IFBB Figure Pro Teresa Anthony checks in with her latest blog on her road to the Arnold. She has a full-time job and shares some tips on how she manages through out her day.
My Road to the Arnold: Multi-tasking through my day
Well guys it’s been a couple of weeks from my last report, so here it is. Since the last report, I celebrated my birthday with a fattening meal and dessert, talk about discipline. :) Ok, now back to business. Like many other competitors, I have a full-time job while competing in figure is a hobby. Recently, my toughest challenge has been finding the extra hour during my busy work day to actually sit at my desk and not eat my meals on the run. I recently accepted a new position where I am running a division and it has been a challenge focusing on employees because I am constantly worrying about getting my cardio, weight training and making sure I get all my meals in for the day, etc. Not mention all the thoughts about bringing your best and not being a big bust on the stage is a whole other factor that haunts me daily. So I am hear to tell everyone this is the time I become a basket case and maybe a little irritable… ok, ok a lot irritable. 🙂
Managing through the day:
My day starts pretty early and ends late (not a good combination for contest prep), I am usually awake by 4am and heading to gym around 4:45am for cardio and light training. I would say Monday through Wednesday I am awake and alert at that time of the morning, but usually around Thursday and Friday that morning cardio is usually pretty tough to get through. I am usually rolling out the gym around 6:30 heading home to get ready for the work day. Lately work day is filled with meetings after meetings and trying to manage people and also responding to my customers frequently. All these factors sometimes makes it tough for me to stay on point with my meals and drinking my gallon plus water and the little factors that comes with contest prep. There are many times when I am eating between 10 minute breaks of meetings, in my car, or even standing up in the lobby (imagine the weird looks) but I have learn to just ignore the crazy looks of me stuffing my face within 10 minutes. Once I am done with meetings, I am usually responding to several emails which can also be a challenge while doing contest prep, especially if your carbs are low. I have to constantly advise myself to read my emails 2 or 3 times before hitting the send button, I certainly don’t need to look like a moron in the front of my upper management. My work day usually ends around 6p and then it’s off to the second around of training and cardio. Well folks that is my day in a nutshell. Over the years of competing I have tried to think of ways to help me manage my day and keep the stress down as much as I can.
There are a few things that have helpful me be more effective during contest prep while juggling the work life:
1. I usually like to cook and bag all my foods on the weekend. Cooking food every night for the next day is total madness and very stressful.2. I plan my workouts for the week on Sunday night. Most people have a routine day of doing certain bodyparts on the same day for the whole prep. Well I don’t, every couple of weeks I like to shake up the routine and switch days, that way I am always shocking my body.
3. I set out my morning workout clothes on the nightstand, that way it is easily accessible. (At 4am, I need all the minimizing I can get).
4. I am not a social butterfly, especially in the gym, so I have a rule that NO one is allowed to come and talk to me doing my workout. Say good morning and keep it moving people.
5. Planning my work day is a meeting filled day, I always tote my food bag with me and eat between breaks.
6. If stressed or irritable at work, I like to leave the office and have my lunch at a a local coffee shop or even in my car. That way I can gather my thoughts and refocus for the remainder of the day.
These are just a few things that help me cope during my day. My biggest motivator is me… I tell myself daily it is an honor to get the invite, so keep your eyes on the prize. Bringing the best me is all I can do.
Until next folks… Peace Out!!!!
Follow Teresa on twitter @FitTeresaNicole. Give her a shout and tell her you saw her on Hardbody.
