by Kris Pitcher
I may not exactly have thought this out real well. In fact last year I missed it all together. As the year is drawing to a close I looked back on my calendar realizing it was time to schedule my mammogram.
When I called to make the appointment, the very efficient scheduler told me my last one was in 2011. How did I miss a year? Everyone with boobs, which is everyone...will eventually get her, or his, day under the "paddle" for their pictures.
"No deodorants, lotions, or powders." she reminded me on the phone. Dreading the morning of my appointment, not for being squished between plastic, and having pressure applied to my girls...I was dreading no deodorant.
This is not a good situation for me. But comply I did. Now, what I did not plan very well in conjunction with this very important annual exam, was it was also my first day with bangs.
Silence? Well, the last time I had bangs was approximately 1980, which was a long time ago. There wasn't a lot riding on them at that time. Today however...was different. Dripping with sweat from my morning cardio, there was no way I could salvage the darling bangs my stylist had so beautifully created the night before.
I had to wash my hair. Once I got my product in, I decided to dry the new bangs first. They seemed to have a life of their own, and images of 1980 came rushing into my head. No deodorant. I envisioned the bangs heading straight up toward the sky. Not a good combination. I could feel the perspiration begin to bead under my arms.
After diffusing the rest of my hair I dislodged that piece from the end of my dryer, turned the air on low and began to do my finish work. I might have said a prayer. Pulling and finger curling my new bangs they sort of began to look like they belonged.
Not enough. I needed more tools. From under my cabinet I pulled the worlds smallest flattening iron (thank you Shelly) and plugged it in. Thinking I would use the iron to both flatten and curl the bangs into the side of my hair - you could say I had a vision. A vision of how things should go.
There came a point where any more work might render the project a "do over". I stopped, put down my tools, and opened the other side of my cabinet. Finishing product. And my prayers were answered.
A glop of smoothing cream, some tugs here, and wax there, all followed by a spritz of hair spray...I think I did it! Patting my armpits dry, I looked in the mirror pretty happy with my result. Day one down. She bangs! I can't wait to do it tomorrow with my deodorant on. Now? Does that count as second cardio?...
Friday, December 13, 2013
Friday, December 6, 2013
Athlete Sponsorships
by Kris Pitcher
It seems to be every one's dream to be a sponsored athlete. Sure, it's nice to have someone else pay the bills. But is there really money to be made?
In a multi-billion dollar industry it's pretty important to keep in mind the company has the most to gain. Recently, a company put out a call on social media for entries to be considered for their 2014 sponsorships. I couldn't help but look at their application.
Heck, who doesn't want free product? Well, the requirements actually were not only time consuming, but also costly for the athlete. Certainly the obligations to the athlete were more than the free product being offered as sponsorship.
Who wins here? Maybe the athlete if they need exposure, are looking for modeling, or expo opportunities. But be careful of the time commitment you may be signing up for with your "free" sponsorship.
How much selling of their product on your social media accounts will they expect from you? It's all in the fine print. You did read the fine print didn't you? How many in-store sampling sessions will they want you to do on Saturdays?
There are some great opportunities out there, don't get me wrong. Just don't sell your soul for a 5lb tub of protein. Keep in mind you are a reputable athlete who people follow, trust, and look to for advice. Do you want that to be bought by your sponsor? How valuable is YOUR time, your reputation, and what are you willing to put your name on?
Truly, it depends on what your goals in this industry are. If you are looking to get some competition expenses covered, there's that. Are you looking to increase your visibility as a model? Are you an elite level competitor truly a few steps away from becoming a pro? Or are you just looking to get your nails done for free for your next show?
Sponsorship can mean a lot of different things. You can look for it within the industry, or from businesses and companies outside the fitness industry. It's all about relationship building, sharing what you can do for them, what they can do for you, and making all of that work in your best interest.
Corporations have something to gain, and as an athlete you have something to gain. You shouldn't be signing up for a second job for some free product. Make sure you know what you're getting into as a sponsored athlete.
It seems to be every one's dream to be a sponsored athlete. Sure, it's nice to have someone else pay the bills. But is there really money to be made?
In a multi-billion dollar industry it's pretty important to keep in mind the company has the most to gain. Recently, a company put out a call on social media for entries to be considered for their 2014 sponsorships. I couldn't help but look at their application.
