I thought on it for a few days, and with the perspectives of a few good friends slightly altered my game plan for the next 4 1/2 weeks prep for Nationals.
-Leg training: slightly lower weight and up intensity; add plyos and 2nd lower-body plyo workout
-Cardio: 2 full-blown routine practices (currently doing this), 1 mini practice (opt) or Run, Run 3x per week
-Diet: I was VERY low carb before, going between 50-75g every day. I plan to cycle b/c I think the higher days will help me come in harder and fuller. I will go up to 100g probably twice a week.
Other than that, it's just stick to what I do for the next month. I will alter my peak week diet a bit and begin carbing up earlier, and also since prejudging is Friday night it will change some things.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Post-comp reflections & the way ahead
Well, it's two days after my show and I have to say it was one of the best experiences of my life. Why? Other than trying to focus on the anxiety of winning, I already knew going into the show that my true identity and worth was already defined and rooted and would not change based on the outcome of the show. For once, I had no stress and felt joy and peace as I focused on having fun, being friendly, encouraging others, and simply performing my routine with enjoyment. I had time to reflect on my personal journey - the discipline, effort and hard work that, through God-given strength, I was able to endure with very little difficulty and to stay balanced and focused on my personal relationships and responsibilities. Thank God for his grace and strength! I hope to continue to be able to bless myself and others through my passion and love for this sport. It is a blessing that I have been given the physical and mental strength and tools to participate in such a rewarding activity, and to be able to reflect God's glory and be an example of Christ to others.
And once I realized all of this, I decided that my prep will not change over the next 5 weeks until the Nationals. I will "do what I do" and keep working hard and improving, week by week, and hope to have another awesome experience in Dallas!
Thanks for listening and sticking with me through my journey. And special thanks to Heather M. for letting me know she reads (and actually enjoys) my silly little journal. ;)
Alissa
And once I realized all of this, I decided that my prep will not change over the next 5 weeks until the Nationals. I will "do what I do" and keep working hard and improving, week by week, and hope to have another awesome experience in Dallas!
Thanks for listening and sticking with me through my journey. And special thanks to Heather M. for letting me know she reads (and actually enjoys) my silly little journal. ;)
Alissa
Friday, October 05, 2007
7 Days Out...
Well it seems like I just typed the first entry in here just a month or so ago - wow, how time flies! My warm up show is under 2 weeks away. I debated doing a local show before Nationals... many warn against it as you can "tarnish your reputation" if a black horse shows up and you don't win. Well, I opted to ignore the naysayers for several reasons: first, I wanted my local family and friends to be able to see me compete since I haven't done a local show since 2004; second, I am focusing on competing for fun and not as much heavy pressure; third, it's cheaper!
Anyway, I am so blessed to have my friend Heather doing this show with me. She's a trooper and competed in Late July and early August but is hanging on so we can do this show together! My closest friends and family will be there, so I want to go into this show with no pressure (or as little as possible) and just enjoy the day and reflect on the journey thus far.
As for how I look/feel, I've never felt more composed and at peace, and I believe my physique is on point - not too big/hard but good conditioning. That's all I can do, is control how I come in. My weight today was 139.8 - can't believe my off-season high was around 163 *gasp!* I'm a bit scared to do my own peak week diet, but I've done it all this far so I have to be sure of myself and ignore the doubts and indecision that tries to creep in.
Thanks to those of you who are tracking with me and reading my babbling nonsense.
xoxo
Lissa
Anyway, I am so blessed to have my friend Heather doing this show with me. She's a trooper and competed in Late July and early August but is hanging on so we can do this show together! My closest friends and family will be there, so I want to go into this show with no pressure (or as little as possible) and just enjoy the day and reflect on the journey thus far.
As for how I look/feel, I've never felt more composed and at peace, and I believe my physique is on point - not too big/hard but good conditioning. That's all I can do, is control how I come in. My weight today was 139.8 - can't believe my off-season high was around 163 *gasp!* I'm a bit scared to do my own peak week diet, but I've done it all this far so I have to be sure of myself and ignore the doubts and indecision that tries to creep in.
Thanks to those of you who are tracking with me and reading my babbling nonsense.
xoxo
Lissa
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Weekly Training
I'm now just under 4 weeks out from the warmup show and 9 weeks out from NATIONALS! Decided to start logging my training on paper so I can keep track of how many sessions of what I am doing, now that I'm increasing the frequency. Running is back in and I am going to add in a 3rd weekly routine practice, once I can get to the gymnastics facility to train.
Mon: AM - Shoulders; PM - 25 min. Run
Tue: PM - 60 min. Fitness Routine (conditioning-focused)
Wed: AM - Back, Calves; PM 25 min. Fitness Routine
Thu: AM - 30 min. Fitness Routine, 30 min. kettlebell conditioning
Fri: AM - Gymnastics; PM - Legs
*Second run will be Wed or Fri
Mon: AM - Shoulders; PM - 25 min. Run
Tue: PM - 60 min. Fitness Routine (conditioning-focused)
Wed: AM - Back, Calves; PM 25 min. Fitness Routine
Thu: AM - 30 min. Fitness Routine, 30 min. kettlebell conditioning
Fri: AM - Gymnastics; PM - Legs
*Second run will be Wed or Fri
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Feeling Great!
Sorry I haven't posted in a while - a few of you have been "bugging" me. ;)
I am doing GREAT. I had my wisdom teeth (all 4, 2 were impacted) pulled 1 1/2 weeks ago and had to stall on diet/training for about 5 days, but I am in full gear and hard-charging now!
This is my 3rd day at the house working from my home office and I can't believe how BUSY I am. I'm busier than I was working at NGB, because I have so many things to do that my brain thought of over the past 6 months and put on hold until I had time, which is now. I am loving it though! It will be a learning experience to find a balance and set my schedule and will probably take a few weeks to find a comfortable rhythm.
