Turning the Page

Oh dear.

For a while I became one of those blogs.

The ones were people are active for the first few months, and then abandon the blog and never, well, blog again.

But not this blog! No, I just went away for a little while...however, I'm back! :) So much has happened since I last blogged, and I have so much to share so let's get to it!

I have finally figured out the lurking reason as to why I have not been able to hit my goals with my fitness and physique - hypothyroidism. This is a condition where your body does not produce enough thyroid hormone; as a result, your whole body slows down. The metabolism, digestion, excretion, everything just slows. As a result, losing weight is darn near impossible (despite a caloric deficit) There are a multitude of symptoms that come with it, but for me mine have been losing my period, constipation, hair loss, bracycardia (slowed heart rate), and the weight issue. Of all days, my birthday was the day I was finally told what my problem was - and given a solution of medication. I started taking Synthroid about a week ago; it's the most common hypothyroid medication. However, I do not want to be in the position were I have to take a pill for the rest of my life, so I'm looking to see if and how I can naturally heal my thyroid through diet and hormone changes.

I also have a new coach! I was with Team VIP for a couple months, and while I think they are great and have a good mindset of the type of bikini competitors that should go on stage, I realized I needed to have a coach that was not only knowledgeable about my situation, but could potentially be long term and really come to know and understand how my body responds to different training and foods. I ended up going with Allen Cress, who owns Team Maximum Performance Training, and it's been one of the greatest decisions I've ever made. The guy must have over 50 clients, but never fails to make me feel like I am his only client by answering my email questions in a matter of minutes and detailed checked ins once a week. With my new condition, he's had me cut out nuts, dairy, and soy from my diet (and speaking of diet, he does macros!) It's been challenging that's for sure!

As far as my physique and competing....that's been pushed into the hopefully-not-too-far-future. I've made a promise to myself that I will not enter a cut or caloric deficit until my hormones are balanced and I've regained my period. I WILL compete and I WILL get to were I want to be; I just can't make it my number one priority right now. And I'm ok with that.

Coming up here in the future of this blog though, I'll have some more recipes, and additions to a section I've completely forgotten about - the Dates! There is a life outside of the gym after all!