Heck, who doesn't want free product? Well, the requirements actually were not only time consuming, but also costly for the athlete. Certainly the obligations to the athlete were more than the free product being offered as sponsorship.
Who wins here? Maybe the athlete if they need exposure, are looking for modeling, or expo opportunities. But be careful of the time commitment you may be signing up for with your "free" sponsorship.
How much selling of their product on your social media accounts will they expect from you? It's all in the fine print. You did read the fine print didn't you? How many in-store sampling sessions will they want you to do on Saturdays?
There are some great opportunities out there, don't get me wrong. Just don't sell your soul for a 5lb tub of protein. Keep in mind you are a reputable athlete who people follow, trust, and look to for advice. Do you want that to be bought by your sponsor? How valuable is YOUR time, your reputation, and what are you willing to put your name on?
Truly, it depends on what your goals in this industry are. If you are looking to get some competition expenses covered, there's that. Are you looking to increase your visibility as a model? Are you an elite level competitor truly a few steps away from becoming a pro? Or are you just looking to get your nails done for free for your next show?
Sponsorship can mean a lot of different things. You can look for it within the industry, or from businesses and companies outside the fitness industry. It's all about relationship building, sharing what you can do for them, what they can do for you, and making all of that work in your best interest.
Corporations have something to gain, and as an athlete you have something to gain. You shouldn't be signing up for a second job for some free product. Make sure you know what you're getting into as a sponsored athlete.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Managing the Holiday Frenzy
by Kris Pitcher
Tis the season for over commitment. It's a good time to reflect and remember you are in control of your calendar. As the holiday season gains momentum more of your time will be filled by mounting priorities.
It's important however to be clear in your own mind what you really need to do. What do you really need to spend, to buy, to do? How much decorating, baking, hosting is really necessary? What traditions are really crucial to you?
There are traditions we really want to maintain, and there are others no one seems to care about. Maybe those can go. The reality is we only have so much time, and maintaining our health and fitness goals over the holiday season is also important.
Controlling our stress levels is important, and that begins with managing our time. How many holiday parties, cookie exchanges, and office events do we need to go to. Some of them we have to be at, others not so much. There are only so many weekends in the month, and they are filling fast.
Looking at what is most important to you before the craze happens helps to control the frenzy of the season. Spend time with the people you really want to spend time with. Talk with people about spending money on gifts they don't need with money you don't have. Lots of times, that conversation is a relief to everyone.
But most importantly, take care of yourself over the holidays, don't let your own wellness slip by the wayside at the expense of everything you "have" to do this season. Make sure you get the nutrients you need, the sleep you require and are managing the stress in your life.
It's ok to do less, to say no, and to consume less. It's ok to continue to value your workouts, to eat your nutrition, and to drink less. No one will judge you (well, they might) at a holiday party if you're not drinking. Who cares if they do?! Take care of you this season.
Don't let it be a hectic one, let it be a peaceful one. Let it be a joyous one filled with the people you love and the things most important to you.
Tis the season for over commitment. It's a good time to reflect and remember you are in control of your calendar. As the holiday season gains momentum more of your time will be filled by mounting priorities.
It's important however to be clear in your own mind what you really need to do. What do you really need to spend, to buy, to do? How much decorating, baking, hosting is really necessary? What traditions are really crucial to you?
There are traditions we really want to maintain, and there are others no one seems to care about. Maybe those can go. The reality is we only have so much time, and maintaining our health and fitness goals over the holiday season is also important.
Controlling our stress levels is important, and that begins with managing our time. How many holiday parties, cookie exchanges, and office events do we need to go to. Some of them we have to be at, others not so much. There are only so many weekends in the month, and they are filling fast.
Looking at what is most important to you before the craze happens helps to control the frenzy of the season. Spend time with the people you really want to spend time with. Talk with people about spending money on gifts they don't need with money you don't have. Lots of times, that conversation is a relief to everyone.
But most importantly, take care of yourself over the holidays, don't let your own wellness slip by the wayside at the expense of everything you "have" to do this season. Make sure you get the nutrients you need, the sleep you require and are managing the stress in your life.