OK, about show prep. I am 4.5 weeks out from my warm-up show. I feel a lot different going into this one. I don't feel RIPPED but I do feel lean and tight. It's kind of odd. Maybe the muscle I put on in the off-season is skewing my image of how I should look right now. In any case, I am relaxed, not stressed or worried and will get to see what I need to tweak for Nationals in less than 10 weeks!
My weight as of yesterday is 143.7 and can you believe when I first started with my baseline beginning of June I was close to 160?! For this first show I will aim to come in slightly under 140, perhaps 138. I don't know for sure, I just tweak things as I go!
Fitness Routine is coming together quite nicely. Conditioning is much better than anticipated after a 2-week layoff due to the oral surgery. Strength and flexibility are there, just need to keep it all when I run all-out routines. And that, my friends, is nothing but ENDURANCE and kick-your-butt sport conditioning that makes you want to throw up and/or pass out. But, I LOVE it and would never willingly give up competing in Fitness!
Well, gotta get back to work but I'll try to check in next week with updated pics from my two photoshoots (one 2 weeks ago and one this coming Saturday).
God Bless!
Alissa
I am doing GREAT. I had my wisdom teeth (all 4, 2 were impacted) pulled 1 1/2 weeks ago and had to stall on diet/training for about 5 days, but I am in full gear and hard-charging now!
This is my 3rd day at the house working from my home office and I can't believe how BUSY I am. I'm busier than I was working at NGB, because I have so many things to do that my brain thought of over the past 6 months and put on hold until I had time, which is now. I am loving it though! It will be a learning experience to find a balance and set my schedule and will probably take a few weeks to find a comfortable rhythm.
OK, about show prep. I am 4.5 weeks out from my warm-up show. I feel a lot different going into this one. I don't feel RIPPED but I do feel lean and tight. It's kind of odd. Maybe the muscle I put on in the off-season is skewing my image of how I should look right now. In any case, I am relaxed, not stressed or worried and will get to see what I need to tweak for Nationals in less than 10 weeks!
My weight as of yesterday is 143.7 and can you believe when I first started with my baseline beginning of June I was close to 160?! For this first show I will aim to come in slightly under 140, perhaps 138. I don't know for sure, I just tweak things as I go!
Fitness Routine is coming together quite nicely. Conditioning is much better than anticipated after a 2-week layoff due to the oral surgery. Strength and flexibility are there, just need to keep it all when I run all-out routines. And that, my friends, is nothing but ENDURANCE and kick-your-butt sport conditioning that makes you want to throw up and/or pass out. But, I LOVE it and would never willingly give up competing in Fitness!
Well, gotta get back to work but I'll try to check in next week with updated pics from my two photoshoots (one 2 weeks ago and one this coming Saturday).
God Bless!
Alissa
Friday, August 24, 2007
7.5 Weeks Out
Last weekend was a great time - Dave and I went camping in the Shenandoah Mountains aka "Blue Ridge." We had two killer hikes on Sunday that he called "stairmaster from hell" and I enjoyed (maybe a little too much!) some hot dogs and S'mores!
I am on the straight and narrow from here on out. I'm down to 146.1 (another half pound) and have been carb-depleting this week for a photo shoot tomorrow. The shoot will be fun, but I'm more eager to see my dieting progress so far since I don't have any pics yet!
Fitness routine is coming together. At practice yesterday, despite carb depletion, I had a crisp routine that flowed with lots of strength and energy. Endurance is still kickin' my butt but that is normal. Got 9 more weeks until my guest performance which is plenty of time to build it up (did it in 3 1/2 last year - THAT was suicide!).
Dave and I made a BIG decision within the past 2 weeks... I will quit my job at the Bureau and come back to working from home full-time with the Fit Figures business, and PT'ing at the gym and in-home part-time. We both feel that this is the direction God is leading me/us so that we can spend more time with each other and focus on keeping our marriage strong and healthy. Being a natural overachiever, I always pull myself in every direction and stretch myself too thin. I didn't realize the negative impact it was having on the rest of my life! I am excited and more than happy to give up my gobmint job if it means peace and stability in my life. Please pray for us that God provides what we need financially as we transition through this major step of life.
Thanks for reading! :)
Lissa
I am on the straight and narrow from here on out. I'm down to 146.1 (another half pound) and have been carb-depleting this week for a photo shoot tomorrow. The shoot will be fun, but I'm more eager to see my dieting progress so far since I don't have any pics yet!
Fitness routine is coming together. At practice yesterday, despite carb depletion, I had a crisp routine that flowed with lots of strength and energy. Endurance is still kickin' my butt but that is normal. Got 9 more weeks until my guest performance which is plenty of time to build it up (did it in 3 1/2 last year - THAT was suicide!).
Dave and I made a BIG decision within the past 2 weeks... I will quit my job at the Bureau and come back to working from home full-time with the Fit Figures business, and PT'ing at the gym and in-home part-time. We both feel that this is the direction God is leading me/us so that we can spend more time with each other and focus on keeping our marriage strong and healthy. Being a natural overachiever, I always pull myself in every direction and stretch myself too thin. I didn't realize the negative impact it was having on the rest of my life! I am excited and more than happy to give up my gobmint job if it means peace and stability in my life. Please pray for us that God provides what we need financially as we transition through this major step of life.
Thanks for reading! :)
Lissa
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Weekly Update - 10 Weeks Out
Here we go again. Last week went well. Nothing very exciting - what can I say? I'm in the zone, trucking along. Can't do a weigh-in yet since I'm holding a lot of water due to my monthly visitor. Hopefully when I weigh in Friday I will be down around 146!
Routine training is going great. Just this week I really started to notice changes in everything pulling together. Skills are getting better and conditioning is drastically improving. It takes tons of patience to do fitness. You train long, hard hours and have little to show for it until 1-2 weeks later, then you start noticing gradual, subtle improvements.
