I started thinking about the amount of pain that human beings are able to tolerate.  We are able to endure so much stress, and pain in many areas that I won't go into, at least not today.  What is the big deal with food? For some reason, this is an area that when we are not "dieting" whatever that means for any one person, we are not even willing to tolerate even a little tickle in our tummy. Why is that? Why can we endure so much pain, but the pain of hunger, nay the discomfort of hunger sends us through the roof and in uncontrollable frenzy?

 

Well there are different levels we are all in. I think the most uncomfortable is the phase where you went on a binge, perhaps from your last show, and it lasted, maybe one week, two weeks, or two months.  then you got on the scale, noticed it 10 pounds heavier, and your pants don't fit anymore, so... enough is enough right?  So you write out the diet, put it on your fridge, but I'll be darned it you can't stick to it for the life of you.  You count the calories, hmmm plenty of food, what gives? You think about last year, when you were getting ready for your show and you did the exact same diet, and it was easy. Why are you having such a hard time with it?

Think about this, when you remember your last diet, you will recall the meat and potatoes of the diet. (pun intended) that is, the part of the program when you were really in the zone.  You would look at a cookie and scoff.... hmph you say, that cookie is unworthy. But you didn't do that at the beginning now did you? You had most likely just as much trouble in the beginning as you are having at the beginning now. What to do?

 

It is all about momentum. You have to allow yourself the time and be patient with yourself to pick up the momentum.  Most people start a diet and two weeks into it are already giving up. You haven't even picked up any momentum yet to be giving up.  Allow yourself 2 weeks to get in the groove.  Slowly get all that crap out of your house.  Allow yourself a little extra calories in the beginning and then slowly taper down to your pre-contest diet.  And the final tip that will really kick it into high gear, imagine yourself onstage in your bikini, yeah, that usually will stop the hunger pain dead in it's track. Start your diet a few weeks early this year, gradually increase cardio, and gradually cut back calories, and don't obsess about the scale, throw it out the window, really! That works great!

 

I hope that 2009 is going to be your best year yet! Get out there and compete. If you have been thinking about it for a while, now is the time.  There is no better time, than now! Allow your inspiration to be your guide and take yourself on a wild ride of being in the best shape of your entire life. There is nothing quite like it in the world.