It's ok to do less, to say no, and to consume less. It's ok to continue to value your workouts, to eat your nutrition, and to drink less. No one will judge you (well, they might) at a holiday party if you're not drinking. Who cares if they do?! Take care of you this season.
Don't let it be a hectic one, let it be a peaceful one. Let it be a joyous one filled with the people you love and the things most important to you.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Turn the Corner, It's Time to Prep!
by Kris Pitcher
It's time to turn the corner. You've "sort of" been loosely doing your plan. Mostly you went off the rails after your contest even though you had a plan. Sometimes that just happens regardless of the best intentions. Regardless of the best laid plans. Now, we turn the corner.
Where do you start? You decide to decide. It's really that simple. You are one decision away from being right back on track. You must decide to decide. It's empowering really. And it's all within you. I can't do it for you. Your coach can't do it for you...
You have it within you. Decide. That's it. You don't need encouragement. You don't need anything long term. You need a plan, and a decision. Just one. One decision.
Decide to decide. Today, I'll decide to get up and do my cardio. I'll decide to pack my meals for the day. I'll decide to eat each of those meals on time. Look at me? I'm on track! It really is that simple.
Sure, you'll be letting go of some of the extra stuff you've been cramming down your pie hole. The sugar. It's gone. The gluten, probably gone too. Dairy. Might not fit either. The late night snacks. Not for you. But guess what?
You've got a plan. The plan is yours. You've chosen it. You have limited time to make gains, to better your physique. Do that now. There is no later. I'll guarantee your competition, she's doing it now. The guy who will stand next to you? He's dialing in his off season plan now. There is no time to wait.
Holidays? Why waste time? Get on your plan now. Decide. Turning the corner is all about making decisions. One at a time. You decide to prep your food. You decide to go to the gym. You decide to stay on plan. You decide. Turn the corner and put down the fork.
Turn the corner and work your plan. Get your actions back in alignment with your goals and values. Feeling stressed? Feeling down? Guess what? It's because you aren't acting in accordance with your values. The things you have said are important to you, you aren't doing. Do them.
No one will do this for you. Each week you put off your prep now, or your growth time, is a week lost to your competition. That too is a decision. Let's get our plan together. Let's turn the corner. Let's decide.
When you embrace your "cycle" of prep as more than dieting down for a show and that's the end, you'll "get it". Finally. Use your off season to grow in a lean state, plan your prep to get you to the stage in the shape you want. Then make your plans to make the progress you need to make to do better. There is no beginning and there is no end. You decide that.
So let's get our head in the right place and turn that corner. Get it together one good decision at a time. You've got your plan. Decide to do it. You're going to feel great! I'll see you around the corner!
It's time to turn the corner. You've "sort of" been loosely doing your plan. Mostly you went off the rails after your contest even though you had a plan. Sometimes that just happens regardless of the best intentions. Regardless of the best laid plans. Now, we turn the corner.
Where do you start? You decide to decide. It's really that simple. You are one decision away from being right back on track. You must decide to decide. It's empowering really. And it's all within you. I can't do it for you. Your coach can't do it for you...
You have it within you. Decide. That's it. You don't need encouragement. You don't need anything long term. You need a plan, and a decision. Just one. One decision.
Decide to decide. Today, I'll decide to get up and do my cardio. I'll decide to pack my meals for the day. I'll decide to eat each of those meals on time. Look at me? I'm on track! It really is that simple.
Sure, you'll be letting go of some of the extra stuff you've been cramming down your pie hole. The sugar. It's gone. The gluten, probably gone too. Dairy. Might not fit either. The late night snacks. Not for you. But guess what?
You've got a plan. The plan is yours. You've chosen it. You have limited time to make gains, to better your physique. Do that now. There is no later. I'll guarantee your competition, she's doing it now. The guy who will stand next to you? He's dialing in his off season plan now. There is no time to wait.
Holidays? Why waste time? Get on your plan now. Decide. Turning the corner is all about making decisions. One at a time. You decide to prep your food. You decide to go to the gym. You decide to stay on plan. You decide. Turn the corner and put down the fork.
Turn the corner and work your plan. Get your actions back in alignment with your goals and values. Feeling stressed? Feeling down? Guess what? It's because you aren't acting in accordance with your values. The things you have said are important to you, you aren't doing. Do them.
