Cutting Edge Fitness Memo & Personal Reflection
by: A.M. Sheridan
As some of you who frequent the Cutting Edge Studio may have been aware of, earlier this year in June I trained and competed in my first (and shortly thereafter, my second) Figure Competition. For those unfamiliar with what a “Figure Competition” is, it is in the Bodybuilding realm, which by definition is “The process of developing the musculature of the body through specific types of diet and physical exercise, such as weightlifting, especially for competitive exhibition.”
I trained and dieted for 5 months, learning about and experiencing the process of clean eating and cleansing my body of sugars, alcohol and processed foods. It was a true test of discipline and determination to condition my body and mind to reach this goal I set out for myself.
As the fall approached, having enjoying my first experience with this type of challenge, and still practicing a modified “clean-eating” diet, I set my sights on competing for a third Figure Competition. ......well...about 3 weeks into dieting....grilled chicken, brown rice, oatmeal, tilapia, egg whites,, broccoli....6-7 meals a day, staying hydrated, getting sleep, doing my workouts, getting in my cardio....running a business....
It was about 7:00PM on a Wednesday night....and I had had enough. ...wait a minute, I was not supposed to be struggling with this?! I did this just 6 months ago, this should be easy! It was one of my low-carb days, and I had made it through the day... ...and then it happened. I made myself a giant plate of SPAGHETTI!
Yup, completely refined-processed, pure starch....good ‘ol fashion Prince Spaghetti.
FAILURE!
Mind you, I don’t even love spaghetti (forgive me Silvia Marganella, my sister’s best and very Italian friend) :-)
I LIKE grilled chicken, and broccoli, and oatmeal, and whey protein powder...I do not miss pizza and french fries or cookies and candy....I feel good eating vegetables and lean meats and “If you really are what you eat”...I think it’d be safe to say I am 75% egg whites.
I’m an athlete. I have drive, ambition, goals...damnit! I’m determined!
So what happened???
.....
The fact of the matter was I CHOSE to discontinue training and dieting for the competition.
That one plate of spaghetti would not have set me so far back as to not be able to compete, but I chose to let it stop me. It was a personal declaration of defiance of my goals. Holding myself up to what I preach to others - accountability, I know I was not a victim nor did I set unrealistic goals. Self sabotage? I suppose you could look at it that way, but I know it was more a choice and decision. I took a few days to digest (no pun intended) my decision and debate if I was even disappointed in myself for setting a goal...and not following through. I suppose I could beat myself up over it and tell myself that, but honestly – after having struggled through the first few weeks, jugging things happening in my personal and professional life, and not being as motivated as I was the first time I competed – I felt a sense of relief. I had put this self-imposed pressure on myself, and it was having negative impacts on my life. I took a few breaths and was relieved.
TIMING....
What I learned through my first experience has proven invaluable. Taking time to record for a period of time what I was eating and when on a regular basis gave me the knowledge and actual records to step back and look at the big picture. Learning and practicing eating foods on a timely basis, so I was never starving to the point of making poor choices based on feeling a sense of uncontrollable hunger was a first step.
Thinking ahead to know when I was going to exercise and what exercises to do throughout the week was a second step...
And being at a point in my life, and acknowledging when I WANTED to achieve this goal was the third and critical step throughout this experience. It was evident this time around I did not take the necessary steps to accomplish the goal I had set, I assumed it would just happen... once again, I was reminded sometimes things you WANT to happen require more work than we are willing to do. But we still need to recognize that those goals are attainable, with work.
We have all heard, things in life “happen for a reason.” Well...they really do. And sometimes we go through a set-back, or come to obstacles and it seems no matter what we do, or how hard we try things won’t work out the way we want them....dot dot dot...at that particular point in time. For, as time goes on, our eyes are opened to what is before us, and as we reflect on what happened and how we managed through challenges and note things to work on to overcome these challenges, we then develop the ability to see the potential, energy and excitement of what else lies ahead of us!
So much goes into timing....
For optimal results you want to eat something substantial 1.5-2.0 hours before exercise and then maximize your results by providing your body with the best nutrients within 15-20 minutes post-intense exercise. Everyday we field questions pertaining to; When should I eat, When is the best time to exercise, How much protein should I be consuming, What time is too late to eat, and What about alcohol? ☺ (my favorite and practically most commonly asked question)....
I may sound like broken record most days, constantly reinforcing the importance of a well-balanced food-plan, hydration, and how to incorporate weights, cardio, and stretching into one's life. If we are creating a calorie deficit, what foods will best serve an individual to make sure they have the energy they need for optimal performance. Depending on what your personal goals are, we have to take a look at your lifestyle, schedule, and preferences, and discuss diet and exercise. The beauty of Cutting Edge Fitness is the time element of the workout fitting into your week. We maximize your time in the training studio, so you can enjoy your life outside the gym. Thirty minutes, twice a week. We work closely with clients via email support to keep people on track and motivated. We are Coaches. And want you to win. To beat...yourself and the obstacles you have come to in life, and are working to overcome to lead a well-rounded healthy and fulfilled life.
IS IT YOUR TIME?
I get to be a part of people’s “timing” on a regular basis at Cutting Edge Fitness as well. With people I have known for years...where one day, they realize it is up to them. Something in their life changes or something just “clicks” and there is a new mind-set. When people realize that within themselves they have the ability to determine their next decision and choose to be healthy and choose to eat well, fuel their bodies with healthy foods, and exercise to take care of themselves first...it is truly an amazing experience. My very own mother...at the age of 64 came to me after 5 years of me owning Cutting Edge Fitness...and started a fitness program. She now chooses more fruits and vegetables and is walking on a regular basis, and has been able to drop 10 lbs of body fat, while adding lean muscle through weight training, in a matter of 5 weeks!
Maybe now is YOUR time. Are you ready?
We are.
Come to Cutting Edge Fitness and start your Fitness Program! Get in shape...And have the time of your life doing it. ☺
"Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely."
- Rodin
Epilogue:
This past year has been one of lessons, experiences, challenges, re-evaluating goals, and setting new one. I still setting goals on a regular basis. Things to strive for, work towards, dreams to reach towards. In fitness there lies future road races, triathlons, continued success with weight-training in the gym, maybe even another Figure Competition down the road; in due time. In food, there are new healthy recipes to try, finding healthy options at new restaurants, finding what foods make me feel good and provide me with energy to be my best. And in life... there’s travel, and work, and friends, and goals, yes, well, it’s all about timing. And in the meantime...I’m having the time of my life.
