Karen Mullarkey's blog

The competition is over, the tan is fading, and I can't quit eating! This is pretty much where I am at a week after the IFBB Phoenix Pro. How do I get back on track? I always give myself one week of rest post competition. My body is exhausted and I need a week off of lifting weights. I try and keep my cardio to a minimum so I can fully recover from the competition. I have managed to do two 30 minute cardio sessions this week and one 4 mile trail run. I have also tasted all of the foods that I missed while being on my strict competition diet.

AHHHHHH, I am in the home stretch and feeling a bit tired. I did not sleep well last night, so I am hoping to make up for that tonight. Sometimes it is hard to sleep when it is close to show time because my metabolism is amped up. Today, I started to carb up after a 4 day carb depletion-oatmeal and berries never tasted so good. The carbs should kick in by tomorrow and by Saturday my energy levels should be back to normal.

It is official, I am 2 weeks out from competing in the Phoenix Pro Show. It is now, what I call, crunch time! I have just 2 short weeks to fine tune my body to be ready to step onstage against the best physiques from around the world. I feel right on track and now it is time for the final push.

Sorry for not blogging last week, but things have been crazy with my personal training business. I am now just under 3 weeks out from the Phoenix Pro Show. I am right on track and actually feel really good and not too depleted. That will change in a week when I start the dreaded fish diet. UGHH!

Well, I promised that I would discuss supplements in my next blog so here is a list of what I take while preparing for a figure competition........

-BCAA's-Helps with muscle growth and recovery.
-Glutamine-Aids in muscle recovery.

I can't believe that I am only five weeks out from competing in the IFBB Phoenix Pro figure competition. I have been working very hard in and out of the gym to prepare for my competition. In my last blog, I discussed briefly my workout program, today I am going to discuss my diet.

Good Morning and I hope you all are having an amazing start to 2010! I am sorry that I have not blogged in awhile, but the holidays got me a bit off track. Our trip to Colorado was amazing and I sure do miss living in "God's Country"! Snowboarding was nice and a great way to get some exercise in the mountains.

Well, I can tell that I am in competition mode with my diet because I woke up at 3:00 AM to eat breakfast. You know you are dieting when you can't even sleep through the night because your metabolism wakes you up. So I figured while I am eating that I might as well be blogging!

I said that I would never do a show in February again! That saying, "Never Say Never", is so true because I have decided to compete in the Phoenix Pro Show on February 20th. Preparing for a show is so challenging during the holidays, but I also find it the most rewarding. Most people pack on the pounds this time of year while I am starting to lose body fat. I think it definitely takes more determination this time of year than in the summer because you don't have the added motivation of putting a swimsuit on and laying out by the pool.

As a personal trainer, I have to grin when I hear it every year on the slopes......"My legs need to get back into shape for skiing and snowboarding". Yes, I do believe that your legs do need to get back into the swing of things because it has been several months since you took your last ride down the mountain. I also believe that there is no reason why you shouldn't condition your legs year round, so the transition won't be so hard on your body. Strength training and cardiovascular training are so important when getting back to the high altitudes for the sport we love.