7 days out…Yikes!

My next competition is only 7 days from tomorrow.  Going through day to day, it isn’t until I sit still for a few minutes that I realize just how tough it is to stay focused and comitted to one goal.  I can not tell  you  how much this has helped me both personally and professionally in understanding other people’s weight loss challenges, no matter their weight.

Restricting yourself from that which most of us are emotionally connected to is not easy.  It can definitely have a spiritual impact on your life, both the challenges of the journey and the satisfaction of reaching that destination.

Many people, myself sometimes included hold ourselves back because of the negative thought patterns we have developed about ourselves over the years.  These negative thoughts can begin to become real in your life, thus sabatoging that which you so desire.

If I can give you any inspiration, it would be to first ask yourself if you really truly believe that you can get to the goal you have set? If no, try to investigate why you do not believe it, to ultimately expose that negative thought and create a positive one.  The mind is a powerful thing and can both help you and inhibit you, no matter what diet you are on, what magical workout you do, or what amazing piece of exercise equipment you purchased from tv (which by the way my mom calls those “laundry hangers”).

Believe in yourself and your own power to reach  your goals. My first goal is only 7 days away.

Figuring It Out

So I did it, buckled down and training for about 12 weeks.  I ready EVERYTHING!  I was stalking women daily, what they looked like, how they training, suits, tanning, makeup, shoes…… EVERYTHING.  After way too much brainstorming (overload) we figured out a plan, stuck to a low calorie diet and trained our tails off.  Not knowing too much, we did it.  talked to people, got help with posing, got advise from other competitors, etc.  All of this work yielded me a 3rd place finish as an amateur in 2007.  

Then I caught the bug, this feeling of ultimate health and fitness.  I have never felt better, my body felt clean (my diet was clean), strong, and lean.  It was awesome!  I wanted to step it up and I knew that one of the keys was nutrition.  So after much STRESS I finally was turned on to a nutritionist named Chuck, we later renamed Chuck as “The Wizard”.  he took my final 8 weeks from last season to a whole new level.  I was amazed and hooked on the Wizard’s diet.  

I took First in my division and the Overall Figure title at a show in IL last year, then I went to Atlanta for a much bigger show with much more competition and placed 7th.  Not bad for my first debut on a large stage.  I’m now training for another big stage, but closer to home.  Please some out and support me on April 25th in Bolingbrook, IL. 

* In case you were wondering about the “we”, I am fortunate to share my life with a wonderful person who is so supportive of me and deals with the craziness and all of the ups & downs of competing.  without him I don’t think i would have gotten this far.  Thanks Babe, for always being there and for pushing and encouraging me daily!

 

 

 

Why on Earth…..

I always get this question, Why in the HELL do you do this to yourself…… It makes me laugh, because when I look at what I am doing, I think the same thing, it’s CRAZY!

 Although I have denied it most of my life, I am pretty competitive!  I enjoy the rush of trying to push myself to be the best at something. Now, being the best for me is subjective, it’s not about the win, but the fact that I did my best. 

I’ve competed in different events mainly in swimming and cheerleading growing up.  Then I took to triathlons and enjoyed that while it lasted.  With triathlons, it was a mental feat, but not something that took complete dedication.  I knew I could slack off, could eat what I wanted, and would still finish.  I also am more of a sprinter…. the instant gratification type.  I want to finish fast and finish in the top.  Triathlons just didn’t give me that thrill, besides they take way too long

 I thought about competing in fitness since I had the gymnastics and dance background.  Being 7 years out of college, I realized that my days of smiling and giving “cheeze” are over.  So I did some more research and learned of a new division in fitness/bodybuilding events, called Figure.  Figure is a competition requiring a feminine, yet fit physique, judged with an overall appearance and stage presence. Imagine a fitness “beauty pageant” this sounded perfect, rock the body without the cheeze, I’m in……. So I entered my first contest just before turning 30 in 2007. 

Read “Figuring It Out” for the beginning of my figure career

A champion in the making

Ha! I’ve titled this “the making of a champion” for a reason, its a little inside joke that i’ll explain later!  I’ve created this blog to give you an insight of my life….. well, at least the next 11 weeks as I prepare for my first competition this year.  This year I have decided to blog my training, diet, and experiences.  Hopefully you’ll see the challenges yet rewarding experience of getting on stage. 

 

Thanks for checking in on me, I hope you enjoy and learn a few things from stopping by.  Please post your comments or email me directly.