4 months til go time

So it's been 2 months since my last post and here's why. I'm just not that interesting. When I first started dieting for competition I thought it was extremely difficult and really was supposed to take a huge toll on the body. Don't get me wrong, at 4 months out I still have a long way to go, but I have to say this journey has been much easier so far. About 5 years ago a co-worker said to me "a calorie is a calorie" and as long as my protein was on point I could get away with some "non bodybuilder foods." Things that I like such as white rice and bread, occasional sweet or some fried calamari and of course my most favorite cheat item...wine and beer.

Now let's not get too crazy...I only have bread maybe once a week. I've SAMPLED a fried food here and there and when I drink it's usually no more than 3 drinks. Also, I definitely make sure I keep my diet really tight leading up to any type of eating/drinking event. Also, if I eat something bad I won't drink or vice versa. Finally when I do cheat I generally keep it within my 2,500 calorie budget, make sure I eat my protein and will definitely eat less and work out more the next day.

That being said here's the progress report. As of 12/21 my weight is 174 pounds this was coming off a week away for work (which means I eat out every day, every meal!!!). My tight waist measurement is 30 inches!!! This is the leanest I've been since 2006 and the last time I was this lean I was 12 pounds lighter.

Diet is two weeks of 2,500 calories, 300 grams of protein and low fat. Then I'll do a "diet" week where I have 3 to 4 zero carb days. The goal is to trick my body to shed fat, but not be low carb all the time to keep my metabolism high. Also, at this rate I may only have to hard contest diet for 3 to 4 weeks or less!!! I have to say that even though I'll have some cheat food for Christmas, New Years, Superbowl and my birthday I'm already thinking about the week after the show. I know that I will enjoy some pizza, cookies, a dessert item from Common Grounds in Branford, a danish from Panera Bread, definitely some cupcakes from my friend Brenda's bakery Sugar (Main St. East Haven) and many many more food items. Until April 25th though it's all about controlled cheating...no pig outs for me...