Apr 4 2012
8 Weeks to First Competition – Figure, Fitness Model and Bikini Posing and Measurements
I am now 8 weeks out from my first planned show! I have been on my fat loss diet and exercise plan for 4 weeks now and the changes in my body that happen weekly are really just staggering!
I have alread dropped almost 5% body fat! In just 4 weeks! My weight is currently up a little, but that’s just temporary water. Ladies, remember that once a month our weight will fluctuate due to water retention. This may even continue to happen after menopause for some women.
It is extremely important not to get hung up on the scale and to have several different indicators of success. If I wasn’t taking pictures, circumference measurements and my body fat percentage each week, I might have become disheartened by a 2 lb gain.
Obviously, from looking at the pictures from just last week, it is most definitely not fat that I have gained. It is impossible to gain 2 lbs of muscle in just one week, so that means it is most likely water. Remember to chart your progress with several different indicators so you can get an accurate view of yourself.
Different indicators should include weight, circumference measurements, body fat measurements, and most importantly pictures.
Numbers are analytical. Pictures tell a story and are visual. If you had a lump of clay and you wanted to sculpt a person, you could weigh it, measure it, pinch it for body fat (of course clay doesn’t have body fat, I’m just trying to make a point), but to truly sculpt it the way you wanted it, you would have to take a step back and simply look at it as you worked on it. You would have to visually inspect it, while also visualizing what you are trying to achieve.
When I visually inspect my lump of clay, I see muscles popping out of my abdominals that I have never seen on myself before, so I’m not too worried about a 2 lb gain.
I can easily get caught up in the numbers. I was once 197 lbs. Yes, it’s true. I was almost 200 lbs after having my daughter.
I was also once a mere 110 lbs, with hardly any muscle and way too thin. I have been on both ends of the spectrum. I don’t have good genes, so don’t believe that it’s all genetics. Everyone over 40 in my family is obese. Not overweight, obese. I overcame my genetics and am pushing forward in my health goals. Are you?
Are you ready to see my progress pics from just 4 weeks? What can you do in 4 weeks if you really put your mind to it, if you really hone in your diet, if you really focus on your training?
I am sharing my posing pics with you each Wednesday so you can see my weekly progress and get motivated! I’m taking you on my journey with me!
I’m hoping that by watching me, you will become motivated to make some healthy changes in your own life, and be consistent each and every day.
xoxo ~ Cori
8 Weeks to First Competition – Figure, Fitness Model and Bikini Posing and Measurements
8 Weeks to First Competition – Figure, Fitness Model and Bikini Posing and Measurements
Cori Ann’s 2012 Competition Schedule
Cori Ann’s Current Measurements:
Date: 4/4/2012
True Waist: 25.5 inches
Belly Button Waist: 26.5 inches
Hips: 34.5 inches.
Hip Bone (Iliac crest): 31.5 inches
Chest/Lats: 33 (so sad to lose my boobies)
Bicep/Tricep: 10 inches
Thigh: 19.5
Calf: 13
Cori Ann’s Current Body Fat Percentage:
Date: 4/1/2012
Body Fat Percentage:
11% according to manual calipers and a highly trained professional
Method: Manual Calipers
Category: ”Essential Fat” (Categories differ slightly, but typically 14-20% is a category called “Athlete.” 10-13% is typically known as “Essential Fat” for women.)
Weight: 120 lbs (54.5 kg)
Fat Weight: 13.2 lbs (6 kg) – Keep in mind this may not be accurate based on the weight this week due to water retention.
Lean Weight: 106.8 lbs (48.5 kg) - Keep in mind this may not be accurate based on the weight this week due to water retention.
Height: 5’7″ and a half (~170 cm). This means I will compete in the tall categories of each division.
Cori Ann’s Current Posing Pics – Figure – 8 Weeks
Cori Ann’s Current Posing Pics – Bikini and/or Fitness Model – 10 Weeks
I may decide to also compete as a bikini and fitness model competitor in organizations that allow women to crossover into different divisions, like Figure America and Bikini America (Musclemania).
In my heart I feel like I’m a figure competitor, but my body was presenting much more like a bikini or fitness model competitor. I lost some muscle while I recovered from my biopsy and my muscularity wasn’t very mature to begin with. That being said, I’m starting to see a little more of a ‘figure’ physique taking place. Let’s see what happens! You’re on this journey with me!
