Me – Page 2 – Barbells and Beakers

Total Body Championship 2014

Hello all – what a whirlwind of a weekend!

First, my senior “project” was on Friday right before my show. Basically, you spend 2 weeks (more than that, really) writing a paper and preparing a presentation about a case you saw during your time in veterinary school. You then present it in front of the faculty and students – anywhere from 10 to 300, depending on how many show up. I had a packed audience! I wasn’t too nervous for it, except the entire tanning process had me orange and deodorant-less. That part was sketchy. Overall, I got a pretty good review for my project (I did mine on Coccidioides Mycosis in the canine – osseous form if you’re interested). My entire family flew in from Arizona to watch that AND go to my show! I was very lucky!

After that, I showed my family around the very, very small town before heading north to the location of the show. We went to check ins (where I magically gained 1/4 and inch- when did this happen?!), tanned me some more, ate at Outback (Everyone complains about peak week, but the carb-up and ability to eat red meat and fish every day is really, REALLY up my alley!) and then met with my coach. I knew I wasn’t as lean as I wanted to be, but my coach was supportive as always. Some of the other girls on my team commented on my muscles and I had the warm fuzzies after that!

The next morning I woke up at 5am and started on my hair. I used this tutorial about Victoria’s Secret hair and I think it turned out pretty well! I applied the last of my tan and wasn’t happy with how dark I was, I also had a less than helpful assistant. Ahem. Then it was a light breakfast of carbs and protein and off to the morning check in!

For the second show in a row I pulled a “repeat digit number.” Last time I was 66, this time I was 33. I wasn’t sure if it was some type of omen, but I thought it was cool.

Figure was towards the end of the morning show and was at the bottom of second call outs. I’m not going to lie – I was a little disappointed. I KNOW shows are about how conditioned you are, but I thought my muscle would have almost made up for it? Conditioning beats size every day. I was also upset because that 1/4 inch I came in versus my last show put me as the shortest girl in a class of 10, instead of the tallest girl in a class of 5. You see why I was a little upset by the entire process? These things are no one’s fault (especially not my own) and I tried not to let it affect me.

After the morning show I met up with my boyfriend, his grandma and brother, and my entire family and we went to get lunch. Another great thing about my coach is that she’s pro burger and fries between morning and night shows. Hella thumbs up from me! We went to the Neon Pig, a small grocery that had rave reviews, and I got a buffalo burger. My west coast family didn’t understand what a grocery was and found it fascinating that people were coming to buy their cuts of meat and veggies from a place that also made food. Sure, we have cafe’s inside of restaurants back home, but not quite like a grocery. Then, of course, I passed the hell out at the hotel.

The night show was awesome because figure was one of the first classes up! That meant less time to wait until I could devour the Gigi’s Cupcakes my family got me. I did not place top 5, so when they called that I ditched the rest of the show to EAT with my family! I did stay to watch my amazing coach and her husband do their posing routines, which I’m always in love with.

The results came out a few days later and I learned I was 9th out of 10 girls. I was a little disappointed (okay, a lot!) but it did light a fire under my ass for the Dexter Jackson, which is in 8 weeks. So the prep begins again!

Courtney D August 20, 2014 Figure Prepfigure prep, figure shows Read more >

Competition Tans

Last night I started the tanning process for my competition. A lot of people wait until the day before their show and get a professional to spray them, which is a great idea for your first show. Just make sure these people know what they’re doing because it can end really, really poorly.

My first show was almost a year ago exactly and I used the tanning salon recommended by the show. The problem? This was the first body building show in Northern Mississippi EVER so none of the tanning salons were equipped with the know-how on competition tans. They didn’t know how dark to make girls, nor did they have the correct technique. My tan ended up very splotchy and ended with me calling my coach crying because I looked like I had leopard spots. I ended up having to go back in to get it fixed, which is way too much stress the night before your first show. I ended up being almost the lightest girl on stage and I was docked for it.

My second show I worked with a coach that recommended doing the tan yourself. She gave great hand outs that my previous one didn’t have (exfoliate with non-oil based exfoliants, shave EVERYTHING, no soaps/deodorant, etc) and it made the process a lot easier. Not only that, it was WAY cheaper. Paying someone cost $100, but I’ve seen the real professionals (Liquid Spray Tanz, etc.) cost upwards of $150-$300. They do a great job and take out the guess work (and do touch ups on show day) but most of us don’t have that cash lying around.

My coach recommends a step-wise tanning fashion where you slowly apply your tan over a few days. Not only that, but I paid $80 for 2 shows worth of Pro Tan and 5 shows worth of Jana Tan. WAY cheaper than the spray job, and for my second show I was one of the darker girls on stage.

Do what works for you. If you’re getting your tan sprayed, make sure these people have done it before. It’s so stressful to be there the night before a show and have a shitty tan or not be dark enough. You WILL get marked down if you’re not dark enough.

As for spraying your face – I’d say it’s 50/50. I personally do it because I’m so pale and putting on foundation that dark makes me look horrible. I don’t do the same number of coats, just enough to get my face within a shade or 3 of my body. Others don’t at all.

