CRAIG PRODUCTIONS LLC

I decided to share my "rebounding" experiences with you all in hopes that it will be helpful to some of the newer competitors who are dealing with post-competition rebound for the first time. I've learned that everyone handles their post-competition experience differently and you really have to figure out what works for you both mentally and physically...what you're willing to put your mind and body through...or not.

As you can probably imagine, after dropping 19lbs in one week's time, my body went absolutely CRAAAZY after the competition. The first week was absolutely horrible, the second week was my body trying to adjust and finally, these last couple of days I think I have finally settled back into balance. I can look in the mirror again and I'm not mad and frustrated. I'm not bloated and uncomfortable anymore. I haven't had a rebound this bad since my first shows in October of 2008. I had a young trainer from Gold's who told me after the show to eat whatever I wanted and as you can imagine, after dieting, I went hog wild!!! It was the week before Halloween too, so there was candy EVERYWHERE!! I put on 15lbs in less than 2 weeks and I was less than happy. I vowed never to let that happen again...and here I am...

Typically, I like to stay within 6-8 weeks of contest look year round. I keep up with my morning cardio because a) it works for me and b) I enjoy it (yes, really, I enjoy it). This last winter, I had to ditch my morning cardio due to my work schedule and add to that a less than stellar diet and my body fat climbed. This was good and bad...it allowed me to gain some muscle, but it also added a nice layer of body fat that made me uncomfortable. I didn't diet as hard as I should have and didn't come in as lean as I should have, could have and wanted, so that led to drastic measures at the final week. Not a good idea and not something I am willing to do again.

I don't binge after a competition, I enjoy a few meals of my choosing and allow myself to relax with my food choices for about a week and then I try to get back on the program. I don't miss gym time...why?...because I don't WANT to. I enjoy the gym and I like the physical and mental release it gives me, so while I don't train as hard, I DO still train. It's been quite a process waiting for my body to settle back into balance, but I think finally, after 2 1/2 weeks, it's there and it is responding well. I've gone back to my diet that works well for me (high protein/moderate carbs/low fat). I cut out peanut butter a few days ago (this was really hard for me) as I couldn't leave it alone and darn those Costco people for selling it in a double pack!! My kids won't eat peanut butter, so I'm going to have to get it out of the house. I'm doing 30-60 minutes of morning cardio at 4am. I'm currently suffering "training ADD", meaning: I can't seem to make a decision on how I want to train. I keep thinking I'll go lighter on the weights to try and lose some size, but I've had such great success with heavy lifting and fat loss, so I think, once again, I'll go back to what I know works. I have been tacking on 30 minutes of cardio after my evening lift...what's up with all the cardio? Summer's coming and I'm heading to Jamaica!!

This is a really good article about post-competition rebounding and how to do it RIGHT!! My other recommendation: once you know what works well for your body, don't mess with it. Stick with what you know and stick with what works.

http://figureathlete.tmuscle.com/free_online_article/figure_competition/rebounding_the_wet_wolf_way

"Balance is beautiful."

I hope you are all finding your way back into balance and enjoying spending time with friends and family doing the things we have to avoid during contest prep.

~Julie~

Fearless, with cape in hand

Tags: