STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME
washed it down with warm , lightly salted water as per coach ’ s orders . It was time for the fitness models to line-up and I was in the zone .
On Stage
Bright lights and an audience bring out the best in me . I was beaming as I stepped out on stage , heart thumping . When I saw the judges I got hit with a bit of nerves and my lips would not stop quivering ! My number was called , I took a deep breath and strut out to centre stage . My brain was going a mile a minute , trying to remember my posing cues . Then it was over . I went back into line feeling euphoric , but with little memory of what just happened .
After a short break I was back on stage for bikini . I had some water , a second cookie and chat-ted with new friends . The second time on stage was remarkably easier . My posing routine was better paced , my lips didn ’ t quiver and I stayed in the moment . I was really starting to love this sport .
I was thrilled to earn first place in novice fitness model ( short ) and second place in bikini ( medium ). Winning first in novice fitness model , I earned the opportunity to compete in the open cate-gory that afternoon . I didn ’ t have any expectations , I was just going up for fun and the experi-ence . I was surprised , when I won and earned my NPAA elite Pro Card , yet I had visualized that moment so frequently it seemed familiar . As I posed with Dr . Kevin for photos , I could see my husband watching in the audience , beaming with pride . All of the training , dieting , the crying over pancakes , the fatigue , everything was worth it because of his look .
That Evening
After drug testing and backstage celebrations , I changed into a little black dress and we drove to one of my favourite restaurants . My husband insisted I bring my trophies with us , which helped explain my Oompa Loompa tan to onlookers . It felt good to be celebrating , it felt good to be done . I was already planning my next show .
My post-show celebration included : 2 caramels , chocolate covered cranberries , half a small bag of chips , half of a cheesecake bar from my favourite bakery , a duck confit and roast potato dinner , 2 homemade smore ’ s cupcakes , 3 glasses of wine and a bowl of chocolate Chex cereal !
The Day After
I woke with a bit of a stomach ache . It was 5am . After only three hours of sleep , I was awake , too excited to sleep . I had given myself permission to relax and eat as I pleased for one more day before starting my reverse diet and resuming training . Off days and small indulgences are part of my balanced lifestyle and I felt I earned this one .
The Month Following
For me , reversing my diet was significantly harder than prepping for the competition . I dealt with intense food cravings and struggled not to binge eat . I did binge some days . After months con-gratulating myself for every pound lost , it was challenging to be ok with the necessary post-show weight gain . Setting new goals and guidelines allowed me to find balance and structure . It was a mental and emotional battle . Though I was nine pounds heavier than my competition weight , I was still ten pounds lighter than when I started the journey . I was stronger and had greater muscle definition . I love training and I love healthy food , so I wasn ’ t missing out . I had found a sport I loved . I realized it was all about perception , priorities and balance .
What ’ s Next
I will be competing to earn my IFPA Pro Card . I am expanding my online training business , my blog and writing career , to reach and help more women . I want to show women that strong is beautiful and you can accomplish greatness . I want to inspire women to live healthy , happy , balanced lifestyles .
47 .
N STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME
washed it down with warm, lightly salted water
as per coach’s orders. It was time for the fitness
models to line-up and I was in the zone.
On Stage
Bright lights and an audience bring out the best
in me. I was beaming as I stepped out on stage,
heart thumping. When I saw the judges I got hit
with a bit of nerves and my lips would not stop
quivering! My number was called, I took a deep
breath and strut out to centre stage. My brain
was going a mile a minute, trying to remember
my posing cues. Then it was over. I went back
into line feeling euphoric, but with little memory
of what just happened.
After a short break I was back on stage for bikini.
I had some water, a second cookie and chat-ted
with new friends. The second time on stage was
remarkably easier. My posing routine was better
paced, my lips didn’t quiver and I stayed in the
moment. I was really starting to love this sport.
I was thrilled to earn first place in novice fitness
model (short) and second place in bikini (medium). Winning first in novice fitness model, I earned
the opportunity to compete in the open cate-gory
that afternoon. I didn’t have any expectations, I
was just going up for fun and the experi-ence. I
was surprised, when I won and earned my NPAA
elite Pro Card, yet I had visualized that moment
so frequently it seemed familiar. As I posed with
Dr. Kevin for photos, I could see my husband
watching in the audience, beaming with pride.
All of the training, dieting, the crying over
pancakes, the fatigue, everything was worth it
because of his look.
That Evening
After drug testing and backstage celebrations,
I changed into a little black dress and we drove
to one of my favourite restaurants. My husband
insisted I bring my trophies with us, which helped
explain my Oompa Loompa tan to onlookers. It
felt good to be celebrating, it felt good to be
done. I was already planning my next show.
My post-show celebration included: 2 caramels,
chocolate covered cranberries, half a small
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