.

In my training philosophy with my clients as well as myself, I believe in seasons and cycles. Right now I have my clients in a season of working on more conditioning style workouts where we get the heart pumping and lots of different exercises to keep the sessions moving at a faster pace. Last quarter the focus was on Strength/

With that being said I’m enjoying Nicole Wilkins Buns N Guns Challenge because I love the workouts!! I love giving special love to the Buns N Guns The Leg Workouts are amazing!! There was an exercise that I didn’t like: Step up to Reverse Lunge. While I was complaining in my head, Good Old Sir-Mix-A-Lot came through with some encouragement.

The Conversation in my head:

Me: “I don’t like this exercise”

Sir Mix a Lot: L.A. Face with an Oakland Booty

Myself: Oh yeah that’s the mission!

I: Let’s Get After it!! Keep Going!

Areas of Opportunity

I make a point to get all of the strength training workouts in but I must confess that I don’t always get all of the Cardio workouts in.

My goal is to get some intervals in on the treadmill or stepmill in after the workouts and also to do some of the weight conditioning workouts I make my clients do as well.

I will say that I am pleased with my interval training on the treadmill. I’m getting up to speeds I could do 5 years ago during my figure training. (I am also 5 years older so that is a win)

What about my nutrition?

If you’ve followed me for a while, then you know I no longer diet and that’s still true. I’m eating more plant based in this season for non-fitness related reasons. I’m making a conscious effort to eat higher protein and I’ve added another meal in. With this change, I’ve got more energy in the gym to fuel my lifts.

This is critical because Nicole’s workouts are challenging!!

As I shared with my clients who was doing a new and challenging exercise, one of the exercises on Nicole’s program is so hard that I can only do 3 sets of 5 reps.

My philosophy with training is that we all need to be challenged because that is how we get stronger physically and how we grow mentally. The mental aspect of training is about ELIMINATING YOUR LIMITS AND DOING MORE THAN YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD.

This is how we see change and results. This is how we get better. This is how we Level Up.

Goals

  • Complete the Program (I’ve gotten busier so I want to make sure that I’m getting my training in)
  • Be able to Complete 3 sets of 10 of the Pushup to Renegade Row (Right now I can only do 5)
  • Improve my Cardio Conditioning – I want to be able to do :20/:40 intervals again
  • See improved strength in my upper body and hey…if I’m being real here I’d like to see some improved definition in my upper body.