Personal Training

Foxwoods Recap, Protein Power Bites + 20 min Calorie Crusher

Posted on by Naomi
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What a weekend in Foxwoods! I have never been more proud both as a competitor and a coach to be a part of the Cathy Savage Fitness Team! It is hard to put into words the pride and happiness I felt this weekend seeing all of the hard work our guys and gals have been putting in for weeks, months and years! We came not only ready to win, but to bring our PERSONAL BEST to that stage. The Fitness New England show is special for many reasons. For many, this was the kick off to the season, prepping them for a few more shows this year. For others, this was the first time they have ever stepped foot on that stage. The hair, the tan, the makeup, the hard work, the training, the dieting, the glitz and glamour all comes out during this 48 hour stay at Foxwoods. One thing we told our team was to simply ‘take it all in’ Take in every single moment and have FUN. The day you start treating these shows like a competition is the day it stops being enjoyable. a $20 trophy should not be the end all or be all of this weekend. The end all and be all should be that we got on stage and DID IT. We completed our goals. Together; As a team.

I could not have done this without Cathy and her incredible staff with a special shout out to my coach, Jules. Jules stood by me and got me through this show prep. This was one of the toughest (mentally) preps I have done but she believed in me, pushed me and got me to where I needed to be.  Jules and her daughter, Ellen have an INCREDIBLE blog, Bestfitbody that you all must check out! Ellen is a student at the University of New Hampshire and has some mouth watering recipes, tips, tricks and workouts especially for the girls and guys on the go and in school! Check it out!
 
The night before, I went to Shrine with a friend and split the red snapper fish, plain grilled with greens. We both were feeling like we could splurdge ona hot piece of fresh fish rather than the cold fish out of baggies that we had brought!
 
Shortly after, at around 8pm it was time for the CSF team meeting! We all met in the lobby near the Fox theater for a pep talk. Cathy always has incredibly moving and inspirational words to say to the team that will psych us up for the day ahead! All of the coaches had a few minutes to say some words of advice. Mine? “HAVE FUN and don’t stress about tiny little things. Yes, a piece of hair may be out of place, or an eyelash may not curl the right now. This will not make or break you. Smile, stay confident, focus on what you know and walk out there like you already have won–because you have”
This was bright and early the morning before I was off to get my hair and make up done!
Its amazing what 5StarBeauty can do in an hour! My hair and makeup appointment was bright and early at 5am. Talk about a long day! Hair extensions in and game face on! This is one of my favorite parts of the day. As I sit there being pampered, I visualize. This is such a relaxing time for me to think about the day ahead of me. It is time for ME to get my game face on!

Pre tanning! This is my NEW SUIT. Looks familiar?  The bottoms are the same bottoms that I wore for the “where Waldo” sportswear at the Atlantic City show. The designer added rhinestones and rhinestone rings to the bottoms and made a matching top cascading with rhinestones. The best part was the back! It had a criss-cross with a rhinestone ring to join it in the center.

I am the third from the left. Cross back bikini. 


I was number 128 Ready to ROCK!
After make up, hair and tan was set it was time for the all white Savage Photoshoot!
I know it is hard to see! Once more shots come in, I will post some more. I am in the front row, half kneeling very close to the center (slightly left)
Some treats that arrived back stage!
This show, I competed in both the Bikini and Model Divisions. These are the two divisions that I competed in the Atlantic City Superbody show last August
In the Bikini Divisions, there is the Bikini and Sportswear which is also known as themewear. For this show, I brought back my old Bollywood outfit (with different bikini style bottoms) I used this sportswear at my very first show back in 2011. I love the colors and prop (the hip scarf!) So I figured I would bring it back for this show. One tip to newbies–you do NOT have to spend a lot of money on your sportswear theme outfit, in fact some of the best, most creative and well put together themewear outfits are those that are handmade!



Some stage shots of the sportswear line up. I mentioned earlier that this was the biggest show I have ever attended and participated in–so much so that there were 4 height categories! This was the first show that I was in the medium height class.
This was my outfit for the model division: Fitness Wear. I used the same Affitnity sportsbra which I am still in love with!!
Model division clubwear. I also used the same pink dress that I wore for the Superbody show. There is NO need to spend money on new outfits or suits after they have only been worn once. In my mind, that would be a total waste of money I could be spending in much smarter ways. I loved my dress and sportswear so I knew going into this show that I would be using them again.

The whole weekend experience was incredible. From coaching to competing to spending time with some of my best girlfriends to seeing all of those brand new competitors take the stage for the first time. I remember that day. I remember the build up to that one moment on stage for the very first time. The nerves–wow were the nerves out of control! To be able to get in front of hundreds of people in a bikini, showing beauty from the inside out is not as easy of a task as most people think. 

I always get asked a whole slew of questions after every show…Why do you compete? How did you do? What did you place? Did you bring home a trophy?

