People ask me all the time what does it take for me to make it on stage to a figure competition.
I can tell you it’s a number of things. As most of my readers know, I am an avid yogini and have been for the past 16 years. The desire to compete in figure came to fruition just last year.
Before that, I was busy being a mom and a wife, with yoga always my personal practice, my ‘me time’.
As a yoga instructor, I find I practice more on my own than with others. Part of this is due to the complexity of my own schedule, juggling 2 jobs and having a large family.
So finding the discipline to prepare for a figure competition, is all in my mindset. I sometimes surprise myself on how I do it.
I personally lift weights only 4 times a week. I focus on my upper body 2 times a week and on legs 2 times a week. I practice power yoga 3 times a week and have one full day of rest. I typically don’t work my abs on leg day only because I get plenty of ab work done during my yoga practice.
I wake up at 4:45 every morning. I take my vitamins then I eat breakfast – almost always oatmeal and egg whites 30 minutes later. I am at work by 6:00 a.m. I get in the gym by 10:30 and will work out (including a shower) until 12:00 noon. I leave work by 4:00 p.m.
My meals are at the same time every day:
5:30 am
8:30 am
12:00 noon
2:30 pm
5:30 pm
8:30 pm
I am in bed by 10:00 p.m. and that’s a regular work week for me. I fit in my yoga practice on Wednesday nights, Friday nights, and Saturday mornings.
My kids range from the ages 11 down to 4 years old so taking time away from them on top of my 2 jobs is heartbreaking for the whole family – so I work in gym time during my work day and simply eat my lunch at my desk.
I have a support system as well. I have a trainer that helps me focus on my weak spots in the gym – I typically see her every 4 weeks and she helps me switch up my program so my body is constantly being worked.
I check in my nutritionist occasionally when I need some inspiration to stick to the diet. The diet is the hardest thing. I think I am good compared to the average competitor because I find I don’t get tempted to cheat unless it’s that time of the month – but checking in with my nutritionist here and there gives me plenty of accountability.
When it comes down to it, I love to work out. I love to practice yoga. I love to see the transformation in my body as the weeks go by. So I guess you could call me a natural.
Yesterday was over 100 degrees in Seattle. That’s crazy weather for the Northwest. I had a frozen yogurt last night and ate it slow. It was delicious!
Tonight I teach hot yoga – and yes – students show up even in this kind of heat. True yogis and yoginis at heart, I love it.
Namaste.