As for bed tanning – also at your own discretion. Competitions tans are basically body paint, you can get as dark as you want if you just keep layering it up. One of my coaches refuses to tan, the other is a tan-a-holic, so even in the industry there’s variety. Go with what makes you comfortable.

Courtney D August 13, 2014 Figure Prepcompetition tans, tan, tanning, tans Read more >

HIIT Sprints and Tuna Cakes

One of my favorite ways to do cardio is in the form of HIIT or sprints. I absolutely hate cardio. Running gives me shin splints and visible bruising within minutes, the elliptical is boring, and I just dislike it. If I can pump out a quick 30 minute or so workout and burn the same – if not more – calories than steady state I’m so happy.

Of course, this rule doesn’t apply to days when I’m catching up on my favorite TV shows. I love the stairmaster on intervals and some True Blood or The Last Ship. Recently I’ve started watching X-Files from the beginning and it’s been heaven sent.

ANYWAY.

After today’s back/leg day workout I wanted to really up the ante. Since I have a break from school for 2 weeks (so I can write my senior paper and senior presentation) I’ve been getting SLEEP! It’s heaven sent because I was averaging like 4-5 hours a night, then going back to school for patient care/rounds, then crashing in bed for a few hours, then doing a half-assed gym session…ah. I was tired, hangry and over it. Once I got onto a more normal sleeping schedule my workouts became a joy again. Sure, during this carb depleted state I can’t rep out 275# deadlifts like a pro anymore but I can do 155# for 15 reps. I feel a need to make up for my week of sleep deprivation by killing it during my post workout cardio.

Today, I did some sprints on the treadmill.

Set your incline HIGH – I’m talking 10% or so. Do a 3 minute walking warm up with dynamic stretches. Now, set the treadmill for SPRINT SPEED. This is highly individualized, my sprint speed is like 6 mph haha. Do 15 seconds on/15 seconds off. That is, run for 15 seconds, jump off for 15 seconds, jump on for 15, etc. Do as many rounds as you can – mine usually adds up to 15 or so minutes. Cool down with a speed walking pace on incline.

Most importantly? DO NOT HOLD ONTO THE HANDLES. I could write a novel on why this is bad for you (oh wait, I did!) If it’s too hard, back down! Lower the incline, lower the speed. No one gives a hoot how high your treadmill is jacked up or how fast you’re running. You know your body best, don’t cheat yourself to “show off.”

Anyway, I love that little kick me in the booty workout. It gets my heart rate UP!

When I came home I was craving something new – which, if you’re a figure competitor a week out from a show, you know doesn’t exist. Your diet is strict to the point of eating the same thing every day. I really don’t mind this one bit because I’m a creature of habit. The less guess work the better for me. But I wanted to dress up a classic, so I made TUNA CAKES!

Tuna Cakes

Beat 1 large egg until the yolk is broken
Add 1 can of tuna – about 4oz total
Season with your favorite seasonings – onion powder, garlic powder, Miss Dash, whatevs
Add spinach if you’re feeling creative!
Cook in a non-stick pan over low-medium heat until you can easily flip it

I added dijon to mine (aka the Holy Grail of Figure Prep) because to me dijon + tuna is the best combo ever. Depending on your ingredients your macros will change, but mine ended up as 187 calories, 1 g of carbs, 6g of fat and 28g of protein. I also added some broccoli with some Miss Dash steamed. In the mug is Chamomile tea, which I’ve been drinking like a mad woman before bed. I was raised by a tea-loving mother and it’s definitely carried onto my adulthood. Not pictured is the casein and peanut butter medley I had for “dessert.”

I’m going to end this post with a gratuitous picture of my back, because I’m really, really happy with the progress it’s made. I blame deadlifts!

Courtney D August 7, 2014 Exercises, Recipescardio, HIIT Read more >

That 300# Squat!

I’ve started training for figure (my first show is August 16th in Tupelo, Mississippi for this year) but that’s no excuse to neglect my heavy lifts. After all, they’re why I look the way I do. I’ve always been amazed at the aversion to heavy weights among competitors looking to gain muscle. Genetics have a huge play on if you gain adequate muscle mass or not but progressive overload is a great way to combat that. For example, I’ve always had a noodle upper body and I’ve held my weight in my legs my whole life. They used to be the bane of my existence. I’ve learned to love them for what they DO for me, rather than how they LOOK. Anyway, I finally powered out that 300 pound squat I’ve been chasing for awhile. I was hesitant to try it at APA Raw Nats, just because you never know, but I’m confident in the ease of this lift. 300+ next meet, for sure!

300 Pound Squat!

Courtney D June 1, 2014 Powerliftingpowerlifting, squat, squats Read more >

APA Raw Nationals Results – 2014

In April I competed in the APA Raw Nationals in Defuniak Springs, Florida for my first major event. It was my first meet where I had more than 2 other women, though none in my weight class. Due to the morning of weigh ins (we got to Florida at about midnight) I weighed into the 165# class, which was fine by me. I knew I wouldn’t set any national records, but I did set 4 state records for Mississippi. I also won my class, which was a really cool feeling. I ended with a 297 squat, a 325 deadlift and a 136 bench press.

Pretty awesome medal, if I do say so myself!

Courtney D May 1, 2014 Powerliftingapa, powerlifting Read more >