I compete because I love having a goal. I love my team. I compete for myself. There is no one I want to beat, no one I want to do better than, I want to do this for myself. The amount of dedication and focus it takes close to show time is definitely the most challenging and the one part that I do not love. It’s hard having to reschedule dinners and drinks with friends. Its hard not being able to eat 100% freely what I want when I want in the weeks leading up, but you know what? This is the choice that I make. I never put my choices on someone else and in the end—it is all worth it. I try as much as I can to focus on what I know and what I can do best.  Like I told the team at our meeting the night before the show, HAVE FUN. If you take away anything from the entire weekend it is to DO WHAT YOU HAVE PRACTICED. Stick to the plan and beyond anything-trust the process. So why do I compete? It is not for the $20 trophy and it is not to see how I placed or who I beat. Sure, I do care to see how I did and always give my 110% up there, but this is a sport and just like any other, I am aiming to do my personal best. I have learned from every single show that I have taken part in. This show was no difference. The main take away that I discovered this weekend was how truly amazing my team is. The support, camaraderie, confidence, help and assistance is beyond anything I had seen before at any other show. 

How did I do? I did okay, not amazing, not awful. This was not what I cared about. I felt good, healthy and was definitely the most relaxed and natural that I have ever been on stage before. Time to refocus and get going on some new goals! 

If you have thought about competing, Obviously you all know that I would recommended Cathy Savage Fitness to help you with your prep. Do not go about this alone. There is too much nonsense out there for you to fall victim to and you want to be sure that your first show experience is one of the most memorable experiences of your life! 
 (Love this)


Well then comes the post show dinner! All I wanted was carbs, in some form! My incredible parents (and brother and his wife!) came to support me at Foxwoods which I never expect. They always go above and beyond to be there with me because they know it means so much! We went to dinner at California Pizza Kitchen and I went straight for the chicken and veggie pizza on the honey whole wheat crust! We also got the hummus and flatbread appetizer! It hit the spot!

The next morning we went for breakfast in the Grand Pequot at Foxwoods. Amoungst some other items, I got a big bowl of oats and dried fruit and an egg with some veggies. I also nibbled on some granola and vanilla yogurt. Post show-I never want anything heavy, my body just craves real, whole, hearty food! I was so happy!

I got home midday on Sunday and went right to Trader Joes! I couldn’t wait to fill up my fridge with FOOD! Some highlights:
  • avocados
  • turkey
  • quinoa
  • ezekial bread
  • artichokes
  • Greek yogurt
  • coconut oil
  • Organic peanut butter
  • Coconut oil spray
  • Egg white salad (new to me–it was ‘okay’ not great but not awful. I don’t know if I would buy it again!)
  • Almonds
  • Dark chocolate
  • turkey jerky

I used the new coconut oil and made some turkey meatballs!
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey
  • 1T dried basil
  • 2T spicy mustard
  • 1/4C almond flour
  • 1 egg
  • salt and pepper to taste
*****Mix well and form into even sized balls. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes. 


I kicked up my feet and relaxed!

And then I got experimenting even MORE in the kitchen! I had some left over pumpkin and some chocolate whey protein powder, so I decided to combine the two ingredients into the most simple dessert! (or snack!)

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 scoop chocolate whey protein (or other flavor) of your choice
  • 1/4C canned pumpkin
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4tsp nutmeg
  • 1 packet stevia
  • enough water to make a ‘paste’

Directions
  • Mix all ingredients in a small bowl and place evenly amongst 4 muffin liners.
  • Freeze for a few hours and cut each liner in half for 8 servings OR keep as it for 4 servings (The nutritional breakdown is listed below

I didn’t use this protein powder in the picture. After I snapped it, I decided to use a chocolate flavor. 
I mixed the ingredients in a small bowl. When combined well, into the muffin liners the mixture went!

After a few hours I cut each liner in half to make them more ‘bite size’
Such a success!! These bites were sweet, but not heavy and perfect for a little protein packed ‘pick me up’ I wouldn’t have these necessarily as a post workout meal by itself, as they are quite small and not HUGE on nutrients per serving size, but you could certainly have the whole recipe as a post workout meal!

And lastly, enjoy this workout! Intense and quick! The way I like it!


I want to thank you ALL for your continued support. I am in the midst of a total revamp of my blog. The final product will probably not be ready until late summer but its in the works. New look, updated buttons, easier navigation. Be on the look out!

As for me and my new goals? Enjoying the start to my summer. I have a few vacations in the works and this weekend I am off to NYC for a bachelorette party for one of my dear friends from High School. I can’t wait! Next show? I don’t know but right now there is nothing on my radar but getting back into the swing of things at home, with work, with my social life and of course with the coaching of my CSF girls!!  Love you all!!!
SHOW RECAPS





Naomi
Naomi