Everything else is going good and is extremely uneventful - which is the way I like it. :)
Now under the 10 week mark for the Maryland Show, I feel confident that I will come in this season at my best ever. I'm usually 3-4 weeks behind where I am in my dieting right now, so I'm definitely a happy camper. :)
Routine training is going great. Just this week I really started to notice changes in everything pulling together. Skills are getting better and conditioning is drastically improving. It takes tons of patience to do fitness. You train long, hard hours and have little to show for it until 1-2 weeks later, then you start noticing gradual, subtle improvements.
Everything else is going good and is extremely uneventful - which is the way I like it. :)
Now under the 10 week mark for the Maryland Show, I feel confident that I will come in this season at my best ever. I'm usually 3-4 weeks behind where I am in my dieting right now, so I'm definitely a happy camper. :)
Monday, July 30, 2007
Weekly Update - Monday, July 30
12 weeks out... another week down and another 2 lbs. lost - woohoo! This prep is going GREAT so far. I hope I don't jinx myself. :)
I struggled at the beginning of the week. I figured I'd get in the 140's within the first day, but the scale didn't budge Tuesday, or Wednesday, or Thursday... I finally hit on Saturday, and weighed in again Sunday morning for the new low of... 148.6! So in 8 days I lost another 2.3 lbs. Yeah, I'm happy!
Training is going well. I'm trying to pace myself because my natural tendency is to keep going and pushing harder and for more, but if I do that this early on I'll burn myself out. I got all my workouts in this past week - 3 lifting sessions, 3 routine practices and 2 runs. Intensity was a little lower on my routine practices to avoid that burnout feeling, and so I could focus on little pieces of choreography and repetitions of strength moves. I decided to take this AM off from running, but I feel great and will be back in the gym tonight to train back and abs with my BF Andrea.
Started a new supplement on Saturday - Nutrex NIOX. My client Linda RAVES about this stuff, so I have to see what all the hype is about! It's a liqui-cap NO2 stimulant. I haven't noticed a stimulant effect from it, which is good for me, but I'm not sure it's making me fuller and harder yet. I think it's too early on to tell.
Wish me luck this week! I have another loaded schedule but I have no doubts God will bring me through it.
I struggled at the beginning of the week. I figured I'd get in the 140's within the first day, but the scale didn't budge Tuesday, or Wednesday, or Thursday... I finally hit on Saturday, and weighed in again Sunday morning for the new low of... 148.6! So in 8 days I lost another 2.3 lbs. Yeah, I'm happy!
Training is going well. I'm trying to pace myself because my natural tendency is to keep going and pushing harder and for more, but if I do that this early on I'll burn myself out. I got all my workouts in this past week - 3 lifting sessions, 3 routine practices and 2 runs. Intensity was a little lower on my routine practices to avoid that burnout feeling, and so I could focus on little pieces of choreography and repetitions of strength moves. I decided to take this AM off from running, but I feel great and will be back in the gym tonight to train back and abs with my BF Andrea.
Started a new supplement on Saturday - Nutrex NIOX. My client Linda RAVES about this stuff, so I have to see what all the hype is about! It's a liqui-cap NO2 stimulant. I haven't noticed a stimulant effect from it, which is good for me, but I'm not sure it's making me fuller and harder yet. I think it's too early on to tell.
Wish me luck this week! I have another loaded schedule but I have no doubts God will bring me through it.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Weekly Update - Mon. July 23
Well, last week was a good solid week of training and diet that I can check off the list! Got all my priority workouts in and lost 2 lbs.! End of week weight was 150.9. Stayed clean on the weekends but didn't count anything. Had two cheat meals (one each Sat. and Sun.) - Mahi Mahi w/ broccoli & brown rice from T.G.I.F. and salad bar w/ broccoli/chicken/cheese quiche from Ruby Tuesday's.
This week is starting off good too, but today was my first hungry day. I guess you can only get so lean before it catches up with you. But, it's all part of prep. Can't weight to weigh-in this week and see the changes I've made. Definitely tighter already than last week. Middle abs are coming in and hips/thighs are still getting smaller.
This week is starting off good too, but today was my first hungry day. I guess you can only get so lean before it catches up with you. But, it's all part of prep. Can't weight to weigh-in this week and see the changes I've made. Definitely tighter already than last week. Middle abs are coming in and hips/thighs are still getting smaller.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Back in Action! (14 Weeks Out)
OK, a lot has happened since my last post. I am over my cold (but I do have lingering sinus congestion) and I spent last weekend in Seattle training with Tanji Johson and her team of experts. It was a blast! She choreographed a PHAT routine for me that I love and it suits me to a T. I also worked with her gymnastics coach and a breakdancing guy to teach me skills to hone some new moves for this season - yeah!
TRAINING
Got back in da gym on Monday with a vengeance. I dunno, something about being around a top 5 in the world fitness pro gives you a little motivation! Monday was Back & Abs, today was my first routine practice and I had a blast. 90 minutes of conditioning, dance, stretching, and drills and I wanted to stay for more but I was too tired (and had to shower & go to work - bummer). So the plan is 3 90-minute routine & skills practices per week, 2-3 cardio sessions and my 3 major lifting sessions (back, shoulders, legs).
I want to start working with a gymnastics coach if I can find one that's a good fit, and I want to take dance classes once a week to keep my body used to moving that way so I flow smoother and more naturally. This week my friend Heather and I will try out a local hip-hop class on Friday - should be great fun!
So, here's the current split. No set days, depends on when I'm not training clients (my second job next to my 9 hour gobmint job).
Lifting Sessions
1. Back, Abs
2. Shoulders, Calves
3. Legs
Routine/Skills
1. 3 90-minute sessions
2. 1 60-minute dance class
3. (Opt.) 1 gymnastics class (will substitute for cardio or routine)
Additional Cardio
1. 2 20-minute runs
That amounts to 9 training sessions per week. One of my routine practices is Saturday AM and Sunday is my only complete rest day.
