[Kate Collins]

So I got the confirmation yesterday that my July show in Portugal has been cancelled and rescheduled for the end of November. I very much doubt the 2bros regional on 5th July will go ahead either, but even if by some miracle it does, it would be pointless me doing that and then aiming for shows at the end of the year now. So I’m no longer 10 weeks out, although I’m going to continue to cut and use this phase as a little tidy up before entering back into a gaining phase again. Once we know the full revised Pro Qualifier schedule, Jordan and I can then make a more precise plan of action.. until then it’s a case of keeping focused on training, sticking to the diet and being prepared to adapt as things unfold.

Today has been a very productive ‘Rest’ day. Lots of odd jobs done around the house and in the garden, usual cleaning, cooking etc. and a lovely walk in our local Country Park.
I hope you’re all doing ok ????

_________________________________________

Instagram @ClareBarksPT | http://www.trainedbyjpclothing.com – The most anabolic clothing ever! |

http://www.trainedbyjp-nutrition.com – highest quality supplements on the market.

I’m so sorry Clare. I saw last night about the shoe and immediately thought of you. I hope your ok? I know it’s “expected”.. but it’s still a kick in the gut.

You know what your doing anyways. You’re so sound mentally with everything whereas I was away with fairies up in the air ???? but you were there to reassure me.

Hope you’re doing well and perhaps we may get to run into each other at the end of the year at some show ☺️????

@katiecshallbe_

[Kate Collins]

.

@katiecshallbe_

[Kate Collins]

Some photos

@katiecshallbe_

[Kate Collins]

Good morning from the spin bike!

So yesterday I had a really good leg/lower body session. Made some adjustments to the cable machine to mimic the abductor/adductor machine which worked really well. The guy who owns the garage gym got rid of the incline bench that he had- it was taking up SO much room and now there’s so much more space to do ACTIVITIES.

Anyways, had a lovely weekend back home. Did some farm work, got in some steps. Took the puppet out for a couple walks to get my assigned cardio in- she pulled the arm off me! Hahaha raged little baby ????

Also took some pictures as I woke up “feeling” tighter than the day before. It’s amazing what a good nights sleep can do ???? lol.

Rest day today just assigned cardio and steps. Off to work in an hour or two. Have to food shop and meal prep when I come home.

Oh!! I almost forgot! I raided my grandmother old house where 17year old Katie had left a tiny bench and old school adjustable dumbbells and dragged them out into the sun on Saturday evening. Loaded them up into the back of the car on Sunday and headed back to my house (2hours drive) after training in the garage gym (which is closer to my fathers house). Will be able to utilise this for my full body sessions and my friend has gotten me some bands so I’m waiting for those to arrive too… FEELING SO GRATEFUL AND POSTIVE LATELY ????

@katiecshallbe_

[Kate Collins]

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt from my years of training, it’s that rest is so important. I have made the best progress when I’ve done less and prioritised recovery. Running yourself into the ground and sacrificing sleep will do you no favours. Your body will thank you and respond positively to the changes ????

_________________________________________

Instagram @ClareBarksPT | http://www.trainedbyjpclothing.com – The most anabolic clothing ever! |

http://www.trainedbyjp-nutrition.com – highest quality supplements on the market.

I will ALWAYS listen to those who have been there, done that. So thank you Clare. The extra x1 rest day from training seems to have helped. Trained legs yesterday and it was a really good session! And woke up this morning with minimal knee pain 🙂 happy about that.

I need to just trust when knowledgable people tell me to rest. And realise hey she my best interests at heart ????????

@katiecshallbe_

[Kate Collins]

Good news Katie so you’ll be back in your normal routine soon, Austrian government has decided to wait until end of May, I really thought this will take much longer!
Sounds your legs would be happy if you rest and recover a little bit more ????

_________________________________________

Instagram @lara_lein89

Hopefully good news haha! ????

That’s fantastic Lara- I’m delighted for you that gyms will reopen the end of May!!

My knees are actually feeling much better after that 1 extra rest day from training. Trained legs yesterday and woke up with minimal pain today! Happy camper ????

@katiecshallbe_

[Kate Collins]

Oh Rhea I’m absolutely delighted you found somewhere with more equipment!

I’ve been living the education videos too! It’s how I’ve been spending my weekend mornings in bed drinking coffee with a wee notebook.

Glad to hear that (fingers crossed) flights will be opening back up soon.

Hope you’re doing well ☺️ x x

@katiecshallbe_

[Kate Collins]

You’re looking INSANE Kamara ???? I’m so excited to see the final package ????????????

