My workouts have never been better, my energy levels have never been higher, and my jeans have never been tighter.
Three months into my off season and I'm really gettin' the groove. I'm finding that with each day, each meal, and each workout, it can be just as rewarding as the process of prep. For those who aren't familiar, an off season is a period of time to recover from prep-mode, replenish the body, and hopefully grow and improve so you look DIFFERENT and BETTER at the next show.
Included in this are nom noms, also known as NOMS, or to the lay person, food. Just as food plays a vital role in prep, if you do a proper off season, noms are key. In the past I let my insecurities get the best of me and worry I'd gain weight after a show (hi my name's Naive, what's yours?). I'd jump into crazy-cardio mode, neglect the weight room, and eat a few saltines after a workout thinking that these little squares of air would maintain my stage body. Now I have gotten a little direction and far, far larger goals.
I used to worry that if I fully embraced an offseason I'd go cray cray with pizza, ice cream, cheese doodles, and nachos. Apparently I thought my tastebuds and cravings would change as well. No. I've said it before, I'll say it again: if you're used to eating clean foods, you'll enjoy clean food. Now I'm just eating more of it. Potatoes, oats, whole wheat bread, and my personal lovers, Sir Peanut and Lady Almond Butter are all on the docket and helping me feel like a spitfire of a broad.
These clean foods work for me. For others it IS a time of pizza and nachos (and yes I have my cheat meals). But I have found that this makes my body, mind, and mentality feel on track and so, so motivated.
It can be just as rewarding as prep. When I throw up dumbells I couldn't have imagined lifting last prep, I get a thrill. When I take jeans out of the dryer and do the incredibly attractive wiggle dance to get them over my growing derriere, I think of how my donk will look onstage next show. When I try on a New Year's Eve dress and my shoulders look like they could rival Tom Bradys', I smile at the thought of a well proportioned silhouette.
It's different but with the right mindset, can be just as rewarding.
So my jeans are tighter yes. But this offseason I've found that with focus, determination, the right mentality, and proper guidance, these hips aren't the only thing growing...my smile and goals have certainly gone up a couple sizes as well:)
