"Stick to Your Guns" end of year challenge!

Okay guys, (yes guys are also welcome, not just ladies) this is a warning that I am starting another challenge as of after my contest.  I want to try to not go nuts over the holidays/post contest and not take too much time off etc.  'Over doing it' is a trait of 'post contest' for many of us and I always say I won't 'over do' but end up taking the month off and eating so much crap at such a frequency that it is an uncontrollable overboard response.  

So, as of Monday November 12th, I want to start a challenge entitled 'Stick to Your Guns'.  
It gets closer to Christmas and all the parties start, and the gatherings/outings etc which mean lots of ways to deviate and cheat.  Now I am not saying don't go, but how about pick and choose which ones you will drink and eat at and which parties you will stick with water / clean choices.  This way you are compromising, especially if you are very social.  Do enjoy a cheat day or 2 per week but if you have more gatherings over more days then that is when you have to look carefully at which will be cheats and which won't, and this includes booze.  Stick with no more than 2 days of cheats.

Whatever your short term goal is right now (bulking, leaning, shaping) the goal with this challenge is to stick to the plan - so this means you have to stick with your proposed meal plan and training plan as best as possible through the end of year festivities.

*if any of you have a blog or journal you can keep track of your challenge there, but do post a note here letting use know you are joining in and briefly outline your stats, goals etc including, if you have, your journal or blog link.

So go ahead and swish this around in your head and when you are ready, drop a post here and let me know who is in!!

Let's motivate each other and keep each other on track and accountable!:thumb:

Linda

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com

Let me start:

Goals: (short term) Active Rest and Recovery.
Not over eat junk as rebound, limit my intro of sugars and carbs.
Keep up with clean eating with reasonable allowances.
Keep training but work toward keeping lean moderately, and rehabing my back and glute. Depending on placing in this contest, my plan is to bulk in the new year but if I qualify for the BC's then I will keep to pre season on season training and diet since the BC's usually fall sometime around June.
If I do not qualify then I would look at bulking starting Jan 08.

A long term goal is to firm the tushy again.

I will start a new journal for this challenge too!

Linda

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com

I will join tis chalange as well on a very limited basis. I ahve fallen into a terrible habit as of late. I could blame circumstance, butin actuality it is all my own doing, and lack of proper preporation. NO MORE TAKE OUT, because I am to tiered to prepare food!
 
My work schedule is swinging like a pendulum, and I am having a very hard time fitting in grocery shopping time. That is my own fault.    
 
I wil alway have back up meals avialable in the cupboard, and freezer, so If I need to have a quick meal on hand it is there.
 
I will save my Indian food for the appropriate and very occasional cheat meal. And the crappy Chinese that is available where I live is right out! The very clean and sophisticate, low fat, great vegetable, chinese I can get in my work neighborhood, is acceptable, with in reason, and it's frequency will also be reduced.
 
For now that is all I can load my guns with, until I can accept a loss in strength and go for another round of very dedicated cutting. To whittle away the last of my fat and hopefully tighten up the remainder of my loose skin.  

ORIGINAL: thehardway

I will join tis chalange as well on a very limited basis. I ahve fallen into a terrible habit as of late. I could blame circumstance, butin actuality it is all my own doing, and lack of proper preporation. NO MORE TAKE OUT, because I am to tiered to prepare food!

My work schedule is swinging like a pendulum, and I am having a very hard time fitting in grocery shopping time. That is my own fault.    

I wil alway have back up meals avialable in the cupboard, and freezer, so If I need to have a quick meal on hand it is there.

I will save my Indian food for the appropriate and very occasional cheat meal. And the crappy Chinese that is available where I live is right out! The very clean and sophisticate, low fat, great vegetable, chinese I can get in my work neighborhood, is acceptable, with in reason, and it's frequency will also be reduced.

For now that is all I can load my guns with, until I can accept a loss in strength and go for another round of very dedicated cutting. To whittle away the last of my fat and hopefully tighten up the remainder of my loose skin.  

WAIT!!!!!!  You do not have to stop indian........there are some great frozen meals which I use all the time when not pre contest............they are veg though, but I know some which are not, like butter chicken at the superstore, I don't recall if its pc brand, but I know amys has the mutter paneer and chana masal with rice and there are a few others!!!  They are so healthy and once or twice per week they are great healthy starch, I could eat indian every day, I need a nice lil old east indian lady to come live here and be my cook a few days per week, that would be heaven.

Otherwise yours and to all the others posted so far, these are great challenges, achievable with a solid outcome!!
Glad a few of you decided to hop on board!!!  Now lets kick ass to January feeling so cool that we are waaaay ahead of the whole 'new year resolution' dealio!!

Any other takers????

Linda

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com

ORIGINAL: Jane

I got through Halloween with only eating three milky ways. the rest I gave to the kids that came by. it also helps that I don't care for candy too much.


the bite size milky ways

on to Thanksgiving!

way to go!  I went for a volcano cake at starbucks that day, figured if I am gonna cheat it best be a good one and its small in size.
Linda

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com

All right, getting back into the swing of things. Went grocery shopping and stocked up on all the good foods. I'm also taking a mini tub with banana whey protein shake powder to school since I'm on school 7-10 hours Mon-Thurs. My mother also purchased a tredmil that I'm going to start using and ease back into weights. As of this moment! I will consume no more than 1800 calories a day, try to eat at least 100g of protein a day while staying under this calorie limit. Allow myself only 1 cheat meal a week, and am allowd glasses of wine before new years (sorry I'm gonna drink more than that on new years even :) ) Anyway, question I have to ask. I want to start building muscle, after having lost a bit of weight (about 20lbs, went from slightly over 150 to right around 130) should I eat a ton and bulk now and then cut again? Or should I try to just balance eating right with slowly building muscle and losing fat? I don't want to fall into a winter funk!!! <3

Next time there's a revolution, get up eariler!

nice toca...............I trained yesterday but been binging on crap, post contest blues....but off training today.
Will post my stuff, plan etc soon.
Linda

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com

Oooh, I need this!
 
Ok, my goal is to improve on my "clean" diet.  ( I fell completely off the wagon after contest!)  Design a new program for me to develope a thicker back.  Bring up the tushie some more.....and (I know it's silly....) drop 4 lbs.  Didn't fair well on gaining back weight w/ control.  Oops.
 
All this before Christmas.  During the week of Christmas,  I want to maintain my weight. 

I will never be done learning.... 
ACSM cert. Personal Trainer
Long term goal: Maintain 13%
Currently: 9.5%

I love the new signiture, thewfh!
 
Italianangel:Thanks for the reminder about the frozen Indian food, i have yet to check tem out but certainly will. It's terrible, there is a great Indian place 2 blocks from my house and on certain days when I bike home the whole neighborhood smells like curry, it's enough to make me crazy.
 
I do have the recipie for Indian cheese, I have made it before, very, easy, and also the freshest, and quite healthy, saag you could ever want (goes with the cheese). I don't know if you cook, but if you would like, I can link you to the recipies.  

Ok, so I need better accountability....  BIG binge day yesterday!  I can't totally blame it  on PMS cravings, but man... I wanted junk in a huge way and I gave in.  Feeling absolutely sh***y today. 
 
I don't have any problem sticking to lifting... Cardio, a bit more of a challenge since I HATE machines (and it seems all the classes I'd like are at times I can't go), but doable.  Food is a whole different story.  BIG emotional eater!!!  Someone kick me in the ass...please.

I will never be done learning.... 
ACSM cert. Personal Trainer
Long term goal: Maintain 13%
Currently: 9.5%

WAIT, THIS LADY IS BEING CONTROLLED BY FOOD, FOOD ISN'T BEING CONTROLLED BY HER???? That doesn't sound right to me. I hear you about the caridio, though I have the same problem, although I have never reached the level of dedication you have , i don't hink I ever will quite frankly. BUT, AGAIN I SAY, WHO'S IN CONTROL, THEWFH, IS IN CONTROL.

That's about the best Butt kicking I could give you.

Yeah....I'm in control!  Dammit!  I just fell back into old eating habits.  Just what I told myself not to do.  I wasn't mentally prepared for the time after the show.  I was warned about it but not really fully aware of how I'd react.  After you come down off the "high" of competing, you are in a funk of "ok, now what".  So, I did what I know best....turned to food to fill the void.  Oops. 

So, I've regrouped and circled the wagons!  I feel better now....and thanks T.H.Way.  I constantly remind myself of how damn good I feel when I eat clean and in control.

