Cassie's 2010 Contest Prep Journal

[ironwill]

I think a lot of guys get motivated to get in better shape when they find themselves single. They want to look there best, and as attractive as possible for a new person. Though, I don't know if ladies are as visually motivated/stimulated as men are. Also, looking at what he is losing, ahhhhh pretty big shoes to fill. He was engaged to a Fitness Model/ Athlete, Super nice person etc. etc. Not to swell your head, but if he's not on his best game, he's going to go backwards. Hope that doesn't sound mean.........

You're right. I am quite the catch and hes definitely got some BIG shoes to fill. I may just be irreplaceable!?! LOL!!! Just kidding. I'm really not that conceited. So I've thought it over and I've decided to be HAPPY that hes taking the steps to improve his health and his body. I've also decided that I will do everything in power to help him achieve his goals. It still bothers me a bit that he chooses to go to the gym at the exact time that I'm there for afternoon cardio... but whatever. I guess with us being roommates its not exactly like i can avoid him anyways.

Thanks for listening to me vent and being there with answers.

.....................or he still wants you. If I was looking for a NEW fit girlfriend, and decided to go to the gym. I definately wouldn't go when X was there. That would just be too awkward. Seeing her possibly talking to guys, and her seeing me talking to gals. I understand him trying to shape up, but the timing sounds weird to me.

[cassiegose]

I approached him about it last night as it was bothering me and I really wanted to know what the deal was. When we were together one of biggest issues with him (other than just not being in love with him... i suppose thats kind of a big one too. LOL!) was that he worked out when we first started dating and made it a big deal to let me know how active he was. Then we got serious and he totally got lazy and let himself go. I'm so passionate about health and fitness that it really bothered me to see him just laying around all day. REALLY BOTHERED ME. I guess thats why it bothers me that he all of a sudden decided to start working out and eating healthy as soon as we broke up. I just don't get it. So last night I let him know that a major reason for breaking up with him was his lack of motivation and the fact that he let himself go when we got serious. I have no tolerance or respect for laziness. None. I told him that it seems odd to me that he suddenly has a newfound interest in his health and told him that it kind of hurts a little that he knew how much it bothered me that he'd let himself go and never did anything about it while we were together and all of a sudden is interested in becoming active again now that we are no longer together. He basically didn't have an answer.. said hes had anxiety lately so has decided to become more active. He also said that he realizes that hes up there the same time I am and that that, also is just bad timing. Oh well. I guess it is what it is and I really shouldn't be dwelling on it. People are so interesting to me sometimes!

[cassiegose]

Today I am 6 weeks and 2 days out from next show.

carbs have been very low lately and calories have also been quite low. This morning during spinning class I went to increase the tension on bike (while instructing) and grabbed the lever that loosens and tightens the handlebars instead and started unscrewing that. The class got a kick out of that one. LOL! I explained that carbs are a little low and as a result I'm not quite all "there" right now.

I've decided this weekend to do a big refeed to see if I can get things moving again. The weight is coming off slower than it was at the beginning so its definitely time to shock the system. I did a (fairly modest) carb up the other day to see if that would help with energy levels and it didn't seem to help much at all. I'm looking forward to the refeed this weekend. Hope it helps!

I suppose thats all I know today. I hope everybody is having an absolutely wonderful week!

Cassie

[ironwill]

Here I am, I've got this thing licked. Engaged to a hottie, she thinks I'm awesome, look at her prancing around the house all in shape, ahh lucky me. She'd probably would like me to shape up, but hey I'm in like Flynn. She thinks I rule, so I'm all set....ahh errr WHAT, I can't believe she just broke up with me. (as Bossman said, the OMG)

Some guys don't realize what they have until its gone, or think they will never lose it. Seems to me the trigger for him wanting to shape up, was you breaking it off, unless he came up with another excuse for his "Anxiety". Could it be a pride thing, like saving face, and not wanting to act hurt?

Keep your chin up Cassie, keep smiling, stay focused, and this will pass. Don't let it get you down. He should have thought enough of you, when he had you to focus on the things he knew were important to you. Not trying to be mean to him, or disrespectful to you in any way.

