I’m 28 weeks out from the next Utah Cup (NPC bikini competition) and my body is changing. The tone in my arms is returning. I’m less winded when I run. I’m feeling stronger because I am stronger. I can now hold wall sits for 60 seconds plus and planks for 45 seconds plus. I’m getting closer to the goal but, in real time, it feels like it’s so far away… and, yet, 28 weeks is a very short amount of time to get as lean as I need to be to step on stage.

I can’t see the lines in my quads or back yet (my favorite lines are the lines in my quads and lat muscles). My triceps are nowhere to be found. Even though I know my six pack is there (I’ve been working abs solidly for the last twelve weeks), there are layers of fat over my abs and I cannot my even one of my six pack… yet…

And my macros… either I eat too few calories and too little protein or too many calories and too many carbs… which reminds me that this entire journey to becoming an IFBB Bikini Pro is about patience, consistency, and learning. I’m learning what foods work best for my body. I’m learning how to get all my protein in every day. I’m learning how to temper my carb intake while also not feeling carb deprived.

And I haven’t figured any of it out… yet… and that’s the power of Not Yet… I’m learning my body in a new and different way. I’m doing 3-4 hour a day workouts six days a week and I’m learning how to manage my energy when so much of it is going to workout out.

What’s up for this week?

Well, I have 28 weeks left to the competition and A LOT of body fat to lose so my focus for this week is going to be getting in the workouts but, more than that, making sure I’m getting in at least 155 g protein a day, 128 oz of water a day and sleeping 6-8 hours a night with my #1 priority being getting the right macros in.

No matter what, this is a lifetime journey. It’s not about 28 weeks from now. It’s about how I’m going to live today to create the habit of living this way the rest of life… and that’s an entirely different journey.