I will never be done learning.... 
ACSM cert. Personal Trainer
Long term goal: Maintain 13%
Currently: 9.5%

well I sucked.............was sick and off for a week!  I had gained back 10 lbs in by nov 15th, not sure at this point and don't care, I know my 6 pack is not as intense and I am not as cut but I am still under 18%, probably at around 12-14 at this point.  I would like to sit at this for the next year but I guess that is another goal or challenge.......teehee
I have small bloat belly under belly button but that is from the carbs............but is still in great shape and legs too, just softer.
I finally worked out today and will be posting all this in my journal but anyway, I am back on track, but still enjoying some rich foods, been pigging out on tuna casserole today....I use cream mushroom soup, cheeses, butter, bread crumbs, elbow pasta........I put some green beans in there though and sometimes I add dry cottage cheese to up the protein, but did not today, none in the house........yesterday I had a new risotto recipe from jamie olivers book 2, sweet garlic and thyme risotto which has a ton of celery too and topped with nuts n bread crumps........it was rich and yummy and had parm and butter.................but you know what, overall, my crap has been whole crap........butter, creams........and otherwise healthy - oh except some of the choices, like those volcano cakes but again, I normally would have been going overboard more and have not so that is good, the rebound has been moderate.
I also had some neat suggestions to my plan wihch I may incorporate........will see.

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com

Hey Linda,  I had problems post-contest psychologically w/ gaining the weight back.  You have the same thing?  Man, that sucked... after looking that great to go soft.  Right now, I'm going back to my clean eating habits.  Right after competition, it went out the window and now I've gained back 12 lbs.  I only wanted to gain 8...oops!  So, I've shaken up my routine and now have only one clean day a week....er sorta.  I do find myself grabbing a small handful of that STUPID Cub Scouts popcorn.  (if you don't know what the heck it is...imagine popcorn dunked in either chocolate or almond bark w/ either almonds, cashews or dried cranberries added.)  It's gone now and my B_DAY was yesterday.  Had cake but ate very well the whole day.  Cake's gone, bought a small single layer sheet cake so there would be no leftovers.  Hey, I was thinking! :)
 
I'm stickin' to my guns, folks!!!!  Hope you are all too!!!
The WFH

I will never be done learning.... 
ACSM cert. Personal Trainer
Long term goal: Maintain 13%
Currently: 9.5%

cub scouts popcorn, how long has that been in exsistence?
It used to be simple, some cookies, vanilla or chocolate, I would eat some chocolate and done...........now they make other sinful stuff???
Well, in the big picture you are doing fine!
I am soft but still lean and somewhat tight, can still see cuts n tone and have a shadow of lines on my legs and abs plus my and legs have not changed shape back to sludge so I am happy, considering so many days off sick!!
You know with xmas, you do clean days on on social days, you have to!

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com

I've been good, but the gun I am loading is very small, maybe a dillenger!

Let see, on the indian food front, only once and the boss was buying. I'm sorry, when the boss comes at me with the I want Indian food eye, unless there is a penalty of death, I am eating.

But it was only once since I made my comittment, and others have tried to succer me into mass delivery and I have not given in.

Crappy Chineese, no problems there. The twotimes I have ordered, for the lack of energy to cook, I have gotten the dteemed brocoli with chicken no sauce, and two strips of beef terriaki, actually dry rubbed, not swimming in surgary sauces.

Other than that a complimet of quick healthy meals is always available, and redy to eat when neccesity arises.

So I'm ok. Gained a few lean, lost a few fat. Not bad.

Ok Gals!!!   Let's keep up the hard work during the Holidays.  My goal is to maintain or only gain at the most 2#'s.  NO MORE.  I think that's managable since I'm balancing out the sporatic garbage eating w/ lots of veggies, oatmeal and good hard workouts.  I've changed up my lifting routine to a more intense level.  Was doing a basic 3 set of 10 to 12.  Now it's 4 sets of 6/12.  First two 6 reps hard, next two are 12 lighter.  Only one min or less rest inbetween sets. 
 
Hey Hard, at least you're loading some type of gun, right!!  Keep it up and let's all use the New Year as a better time to focus on dropping.  No reason to set unrealistic goals of dropping 10 lbs in December!  Right?
 
Have a great week!

