CRAIG PRODUCTIONS LLC

So I got on the site to blog on Sunday night…wrote out a great blog (if I do say so myself) and then when I hit post, POOF, it was gone. Argh! And I hadn’t saved it anywhere so I lost my mojo and decided to hang it up for the night.  It happened for a reason - had I blogged on Sunday I would not be here blogging right now and let me tell you, it has been an AMAZING week and the best part, it’s only Wednesday! It can only get better!

I determined that I was really overtraining. While last year I could pull off an hour of cardio in the morning and another 30-60 minutes in the evening, this year I just can’t. As a working, single mom, I don’t get nearly as much rest as I did a year ago. I believe rest is critical - physically and mentally. If our bodies aren’t getting adequate rest, it’s easy to overtrain. I was doing about 2 hours of cardio a day, in addition to my lift. My body was too tired. I was losing focus and I was losing my desire to compete.

This is supposed to be FUN. Note: I did not say EASY. Just because it’s hard work doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. And speaking of fun, just when I needed it most was Elaine’s posing class at the Bothell Gold’s Gym. Being around Elaine and all the other girls who are getting ready to compete really lifted my spirits and renewed my enthusiasm to train hard. My dear friend and suit designer, Christie Skelton, also showed up at the class and she is so positive and always has just the right thing to say. A big shout out and thank you to Elaine, Christie and all the girls at the class on Saturday  - thank you for inspiring me and helping me get back in the game!

I’m still doing 2 cardio sessions each day, but they’re not as long. I’m fortunate that my diet is still pretty manageable and leaving me with enough energy for my job, my kids and my training. My lifts have been amazing - I’m continuing to set PR’s almost every time I’m in the gym. Tonight I was very pleased with myself for curling 30’s next to the little dude who was curling his 10’s.  Haha! There’s nothing better than lifting heavy and feeling strong - LOVE it!

I’ve gotten several messages from blog readers this week and I want to say thanks to all of you. It is really great to hear from you all and get feedback. Knowing that what I’m writing is inspiring others is also inspiring and motivating to me. You all make me want to keep training hard, continue to stay focused and push myself a little harder than the day before. Thank you for providing me that motivation!

I was reading an article the other day and the author (sorry, I neglected to write down his name) wrote the following which I thought was so spot-on:

“Successful bodybuilders are very careful at planning and are goal oriented. They know what they want and how to achieve it.”

So true of every bodybuilder/physique athlete I’ve ever met. Remember this and remind yourself when you need to - you know what you want and you know how to get there…so DO IT!!

Enjoy the rest of your week - keep training hard and give your body the rest it needs!

~Julie~

Fearless, with cape in hand

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