Tag motivation

Why I Prefer To Work Out Alone

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

As a physician I meet new people constantly and have mastered the art of setting a patient’s mind at ease.  I am amenable to chit-chat when running errands and enjoy engaging in conversations with strangers while at social events.  However, when I am at the gym, I automatically shift into a “don’t mess with my flow” mode which has left other gym members with the distinct impression that I am some sort of ice queen.

I have made numerous attempts over the years to train with friends and at the conclusion of every one of those training sessions have resolved to avoid such scenarios at all costs.  Thus in my estimation having a training partner has a completely ergolytic effect on my regimen.  Though I recognize the utility in having a supportive human by one’s side to encourage one more rep, such commentary from a pep squad only serves to distract me and in some cases raise my ire.

I have spent my entire life as an aggressive self-starter.  Without such drive I would never have endured the rigors of medical school and residency.  As an NPC national Bikini champion I have consistently pushed myself to reach a personal best, which has been no easy task given the demands of my career and life in general.  I stroll into a gym with my equipment and my regimen for the day like a thoroughbred horse lining up at the gate, blinders in place, ready to charge towards the finish line at full speed.  It certainly doesn’t help that I am usually in an incredible rush to get to the office or a meeting and must keep moving from movement to movement.  You can imagine how I respond to the weekend warrior who decides to wipe the drool from his chin and ask me while I am in the middle of a set how he can get his abs to look like mine.  So the mere thought of spending my entire gym session hyperaware of my time constraints while trying to work in on gym equipment with a training partner is more anxiety-provoking than a trip to the dentist.

If you and your training partner are completing staggered supersets, I suppose you could yell words of encouragement at each other.  If there is sufficient equipment for two side-by-side setups, or if you are engaging in plyometrics, it is possible that you may both train simultaneously.  However, if you are taking turns on equipment, especially if you are using different weights for each set, a thirty-second rest could easily broaden into 60, 90, 120 or more seconds as you load or re-rack or perhaps have a good laugh about the Facebook post one of you just saw on your cell phone.

With all that said, I realize that some individuals thrive in a workout regimen which includes a training partner.  After all, a supportive and upbeat buddy could consistently push you beyond what you believe you are capable of with respect to strength, power and endurance.  If this is what your training partner possesses, and this person is easily able to surrender the cell phone along with idle chat for the duration of the workout, you are quite lucky indeed.

A Bikini Athlete’s Favorite Abdominal Exercise

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

I admit that abdominals are my favorite of all the body regions to train and have been for my entire adult life.  In fact I cannot think of a single time that I balked when it was time in my training split to work my abs.  This makes designating a particular abdominal exercise as my favorite especially challenging for me, since I consider very move to be a valuable component of an abdominal routine.

After having evaluated the level of motivation I have during each abdominal exercise, I have determined that my top abdominal move is the decline bench crunch.  If you have not performed this exercise before (and yes, I realize that many of you are already familiar with this move), I would highly recommend that you incorporate decline bench crunches into your routine.  Decline bench crunches are excellent at targeting the rectus abdominis and hip flexors due to the increased range of hip flexion which occurs on a decline bench.

Adjust a decline bench so that it is at a 30 to 45 degree angle (the more advanced you are, the greater the angle you can use).  Sit on bench with your feet hooked under the rollers and lie back on the pad with your arms folded across your chest.  Exhale as you bring your head, shoulders and back off the pad, coming to a full sit up position, then return slowly to start position.  You can perform 12 to 20 reps per set, 3 to 5 sets, but I will admit that when I do decline bench crunches, I perform 5 to 6 sets of 30 reps.  If you crave an extra challenge, extend your arms overhead while you perform this move. 

Decline bench crunches can also be performed with a twisting motion at the top of the move, recruiting the obliques and serratus anterior.

Those of you who are really looking to punch up this exercise can perform a weighted variation of this move in which you hold a dumbbell behind your head, hold a plate on your chest, or pull on a cable during the exercise.

After incorporating decline bench crunches into your training split, don’t be surprised if people begin noticing your washboard abs!

 

Maintaining a Healthy Perspective With Contest Prep Meal Plans

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

Those of us who compete are well aware of the critical importance of following specific meal plans which are designed to optimize lean muscle mass and promote fat loss.  However, these meal plans, especially during cutting phases, can be extremely restrictive.  In our quest for attaining the ideal physique for whatever division we compete in, we may find ourselves in a spiral of obsessive nose-to-the-grindstone adherence to foods we may have grown to abhor, intertwined with strong temptation to deviate from the plan and indulge in forbidden foods, only to berate ourselves afterwards for doing so.  After all, we are only human, and after weeks or months of eating clean, we may be so exasperated with daily servings of asparagus, tilapia, chicken breast, and sweet potatoes that our emotional food triggers may kick in and undermine our contest prep efforts.

