How to Eat Clean while on Vacation

Due to popular demand, I'm going to write a little bit about how I stay on track, with diet and exercise while on vacation. I DID do a video on this subject before I left on my current vacation this week, but it's part of a project I'm doing with a couple of other people (one that I'm pretty excited about, so keep your eyes peeled) and can't be uploaded till the beginning of August!!

So, I'll give you the plan I had for this vacation first followed by how I prepare for more strict vacations.  I was a little more lax planning for this vacation because I don't have a photoshoot or competition for a couple more weeks AND I'm staying with my parents, so have access to car and kitchen....then I will tell you how I planned for a trip where I had a photoshoot that weekend, and was staying in a hotel without a vehicle.

First and foremost I should say, if it's a VACATION and not business or a short getaway etc, don't stress too much about it!!! I'd bring some items for the flight/drive, but once you are there, enjoy yourself!!! Go out to eat, but just make the best choices you can. There are ALWAYS options, and don't be shy with your server. They are there to serve you, and should be responsive to requests to leave items off, or put dressings on the side etc.

So for this trip, I brought lots with me because I don't like to be cooking and running to the grocery store AS SOON as my parents pick us up from the airport!!! I want to be social for a few minutes at least! HAHA, JK.

Items that I packed:

1. Pre-portioned oatmeal- I measure into baggies exactly how I like it, with pb2, cocoa and sweetner already mixed in so I just have to dump into a bowl, and water and cook in the microwave. Since I don't want to be doing a lot of cooking, and I LOVE oatmeal, I don't do yams while I'm away and just eat extra oatmeal. Keep it simple!

NOTE: in the past when I've been in a hotel, I just brew coffee (without the coffee) so you end up with hot water, and either mix my oatmeal right in the pot, or in two seperate servings in the small mugs that they always have....I have also packed a couple glass tupperware containers that I use over and over. This way the container can be put in the microwave as well. ( usually you can get a microwave on request if they don't already have one in the room!)

2. I pack my liquid and powder stevia and PB2 so I don't have to buy more while away, or have to search for it!!!

3. For a last resort, grab and go, I pack QUEST protein Bars www.questnutrition.com PURE HEAVEN. Put in the microwave for 10 seconds before eating (if you have one around) and you won't miss dessert, I guarantee!!! I've found even gas stations turn a blind eye to using their microwave or hot water as long as you're buying gas or something ;)

4. Rice Cakes

5. Almond butter

6. I precook a bulk package of chicken breast and freeze. I freeze them so I can put them in my checked luggage without worrying about any leakage. By the time I make it to my destination they are pretty much thawed and ready to go. If you are going to be gone for a long time, separate into more than one bag so you can keep one if the fridge to thaw and put the others in the freezer to keep till needed.

7. Those tuna packets in the vacuum sealed bags work well also. You can usually find mustard and relish in airport and mall food courts. I use those condiments to mix into my tuna so it's not so bland.

8. Whey powder and shaker cup.

With all this packed, once we got to Winnipeg I was able to relax for a bit and didn't REALLY have to go for groceries for a day or so. When I did get to the store, I got cottage cheese, more chicken, some bulk bags of vegetables, egg whites etc. Everything I would normally eat at home!! :)

As for my workouts....I volunteer at the YMCA in Calgary (in the preschool dept) so this gives me a free membership :) It's a LOT easier to make it to they gym everyday while on vacay when it doesn't cost you 10$+ every visit!!! The YMCA also has free childcare up to 18 months, so even if my babies grandparents weren't able to watch her, I'd be able to bring her with me :) If your kids are older, there is always a drop in fee ( I know, that can add up!!!)

Now, things are a little more complicated when you are travelling on your own, in a hotel and without a car. When I went to FEM Camp www.femcamp.com in the spring I had to be a little more organized, but it was a shorter trip, so also do-able!!! Since I was going back and forth to camp during the day, I had tupperware meals packed. I know I know, not everyone can do it, but I ate everything cold. Pretty much every meal was the same as I'm used to, but cold.

Since I didn't have a car to go to the grocery store I brought all the same things as above, and in addition:

1. I didn't want to bring cartons of egg whites, so I hard boiled a bunch of eggs and sealed them up really well so they wouldn't smell.

2. I had to purchase bulk bags of broccoli and spinach in advance and bring them with me.

3. I like to rotate my protein sources though, so I precook and freeze lean beef as well.

NOTE : A great extra to bring along would be the Jamie Eason-Middleton muffins that I have on this blog in the "what I eat" section. http://www.operationcompetitionlean.blogspot.ca/p/recipes.html (Scroll down to Turkey Meatloaf Muffins) They are just as good made without the oatmeal depending on what your macro demands are at the time.