So what’s the difference between figure, fitness model, and bikini competitors? The body types, rules, suits, posing, and judging criteria are different for each different category. You can check out the main differences in each, and how I’m making my decision, in the post titled: Bikini, Fitness Model or Figure?
What I am noticing the most about these progress pics is my abs and my butt. My body looks like it’s getting younger. My body now could easily kick my 20-something year old body’s butt.
Try any of my workouts and check out my diet if you want to know how I’m getting these results. Especially check out the ab, butt and thigh workouts. Keep in mind, it’s not just exercise. It’s not just calories. It’s specific foods. It’s specific workouts. I don’t go in with a shotgun approach. I’m a girl with a sniper rifle.
The human body is precise and elegant. We need to approach it as such, with our own precise, elegant strategy on how to sculpt it.
Nutrition
Keep in mind I am feeding my body to create these changes. I cannot stress this enough. I do NOT recommend cutting your calories too low. I DO recommend choosing the right types of foods that will help you achieve your goals. Don’t focus so much on calories, but keep them as high as you can. Focus on the types of foods you are eating.
I am eating about 1800 calories a day of real, whole food, doing 45 minutes of cardio a day at about 65% of my max, drinking about 2 gallons of water a day, and doing weight bearing exercise 6 days per week.
I am not keeping the pathway to my goal a secret and I’m not selling it to you. I’m giving it to you for free!
You can see my complete diet. You can see my workouts and follow along at home. Watch me and see it’s possible! Let my authenticity help to motivate you and inspire you. This is real life. This is how it’s done. It is hard work, but it’s worth it. Make the decision to live a healthy life!
Cori Ann’s Progress
Want to see my progress each week leading up to my first competition? You can! Check out my previous progress pics. Links should be at the bottom of this post after the comments. Please let me know if you don’t see them so I can talk to my tech team about it!
You can see the beginning of my journey to becoming a competitor here:
Life is a Sport. I am in Training
Did you like this post? Tell me in the comments!
Please share your thoughts and questions in the comments. Don’t be shy! Your comments may help to inspire another. Your questions may help someone else who has the exact same question, but is too shy to ask. I love hearing from you!
Apr 09, 2012 @ 16:23:38
I love your website and thank you for being such an inspiration!
I’m about 5 weeks out from my bikini competition and I’m not as lean as I would like to be. My trainer has me eating about 6 meals a day, empty stomach cardio 45 min a day, and strength training 5 days a week. I made the mistake of only relying on the scale as a measure of progress and Ive hit a slump. I did take pictures since the beginning, but I feel like my progress is slowing significantly. I eat about 80% clean and all my meals. My problem area has been with my sweet cravings, but I usually eat sugar free jello and candies that are low in calories. Do you have any suggestions? And how do you fight off the sweet cravings?
Apr 10, 2012 @ 19:13:48
Congratulations on your upcoming competition! Carmen the best advice I can give you is to listen explicitly to your trainer. Remember, you hired them for a reason and they know you, your body, and your goals best right now. The only person who truly knows better than they do is YOU. Trust your own judgement at the end of the day, but remember that you trusted your trainer for a reason, so stick with their recommendations.
I can comment on 2 things though…why only clean 80% of the time? Is that your trainer’s recommendation? Does your trainer approve the sugar free jello and the low calorie candies? Even sugar free items have a chemical reaction in your body…. even sugar free gum does. Remember also that it really isn’t about calories. It’s about biochemistry. Low calorie candies still have a reaction in your body. If your trainer isn’t approving those, I would go without them.
I fight off sweet cravings with cinnamon and with teas that are spicy sweet, with cloves, licorice, cinnamon, cardamom, or something similar. Cinnamon is great because it helps to balance insulin levels… which may be more of a factor in fat loss than calories. Google it and check out some studies on it. Before you try cinnamon or teas though… check with your trainer! And come clean with them about the sugar free jello and candies.
May 04, 2013 @ 07:48:29
Hi there!
I realize this particular post is a little old but hopefully you’ll still be able to get back to me. I currently have 8 weeks to get into shape!! I need to be looking as best as possible for an upcoming vacation. My current weight is 140lbs and I want to lose 15-20. My first question is, would it be possible to happen in the time frame with hard work and dedication and my 2nd question is what should my diet look like.
You’re truly inspirational!!