9 Weeks out.
I want to talk about what it's like to pick your coaches. I have a nutrition coach named Judy Bines(@judyabines), she was a personal friend who had been through a competition in the past. I knew that had had previous knowledge of everything involved. I reached out to her and told her I was in a place where I was looking to do a show and I asked her if she would be willing to do my nutrition plan for me. Since we both partner with Isogenix, I found working with her was an easy flow for what would work and what would not.
As far as picking, find a coach that is open to conversation, learning what works well with your stomach, what doesn't make you feel bloated. I would be aware of anything that involves a lot of manipulations from the very beginning.
I once had an eating disorder a long time ago and my coach is aware of that and what my triggers are. Having an open, and honest conversation with who you pick to coach you as well as how they respond to those things is super important. If there is ever a time where you are uncomfortable with sharing about your food and how it's reacting, than maybe that coach isn't a good fit for you.
My strength coaches are my personal trainers. They were both friends to begin with. It's important to have your nutrition and strength coach on the same page so when you are trying to figure out what weights, what reps etc it's working with what your diet currently requires. My posing coach is Lauren Sutherland, she was also my first strength training coach.
*FYI TIP. When you are looking for someone to work with. If you reach out to them multiple times and they do not respond, that's kind of an indicator for how things might go in the future as well. Find someone that's responsive.
My new posing coach this year because I moved, is Meredith Mack (@meredith_mack) and she is wonderful. We are working on poses again with the new shoes.
My big takeaway from all of this is finding someone who has your health at heart, both physical and mental, that makes all the difference. There needs to be open communication.
There are lots of online coaches, but if you're seeking help, ask for some referrals. Ask them if their clients would be open to a conversation. Ask that person how it went,
what did they like? What did they not like? Make sure you feel comfortable with the person you are working with. Do your homework before you invest the time, money, and effort now. So you don't have to deal with it later
3 big things to focus on.
- Communication is key
- Open and honest
- They have your health first.
Get out there, move your body, put amazing nutrition inside of it, and always, always, ALWAYS, do that thing that makes your soul sing.
-Kristi Data