I wasn't able to get cottage cheese or greek yogurt, but I don't usually eat dairy before a photoshoot anyway :)

I booked a hotel that had a kitchenette. They are VERY common now, and usually not any more expensive than hotels without!!!

In regard to exercise, I ALWAYS do my research on hotel gyms. I've almost never been unable to find a hotel with a fully equipped gym AND a kitchenette! Worst case scenario, strap on the runners and find a childrens park nearby and make something up on the fly!!!

You could always keep a MOST FIT STRAP in your bag for a bring anywhere workout!!! It doesn't even take up the space of your makeup kit in your bag and can be attached pretty much anywhere for a kick arse workout!!! http://www.most-fit.com ( I'll will be doing a blog on this strap very soon as well!

So there you have it!!! This is how I stay on track!!! I'm probably missing something!! I'll post in the comments if I think of anything else!!!

Please, If you have any other ideas that I can add to my repetoire or that you would like to share, that would be awesome!!! Either post on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/operationcompetitionlean OR right here. I'd love to hear some new tips to help me out!!!

FEM Camp Recap

Well, After all the pics I posted on my facebook page, I figured I should really let you all know more about what was experienced at the FEM camp weekend!!! :) www.femcamp.net or check out www.facebook.com/MonicaFEMCamp

I was originally planning on attending the Camp in Kelowna since it's so much closer to my hometown of Calgary. However my husband had something going on that weekend so I was going to have to be home for my daughter. I wanted to attend bad enough that I purchased a ticket all the way to Toronto which added a LOT of cost to the weekend! I had to fly in the day before, and out the morning after because of flight times, which made the hotel stay a lot more $ too.....this all being said, I STILL think it was worth the money!! I had so much fun, made so many friends and left feeling better about my stage presence, happy that I got myself out of my comfort zone, and had a rejuvinated desire to kick this competition in the arse! HAHA

I was SUPER excited to meet one of my Idols and the presenter of the camp Monica Brant! What she has done in this industry is incredible. I loved it when she got off topic because it meant that we were hearing another amazing story about putting yourself out there and making opportunities HAPPEN for yourself rather than waiting for something great to come to you! She's been SO successful in life, and she deserves it. The positive vibe she puts out, and paying it forward results in greatness.

I'm not gonna lie, the highlight of my trip was FINALLY getting to meet Erica Willick of www.facebook.com/sistersinshape. When I originally set my goal of competing after my daughter was born, this was the page that gave me the information I needed to get started! We've been supporting each other for about 8 months now, and when my motivation is dwindling she always has the best advice! It was like we knew each other forever and I was so happy to finally get to meet her and some of the other Sisters in Shape Team as well!

The energy in the room at checkin day one was contagious. I could tell my the enthusiasm of everyone in attendance that it was going to be a great weekend! My first though looking around is HOLY CRAP I'm in over my head! These girls were in serious shape!!! But that's the great thing about this camp! Because it's put on by THE Monica Brant, you assume it's just for the hardcore fitness competitors!! This is SO not the case! There is something for everyone :) There's modifications for exercises, and even though you may not be interested in posing practice, you can't imagine how strutting your stuff, getting yourself out of your comfort zone and looking sexy can improve your self esteem! All the while having a room full of AMAZING personalities cheering you on and having a blast...priceless.

We started off with a lower body workout! Broken into groups we went through circuits of exercises that weren't so common. We learned lots of different things that I can now throw into my repertoire to change things up now and then! Some of the exercises I may not do if there are too many people at the gym (if you know what I mean) but I felt sore the next day and that is awesome!!! The afternoon was spent on Posing practice and this is one of the things I was most looking forward to! I've been practicing a lot in my heels, but I need to get myself in front of an audience and REALLY do it up! I learned that my POSING itself is OK, it's my T-Walk that needs a lot of work. I knew before that SOMETHING was wrong with my walk but couldn't pinpoint it!? I laughed when Monica grabbed me and says "SOMETHINGS Wrong here" LOL me replying "I KNOW RIGHT!!!?" Now I know what's wrong and just have to put it to practice! That in itself was worth the trip!

Day two was and upper body workout followed by a bootcamp style workout, followed by more posing and T-Walk Practice. I was spent after that!!!! We had three hours in the afternoon off to get a spray tan done for the next day's photoshoot with Paul Buceta. www.paulbuceta.com (Oxygen Magazine Photographer) I was surprised when people started seeing my photos not knowing, how many said it could be a cover for Oxygen! HAHA He definitely has a certain style! :)

