The reverse is not reversing

Let’s start by talking about the best day of my life continued…that post show binge! It was pure heaven. I immediately went for that peanut butter skillet cookie. WOW. The peanut butter cravings were insane post show and that cookie did not disappoint. We quickly headed to secret burger kitchen and had the best feast ever! Once back at the hotel I indulged in cake and crackers! Sunday I planned to go to breakfast with my family but I was already feeling guilt so I threw away all my leftover sweets and ate something not so unhealthy for lunch. Around that time my stomach was miserable and my back was aching from the prior days posing. Nonetheless, I still pulled that cake out of the trash and ate it. :) Monday I attempted to eat cake and pizza but was literally burping up everything I ate so that was the end of it. Tuesday I was right back to plan and weighed in Wednesday at 8 lbs above stage weight! FUCK. I wasn’t even that bad but my body soaked it all up like a sponge! I had heard but I had no idea it was that easy. I stayed on track all week and then decided I would have a cheat meal come the weekend. Well cheat meal came and was a binge! This was my first experience realizing I cannot get full. I came home from hoopfest up another 2 lbs. at this point I realized if I wanted to have a cheat, it would cost me a couple lbs that I couldn’t afford to gain. So back to plan I went with the goal of no sugar. I am SO proud to say I made it over 10 days without sugar and practically flawless to plan and maintained my weight for over two weeks! Then once I introduced the sugar back, I had a couple cheats that went a little too far. I am now 7.5 weeks post show and up 12 lbs. I am proud of how hard I’ve worked and think I’ve stayed much more on plan than the average person but unfortunately my metabolism just won’t allow any slip ups more than what’s on plan. I truly am doing my best BUT unfortunately we have not been able to raise my calories so the continued restriction caused some spiraling.

This week I am FINALLY feeling the hunger and cravings subside and back to myself. But unfortunately any progress won’t mean much because we are heading to all inclusive Cancun in 12 days! Lol. I plan to do my best until then but I’m certain I’ll be up to my max weight by the time I get home. But I’ve made a plan and will come home ready to coach myself!

The plan: maintenance. As much as I want to jump into a “mini-cut” after my trip, I know it’s too soon to go back into any cut. I will fail. So instead we just try to maintain for a few months. Enjoy the fluff, bust my butt in the gym and stay patient. Then around the beginning of the year I will start my mini cut. Most likely with a new coach to keep me on track. The goal is to lose around 10 lbs in 8-10 weeks. Then I will REDO my reverse. If I can get my carbs higher than 200 for once in my life, I will cry tears of joy. I want to go into my next prep with ease. Not feeling like I’ve been on a diet for years. 15-20 weeks will feel like nothing and I’ll have insane gains. So how long will my off season be?

18 months! I need a LONG break. It’s so hard to not be lean but my body needs a break. This prep was way too long and my body has only known deficit calories for the last several years. And there’s NO BETTER way to turn 40 than on stage! So my 40th will be my next season and I am putting in the work now to bring my best package and fill my wall with more medals! At this point I do not have interest in a pro card. This is just a hobby and I really just want to cover my wall with all the medals 🏅.

Let’s grow!! 💪