No one will do this for you. Each week you put off your prep now, or your growth time, is a week lost to your competition. That too is a decision. Let's get our plan together. Let's turn the corner. Let's decide.
When you embrace your "cycle" of prep as more than dieting down for a show and that's the end, you'll "get it". Finally. Use your off season to grow in a lean state, plan your prep to get you to the stage in the shape you want. Then make your plans to make the progress you need to make to do better. There is no beginning and there is no end. You decide that.
So let's get our head in the right place and turn that corner. Get it together one good decision at a time. You've got your plan. Decide to do it. You're going to feel great! I'll see you around the corner!
Monday, November 25, 2013
NPC Nationals, Do You Have the Light?
by Kris Pitcher
Sitting at the end of the dock I stared into the dark water. The stars were bright, the breeze strong...and I took in the salt air. Able finally to take a breath, I took two, deep breaths and then I blinked my eyes, hard.
A bright light surfaced in the water. There it was again, and over there. Pinpoints of light bobbed up to the surface of the water amongst the lapping waves and I had to check myself. "Do you see that?!" "There?!" I asked Jacques. "And there, and there!" I almost squealed.
"Are those jellies?" I asked him. And I was completely in that moment. Completely. Feeling this joyous, childish, love of nature...wanting to touch it, feel it, wanting to just be it. The exhaustion of the four and a half days preceding made me grateful for that very moment.
We had just experienced competing in the NPC Nationals, over 900 competitors. "We" means my husband competed, and we took one of his clients. It was an amazing weekend. We traveled into Florida on Wednesday, landing in light rain.
By Thursday evening it was pouring. I mean the kind of torrential monsoon rain that could cause helicopter evacuations from rooftops. It. Rained. HARD. As I put coats of tanning color on Jacques' client Matt, I asked mother nature to make way for the competitors.
She did. By Friday there was a sun break in the morning and prejudging for the men's bodybuilding went well. More rain. Hoods, umbrellas, socks and shoes...in Florida. But you come prepared for all kinds of weather.
Saturday morning gave way to clear skies also and we got Matt through prejudging without monsoon rains. He did fantastic. His physique class had 62 men in it. Sixty-two. There were ten call outs. Ten. It. Was. Huge.
But his stage presence was fantastic. He gained experience, got in front of the national judges, and had a great showing. Between prejudging, there were lots of meals, meal prep, cooking, more cooking, and even some resting for the athletes in our stead.
Finals wouldn't come until Saturday evening, a full day and a half following prejudging for Jacques. Holding conditioning, restricting fluids (I'm the fluid police), eating meals on time, taking photos to send to his trainer, constant communication and feedback...it's a marathon.
Saturday evening would be a waiting game for him. Men's bodybuilding is always last. Did I mention there were over 900 competitors? Once they both had their moment of stage time, having their name called my the MC, presenting themselves, and then...that's it.
But that's not it. Then you wait. We knew Jacques was in the top 10, not top 5, but didn't know his placing. It's not like a local show where they hand you a score card when you walk off the stage. You wait. You see it on line, like everyone else. It's like waiting for a baby to be born.
Sunday I woke and saw light between the blinds. I needed to know. The microwave beeped as my day old coffee was warmed for me. I went on line to see his placing. He presented his best package to date. He dialed in his fullness, while coming in conditioned. Along with making improvements in his physique.
Ninth place. In. The. Nation. We were already talking about next steps on Saturday morning. That's just how we think. Those of you who know me, know my thoughts about the "cycle" of competing. The contest is just one stop along the way. It's not the end. It's truly the beginning.
It's the beginning of what your possibilities are. What will you be capable of changing? What can you improve? It's your opportune time to grow. Use it. Use all of it. The motivation, the energy, the enthusiasm. Let all of it be fuel, in a positive way.
And as I looked into the dark water, engrossed by the light of the jellies, being totally in that moment...I was pulled back as it dawned on me. This is what sets competitors at this level apart. There is something that shines within them in the dark. There is no darkness. It's all just light.
It's all just possibility, it's all what's next, what's possible. The competitor who can walk off the stage fueled by the light within, ready to move ahead through any darkness...can make it to the National stage. And this weekend I was blessed to be with two of ONLY 900 who could do that.
