I need you more than ever

[fitmama]

I don´t know what is happening ... but now this IS the biggest year ever in my fitness career and I´m f**king everything up Usually it´s nt a problem ...starting to diet and even I always look forward... But now I give in so easely .... 11 weeks to my show and still nothing has happened...
What do you do?what do you think
-when you are giving in?
-When you´ve getting a hard time waking up to do your morning cardio,
-when you have to cook the chicken when you don´t want to...
or when you are scared to go to the store because you so want those chocolate coated nuts you love so much?
- what do you do? How can I start as I used to?
Now I am already 3 kg behind shedule.... and I destroy myself more and more.... I get more and more desperate....
The winter here now is the hardest we´ve had the last 11 years... the snow gets above my knees and I always have to shofle myself to my car at 5am .... freezing my butt of.... and that alone is enough for me to go to sleep again....
Can you help me?

Fitmama

[Tim Wescott]

Anna Belle,we all go through this at times......after all,who likes to torture themselves with early cardio,a bland diet,and intense training?

Answer: [glow=red,2,300]WE DO !!!!!!![/glow]

I simply flip a switch in my mind and I sit and visualize how I want to look in the contest.

I also think of how good my competition will look,and how hard they are training while I slack off eating junk or going back to bed instead of training.

You have to envision yourself winning and receiving the winners trophy and committ to doing whatever it takes to be #1 !!

Remember,while you sleep or slack off, your competition is eating like a Spartan and training their asses off................Get busy and settle for nothing less that perfection..........you can do it,the question you must answer is........will you do it?

I`m willing to bet that you will!!

Keep a truthful journal here on the board..........no one likes to enter things in a journal like they missed a workout or ate junk food!!

You have to want it bad,and I know you do........think of the less fortunate people who have to stay in bed because they are sick and dying,and don`t let a day go by without giving 100%

You have a great physique..........now get busy and win your contest!!

[fitmama]

Thank you Tim! You are a true friend :Thumbs Up:

Yesterday I sat down and wrote myself a letter of what my destination are this year, what my dreams are, and how I am going to make this all happen and I promised myself that each time that I want to sleep or slack off I will close my eyes and visualize opposites ( I don´t know how to write this word ) I mean I will visualize myself winning the trophy and immediatly see how I lose the trophy to my competition. Also How I will come back home proud when I win or ashamed because I knew I didn´t do my best etc.
My Hubbie to be bought me also a home equipment to tdo my cardio at home ....... I SO LOVE THIS MAN :Happy Spinner:
I already can feel my good old competition feeling fill my vains... and it feels good!
I AM SO READY :Rocker Dude:
So thanks again .... you are the best and I will keep you posted

Fitmama

[xenabeachgirl]

Hang in there, hun!! I know how desperately difficult and frustrating it can get, when you're so exhausted and starving, and sick of all the cardio and time in the gym, you don't even want to practice posing anymore, you just want to go eat an actual delicious meal and take a nap forever until it's all over.........

But trust me, you WILL make it! Tim's advice is great (as usual), take his words to heart, and keep reminding yourself how awesome you're going to look on stage, and how proud you'll be that you made it there! It's something that you will always have, that most people could never dream of accomplishing! You have the drive and the willpower to get there, to make your goals and feel fantastic about what you've done. If that's not enough, think about how dissapointing it will be and how much you would regret it if you give up and let yourself down.

We know you can do it, keep reminding yourself that you're almost there! :Happy Spinner:

[Tim Wescott]

Good post Lori (Xena) !

Here`s an article I wrote that seems right on time........Anna Belle,read this and stay positive!!

The Mind in Bodybuilding.......The Most Powerful Muscle !!-

by Tim Wescott

No one could ever attain the kinds of physiques that we as bodybuilder`s aspire to develop if they didn`t use their most powerful muscle....THE MIND !! To be halfway successful at building a great physique takes a powerful will, and a determined mindset. To acheive, and hold on to this mindset, we must first establish our goals, and set out on a path of consistant daily pursuit of these goals we have set for ourselves. To an extent, the mind will determine how well you progress, and how good, or bad, your training sessions will be. If you think positive ,and keep things fresh and optimistic, you will do much better than if you are in self-doubt or in a negative frame of mind.

