Guess who's back?

~ I have learned. Learned I need something to hold on to.
I have learned I need to live in the moment.
Not in the past that you cannot change, not in the future that might not be there.
Live in the moment and enjoy the journey,
wherever it is taking you... ~

For those of you that have missed me, I have not disappeared. I have been stuck though. Have you ever felt that you couldn’t move forward?
I have been dedicated for over a year to work towards my first bodyfitness competition. I trained like I never trained before, I ate clean, like never before. I was disciplined, dedicated, like never before. It worked, I built my body like it was never before.

When the day came of my moment of fame, I enjoyed it to the fullest! Had the best team to support me around, trainer, stylist, and friends for mental support. I felt like a real star! The day started early. I enjoyed my mashed sweet potatoes and a nice shower and traveled to the theater where I collected with all the other athletes, the one more beautiful than the other. I got ready in my bath rope for spray tanning and situated myself in a quiet corner; some relaxation with my earplugs in. Stress will do no good for your looks on stage, so I better relaxed! My hair done nails done, everything done! Then came the minutes I needed to prepare for stage. My trainer relaxed me, getting me ready with some exercises and final posing practices. Adrenaline!

First time on stage, I got called out for the first round! That sounds promising! I looked at the jury, smiled, and performed for the public. I did well! Next time on stage, bright shining lights aimed at me. I did my T-walk like I was born to do this. Calm, relaxed and fabulous. That went quick!

Then, I was just waiting for the results. I got called on stage first, 6^th place! Confusion arose in my mind; only the girls on the first 5 places will be accepted for the B class competition. Not me? But I was good enough to be there on the stage with the other winning girls! Feeling of pride, excitement and happiness! I did it! And I was satisfied with my performance on stage!

Feeling happy and tired after this long day, I thanked all my supporters and drove back home for a good night of sleep. Most girls craved for junk food the moment they get off the stage. All I wanted was just a good night of sleep. The first days after the competition, I went to the gym to do some workouts and eat relatively normal. Then, the cravings started and I took a break from training. I thought; well, let me give myself some rest and enjoy some sweets! Sugar is addictive, once we had some sugar, our bodies is craving for more. My body was not used to getting in food that high in sugar and in such large amounts. It reacted heavily and soaked up everything that I ate, resulting in a big, bloated me. This is really demotivating, especially since you have been in your best shape ever just a couple of weeks ago. I was ashamed that I gained wait this quickly and to go back to the gym to face myself in the mirrors there and was afraid for the reactions. That is where I got stuck. Stuck in the corner, for a little too long…

Getting out of this corner took time. Working towards a goal helps me. This is why I have been working on some goal setting for myself lately. It gets me motivated. 

There are a couple of challenges coming up! One if them is a photoshoot! Stay tuned for updates! 

Remember: 

Salmon with avocado and egg

This recipe is very simple and clean. I like this recipe best when freshly  prepared, this is why I like to eat it in the weekends, when I have time to prepare some nice dishes.  I like fresh salmon the best, however, you can also use frozen salmon for this dish. Make sure the salmon is defrosted before preparing it.

Ingredients

• Salmon (about 150g)
• ½ cleaned avocado
• 1 cooked egg (or just the eggwhite)
• Pepper
• Garlicpowder
• ½ tablespoon Mustardseeds

Method

1. Heat a pan
2. Fry the salmon in the pan for about 2-5 min each side
3. Add the pepper, garlicpowder and mustardseeds to taste
4. Serve with the cooked egg and avocado on the side.

 Enjoy!

Beetroot salad with chicken, apple and white cheese

This is a very easy and healthy salad to make and is a nice variation on the simple chicken salad. I like the sweetness of the raspberry vinegar to marinate this salad. You can also try other vinegars to your taste!

Beetroot salad with chicken, apple and white cheese

Ingredients (Recipe for 2 portions)

• 2 cups of fresh spinach leaves
• 200g of beetroot (pre-cut)
• 200g chicken filet
• 1 apple
• 20 small cubes of white cheese
• 1 tablespoon of pumpkinseeds
• Raspberry vinegar
• Pepper

Method

1. Cut the chicken filet in small pieces and cook it until done
2. Cut the spinach and apple in small pieces.
3. Add the spinach, beetroot, apple, chicken filet, and cheese in a large bowl
4. Add the vinegar, pepper and pumpkinseeds and stir well
5. Enjoy!

Let me know how you liked this recipe! :) 

Recipe for endive with grinded chicken and dried apricots

This is a very quick and easy recipe I like because of the mix of flavours: the sweetness of the apricots with the bitter taste of the endive. I buy the chicken grinded in the store, but you can also grind it yourself in a kitchen machine. You can vary with the type of curry you use for this dish; I like to use curry masala myself.