With orthorexia, there is an unhealthy fixation on clean foods and one’s moods are dictated by how rigidly a clean diet is maintained.  So how is this different from what competitors do in the weeks leading up to a competition?  The mentally healthy approach is to regard food simply as fuel and to dismiss any emotional association with particular items.  I have been witness to and a participant in the fantasizing of forbidden foods in a manner akin to lustful, sexual craving.  I have heard competitors talk backstage at length about all the foods they were planning to indulge in immediately following their final visit onstage for the night.

What I find interesting about such food fixations is how they are distinguishable from anorexic behavior.  When I was 19, I battled anorexia, dropping to 85 pounds on a 5’5’’ at my lightest.  With anorexics, they have a clear and complete aversion to calorie-rich foods and have successfully turned off any interest or cravings for such items, whereas with bulimics, orthorexics and many healthy competitors in contest prep mode, coveting indulgent foods is rather commonplace.  Among all these groups, there is a propensity for obsessive and compulsive behaviors.  One may argue that such obsessions and compulsions are a vital component of contest prep and that without such tendencies a competitor will lack the focus necessary to succeed.

It seems apparent that competitors as a general rule are dangerously close to that fine line which separates a healthy relationship with food from orthorexia.  I remember quite  well how rigid I was about the food I ate when I was anorexic and even kept a daily food journal in which I wrote down the calories and fat grams of every food substance ingested.  I also recall how horrified and ashamed I was of myself when I would reluctantly consume a food I regarded as fattening.

Over 20 years later, I have a healthy relationship with food and for the most part regard it as fuel.  Yet I am immersed in the world of contest prep and like many other competitors will balk and grumble about the clean foods I must eat.  There are times when the mere thought of eating another spear of asparagus seems like the most disgusting activity in the world.  On the rare occasion that I find myself in a restaurant, I find it an alien concept to peruse a menu and actually be able to order whatever I want from any part of the menu.  There are also times during which my metabolism is in hyperdrive and I could eat almost nonstop for the duration of the day.

Here’s the thing: if I indulge in something that is not part of a contest prep meal plan, I don’t flog myself. Rather, I allow myself to enjoy the rare treat and move on.  If you find yourself wallowing in extreme anxiety and prolonged guilt over ingesting a food item which is on the banned list, beware.  This could signify the beginning of a food-related psychopathology.

Strike A Pose

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

It takes a certain amount of bravery to grace the stage, clad in a minimal amount of clothing which reveals your body shape and conditioning, while standing under glaring stage lights and the scrutinizing gazes of a panel of judges.  Some of us love the exhilaration of such an experience, while others cringe at the thought.  Let’s face it, being onstage is something that won’t appeal to everyone, and that is completely acceptable.  However, it is extremely empowering to celebrate the efforts of your training and discipline by holding your frame in poses which best display your hard work.  I find myself telling people constantly that having that awareness of self engenders a spiritual metamorphosis which affects every aspect of one’s life. 

Because of this I believe that there is some utility in learning to pose.  It instills a confidence which changes your posture and your general attitude.  Think about the individuals who strike you as overflowing with self-confidence.  They walk with purpose and often have a bit of a swagger to their step.  They exude an energy which is attractive and inspiring.  You don’t even need a competitor-level physique to learn to pose in such a way that aligns the mind-muscle connection and enables you to celebrate the miracle that your body represents. 

This does not mean that I advocate boastful posing in front of the mirrors at the gym, though I find it acceptable to cast sly glances at your muscles while they are working through a challenging move.  By learning to pose, you can assess your progress if you are on a weight loss or muscle building program even if you never intend to strut your stuff onstage.

For some folks, standing in front of a mirror can be stress-inducing.  Yet it is this sort of visual feedback which can fuel your motivation and help you attain your goals more effectively.  I have patients and clients who dread taking standard front and back shots, yet when point out their strengths while also showing them how to stand and pose with confidence, they begin to experience a psychological shift.  This shift becomes more pronounced with time as their physiques begin to respond to proper nutrition and regular exercise.  I always love hearing someone say they notice muscles they didn’t think they had, or that their clothes fit differently.  I will often notice that the way patients dress and walk will slowly but surely change as they begin to accept themselves for who they are both inside and out. 