Love is a decision, not a feeling. I love wife, but don't always FEEL "in love". The "Decision Love" carries the relationship through the time when I dont "feel" it, but the majority of the time I do have the "in Love" feeling, and I think you do have to have that SOME of the time, but don't expect it all the time. So if you didn't have it for him, you definately shouldn't force it. It won't work. You can tell me to shut-up anytime.......

[cassiegose]

Hehe. Remember last time when you were standing there staring at the shampoo and conditioner trying to figure out what to do with them?

LOL! I was thinking about that this morning after trying to adjust resistance with handlebar lever. I'm already kind of spacy as it is... take away carbs and i don't stand a freaking chance (especially at 5:30 in the am which is when i instruct spin).

Oh well... the class got a good laugh out of it. Atleast I was able to bring a little joy to their lives eh?

[cassiegose]

Here I am, I've got this thing licked. Engaged to a hottie, she thinks I'm awesome, look at her prancing around the house all in shape, ahh lucky me. She'd probably would like me to shape up, but hey I'm in like Flynn. She thinks I rule, so I'm all set....ahh errr WHAT, I can't believe she just broke up with me. (as Bossman said, the OMG)

Some guys don't realize what they have until its gone, or think they will never lose it. Seems to me the trigger for him wanting to shape up, was you breaking it off, unless he came up with another excuse for his "Anxiety". Could it be a pride thing, like saving face, and not wanting to act hurt?

Keep your chin up Cassie, keep smiling, stay focused, and this will pass. Don't let it get you down. He should have thought enough of you, when he had you to focus on the things he knew were important to you. Not trying to be mean to him, or disrespectful to you in any way.

Love is a decision, not a feeling. I love wife, but don't always FEEL "in love". The "Decision Love" carries the relationship through the time when I dont "feel" it, but the majority of the time I do have the "in Love" feeling, and I think you do have to have that SOME of the time, but don't expect it all the time. So if you didn't have it for him, you definately shouldn't force it. It won't work. You can tell me to shut-up anytime.......

Oh its not getting me down. Chin is UP and smile is firmly planted on face. I care about him; he's a good person and I'm glad hes taking the steps to become healthier. The timing is interesting but I guess it is what it is.

I like your thoughts on love being a decision. I've never heard it worded like that before. That definitely makes me see it in a different light for sure.

Thank you for your words of wisdom friend.

[Nokie173]

Cassie – Good to know you’re so positive! Now get back to working out HARD… you comp is around the corner!

Ironwill – Good to have a married man’s point of view. Interest….
And I can’t believe it’s not about M&Ms

[ironwill]

Speaking of that.......I won't post it on Cassie's journal, as I wouldn't want to draw her astray. I'll put it in log. A pic of two of Christmas presents.

[cassiegose]

Less than 6 weeks out now!! Whoop whoop!

The last couple of weeks have been SLOW in the weight loss department. The darn scale goes down a little bit, then back up, then down, then up, then down again. water and sodium are constant so its hard to say whats going on. I know body has been fighting a plateau so finally on Friday night and Saturday morning (in preparation for killer saturday workout) I did 2 refeeds of about 500 calories each. Friday night I had a big bowl of oatmeal with a bunch of fruit and Saturday another bowl of oatmeal and more fruit. workouts this weekend, both Saturdays and Sundays were AWESOME! I felt like superwoman in the gym! Then, this morning I stepped on the scale and weight was down 3 lbs! Holy crap batman! I stood there for a good couple of minutes to make sure I was reading the scale correctly. Yay!

Its pretty amazing that sometimes the best thing you can do to get that scale to move is to simply EAT! Kinda goes against everything we've been "taught" about weight loss. I've decide to continue doing 1 higher carb day per week as well as one or 2 refeeds. It worked for me last week so I guess I'll stick with it until its time to change again.

As I get closer to the show I'm starting to notice some big changes in body. Even though I've done this before its still amazing to see how quickly and drastically the body can change with a clean diet and steady exercise program. Cool stuff! I'm still working on getting the legs to lean out. They are coming along, slowly but surely. I think I'm going to be a negative bra size by the time I get to the show though because it seems like the harder I work legs, the smaller chest gets. abs are also finally starting to really come in. Seems like they are coming in earlier for this show than they were for the last but can't really remember. Weight wise right now I'm about where I was when I was about 3 weeks out from first show. I wasn't *quite* ready for the first show last season and could have used a few more weeks to cut. I'm hoping to really make some serious changes this next 6 weeks in order to be really competitive for the upcoming shows.