Sitting at the end of the dock I stared into the dark water. The stars were bright, the breeze strong...and I took in the salt air. Able finally to take a breath, I took two, deep breaths and then I blinked my eyes, hard.
A bright light surfaced in the water. There it was again, and over there. Pinpoints of light bobbed up to the surface of the water amongst the lapping waves and I had to check myself. "Do you see that?!" "There?!" I asked Jacques. "And there, and there!" I almost squealed.
"Are those jellies?" I asked him. And I was completely in that moment. Completely. Feeling this joyous, childish, love of nature...wanting to touch it, feel it, wanting to just be it. The exhaustion of the four and a half days preceding made me grateful for that very moment.
We had just experienced competing in the NPC Nationals, over 900 competitors. "We" means my husband competed, and we took one of his clients. It was an amazing weekend. We traveled into Florida on Wednesday, landing in light rain.
By Thursday evening it was pouring. I mean the kind of torrential monsoon rain that could cause helicopter evacuations from rooftops. It. Rained. HARD. As I put coats of tanning color on Jacques' client Matt, I asked mother nature to make way for the competitors.
She did. By Friday there was a sun break in the morning and prejudging for the men's bodybuilding went well. More rain. Hoods, umbrellas, socks and shoes...in Florida. But you come prepared for all kinds of weather.
Saturday morning gave way to clear skies also and we got Matt through prejudging without monsoon rains. He did fantastic. His physique class had 62 men in it. Sixty-two. There were ten call outs. Ten. It. Was. Huge.
But his stage presence was fantastic. He gained experience, got in front of the national judges, and had a great showing. Between prejudging, there were lots of meals, meal prep, cooking, more cooking, and even some resting for the athletes in our stead.
Finals wouldn't come until Saturday evening, a full day and a half following prejudging for Jacques. Holding conditioning, restricting fluids (I'm the fluid police), eating meals on time, taking photos to send to his trainer, constant communication and feedback...it's a marathon.
Saturday evening would be a waiting game for him. Men's bodybuilding is always last. Did I mention there were over 900 competitors? Once they both had their moment of stage time, having their name called my the MC, presenting themselves, and then...that's it.
But that's not it. Then you wait. We knew Jacques was in the top 10, not top 5, but didn't know his placing. It's not like a local show where they hand you a score card when you walk off the stage. You wait. You see it on line, like everyone else. It's like waiting for a baby to be born.
Sunday I woke and saw light between the blinds. I needed to know. The microwave beeped as my day old coffee was warmed for me. I went on line to see his placing. He presented his best package to date. He dialed in his fullness, while coming in conditioned. Along with making improvements in his physique.
Ninth place. In. The. Nation. We were already talking about next steps on Saturday morning. That's just how we think. Those of you who know me, know my thoughts about the "cycle" of competing. The contest is just one stop along the way. It's not the end. It's truly the beginning.
It's the beginning of what your possibilities are. What will you be capable of changing? What can you improve? It's your opportune time to grow. Use it. Use all of it. The motivation, the energy, the enthusiasm. Let all of it be fuel, in a positive way.
And as I looked into the dark water, engrossed by the light of the jellies, being totally in that moment...I was pulled back as it dawned on me. This is what sets competitors at this level apart. There is something that shines within them in the dark. There is no darkness. It's all just light.
It's all just possibility, it's all what's next, what's possible. The competitor who can walk off the stage fueled by the light within, ready to move ahead through any darkness...can make it to the National stage. And this weekend I was blessed to be with two of ONLY 900 who could do that.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Before Texting (BT)
by Kris Pitcher
A friend in the industry recently wrote a pretty good rant (I love a good rant) about supporting people instead of hating on them. She suggested commending people for their efforts, the things they might be doing right, rather than bashing what they're doing wrong.
What a great concept. Social media has us bullying everyone around us on account of we don't really have to say anything to any one's face. Now I'm going to tell you about the "olden" days.
Remember back in the old days when you actually had to speak to someone to find out what they were doing? You had to confront someone if you thought they'd said something about you, or if you had a problem with them...or if you wanted to say something nice to them.
There were times, before texting (BT), when we actually spoke to people on the phone. True. We would dial their number, greet the person who answered, and ask to speak with the person we were calling. If they weren't available, or they were grounded, we would be asked if we would like to leave a message.