FAT LOSS
My progress was plateaued for a while and it shot ahead over the past 2 weeks. Here's a quick chart of my fat loss so far:
Apr. 24 - 165 lbs. (max weight after cheat weekend!)
Jun. 6 - 158.5 lbs.
Jun. 23 - 156.3 lbs.
Jul. 11 - 154.7 lbs.
Jul. 17 - 152.3 lbs. (14 & 19 weeks out)
DIET
I am doing a very low carb diet but my energy is still sky-high. I like this approach and will add food in if I need it as my training volume and frequency increase.
Current numbers:
1200 calories
30g fat
75g carbs
155g protein
TRAINING
Got back in da gym on Monday with a vengeance. I dunno, something about being around a top 5 in the world fitness pro gives you a little motivation! Monday was Back & Abs, today was my first routine practice and I had a blast. 90 minutes of conditioning, dance, stretching, and drills and I wanted to stay for more but I was too tired (and had to shower & go to work - bummer). So the plan is 3 90-minute routine & skills practices per week, 2-3 cardio sessions and my 3 major lifting sessions (back, shoulders, legs).
I want to start working with a gymnastics coach if I can find one that's a good fit, and I want to take dance classes once a week to keep my body used to moving that way so I flow smoother and more naturally. This week my friend Heather and I will try out a local hip-hop class on Friday - should be great fun!
So, here's the current split. No set days, depends on when I'm not training clients (my second job next to my 9 hour gobmint job).
Lifting Sessions
1. Back, Abs
2. Shoulders, Calves
3. Legs
Routine/Skills
1. 3 90-minute sessions
2. 1 60-minute dance class
3. (Opt.) 1 gymnastics class (will substitute for cardio or routine)
Additional Cardio
1. 2 20-minute runs
That amounts to 9 training sessions per week. One of my routine practices is Saturday AM and Sunday is my only complete rest day.
FAT LOSS
My progress was plateaued for a while and it shot ahead over the past 2 weeks. Here's a quick chart of my fat loss so far:
Apr. 24 - 165 lbs. (max weight after cheat weekend!)
Jun. 6 - 158.5 lbs.
Jun. 23 - 156.3 lbs.
Jul. 11 - 154.7 lbs.
Jul. 17 - 152.3 lbs. (14 & 19 weeks out)
DIET
I am doing a very low carb diet but my energy is still sky-high. I like this approach and will add food in if I need it as my training volume and frequency increase.
Current numbers:
1200 calories
30g fat
75g carbs
155g protein
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Week 1 Update
Ah, the week started so great. It appeared that this prep would go without flaw. Then I woke up Monday morning barely able to swallow - I'd already caught my first cold! I guess I wasn't thinking about immunity since it's mid-July and the average temp. is 94 degrees lately! My mistake, obviously. So, I took a week off training (at least I can afford it this far out) and am still fighting off the tail end of the cold. I would like to say I stuck to my diet, but I didn't have the energy between the 4th and 8th, not to mention I figured the extra calories would be good for my recovery.
Since yesterday, I've been back on the diet with a little less food than usual since I'm still not training 100% yet. I head out to Seattle on Thursday and I want to be fully recovered by then. What I can work on in the meantime is my flexibility, so that's what I picked back up with yesterday and will continue today and tomorrow.
My supplementation will change to add in the following immune boosters:
L-Glutamine & BCAA's (twice daily)
1000mg Vit C (in addition to multi-vitamin)
10mg Zinc
Optiflora Prebiotic & Probiotic formulas
Echinacea
Garlic Oil
Ah, the week started so great. It appeared that this prep would go without flaw. Then I woke up Monday morning barely able to swallow - I'd already caught my first cold! I guess I wasn't thinking about immunity since it's mid-July and the average temp. is 94 degrees lately! My mistake, obviously. So, I took a week off training (at least I can afford it this far out) and am still fighting off the tail end of the cold. I would like to say I stuck to my diet, but I didn't have the energy between the 4th and 8th, not to mention I figured the extra calories would be good for my recovery.
Since yesterday, I've been back on the diet with a little less food than usual since I'm still not training 100% yet. I head out to Seattle on Thursday and I want to be fully recovered by then. What I can work on in the meantime is my flexibility, so that's what I picked back up with yesterday and will continue today and tomorrow.
My supplementation will change to add in the following immune boosters:
L-Glutamine & BCAA's (twice daily)
1000mg Vit C (in addition to multi-vitamin)
10mg Zinc
Optiflora Prebiotic & Probiotic formulas
Echinacea
Garlic Oil
Monday, July 02, 2007
L-E-T-S G-O!
An old cheer I used to do back in my high school cheerleading days, and a good phrase to kick off my 2007 season prep!
My trip to Seattle was canceled due to flight issues, but I am heading back out in 2 weeks. Today I have slightly under 15 weeks until my warm-up show, then another 5 weeks till Nationals. Here are my beginning stats:
Height: 5' 7 1/2"
Weight: 157.7
Bodyfat: (Omron handheld) 15.0% Male, 21.8% Female
Goal Weight: 140 lbs.
NOTES: By setting a goal of 1 lb. per week lost (conservative), I will reach 143.7 lbs. prior to peak week, then lose approximately 5 lbs. of water during peak week. I will adjust the goal weight as I lean down and see how my body comes in. If anything, the goal weight will go down to possibly as low as 135 lbs. As for bodyfat, I don't track it to keep a goal number in mind, but I do check it now and again to view fluctuations between readings.
TRAINING
My first phase of training, I have already been following for the past 2 weeks to get myself into the groove. Here's the split:
M - PM: Back, Abs
Tu - AM: Routine/Conditioning (75 min.), PM: Cardio (running, 20 min.)
W - PM: Shoulders, Calves
Th - AM: Routine/Conditioning (75 min.), PM: Cardio (running, 20 min.)
F - PM: Legs
Sa - AM: Routine/Conditioning (75 min.)
