"Woah, we're halfway there." - Bon Jovi
8 weeks down, 8 weeks to go!
This was an all around fantastic week. It was my last week in the office for 2015, we had our office holiday happy hour and gift exchange, I wrapped up Phase 2 of my training program AND to top things off, I competed in a weightlifting meet on Sunday (my first back since March/breaking my wrist) and somehow managed to make a competition PR (personal record) snatch of 60 kg. That, my friends, is what I call a great week.
2 Month Progress
I'm switching up the order of things with this post and jumping straight into my progress. Why the heck not?
The photos below, from left to right, are my initial, 1 month and 2 month progress.
I can definitely see some slow and steady progress in all four poses. I'm really happy with where I am at 8 weeks out from my show. In terms of my measurements, they have changed as follows:
17 weeks out ---> 8 weeks out
- Weight [lbs] - 150 ---> 145.6
- Waist [in] - 28 ---> 27.25
- Abdomen [in] - 31 --->29
- Hips [in] - 39.25 ---> 38.5
- Thighs [in] - 22.75 ---> 22
- Upper Arm [in] - 11.5 ---> 11.25
- Bust [in] - 33.5 ---> 33.25
With some quick math, that is a total of 4.75" and 4.4 lbs lost! I'm a bit surprised my weight went unchanged from last week, but I'll still chalk it up as a win for progress. Don't forget, this also includes navigating around Thanksgiving and my Birthday, so that makes me even MORE happy with my progress.
Training
My training definitely hit a high note this week. I'm feeling the strongest and healthiest that I've felt in a very long time - maybe even all year?? First off, I rounded out the 2nd Phase of my training program. I've been following Eric Cressey's High Performance Handbook programming and I absolutely love it. This is in no way a "figure prep" program, quite the opposite. It is programming for improving your athletic performance - not aesthetics. What I've found, however, is that with proper nutrition and training that you actually enjoy, you are able to achieve the physique and aesthetic you desire.
In addition to my "bodybuilding" programming, I've been more regular with my Olympic weightlifting. It has felt so great (READ: pain-free) to lift again and actually have some weight on the bar. On Thursday of last week I decided I would compete in a meet this past Sunday. Yep, 3 days before the actual meet. I just wanted to have some fun and step on the platform one last time in 201`5 and for the first time since I broke my wrist in March. I really surprised myself with my lifts! Up until this point (post-injury) I had only hit a 55 kg snatch and a 75 kg clean and jerk. To my surprise I hit a 60 kg snatch and a 75 kg clean and jerk! I made a 78 kg clean but narrowly missed the jerk. To put that into perspective, my lifetime PR's are 63 kg and 81 kg. I'm so close to being back at that level.
Nutrition
This week was really easy cooking-wise. As of today, I'm gone from my apartment in San Francisco for TWO WEEKS. That meant I wanted to clean out my fridge and didn't want to have anything left behind. I ate pretty standard lunches of brussels sprouts, broccoli and chicken all week. Dinners included this bomb diggity Spinach Artichoke Frittata.
I'm going to keep my nutrition unchanged for the week. As I head home to spend time with my family, I am focused on enjoying my time and rather than obsessing over my food. I'm going to make the best decisions that I can, but Christmas comes once a year and I'm not going to make myself miserable missing out on some amazing eats and treats. After these next two weeks are up I will be 6 weeks out and I'm going to hit it HARD for prep. Can't wait!
Non-Lifting Day Macros:
- 1,432 Calories
- 155 g Protein
- 50 g Carbohydrates
- 68 g Fat
Lifting Day Macros:
- 1,713 Calories
- 150 g Protein
- 168 g Carbohydrates
- 49 g Fat