Saturday Evening was probably the most motivating part of the weekend for me! It was a night of presentations from Monica Brant, telling us about her time in the industry. Followed by a talk with Oxygen Editor .......Crocker, talking about how to get your photo's into their magazine, and other opportunities with their magazine.  Next was Two Chicks and some Lipstick https://www.facebook.com/twochicksandsomelipstick talking about Makeup for photoshoots and competition! We ended with Erica Willick (www.sisinshape.com ) who gave a presentation about how she got her break into the industry. Some being in the right place at the right time, followed by a lot of work and perseverance. ALL in all a VERY motivational and educational evening. I left that night with ALL SORTS of ideas and motivation in my head! Now I just have to put it all into motion! HAHA

Of course, I think the last day was what ALL of us were looking forward to the most. After all the hard work, dieting, focus and dedication, we were finally able to get our pics taken by a well renowned photographer and have our "moment in the limelight" shall we say! I think Paul was surprised how many of us there were, but even by the end of the day, he still had a positive attitude and was still giving each and every one of us the same attention as he was at the beginning of the day....just with a few more bandaids on his fingers....HAHA You know you've taken a lot of pictures WHEN right!? LOL We got beautified by hair and makeup artists, picked out our outfits, and waited our turn. I just LOVED watching each and every girl had a totally DIFFERENT, but BEAUTIFUL look. It all went by way too fast! :) I don't see myself ever standing out surrounded by the girls that were there, but it sure was fun to be a model for a day :)

Just before I left for this trip, I did find out that they are going to be having a FEM Camp in Calgary this Fall August 9-11 with another fantastic fitness photographer David Ford. I will be attending FOR SURE!!! One of the most exciting parts of the weekend for me was being asked to be the FEM Camp Ambassador for Calgary!!! One of the perks of my recent involvement with Social Media! :) Thankyou #mompowerteam for that!!! :)

All in all, the weekend was WELL worth the investment. I met AMAZING friends I'll have for life, I have a rejuvenated motivation, the desire to create opportunity for myself, and I just feel proud of myself! Thankyou Monica Brant  monicabrant.com, @MonicaFEMCamp, and Lynda Thoresen https://www.facebook.com/lynda.cromartythoresen, @FEMCampLynda for putting together such an organized F(un)E(ducational)M(motivational) Camp!! It will always be a fond memory! :)

5 Weeks Out!!!

Sorry for not posting pics and progress for 6 Weeks out, but it was such a whirlwind with the FEM Camp weekend, that I didn't really have a super consistent diet and exercise regime going. I did eat perfectly clean and workout, but it wasn't my normal planned schedule! FEM Camp was a blast by the way, I will write a blog about it later this week with some pics. I'm really happy with my photoshoot pics, but I have to admit, I'm a little too critical of myself and I still have a lot of work to do re: appreciating how far I've come! Instead of looking at the pics and thinking wow, I just had a baby, and look how great I look.....my first thought was, "OH NO, I'm no where near ready to compete!" I was picking away at the few body parts that I'm still not happy with instead of loving this body I haven't seen since highschool! When you're surrounded by SO MANY beautiful, inspirational, fit women, it's hard not to feel like you have a lot more work to do. By the end of the weekend though, I had a rejuvenated energy in my being to go hard till the end, and I can't wait to get on stage! I've made so many new fitness friends who are cheering me on too, which is GREAT!!

SO, for the past two weeks I've been steadily losing weight and BF. Things are going great, and I have been able to add cardio VIA Walking on and Incline of 12 at a rate of 3.0 for 30minutes, or walking on the stair mill for 20-30 minutes without my knees causing my any problems. Come Saturday this week, (so two more days before progress pics) I had already lost 1.4lbs, so I think I will cut down on that cardio anyway! I have still been working out 5 days/week HEAVY HEAVY, adding little bits of Cardio and practicing posing in my heels whenever the small gym with mirrors is available!!! In the next few weeks, I'll try to get my husband to take a video of me so I can REALLY see how I look!! :) I've been eating LOW carb (high fat and protein) all week and carb loading on the weekend. While I was at FEM Camp I ate high carb on the weekend, but I don't think I ate enough calories to make a difference, so this week I upped the calories on my carb load day and.....still not enough!!! Good think I started this trial and error early!!! I'll try some more calories next weekend!!.I've been drinking lots of water as usual :)

Here are my pics for this week!! (It has become evident to me after FEM Camp that I look MUCH better in proper lighting and in heels but I'll keep taking pics like this so it's easy to compare up to the end.)

Since I'm still seeing progress, I'm not going to change anything for this week, but I AM planning to do a trial peak week at three weeks out to see how my body reacts to what I have planned....since I'm competing in Bikini, I don't think I have to worry too too much about PEAKING per se, (I'm not supposed to be TOO lean) but I have registered for Fitness Model too just for more experience on stage. I don't think I'll be ready for that at all, (lack of muscle build in the off season) but why not right? I'm there anyway, may as well rock the stage twice!!!! LOL

Keep it healthy this week ladies and gentlemen!! :)