Su - REST
I get a lot of work for chest and triceps through my routine strength training. However, I've cut out chest, biceps and triceps from my lifting split since I am happy maintaining them where they are, and actually I don't want them to get any bigger. If I feel any of these parts starting to lag, I will re-introduce them into my training program.
My lifting scheme is a moderate volume, moderate intensity program. I lift between 16-19 sets each for Back and Shoulders. Calves get 5-7 sets (planning to increase) and Legs get about 20-25 sets. This will slowly increase week by week during this first phase, and I will have planned back-off weeks before resuming a higher volume and intensity just prior to the competition date(s).
NUTRITION
I will be setting strict numbers for macronutrients that I will keep track of daily through my FitDay online journal. This will let me know exactly what I am taking in so I can adjust my diet up or down based on my body's reaction in terms of rate of fat loss. I will keep fairly clean cheat meals in once a week until they start hindering me from meeting my goal weight. I will also have a higher carb day mid-week (Wed). This structure is a loose version of carb-cycling.
My trip to Seattle was canceled due to flight issues, but I am heading back out in 2 weeks. Today I have slightly under 15 weeks until my warm-up show, then another 5 weeks till Nationals. Here are my beginning stats:
Height: 5' 7 1/2"
Weight: 157.7
Bodyfat: (Omron handheld) 15.0% Male, 21.8% Female
Goal Weight: 140 lbs.
NOTES: By setting a goal of 1 lb. per week lost (conservative), I will reach 143.7 lbs. prior to peak week, then lose approximately 5 lbs. of water during peak week. I will adjust the goal weight as I lean down and see how my body comes in. If anything, the goal weight will go down to possibly as low as 135 lbs. As for bodyfat, I don't track it to keep a goal number in mind, but I do check it now and again to view fluctuations between readings.
TRAINING
My first phase of training, I have already been following for the past 2 weeks to get myself into the groove. Here's the split:
M - PM: Back, Abs
Tu - AM: Routine/Conditioning (75 min.), PM: Cardio (running, 20 min.)
W - PM: Shoulders, Calves
Th - AM: Routine/Conditioning (75 min.), PM: Cardio (running, 20 min.)
F - PM: Legs
Sa - AM: Routine/Conditioning (75 min.)
Su - REST
I get a lot of work for chest and triceps through my routine strength training. However, I've cut out chest, biceps and triceps from my lifting split since I am happy maintaining them where they are, and actually I don't want them to get any bigger. If I feel any of these parts starting to lag, I will re-introduce them into my training program.
My lifting scheme is a moderate volume, moderate intensity program. I lift between 16-19 sets each for Back and Shoulders. Calves get 5-7 sets (planning to increase) and Legs get about 20-25 sets. This will slowly increase week by week during this first phase, and I will have planned back-off weeks before resuming a higher volume and intensity just prior to the competition date(s).
NUTRITION
I will be setting strict numbers for macronutrients that I will keep track of daily through my FitDay online journal. This will let me know exactly what I am taking in so I can adjust my diet up or down based on my body's reaction in terms of rate of fat loss. I will keep fairly clean cheat meals in once a week until they start hindering me from meeting my goal weight. I will also have a higher carb day mid-week (Wed). This structure is a loose version of carb-cycling.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Week 7
Today was Day 1 of my 7th week in this current training phase. This will also be the final week, as I move into full-on contest prep next week! This will be a short and condensed week since I am going to Seattle on Thursday.
Day 1 (Mon) - Back, Abs, Stretching
Day 2 (Tue) - Strength & Conditioning
Day 3 (Wed) - Legs, Calves
Day 4 (Thu) - Cardio, Gymnastics
Day 5 (Fri) - Routine Choreography
I'll do an initial weigh-in on Monday morning to kick off my 15 week contest prep phase. I am ready to go!!!
Day 1 (Mon) - Back, Abs, Stretching
Day 2 (Tue) - Strength & Conditioning
Day 3 (Wed) - Legs, Calves
Day 4 (Thu) - Cardio, Gymnastics
Day 5 (Fri) - Routine Choreography
I'll do an initial weigh-in on Monday morning to kick off my 15 week contest prep phase. I am ready to go!!!
Friday, June 22, 2007
Moving in to Precontest...
I am like any other human - it takes me a good 6 weeks to form a permanent habit. Knowing this, I like to start my competition training with a mental training starting about 2 months before the physical training begins. This is a time for me to get everything straight in my life, particularly my spiritual and mental self. Getting rid of stress, finishing open projects and not letting myself procrastinate help prepare me for the rigors of contest training.
I also let my body get used to the restricted diet and increased training frequency and volume, both a little at a time. And since my body reacts differently every time I start dieting, it gives me time to create a baseline diet and set the nutrition starting point.
All that being said, I've been "pre-prepping" since around the beginning of May. At my heaviest this off-season, I weighed a whopping 165 lbs., truly living up to my high school nickname "Big Lis"! Taking a full year off let me really dig in during the off-season and add a lot of quality muscle density, size and strength. Now, I don't have to play catch-up on my physique, and I can just coast that in while focusing primarily on my fitness routine, which has always been the weaker of the components for me. After about 8 weeks of pre-prep, I am now tightening up nicely and starting to show off my newly developed muscle. My current weight is 156, which is still high considering I competed at 135 last July. I don't know what my goal weight is - I go by appearance - but I figure it's between 135 and 140. I am going for the "tiny and tight" this year and hope the new size I added won't make me look too big.
This season will officially kick-off next week with a trip out to Seattle to train and learn this year's fitness routine with my coach and mentor, IFBB Fitness Pro Tanji Johnson (http://www.tanjijohnson.com). Tanji is an incredible woman and competitor, taking the pro stage by storm last year, winning several titles and placing top 5 at the Arnold. She will be choreographing a hot new Beastie Boys-inspired routine for me to rock the stage in Dallas!
