1 Week Out

I'm officially 1 week out from the 2024 IPL Golden Heart Classic show. I'll be competing in figure, bikini model (swimsuit), and evening gown.

This last week has been full of stupid issues for me. I was expecting to get a little grumpy because of the calorie cutting. What I wasn't expecting is to have seasonal barometric issues thanks to the weather. Today, it snowed up in the hills. On Friday, it snowed down in the Black Rapids area (mountain area south of Fairbanks). Have you ever had your energy just bottom out? That's how the last part of this week went for me. Just total lack of energy.

I also had major sleep issues, probably related to the weather. We had some dense clouds roll in, a little rain, today's snow in the hills, and some wind. I pretty much had 3 nights where I was not really sleeping. It's more like I laid in bed with my eyes closed.

Today, Saturday, was fucking boring. I'm between projects, so I didn't just "get lost" in a project like I normally would. I did my usual shopping, but that was super fast. I think I ended up picking up more stuff for the dogs' mutt-loaf than I did for myself (yes, I make my dogs mutt-loaf for dinner). I just needed yogurt and lentils.

This whole next week is PEAK WEEK! That means I will get 1000 calories of food each day, be on a water cut starting tomorrow, and I'll still workout until Thursday...or maybe even Friday morning. I guess that's going to depend on sleep and energy levels. The goals for this week are to reduce the water retention in my body to look as cut as I'm going to look for the show on Saturday.

How am I pre-gaming tonight?

• Shower - I took a hot shower after dinner in an effort to help my body relax. This should help with sleep.

• Exfoliation - I used Dr. Carver's Prep Scrub and exfoliation gloves to give myself an exfoliation while in the shower. Later this week I have a "body buff", a full body exfoliation treatment. Exfoliating before you get a spray tan will help produce a better stage tan because you are getting rid of the top layer of old skin.

• Skin Detox Mask - I like using the Draw It All Out face mask by Formula 10.0.6. You smear it on your face, let it dry, and then peel it off. It is pretty easy and leaves your skin looking good.

• Aloe Vera Drink - I had an Alo Exposed drink this evening before my shower. I find that my body responds positively to drinking aloe vera drinks. It helps clear up my skin, makes it look better, and is great for healing anything that needs healing. I also won't be able to have it this next week.

• Tea - I'm going to end tonight with a cup of hot tea because I drink a lot of tea. I find tea comforting.

• Dry XT - Tonight I start taking Dry XT by Jacked Factory. It helps remove water weight if you're on a water cut. I'll just take this when I take my nighttime pills (Melatonin, Lean PM, L-Carnitine, Baking Soda, Magnesium).

• Early to Bed - I'll probably go to bed a little early, even if that means I lie in bed reading for an hour or two.

Please do not do a water cut unless you are getting ready for a show. Tomorrow (Sunday) I get 60oz water. Monday is 50oz. Tuesday 40oz. Wednesday 30oz. Thursday 20oz. Friday is 8oz. Saturday is 8oz until after the show.

When coming out of a water cut, I highly recommend having a liter of water available, as well as a hydration additive. I like Liquid IV in Passion Fruit flavor. For a liter of water, I use 2 packs of this stuff. You'll get hydrated, you'll get the electrolytes (which you will totally need), and it has B vitamins (for energy).

Be sure to take your time with the water. If you drink it too fast, you could feel bloated and end up having trouble getting to sleep.

Another thing to mention is that after a bodybuilding show a lot of competitors tend to go out for dinner. Your eyes are going to be bigger than your stomach, especially after a month of cutting. I advise that you choose something a little on the small side. You can always have more, but if you order a huge dish then its going to be too much too fast.

So how is this next week going to go?

I'll still be hitting the gym twice a day. I have an eyelash appointment and a wax appointment earlier in the week. Body buff exfoliation appointment on Thursday. Spray tan 1 on Friday afternoon, then a mandatory competitor meeting that evening. After that spray tan, it's "Avoid All Water" until after the show. Saturday, I have to be at the venue by 9:30am for spray tan 2 and show prep. The show should wrap up around 6pm or so. I think the competitors are going out for food and drinks afterward.

Upcoming shows

After the IPL show, I'll be heading to an OCB show in Georgia in November. I am thinking about signing up for an Anchorage NPC show and the Emerald Cup Natural NPC show in Bellevue, WA - both next year. I'll make a final decision by December/January.