Set Goals !
Once you know what you are after, it`s a hell of a lot easier to persue it,and achieve it. Setting short range, realistic, acheievable goals, should definately be a priority on the agenda. If you want to add an inch to your arms ,or lose 10 pounds of fat,add 25 pounds to your max bench,etc. these are all achievable goals you could set for yourself. Note the key word being acheivable !! If you want to bench 600 pounds in a year you are more than likely going to be very disappointed. Be honest in your capabilities and please be realistic. Once you reach a goal,set a new one that is within your reach, and go after it. You should also have a bigger goal as your final destination until you reach it and surpass it also.These could include competing in a power meet or a physique contest, by a certain reasonable point in time.To recap,set a goal, pursue it with a fervor, surpass it ,and set another. Go for it !!

Beleive In Yourself !!
In order to be successful in any endeavor you must have faith in what you are doing, and you must beleive that you will succeed. Any bit of self-doubt that enters the mind in this regard, is counterproductive to success. Have full beleif that your methods,routines,and training philosophy, is all on the money. Forget detractors ,or people who are jealous of your committment and goals. They are simply envious because they lack the fortitude to attempt anything hard and see it through to the bitter end no matter what ! I am a firm beleiver in the powers of positive thinking for improving your physique. Resolve to reach and exceed tyour training goals daily and eventually you will.Here`s a poem that you can review from time to time to strengthen your resolve.Remember STAY POSITIVE !!

Believe:

Believe in yourself~
in the power you have
to control your own life, day by day,
Believe in the strength that you have deep inside,
and your faith will help show you the way,
Believe in tomorrow and what it will bring,
let a hopeful heart carry you through,
For things will work out if you trust and believe~
there's no limit to what you can achieve !!

The Proper Mindset !
Every time you enter the gym you should be focused, and ready to train. Take a few minutes before you get there to think about your workout, and visualize yourself training harder than ever. When you get to the gym you should be good to go, with an attitude much like going into battle during a war. You are at war with the weights, and you will not lose, or give quarter. Train fierce and hard, and never say die! This type of attitude will go a long way towards your body making progress.Challenge yourself to do one more rep, or add 5 more pounds to the bar, as nothing brings about change in the body, like new stresses to the muscles.Setting new personal records will also make you feel good about your workouts, and nothing succeeds like succsess. In other words,if you`re doing great in the gym ,your enthusiasm will run rampant. Dig deep,and aim high. If you fail at your endeavors, which we all do at times, turn it into a poisitive experience by learning from your mistakes.File away the things that you did wrong ,and vow to never repeat them again!100% effoort,and focus is required at all times. Be positive, and stay in a positive frame of mind.If you have friends who put your efforts down avoid them and remain steadfast in the pursuit of your goals.

Visualization !
Visualization can really help your efforts in the gym. Picture in your minds eye, the type of physique you are trying to acheive.Envision your waist shrinking, and that much admired V-shape appearing. Arnold Schwarzenegger imagined his arms as mountain peaks, and look where he ended up.Take the time daily to think about an "see" yourself as you would like to look.The mind is a powerful tool to implement into your training.Where the mind goes and what it dictates to the body, has a direct bearing on how far the body will go, to a degree.See it,beleive in it,and go get it !

[xenabeachgirl]

Great article, Tim! Mindset is definitely a very important factor in order to succeed!

The only thing I would like to add, is that once you've achieved your pre-contest goals, and it's nearing time to get up on stage, is one of the most important times in have a positive mindset! You MUST be as mentally prepared for your competition as you are physically prepared, especially for people who are doing their first show.

Think of all the blood, sweat, and tears you've spent getting your body to look just perfect; if you haven't spent any time mentally preparing yourself for the "battle" up on stage, you may very well fall apart when it's time to be up there! It happened to me at my first comp; I did zero mental preparedness because I was too busy worrying about how I felt physically, and it caused me to do much more poorly than I should have, because I was nervous and shaking when I got up there!

Again, visualize yourself walking on stage, executing your poses perfectly, always smiling, muscles flexed just right, showing off all your hard work perfectly. For people doing an evening routine, visualize yourself performing every part of it perfectly to your music. Then visualize yourself collecting that winner's trophy! Even if you don't take first, you will know that you did your very very best, and you will still have won!

[Tim Wescott]

Thanks Lori.......and definately more good advice.