So, July 1 is the serious pre-contest phase. I'll be doing the NPC Grand Prix MD show in October as a warm-up for Dallas Nationals, so come July I'll have 15 weeks to lean down for the warm-up show, then another 5 to tweak and tighten for Nats if need be.
I invite you all to share me in my journey! This season is a bit like starting from scratch for me. I had a life-changing transformation last year and rededicated my life to Christ. I love competing and still would love to win, but every training session, meal and performance will be dedicated to Him and for His glory! So my personal theme this year is based off 1 Corinthians 10:31:
"Therefore; whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do
everything for God's glory."
Join me as I transform my body and take my athleticism to a new level, as I dedicate my physical self wholly to my God and to His glory!
Thanks for your support,
Alissa
I also let my body get used to the restricted diet and increased training frequency and volume, both a little at a time. And since my body reacts differently every time I start dieting, it gives me time to create a baseline diet and set the nutrition starting point.
All that being said, I've been "pre-prepping" since around the beginning of May. At my heaviest this off-season, I weighed a whopping 165 lbs., truly living up to my high school nickname "Big Lis"! Taking a full year off let me really dig in during the off-season and add a lot of quality muscle density, size and strength. Now, I don't have to play catch-up on my physique, and I can just coast that in while focusing primarily on my fitness routine, which has always been the weaker of the components for me. After about 8 weeks of pre-prep, I am now tightening up nicely and starting to show off my newly developed muscle. My current weight is 156, which is still high considering I competed at 135 last July. I don't know what my goal weight is - I go by appearance - but I figure it's between 135 and 140. I am going for the "tiny and tight" this year and hope the new size I added won't make me look too big.
This season will officially kick-off next week with a trip out to Seattle to train and learn this year's fitness routine with my coach and mentor, IFBB Fitness Pro Tanji Johnson (http://www.tanjijohnson.com). Tanji is an incredible woman and competitor, taking the pro stage by storm last year, winning several titles and placing top 5 at the Arnold. She will be choreographing a hot new Beastie Boys-inspired routine for me to rock the stage in Dallas!
So, July 1 is the serious pre-contest phase. I'll be doing the NPC Grand Prix MD show in October as a warm-up for Dallas Nationals, so come July I'll have 15 weeks to lean down for the warm-up show, then another 5 to tweak and tighten for Nats if need be.
I invite you all to share me in my journey! This season is a bit like starting from scratch for me. I had a life-changing transformation last year and rededicated my life to Christ. I love competing and still would love to win, but every training session, meal and performance will be dedicated to Him and for His glory! So my personal theme this year is based off 1 Corinthians 10:31:
"Therefore; whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do
everything for God's glory."
Join me as I transform my body and take my athleticism to a new level, as I dedicate my physical self wholly to my God and to His glory!
Thanks for your support,
Alissa
Monday, April 23, 2007
The End and Beginning
Well, I just finished my first full training phase for 2007! After 14 weeks of increasing up the pyramid with excellent strength gains and a solid improvement to my hamstring, I took a 10-day active rest/detraining phase (not by choice, I was traveling to three states for work!), and here I am going into Phase 2. Below are some key pointers to both Phase 1 and Phase 2.
2007 Phase 1: 1 Jan - 7 Apr
Training Length: 14 Weeks
-Focused on regaining strength in legs (due to hammy tear in July)
-Focused on regaining muscle in upper body
-Focused on building up training volume
Key Lifts in Phase 1 (Starting Stats vs. Ending Stats)
Lat Pulldown: Start: 100x10, Finish: 120x8
Deadlift: Start: 106x15, Finish: 215x4
Squat: Start: 135x6, Finish: 195x6
DB Shoulder Press: Start:40'sx4 , Finish: 45'sx8
BB Shoulder Press (Standing): Start:55x8 , Finish: 95x8
Leg Press: Start: 3-45'sx10, Finish: 4-45'sx8
Pullups: Start: 3 sets of 3, Finish: 3 sets of 7, 6, 5
Other:
-Gained mass in shoulders and upper back
-Gained some muscle back in quads and hams
-Increased volume each week. Volume per bodypart tracked:
Back: 13 sets, 20 sets
Shoulders: 13 sets, 18 sets
Legs: 12 sets, 22 sets
2007 Phase 2: 18 Apr - ?
Training Length: Undecided
-Shift over from bodypart-based split to exercise-based split
-Increase endurance/conditioning work
-Increase strength
-Begin Events training
-Begin Fitness Routine training (gymnastics, stretching, skills)
Key Lifts in Phase 2 (as of Week 2)
Bench Press: 135x4 (new PR!)
Dips: 3 sets of 10, 8, 8
Squat: 215x5 (new PR!)
New Training Split Layout
Day 1(Tu) - Bench Press & Chest, Back, Light Hamstrings, Triceps
Day 2(W) - Squat & Legs, Biceps, Calves, Abs
Day 3(Th) - Rest or Cardio
Day 4(F) - Deadlift & Back, Barbell Press & Shoulders
Day 5(Sa) - Conditioning, Full-Body & Events Training
Day 6(Su) - OFF
Day 7(M) - Cardio Conditioning or Gymnastics
*Grip work & conditioning added throughout each session
2007 Phase 1: 1 Jan - 7 Apr
Training Length: 14 Weeks
-Focused on regaining strength in legs (due to hammy tear in July)
-Focused on regaining muscle in upper body
-Focused on building up training volume
Key Lifts in Phase 1 (Starting Stats vs. Ending Stats)
Lat Pulldown: Start: 100x10, Finish: 120x8
Deadlift: Start: 106x15, Finish: 215x4
Squat: Start: 135x6, Finish: 195x6
DB Shoulder Press: Start:40'sx4 , Finish: 45'sx8
BB Shoulder Press (Standing): Start:55x8 , Finish: 95x8
Leg Press: Start: 3-45'sx10, Finish: 4-45'sx8
Pullups: Start: 3 sets of 3, Finish: 3 sets of 7, 6, 5
Other:
-Gained mass in shoulders and upper back
-Gained some muscle back in quads and hams
-Increased volume each week. Volume per bodypart tracked:
Back: 13 sets, 20 sets
Shoulders: 13 sets, 18 sets
Legs: 12 sets, 22 sets
2007 Phase 2: 18 Apr - ?
Training Length: Undecided
-Shift over from bodypart-based split to exercise-based split
-Increase endurance/conditioning work
-Increase strength
-Begin Events training
-Begin Fitness Routine training (gymnastics, stretching, skills)
Key Lifts in Phase 2 (as of Week 2)
Bench Press: 135x4 (new PR!)