@katiecshallbe_

[Kate Collins]

Okay so it’s been a while since I’ve posted in here, but now is the perfect time to get back to it!
Been in prep now for 3 weeks… and will be 13 weeks out as of Sunday! Obviously it’s all a little up in the air as to whether or not the shows will be going ahead in July, but until I’m told otherwise we will go ahead as planned.
I’m pretty lucky in that I live on a farm with a bit of shed space so managed to find an empty spot to use for a gym. Myself and @nikichisty have rented and bought enough kit to allow us to train fairly well, and with enough weight to still maximally squat, deadlift and press- so I’m very happy with that ☺️
Check in today… so far on prep I’ve dropped 1.7kg which I’m pretty happy with- there’s not been any diet changes since the 16 weeks out mark so my body seems to be responding pretty well to still be dropping- I’ve attached a comparison of my start of prep pictures (left) to this morning pictures (right) for a little bit of context as to how things are progressing!
The plan for this week is to take a few days of extra rest, as my lower back is struggling to keep up with the extra work from all the free weights ???? and then see how things are come Monday. Can’t say I enjoy long periods away from training (who does) but I’ve learned the hard way from the past to listen to my body and be honest as to when I need to rest…

Honestly Jenny- firstly, so happy you’ve posted here again ????☺️
Secondly- every time you post an update or on your Instagram my jaw DROPS as to how insane you look each and every time- improvements each and every time. You’re looking insane!
I’ve been having the same problem with my lower back and my knees especially, with my programming with all the free weights at the moment. Have been order to take another rest. I’m having the same existential crisis at the moment of having to take more rest days but I know from my past that it’s necessary. Working myself into a hole buy doing more and more is not the way to go.
Have you started looking at new suits yet or is it too early for you? ????????

_________________________________________

@katiecshallbe_

[/quote]
Thank you so much ???? I am so happy I chose to take that little bit longer in offseason, feel like everything is coming together now!
Yeah all the free weights are a bit of a shock but I’m not complaining because I know I’m so lucky to have access to so much kit ????????
So I was meant to be at a bikini fitting first weekend in April which didn’t happen! I’ve got no idea what colour to pick, I haven’t had dark hair very long so trying to figure out what’s going to look best- I’m open to suggestions ???? have you got your suit sorted?[/quote]
It really is paying off that’s for sure and certain Jenny????

Yes! I actually paid for my suit last year in advance for this year ???? but I just got a message the other day from my suit maker to day she was about to start making it! ???? so excited!

Ohhh! Well I thought your last blue suit REALLY suited your complexion and skin tone. But perhaps red too? I see your practice suit and think that colour looks fab on you also ????

@katiecshallbe_

[Kate Collins]

Okay so it’s been a while since I’ve posted in here, but now is the perfect time to get back to it!
Been in prep now for 3 weeks… and will be 13 weeks out as of Sunday! Obviously it’s all a little up in the air as to whether or not the shows will be going ahead in July, but until I’m told otherwise we will go ahead as planned.
I’m pretty lucky in that I live on a farm with a bit of shed space so managed to find an empty spot to use for a gym. Myself and @nikichisty have rented and bought enough kit to allow us to train fairly well, and with enough weight to still maximally squat, deadlift and press- so I’m very happy with that ☺️
Check in today… so far on prep I’ve dropped 1.7kg which I’m pretty happy with- there’s not been any diet changes since the 16 weeks out mark so my body seems to be responding pretty well to still be dropping- I’ve attached a comparison of my start of prep pictures (left) to this morning pictures (right) for a little bit of context as to how things are progressing!
The plan for this week is to take a few days of extra rest, as my lower back is struggling to keep up with the extra work from all the free weights ???? and then see how things are come Monday. Can’t say I enjoy long periods away from training (who does) but I’ve learned the hard way from the past to listen to my body and be honest as to when I need to rest…

Honestly Jenny- firstly, so happy you’ve posted here again ????☺️
Secondly- every time you post an update or on your Instagram my jaw DROPS as to how insane you look each and every time- improvements each and every time. You’re looking insane!

I’ve been having the same problem with my lower back and my knees especially, with my programming with all the free weights at the moment. Have been order to take another rest. I’m having the same existential crisis at the moment of having to take more rest days but I know from my past that it’s necessary. Working myself into a hole buy doing more and more is not the way to go.

Have you started looking at new suits yet or is it too early for you? ????????

@katiecshallbe_

[Kate Collins]

So- a day of back and forths between Corinne and I and as I just said she wants me to optimise sleep and recovery right now. So I’m going to have to try and locate bands and some adjustable dumbbells/a barbell and get creative with full body sessions. Then 2 of my normal upper/lower sessions at the garage gym on Saturdays and Sundays.

Honestly- this scares me, as I don’t see myself being able to progress with the 2 full body sessions at home while the lockdown is still in place. At times like this, I tend to do MORE in terms of intensity techniques and volume, or even increase training days.

But I understand that it may not be optimal (somewhere inside this brain I understand … SOMEWHERE….) crazy prep Katie just want to work myself into a hole. But if there’s anything I’ve learned over the last 2 years of not being held to a stage, and trying to grow, is that rest is King in terms of growth and recovery.

Restrictions are supposed to be starting to lift by May 5th here in Ireland- IF people keep doing what they are supposed to by abiding by social distancing rules. So by then I hope with my heart of hearts that gyms will start to reopen by then too. Cutting my drive to the gym to 20mins.