Another thing that I do is a type of positive affirmation where I think to myself that I will win no matter what obstacles I encounter........also pep talks to myself,in private of course.....otherwise people think you`re crazy!! LOL

Frank Zane convinced himself through positive affirmation and meditation that he won one of his Olympia contests long before it happened..........come contest time he kicked ass and won the whole show!!

It`s hard to stay motivated in this sport but you can do it in most cases unless you are burnt out or just plain overtrained!

[xenabeachgirl]

Yep, definitely watch out for overtraining! It's very easy to do when you're doing contest prep, since you're adding in so much extra cardio on minimal calories. In that case you'll end up stalling your progress, and end up even more frustrated.

[GerryT]

Great article, Tim! And terrific posts, Xena. Always preach to beginners I coach that the mind is the most important and powerful muscle one brings to the gym and the stage.

Will definitely make this article required reading! ;D

[AdrenalineRush]

Good Luck Fitmama, Dig deep within and you will find the warrior that u know u are....imagine yourself on stage kickin some butt stay strong!!

[PassionateBB]

The big picture comes and goes, sweetie. There can be so many obstacles. Jesus, I really doubt I could drum up the motivation to walk through knee high snow for early morning cardio!!!

Just remember how great the reward is. And envision yourself in your best shape, on your best day, standing on that stage.

Don't give in to weakness now. It's not an option.

Hang in there!!! And know that you've already got what it takes. Just keep reminding yourself of that.

[fitmama]

Where would I be without you?

Everything is happening now finally!!!
My weight is coming of as it should
The training is intence...as it should!
Waking up in the morning is no longer a problem... as it should!
And my meals are on shedule ... as it should!
My hubbie to be is also motivated now and always prepare my meals for me at night when I´m off to sleep and make´s it as a surprise for me the next morning!
Who can live without a man Like this? He´s more precious than gold
And you...... You my friends..... are more than any one can wish for! Thank you guys

Fitmama

[Tim Wescott]

Anna Belle,I`m so glad to hear that things are going as planned again.

Keep on pumping and never consider failure!!

We are all behind you. :Thumbs Up:

[PassionateBB]

fitmama said:

Where would I be without you?

Everything is happening now finally!!!
My weight is coming of as it should
The training is intence...as it should!
Waking up in the morning is no longer a problem... as it should!
And my meals are on shedule ... as it should!
My hubbie to be is also motivated now and always prepare my meals for me at night when I´m off to sleep and make´s it as a surprise for me the next morning!
Who can live without a man Like this? He´s more precious than gold
And you...... You my friends..... are more than any one can wish for! Thank you guys

Fitmama

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!

[Maximum6]

wait a minute..your husband doesn't bodybuild right? DAMN!!!!! Making food for ya..and its there the next day. i wished i had a gf that does that...but they are too busy talking on the phone and stuff.

This goes to show you girls why guys are dedicated in a relationship.... :Happy Spinner:

[Intensity]

Tim said:

Anna Belle,we all go through this at times......after all,who likes to torture themselves with early cardio,a bland diet,and intense training?

Answer: [glow=red,2,300]WE DO !!!!!!![/glow]

I simply flip a switch in my mind and I sit and visualize how I want to look in the contest.

I also think of how good my competition will look,and how hard they are training while I slack off eating junk or going back to bed instead of training.

You have to envision yourself winning and receiving the winners trophy and committ to doing whatever it takes to be #1 !!

Remember,while you sleep or slack off, your competition is eating like a Spartan and training their asses off................Get busy and settle for nothing less that perfection..........you can do it,the question you must answer is........will you do it?

I`m willing to bet that you will!!

Keep a truthful journal here on the board..........no one likes to enter things in a journal like they missed a workout or ate junk food!!

You have to want it bad,and I know you do........think of the less fortunate people who have to stay in bed because they are sick and dying,and don`t let a day go by without giving 100%

You have a great physique..........now get busy and win your contest!!

I wish you the best Anna Belle... and i would have liked to wrote you something inspirational like Tim's post... but i think he did it perfectly! Wow Tim, after reading that i have felt twice focus to my contest prep than usual, seriously! Thank you...

Lets Go Anna Belle... WOTW member are with you!!

Mo... which is hungry to eat and train

[str8flexed]

this is one of those times you won't get much outside help. You just have to dig deep and realize it comes down to this fundamental choice. Do you want it bad enough?

You can do it