Dips: 3 sets of 10, 8, 8
Squat: 215x5 (new PR!)
New Training Split Layout
Day 1(Tu) - Bench Press & Chest, Back, Light Hamstrings, Triceps
Day 2(W) - Squat & Legs, Biceps, Calves, Abs
Day 3(Th) - Rest or Cardio
Day 4(F) - Deadlift & Back, Barbell Press & Shoulders
Day 5(Sa) - Conditioning, Full-Body & Events Training
Day 6(Su) - OFF
Day 7(M) - Cardio Conditioning or Gymnastics
*Grip work & conditioning added throughout each session
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Week 9 Update, 2007 Preview
The training life is gooooood... heck, life period is good! ROLF therapy on the hammy is helping after just one treatment. I'm deadlifting again, pain-free! Light weights, but happy to be "deading" nonetheless. Job is good, school is school, marriage is great, family is good, friends are great, GOD is great!
Quick summary over the past 9 weeks... Started BB squatting and light KB deadlifting, slowly increasing weight and volume week to week at an excruciatingly slow pace, just to be EXTRA safe. Continued increasing volume for back and shoulders, added ab training back in.
Areas to improve (aka stuff I never feel like training): Flexibility, Abs, Calves
General: My split just changed since for the month of March I am transitioning my training into exercise-based, rather than body-part based. A hectic travel schedule at work will make it tough to stick with anything consistently, so April is up in the air, but May should be a solid month for training.
Sport-specific training: I'm going to start gymnastics lessons after a few more ROLFing treatments and increased flexibility. I plan on taking a few lessons on olympic-style weightlifting to assist with cross-training efforts. I will take dance from a choreographer at my gym in July. I will begin training my fitness routine in July.
2007 Schedule
Nov 3 - NPC Body 1 Maryland State (Owings Mills, MD)
Nov 16-17 - NPC Nationals, baby! (Dallas, TX)
Quick summary over the past 9 weeks... Started BB squatting and light KB deadlifting, slowly increasing weight and volume week to week at an excruciatingly slow pace, just to be EXTRA safe. Continued increasing volume for back and shoulders, added ab training back in.
Areas to improve (aka stuff I never feel like training): Flexibility, Abs, Calves
General: My split just changed since for the month of March I am transitioning my training into exercise-based, rather than body-part based. A hectic travel schedule at work will make it tough to stick with anything consistently, so April is up in the air, but May should be a solid month for training.
Sport-specific training: I'm going to start gymnastics lessons after a few more ROLFing treatments and increased flexibility. I plan on taking a few lessons on olympic-style weightlifting to assist with cross-training efforts. I will take dance from a choreographer at my gym in July. I will begin training my fitness routine in July.
2007 Schedule
Nov 3 - NPC Body 1 Maryland State (Owings Mills, MD)
Nov 16-17 - NPC Nationals, baby! (Dallas, TX)
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Supplements!
Here is my current and updated supplementation program:
Daily
Multi-Vitamin
Multi-Mineral
Potassium
Glucosamine
Glutamine
Melatonin
Every Other Day & Occasional
Flax Oil or Capsules
Soy Isoflavones
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Acetyl L-Carnitine
CoQ10
XocoMatte (chocolate-based antioxidant)
Alfalfa (nutrients & antioxidants)
With the start of my next training phase (April 2), I will be adding in more strength and muscle building supplements. They will include:
Universal Animal Pak (Multi-Vitamin)
BSN NO-Explode (Creatine) (Pre-WO)
Animal Nitro G (Sugars, Amino Acids) (Post-WO)
Daily
Multi-Vitamin
Multi-Mineral
Potassium
Glucosamine
Glutamine
Melatonin
Every Other Day & Occasional
Flax Oil or Capsules
Soy Isoflavones
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Acetyl L-Carnitine
CoQ10
XocoMatte (chocolate-based antioxidant)
Alfalfa (nutrients & antioxidants)
With the start of my next training phase (April 2), I will be adding in more strength and muscle building supplements. They will include:
Universal Animal Pak (Multi-Vitamin)
BSN NO-Explode (Creatine) (Pre-WO)
Animal Nitro G (Sugars, Amino Acids) (Post-WO)
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Fit Figures Bodybuilding Workshop!
Hi everyone! It's time again to begin prep for the spring 2007 competition season, and we're kicking it off with our first event of the year - a bodybuilding workshop. The event will be held in Woodbridge, VA on Mar. 17, 2007.
This event is open to figure/fitness girls as well, because I believe that to be successful in either of these disciplines, you have to train and eat like a bodybuilder!
Topics include training, nutrition, supplementation, posing, goal setting/motivation.
Special guests include Kareem Petteway (WNBF Pro), Rachelle Cannon (NPC Figure & NPC Arnold Fitness Competitor). We will have a panel of professional figure and bodybuilding guests to answer your questions and offer advice.

Don't miss this this informative and exciting event!
For more information and to register, please go to: http://www.alissacarpiofitness.com/workshop.html
The event flier is attached to this message.
Good luck in 2007 and hope to see you at a workshop!
-Alissa
This event is open to figure/fitness girls as well, because I believe that to be successful in either of these disciplines, you have to train and eat like a bodybuilder!