Endive with chicken filet and dried apricots

Ingredients (recipe for 3 portions)

• 300g Grinded chicken/turkey breast
• 3 large endive stalks
• 15 dried apricots
• 2 spoons curry Powder
• Pepper

 Method

1. Bake the grinded chicken in a large pan until done     
2. Add the endive, curry powder and pepper and bake for about 5 min
3. Cut the apricots in small pieces and add to the dish
4. Enjoy!

Let me know how you like this dish!

My first Figure competition! Enercup 2014

Last Sunday was the big day! My fist figure competition!

I had a great first experience and enjoyed it very much. Although it was a very long day, I had a great time and looking forward to the next one!

This day couldn't have happened without the support of the people around me! Fistly, I would like to thank my trainer for his time and effort he has put into me. Without his knowledge and guidance I would never have looked this great on stage! Secondly, I would like to thank the persons that helped me practicing my posing routine. Also, I had the best hairdresser/make-up artist in the world to make me beautiful! In addition I would like to thank my boyfriend, friends and family for their support and patience! It is not always easy to live with a fitness addict! Thank you guys for all the support! 

I would like to share my experiences of the competition! 

The day of the competition began at 6AM when I stood up and had my breakfast: sweet potatoes with coconut oil. Not a bad breakfast I have to say! I had to be present at the event location at 8AM in order to receive my athlete pass and the backstage pass for my coach. Than we had to show our outfit; bikini and shoes; to representatives of the IFBB federation.

One of the preparations before going on stage is tanning. I choose to use the spray tanning service that was provided at the event itself. The morning I made sure I scrubbed my full body and face, so the tanning would look perfectly smooth. However, unfortunately the spray tanning resulted in a stripy mess!! Luckely, this stripes were less visible after using oil. On stage; it looked like a perfect tan!

I was very blessed that I had a great hair and make-up artist with me that came all the way to the event just to help me with my hair and make-up. I cannot imagine that I should have done this myself! Feld so blessed with my friend! J

There were in total three moments I went on stage. The first moment was the pre-judging. This was in the afternoon where I went on stage with the other girls from the bodyfitness category and we would stand in a line-up. Then we were called forward to show the quarter turns, after which we would return back in the line-up.

The second time on stage was my moment of fame: my T-walk. I was the first of my category to show my performance and this went well! I practiced a lot and I made as much eye contact with the jury as possible. Before going on stage both times, my coach helped my with oiling my body and warming up my muscles for the posing routine.

When these two most important moment on stage are done, the third time occurring on the stage is during the awarding of the prizes. I did receive a place in the finals! The 6^th place.

During the day I ate just a little, spread over the day; only when I felt I needed to eat something. The meals I brought with me mainly consisted of carbs, fats, and sugar. There is no need for protein on these days, because you are not building muscles. In addition, I avoided protein and fibre, because this might give a bloated feeling. So I ate some pasta, white rice, sweet potato, and nuts.

The event ended around 11PM; so it was a very long, but exciting day! 

I will definitely continue with my lifestyle. I know what I need to work on and aim to improve a great deal before returning on stage! Stay tuned for the rest of my journey! J

Update and more pictures photoshoot

Hi Guys!

Meanwhile I am 3 weeks out of my first competition. So my body has changes quite a bit already. Still working to get my fat% lower by keeping a strict food-schedule. Somehow, this seems more challenging lately ;). Also, I am very excited to start my new job this week! Meeting new people and finding more opportunities! I am ready to rock the stage (almost :))!

As promised, here are several more pictures from my photoshoot a couple of weeks ago. 

Have a great week and enjoy the pictures!

Recipe for Chocolate protein Cupcakes

Cupcakes, ready to go in the oven!

These cupcakes I love to make and are a healthy snack! It is actually very similar to protein pancakes, only you use a cupcake tin and bake them in the oven. Easy on the go or when chilling at the couch! 

Ingredients for about 9 small cupcakes

• 4 egg whites
• 2 eggs
• 2 scoops of Whey chocolate protein 
• 150ml unsweetened almond milk
• 1 teaspoon raw cacao powder
• 1 teaspoon cacao nibs
• Stevia (if you like it extra sweet)
• Pam spray (or any other non-sticky spray)

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven at 180 degrees
2. Spray the cupcake tin lightly with Pam spray
3. Mix all ingredients together
4. Divide the mixture over the cupcake tin
5. Place in the oven and bake for about 20 min
6. Enjoy!!

You can also try this recipe with 1 scoop of banana whey and 1 scoop of chocolate! This also gives a very nice banana/chocolate taste! Let me know how you like this recipe! :)