I suppose thats all that I know today. I hope everybody is having a lovely day and had a wonderful weekend. As always, I'm here if there is anything I can do to help.

Cassie

[Boss Man]

The first show is always a learning curve, then the second one is probably just as big for most, as you suddenly see the differences in what was and what is happening.

Maybe by show three, you might be able to find a close to happy medium. Some may find aspects of the first prep and the second, may be good to combine. Some might find show two is a better way to prep and then they can refine.

You'll probably not find that magical way to prep until show 5 or 6. It probably takes that long for a lot of people, to refine the little things and get it nailed, especially when there's the odd spanner in the works.

Nothing but nothing, makes me believe that the quality athlete you have become, is someone with a limt. Everything I think and believe about you says you're capable of going all the way to the top in the way you said you would do it. The way most aren't doing it by the time they're pros, like past pros and top amateurs would have 20-25 years ago.

As long as you keep doing what you're doing you will be fine. You have and will continue to show people, that everything about you from the inside to the out, is as beautiful as it can be and that you were meant to be someone, with an ability to showcase yourself, in an arena that you deserve to be in.

You're doing a brilliant job and you will truly excel. I'm extremely proud of you and I want you to keep on giving as much as you know and feasibly can and try not to worry about a thing.

Time will prove all of us right about you .

GOOD LUCK.

[lareinamae]

I can't wait to see how much you've changes since last time I saw you! It'll be soooo fun to help your get all ready for your show, and to watch you strut your stuff on stage again! I cannot wait for BB season to begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cassiegose]

I can't wait to see how much you've changes since last time I saw you! It'll be soooo fun to help your get all ready for your show, and to watch you strut your stuff on stage again! I cannot wait for BB season to begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I KNOW! I'm excited too! I feel like changes are taking place daily now so its fun to watch body change. I can't WAIT to see YOU get up on stage and strut yourself! How fun!

[cassiegose]

Time to check in....

I hope all is well with everybody!

The past couple of weeks have been a bit rocky but things seem to be looking up now. Last Monday I got sick with a terrible cold thats been going around town, then by Thursday the cold was doing better but had turned into a sinus infection. By Sunday I was feeling better, then Monday felt terrible and today I feel like I'm finally starting to get back to normal. Needless to say the stupid cold put a damper on training. I managed to not miss a workout, however its hard to go too hard when you feel like your head is going to explode so was forced to take it pretty easy a couple of days.

I may have a slight change of plans with the upcoming shows. I've been planning on doing a show in 4 1/2 weeks but am now thinking about switching to another more convenient show. Still deciding what to do... I know I can be ready by the March show however financially not sure if I can swing it. I may instead do a different show in April that is near best friends house so I could simply stay at her house and have her help me get ready. This would save me hotel expenses, plus I could spend time with best friend while I'm there. The only problem with the April show is that its the week before BIG show... which might be good as it could help me prepare for the show the following week... or it could just overwhelm me with 2 back to back shows. SOooo not quite sure what i'm going to do yet. These shows get pretty expensive so I'm having to plan them around budget.

The diet is going surprisingly well. It has been SO MUCH EASIER this time around than it was the first time. I weighed in this morning just 1 lb heavier than I was for first show back in October. I'm hoping to lose another 5-8 lbs by the April show(s) which should put me around 12-13% body fat. The week before last I started incorporating refeeds into diet and that has helped IMMENSLY! Energy levels seem to be fluctuating a bit. Have good days and not so great days. Overall though I can't complain.

I hope everybody is doing well!

Cassie

[Boss Man]

Whatever you do decde, I know you will do what is best for you.

I am always proud of you and I am definitely as ever 10,000% behind you.

GOOD LUCK.

[Boopster]

Cassie,

I know whatever you decide, you will be ready. I do know the $$$ it costs to compete and it can really drain your bank account. Some don't realize the aomunts taht can be racked up between the super healthy eating 6 times a day and stagewear, posing coaches, tanning and all the other extras. As Bossman said, we know you'll do great and we are here to support you 150%. You go GIRL!