Topics include training, nutrition, supplementation, posing, goal setting/motivation.
Special guests include Kareem Petteway (WNBF Pro), Rachelle Cannon (NPC Figure & NPC Arnold Fitness Competitor). We will have a panel of professional figure and bodybuilding guests to answer your questions and offer advice.

Don't miss this this informative and exciting event!
For more information and to register, please go to: http://www.alissacarpiofitness.com/workshop.html
The event flier is attached to this message.
Good luck in 2007 and hope to see you at a workshop!
-Alissa
Monday, January 15, 2007
Week 2
Day 1 (1/12/07 - Fri)
1. T-Bar Row 50x12 75x8 75x8
2. Lat Pulldown 90x12 100x10 110x6/drop/80x8
3. KB 1-arm Row (R,L) 35x8ea. 35x8ea. 35x8ea.
4. FM Lat Pulldown 60x12 60x10 60x10
5. Donkey Calf Raise 120x20 240x12 280x10 300x8 220x8
Back=13
Calves=5
Time=35 minutes
Day 2 (1/15/07 - Mon)
1. KB Swings 35x20 44x15 53x15
2. BB Squat 95x12 95x12 95x10
3. KB Double Deadlift 2-35x10 2-35x12 2-35x10
4. Seated Leg Curl 60x12 60x10 60x10
Sets=12
Time=30 minutes
*Was hard to go easy... had to keep reminding myself. Legs are on a separate protocol from the rest of the body since they are recovering. Can't make it intense, can't do force reps, can't increase weight or volume.
1. T-Bar Row 50x12 75x8 75x8
2. Lat Pulldown 90x12 100x10 110x6/drop/80x8
3. KB 1-arm Row (R,L) 35x8ea. 35x8ea. 35x8ea.
4. FM Lat Pulldown 60x12 60x10 60x10
5. Donkey Calf Raise 120x20 240x12 280x10 300x8 220x8
Back=13
Calves=5
Time=35 minutes
Day 2 (1/15/07 - Mon)
1. KB Swings 35x20 44x15 53x15
2. BB Squat 95x12 95x12 95x10
3. KB Double Deadlift 2-35x10 2-35x12 2-35x10
4. Seated Leg Curl 60x12 60x10 60x10
Sets=12
Time=30 minutes
*Was hard to go easy... had to keep reminding myself. Legs are on a separate protocol from the rest of the body since they are recovering. Can't make it intense, can't do force reps, can't increase weight or volume.
Week 1
This program started on Jan. 4 (Thu). Four completed training days constitutes one training "week."
Day 1 (1/4/07 - Thu)
1. T-Bar Row 50x15 75x8 75x8
2. Lat Pulldown 100x10 100x10 100x7
3. Double KB Row 2-35x6 2-26x10 2-35x6/drop/2-26x6
4. FM Lats (R,L) 50x15ea. 60x12ea/drop/60x8,6
5. BB Curl 45x8 45x6/rp/2 45x4/rp/2
Sets=13
Time=35 minutes
Day 2 (1/5/07 - Fri) *First full leg workout since injury & without pain!
1. KB Swings 35x25 44x20 53x15
2. KB Pyramid Deadlift 53x15 70x12 80x8
3. BB Squat 95x10 135x6 135x6
4. Seated Leg Curl 70x12 70x10(R-20x5) 70x10(R-20x5)
5. Donkey Calf Raise 120x20 240x12 280x10
Sets=15
Time=40 minutes
Day 3 (1/8/07 - Mon)
1. DB Shoulder Press 25x15 30x12 35x8 40x4.5
2. Upright Row 40x12 40x12 50x10 (Right elbow hurts, have to lower weight/pressure)
3. 1-Arm KB Press (R,L) 35x5,4 35x8ea. 44x6ea. 53x3ea.
4. Bent Laterals 12.5x15 15x12 12.5x12
5. FM Shoulder 45x12 45x9 45x7
Sets=17
Time=38 minutes
Day 4 (1/9/07 - Tue)
1. FM Pushup 12, 8, 8
2. DB Incline Press 35x9 40x8
3. Rope Pressdown 35x10 35x10 35x9
4. Leg Extension (FLEX) 60x12 75x10 90x8rp4rp4
Time=25 minutes
Day 1 (1/4/07 - Thu)
1. T-Bar Row 50x15 75x8 75x8
2. Lat Pulldown 100x10 100x10 100x7
3. Double KB Row 2-35x6 2-26x10 2-35x6/drop/2-26x6
4. FM Lats (R,L) 50x15ea. 60x12ea/drop/60x8,6
5. BB Curl 45x8 45x6/rp/2 45x4/rp/2
Sets=13
Time=35 minutes
Day 2 (1/5/07 - Fri) *First full leg workout since injury & without pain!
1. KB Swings 35x25 44x20 53x15
2. KB Pyramid Deadlift 53x15 70x12 80x8
3. BB Squat 95x10 135x6 135x6
4. Seated Leg Curl 70x12 70x10(R-20x5) 70x10(R-20x5)
5. Donkey Calf Raise 120x20 240x12 280x10
Sets=15
Time=40 minutes
Day 3 (1/8/07 - Mon)
1. DB Shoulder Press 25x15 30x12 35x8 40x4.5
2. Upright Row 40x12 40x12 50x10 (Right elbow hurts, have to lower weight/pressure)
3. 1-Arm KB Press (R,L) 35x5,4 35x8ea. 44x6ea. 53x3ea.
4. Bent Laterals 12.5x15 15x12 12.5x12
5. FM Shoulder 45x12 45x9 45x7
Sets=17
Time=38 minutes
Day 4 (1/9/07 - Tue)
1. FM Pushup 12, 8, 8
2. DB Incline Press 35x9 40x8
3. Rope Pressdown 35x10 35x10 35x9
4. Leg Extension (FLEX) 60x12 75x10 90x8rp4rp4
Time=25 minutes
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