So what do you do when that big event that you've been training for has come and passed? How do you go back to eating "normally" after months and months of strict dieting? When do you decide to implement your exit strategy?

What do I know about Depression?

From a clinical standpoint, not much.

However I do understand that depression is a very common and serious medical illness that can negatively effect how a person feels, the way that they think, and even how they act. Depression can also cause sadness and/or loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.

Now even though I would not consider myself to be a depressed individual, I have recently loss interest in an activity that I very much enjoy - Workout Out. I believe the reason for my disinterest in the gym though stems from my recent fitness competition that I just completed last weekend. You see, up until the day of my competition, I pretty much spent the majority of my waking hours in the gym. Between my resistance training workouts, my cardiovascular training workouts and all the other workouts that I take our clients and small group classes through on a daily basis, I basically lived in the gym for the past month. And as much as I enjoy my job and as much as I look forward to lifting some heavy ass weights while performing hours upon hours of endless cardiovascular sessions on the treadmill, my body and my mind NEEDS a break.......from EXERCISE!!!!!

As many of you may already know I competed in what seemed like my gazillionth bodybuilding competition this past weekend. However what many more of you may not know is that I only took 3 weeks to get ready for this show. In a sport where most competitors take anywhere from 3-4 months to get in shape for the stage, I decided to take just 21 days.

Crazy? Perhaps.
Ludicrous? Probably.
Insane? Definitely.

Yet, even though I spent less then a quarter of the amount of time that most people take to get their body in contest shape form, I ended up placing 2nd in a highly competitive and deep class of elite competitors. And listed below is how I did it.......

Okay, perhaps you don't exactly want to be a bodybuilder but chances are that if you're reading this week's blog, that you do have some interest in the health and fitness industry. Whether that interest lies strictly upon improving your aesthetics, or increasing your speed, agility and strength for your desired sport, or you just want to become overall more healthy and fit, you have an agenda to meet and fitness goal(s) that you want to accomplish. But what if the expectations that you place upon yourself are higher then average? Do you really know what it takes to become an elite athlete or a top fitness competitor in an extremely competitive and cut throat sport? What are you willing to sacrifice to achieve the body of your dreams? Are you ready to take both your training and diet up to that next level?