Well it was back in the gym this morning for a 30 min cardio session, this time on the recumbent bike. No upper body training just yet. Next Monday I have my post-operative appointment so hopefully, fingers crossed, I’ll get the all clear to start my shoulder rehabilitation. I’m also a lot more scared this time around at the thought of training it again. Two shoulder surgeries in a year isn’t ideal for any athlete by any means. So there’s no chance of me over doing things and further aggravating this shoulder of mine, if anything I’ll be over cautious. My physio’s even suggested I start with hydrotherapy. Has anyone done this? I like the sound of it, using water as resistance and getting full movement back into my shoulder before starting on weights. It’s still a little bit sore but I guess if you shave the bone that’s to be expected, but I don’t really know until next Monday.
My wonderful husband was reading an article from www.t-nation.com yesterday when he came across something that tickled his fancy. He told me about it last night so I thought I’d share it with all you fellow figure competitors. I have an interesting sense of humour I’ve been told so I thought it was also very funny and very well written.
What it feels like to date a figure competitor
“Let’s get one thing clear: Sex with a very fit, very athletic woman is awesome. No surprise there, right? You should put it on your bucket list. But while the sex is grade-A, but the rest of the relationship can be … tricky.
I’m so strict with my diet that I’ve been called a “food Nazi.” Yet the figure competitors I’ve dated think I eat horribly, at least compared to their contest diets. There’s nothing quite like being nagged for eating too much plain chicken breast, or being put on a guilt trip for eating something “bad” … like a banana.
Dating can be tough. One figure competitor I was seeing had to be in bed by 7 p.m. because she got up at 3 a.m. to do cardio, then started training clients at 5 a.m. That 9 p.m. movie or concert you wanted to take her to see? Out of the question.
Likewise, taking her to a restaurant is pretty much impossible if she’s preparing for a show. Even the healthy stuff on the menu probably won’t meet her diet guidelines.
If you’re the jealous type, don’t date a figure gal. She’ll be nearly naked when she’s onstage, and probably taking part in provocative photo shoots when she isn’t. Even if you’re not the jealous type, it can get weird. There’s a tawdry underside to bodybuilding and figure modeling, and if she wants to place well in a contest or score a photo spread, she’ll have to spend some time with predatory sleazebags.
Her body takes some getting used to. Unless she has implants, the contest-ready figure competitor usually has no boobs. Expect some low-ab vascularity, and maybe even crotch veins.
On the bright side, that caboose? Amazing. Legs? Incredible. Belly? Like a warm, living sculpture. And fully shaved is usually standard.
Finally, if you’re in a serious, live-in, expense-sharing relationship, you have to understand that figure competition is expensive. You’ll be spending a lot of money on hair, nails, tanning, suits, supplements, photography, and travel.
But the biggest hit might be to your ego. Forget being the object of attention in your relationship; doing well in figure requires an almost single-minded focus and dedication. Her primary concern, especially around contest time, is herself, not you.
For a long-term relationship, a woman who’s into the fitness lifestyle but who doesn’t compete is probably your best bet.” by Chris Shugart.
My water intake is getting better and better every day, I’m managing to drink between 3-4 litres every day. Oops sorry, speaking of which I’m off to the toilet for the umpteenth time today. I’m still working on drinking more water when I’m at the hospital and on my weekends but instead of looking at what I’m not achieving I’m focusing on what I am achieving and what I need to do to achieve even more. It’s quite the mind shift compared to my usual train of thought but then again my life now is nothing like it used to be before. It has to be different if I want different and at the moment just getting back into the groove of things is more challenging than any figure competition I’ve ever prepped for.
My # 1 focus is my own health and fitness for a maintainable lifestyle. Nothing more, nothing less. Gaining all my weight back and then some has bought with it some health issues. Nothing I can’t undo but like everything it’s going to take time. Things like lugging around a pair of 14DD’s, these girls are heavy and for the first time in my life I’m experiencing shoulder, neck and back pain from them. Plus with the implants they’re a different heavy to my previous natural 12D breasts. It’s yet another very important reason why maintaining a healthier body weight for my height is so essential. I trained five days last week and have managed two days already this week so far so it’s all good.
Today I received notification that my final module I emailed was successful, so yay for me. All my theory is done and dusted thank you very much! So I’m hoping I have time to sit down tonight and make a start on my practical video for my Cert IV. I’m on the home stretch now and boy I’ll be glad to finally tick that box. It’s coming up to two years since I first started. I’m still trying to figure out where that time went.
Last but not least, is a big thank you to Rae. What you don’t realise is that all the while grieving herself she sent me a link via a message on facebook to CarersVic. Well I finally got around to giving them a call yesterday and their psychologist got back to me today about counseling sessions to help me deal with my current situation with Mum. This then frees up my appointments with my sports psychologist to concentrate on getting my health and fitness lifestyle back on track again so good things to happen.
Speaking of the time, I’m out of here.
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