Anywho- 4:30am morning cardio thoughts! Nice to type this out and try put some sense to this whole thing.

Last week of a big push and then… well we’ll see about show dates. Still aiming for Alicante in September- 19 weeks away. But also waiting on 2 bros announcement also- and muscle contest Ireland which was supposed to be on in April but obviously got post posed. More waiting games.

Going to enjoy this last week of testing myself daily. Once I come up with a full body session, I’ll post here and I’d love if anyone could give me feedback on it ☺️

@katiecshallbe_

[Kate Collins]

That is one crazy schedule you have got there! You’re doing so well to keep everything up through this time! Plus you’re still looking amazing!x

I know…..now ???? Corinne wasn’t too pleased with my sleep schedule. ????

So she has asked me to try locate some bands and dbs/bb to do x1 or 2 Full body sessions at home so that I can be in bed earlier on weekdays.

We’ll see how that goes!

@katiecshallbe_

[Kate Collins]

So we are into the last week of my this dieting phase – Corinne is very happy with check ins and pictures.

Cardio upped. Food slightly lowered.
rest day –before meal 1 – 60mins liss at 130bpm – before last meal – 45mins
Upper training days –before meal 1 – 60 mins liss at 130bpm – 20mins on stepper pwo
Lower days – 50 mins liss at 130bpm- 15mins on the stepper pwo
Steps per day – 15k rest days.
13k training days

Corinne was concerned about my lack of sleep. 4-5hours a night but it’s just what it is at the moment with having to drive so far to the garage gym. She asked for an out line of my day so I said I’d share it here too- the realities of working a full time job and prepping.

Food update-
DIET:
Training Day – Weekdays
Meal 1 is to be eaten within 30mins of waking
(6am) Meal 1 – 10 whites cooked as you like
(9.30am) Meal 2 – 100g 5% fat beef, 50g chicken/turkey breast
(1pm) Meal 3 – 150g chicken, 30g avocado
(4.30pm) Pre gym meal, eaten 90mins before – 30g protein from whey, 30g oats, 20g blueberries
(5.45pm) 15-20mins before – 1 serving of PREpare
(Train 6-7.30pm) Intra mixed in 1-2litres of water, drink steadily throughout:
20g JP EAAs, 5g creatine, 12g Performance Fuel
(8pm) Pwo 30mins after – 10 egg whites, 50g rice or GF pasta
(10.30pm) Pre bed – 30g protein from whey, 200g alpro dairy free plain yoghurt,

Training Day – Weekends
Meal 1 is to be eaten within 30mins of waking
(8.30am) Meal 1 – 10 whites cooked as you like
(4.30pm) Pre gym meal, eaten 90mins before – 30g protein from whey, 4#30g oats, 20g blueberries
(12.45pm) 15-20mins before – 1 serving of PREpare
(Train 1-2.30pm) Intra mixed in 1-2litres of water, drink steadily throughout:
20g JP EAAs, 5g creatine, 12g Performance Fuel
(3pm) Pwo 30mins after – 10 egg whites, 50g rice or GF pasta
(5.30pm) Meal – 150g 5% fat beef, 50g chicken/turkey breast
(1pm) Meal 3 – 150g chicken, 30g avocado
(10.30am) Pre bed – 30g protein from whey, 200g alpro dairy free plain yoghurt,

Non training day – NO CHANGE
Meal 1 is to be eaten within 30mins of waking
(6am) Meal 1 – 10 whites cooked as you like
(9am) Meal 2 – 150g 5% fat beef,
(12.30pm) Meal 3 – 150g chicken/turkey breast, 7g coconut oil
(3.30pm) Meal 4 – 150g chicken
(7pm) Meal 5 – 150g chicken/turkey breast, 30g avocado
(10pm) Pre bed – 15g protein from whey, 5 egg whites

@katiecshallbe_

[Kate Collins]

So I was able to match numbers on last nights lower training session, but DAMN… my knees are still in bits. They were sore throughout and were clicking and cracking at times, while being “hot”. They’ve been like this now for 2 weeks.
I’ve doubled up on my join in and cure coming.

Training at the garage gym has me safety bar squatting, front squatting, BB box squatting or free BB box squatting every lower session for x5 working sets. Lower back was telling me to piss off too last night but I just made do.

Check in tomorrow. We’ll see what happens.

@katiecshallbe_

[Kate Collins]

Hi Kate !
Felt the same last week so I switched off most of the apps to be more by myself. Sounds crazy in times like this but sometimes really helpful ????

_________________________________________

Instagram @lara_lein89

Hi Lara ☺️

It really helped I think. We always talk about the effect of how we feel on eating “better for you” foods vs “bad foods”. But we don’t talk about the negativity that we consume on a daily basis through social media. I know a lot of positivity is out there right now but I was just seeing too much doom and gloom so I was like, “NOPE- I don’t need to see you today ????????”

Hope your well. I’m still folllowing your log religiously- getting me through morning cardio ☺️

@katiecshallbe_