The best thing you can do for yourself is to learn how to pose and take full ownership of the abilities and strengths you possess.  So get in front of that mirror and show it what you have!

The Drive To Grace The Stage

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

This is from my 19th NPC competition…

There is truly something magical about competing onstage at NPC bodybuilding contests that defies adequate description.  People who have not been drawn into the world of competing imagine, and rightly so, that it must be intimidating to step onstage in an outfit which in many respects is similar to a set of fancy underwear, while a panel of judges assess the lines of your body and compare them to other competitors.  What often happens to competitors (and it certainly occurred with me at my first show) is that a spiritual transformation occurs which is in keeping with the physical transformation, similar to a butterfly emerging from a cocoon and spreading its wings in flight for the first time.  The countless months of adhering to a structured training regimen and meal plan are celebrated during the course of several minutes while standing under blinding stage lights.

I take pride in being disciplined enough to endure a rigorous plan which requires me to sacrifice many common pleasures such as having free time on the weekends and eating foods outside my plan. The resulting changes in my physique have made the often arduous journey completely worthwhile.  However, I understand that those who do not compete may regard such dedication as extreme.  People have asked me why I continue to compete when I have already had a number of excellent show placings.  Without getting into a lengthy discussion about my quest to attain IFBB Professional Status in the Bikini Division, I will say that each competition represents a new goal which encourages me to keep raising the bar higher.

I have spoken with countless individuals who have asked me to describe the culture of bodybuilding competitions, and many have expressed an interest in entering a contest just to see what the experience might be like.  At the very least I encourage people to attend a competition because I know that the environment can be very inspiring to behold.  Some people will venture further and ask detailed questions about what it takes to compete, how to train and prep, what suit or shorts to wear, how to tan, etc.  Though I am always excited to discover that someone might be interested in competing, I try to ferret out important personality characteristics which will either make one well suited for competing, or will completely demolish a person’s self-worth.  I realize this sounds negative, but it is reality-based and backed up by my own personal ups and downs since I began to compete.

I have seen people who decide to compete but fail to recognize the work that goes into prepping for a competition.  Those individuals invariably get quite a shock when they discover all the essential elements and expenses involved.  I continue to be amazed by people who believe they can eat and drink whatever they want, exercise minimally, then slap on a Mystic Tan and a suit or trunks they usually wear at the beach and win a show.  At the risk of dissuading some readers from competing, I am providing a list of contest prep elements and expenses which are most commonly encountered.

What Is Involved In Contest Prep?

  1. Structured training and cardio plan
  2. Structured meal plan
  3. Competition suit/trunks
  4. Competition tanning
  5. NPC Registration
  6. Show entry fee
  7. Professional makeup
  8. Professional hair styling
  9. Travel expenses (flight, hotel, rental car, gym fees)
  10.  Jewelry and shoes

As a competitor who has traveled for ten pro qualifiers, all of which are outside of the state in which I live, I am well aware of how prohibitive the combined expenses can be.

Thinking of Competing? 

For those who have not been discouraged thus far, I have three questions which will assist in determining whether or not competing is the right choice for you.

  1. Are you comfortable with being scrutinized by a panel of judges?  It can be quite distressing to stand onstage in a row with other competitors, smiling until your jaw cramps, doing half or quarter turns in unison and hoping you get moved to the middle spot.  Unless you can allow yourself to enjoy the experience for what it is and resist taking a poor show placing personally, you should refrain from competing.

However, if you can celebrate your personal accomplishments and enjoy the experience of being on par with some of the best bodies in society, you may indeed gain great pleasure from competing.

  1. Are you capable of adhering to a strict training and meal regimen?  Quite frankly, following a very strict meal plan which prohibits preferred foods and which coerces you into eating foods you can’t stand can really wear you down after a while.  But it is even more critical to follow such a regimen as you approach a competition.  This often requires you to follow the meal plan to the letter for months at a time (aside from the occasional cheat meal).  In addition, consistency with a specific training regimen also requires complete focus.  If you are the type of person who is prone to omitting training blocks for whatever reason, perhaps you are better off attending rather than competing in a show.

Those who rigidly follow a training regimen and meal plan which is designed to prime them for a specific contest consistently do relatively well.

  1. Do you enjoy being onstage or do you freeze up?  If the mere thought of being onstage with glaring stage lights oriented toward you has you hyperventilating and forgetting any posing you may have easily practiced in the privacy of your own living room, you might as well remain in the audience and watch the other competitors do their thing.

 

At the other extreme are people who look like they are having a blast onstage and exude such positive and appealing energy that they catch the interest of the judges and audience.