At that point, the person on the other end of the phone would take the message and relay it to our friend, and they would call us back. Huh? We might have to wait an hour. Or until the NEXT DAY. Crazy.
But that's not even my point. That was just to set the tone for how things used to be. But now we just text. And we expect our text to be returned, IMMEDIATELY. If not sooner.
We did have abbreviations, in the old days. And this recent rant made me think of one. Now, I'll admit, I have no idea what the kids are texting in code these days. I don't really care, because I don't have kids who might be hiding stuff from me.
That abbreviation (which is my point here) was MYOB. I'm sure you know that one? Mind Your Own Business. That's right. Mind your own. Not everything that everyone posts all the time requires your commentary. Shocked? I know, it's hard for me too.
Not every single thing needs your attention, your input, your critique, or your evaluation. Leave it alone. Be a bystander a little bit more if you are that person who just HAS to get a word in. It's not easy, we want to be helpful. We think we're being helpful.
You know what? It's not all that helpful. You might know more, have been down that road, made those same mistakes...let them figure it out. Commend them for what they're doing right and MYOB. That's my public service for the day. And a look back into time, BT.
A friend in the industry recently wrote a pretty good rant (I love a good rant) about supporting people instead of hating on them. She suggested commending people for their efforts, the things they might be doing right, rather than bashing what they're doing wrong.
What a great concept. Social media has us bullying everyone around us on account of we don't really have to say anything to any one's face. Now I'm going to tell you about the "olden" days.
Remember back in the old days when you actually had to speak to someone to find out what they were doing? You had to confront someone if you thought they'd said something about you, or if you had a problem with them...or if you wanted to say something nice to them.
There were times, before texting (BT), when we actually spoke to people on the phone. True. We would dial their number, greet the person who answered, and ask to speak with the person we were calling. If they weren't available, or they were grounded, we would be asked if we would like to leave a message.
At that point, the person on the other end of the phone would take the message and relay it to our friend, and they would call us back. Huh? We might have to wait an hour. Or until the NEXT DAY. Crazy.
But that's not even my point. That was just to set the tone for how things used to be. But now we just text. And we expect our text to be returned, IMMEDIATELY. If not sooner.
We did have abbreviations, in the old days. And this recent rant made me think of one. Now, I'll admit, I have no idea what the kids are texting in code these days. I don't really care, because I don't have kids who might be hiding stuff from me.
That abbreviation (which is my point here) was MYOB. I'm sure you know that one? Mind Your Own Business. That's right. Mind your own. Not everything that everyone posts all the time requires your commentary. Shocked? I know, it's hard for me too.
Not every single thing needs your attention, your input, your critique, or your evaluation. Leave it alone. Be a bystander a little bit more if you are that person who just HAS to get a word in. It's not easy, we want to be helpful. We think we're being helpful.
You know what? It's not all that helpful. You might know more, have been down that road, made those same mistakes...let them figure it out. Commend them for what they're doing right and MYOB. That's my public service for the day. And a look back into time, BT.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Pb & J Oatmeal
by Kris Pitcher
I'm not one for recipes, you know that. Unless I'm baking, I just kind of "wing" it. But here is a great recipe to fix your boring oatmeal. Now, ask your coach if this fits in your plan. It doesn't even fit in my offseason plan, but I can have it as a treat now and then.
PB & J Oatmeal
Serves 1; 317 calories; 12.7g fat; 29.4g carbs; 23.6g protein
This recipe comes from bodybuilding.com - there are lots there. You don't have to reinvent the wheel people. It's all out there. Make your breakfast a good one!
I'm not one for recipes, you know that. Unless I'm baking, I just kind of "wing" it. But here is a great recipe to fix your boring oatmeal. Now, ask your coach if this fits in your plan. It doesn't even fit in my offseason plan, but I can have it as a treat now and then.
PB & J Oatmeal
- 1/4 c rolled oats
- 1/4 c berries
- 1/2 c water
- 1/2 schoop protein powder
- 1 T powdered peanut butter
- 1 T all-natural peanut butter
Serves 1; 317 calories; 12.7g fat; 29.4g carbs; 23.6g protein
This recipe comes from bodybuilding.com - there are lots there. You don't have to reinvent the wheel people. It's all out there. Make your breakfast a good one!
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