I will never be done learning.... 
ACSM cert. Personal Trainer
Long term goal: Maintain 13%
Currently: 9.5%

I had to take time off, have been mild on crap though so that is good but am soft now due to time off, I did get xrays so now I wait.
I have to book treatments too, but its hard right now with timing of holidays but I am working on it and for the time being still sitting under 16% bf.
Linda

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com

Oh, better own up today. It's my off week and there is just soo much chocolate everywhere, if it was crappy chocolat thats one thing but Godiva, yikes, I haven't had this much sugar in  long time... I'm not even a sugar girl, I'm a hardcore fat and savory weakness type.
 
And the boss bought Indian again, I've been to the bar (or to the booze) more than a few times in the last week, going again tonight (well I'm actuially half in the bag right now, work party). It's open bar with punk rock boys who owe me, like you have no idea how they owe me.
 
Yikes, I tanked quick!
 
Ah well, December 26th and it will all be a memory (+5 pounds to remind me). The new routine starts and I can't wait. 

Ok, how was everyone's holiday.....  I gained 2 lbs and now need to get back on track.  I've been eating clean with some junk scattered thoughout the day.  Maybe a cookie here one day and the next day I'll nibble on something else.  Very rarely, have I had a totally "clean" day.  That's kinda tough after the "free-for-all" of the holidays.  So, I'm not beating myself up.  I'll phase in the totally clean w/ a cheat day (Saturdays) here over the next week.
 
After my competition, I only wanted to gain back 10 lbs...oops.  So, my long term goal is to lose 4-5 lbs.  Short term; by the end of next week, I will be posting regularly on Fitday and have a totally clean on Friday.  

I will never be done learning.... 
ACSM cert. Personal Trainer
Long term goal: Maintain 13%
Currently: 9.5%

I was off a month since today or so, and I just am itching to train again!
I think rippedchick started a new challenge for the new year, we should all move over there and start a new for the next few wks with the rest of them, let me get the link.....
http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/m_330591/mpage_18/key_/tm.htm#334500

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com

Hey everyone!  I think we all sorta took some time off, huh.  Sometime's that's needed.  Now's the time to get back into the mindframe of training, eating healthy and taking better care of ourselves.  We're worth it.  Bounce back from those Holiday extras and you'll feel sooo much better.  (btw, I'm telling this to myself too!!)  Hope everyone's doing great and I'm going to check in more often now.... :)

I will never be done learning.... 
ACSM cert. Personal Trainer
Long term goal: Maintain 13%
Currently: 9.5%

Glad to see you off time was benifical, sounds like it was.

I have nice news today.

The pants that I was going to wear New Years, that I couldn't button, thanks to a little holiday excess (was all for the best, killer mini skirt was a super hit, and a better choice anyway), are now officially back into rotation, as of last week!!!

Way to go you 2!!!!  I like hearing positive news, I need your good news to feed off right now so this is awesome!!

My latest is in my journal.........new plans to go with some chronic injury which I have learned of and now have to live with.  Its kinda stunted me a bit, shocked me and I had to rethink, got a bit down on the news.
I am back at things this week, feel very fragile which I am not used to now for a very long time so my ego has taken quite a beating more than anything but I am moving forward and the info is in my 08 journal.
prob not doing that challenge now either........I have to re learn my limitations now and how I can train, my boundaries are now going to be new and different.  I now have to use pain as a threshold, whereas before I did not - I actually have to stop pushing through pain, and train with more support / machines etc..............my core is the strongest I know but now I have to go beyond that due to this new issue.  I await a few more xrays to see if there is more.

Linda.

Come Visit my websites! www.figureteam.com www.lindacusmano.com www.bodyrushpersonaltraining.com

Hey!  How's everyone doing!  I've been posting in my journal and not paying any attention to this.....  Hope everyone's doing well.  Me, I'm trying to keep "clean".  I have a few days where I'm great and then, boom, off the wagon.  It seems like it's a weekly thing to get back onto the "clean eats' deal.  I like how I look and feel, but with this crappy weather and my mood ( crappy time finding a job...argh), I'm not putting in the effort I'd like....and it's showing.  (Not a good thing...)
 
My off is getting less frequent than my "on" days not at least, so we'll see how my bodyfat pinch goes here......
 
Take care everyone.
The WFH

I will never be done learning.... 
ACSM cert. Personal Trainer
Long term goal: Maintain 13%
Currently: 9.5%