All of your questions...answered.

So, I am overwhelmed with questions - and they are mostly the same over and over again, so here are the answers...

1. How did you do? While I do not know my official placing yet - I know that I did not place in the top 5.  But I really didn't go into this show anticipating that I would place.  This show was my pro debut.  I was heavier than I should have been going into my contest prep, and I struggled through an injury along the way that compromised my ability to work on certain muscle groups.  At 4-5 weeks out, there was question about whether I would be ready at all.  Ultimately, my goal this year was to get on the pro stage before I lost my pro status and I was able to accomplish that goal - so I am pleased.  Bodybuilding is a subjective sport.  While there are guidelines and things that the judges are looking for, ultimately it does come down to standing in front of a group of people and leaving the results up to their opinions.  It ain't for everyone, and it is sometimes a terrible mind game to play with yourself - but it's the sport I love!

2. Where are the pictures?  I don't have any yet!  Waiting for 2 different sets - but I will be sure to post as soon as I have them.  In the meantime, I have posted the video of my individual routine!

3.  What now? Can you eat normal again?  I ate semi-normal for most of the weekend (After the show was over) - but I have picked the next show date...5 weeks from now, so it's back on the plan I go.  After putting 20 weeks into this, I just don't feel ready to be done yet.  Trust me, I thought I would be.  This 20 weeks has not been easy - but I just want to see what I can do if I spend another 5 trying to get a little leaner.  I am also going to try competing with a different federation - again at the amateur level.  I have only ever competed with OCB or IFPA and I wanted to give something new a try.

4. How did you feel/did you have fun?  I felt great.  Despite thinking I missed my mark slightly - I still feel that I brought my best physique yet to the stage and that's really all I can ask...to get a little bit better each time I get up there.  And I did have fun.  It was a great trip with great friends and a well-run show, which always makes for a good experience.

The only other thing I can say is that I will NEVER, no, not EVER drive to Cape Code again!  This girl will fly.  What should have been 6 1/2 hours in the car turned into a nightmare of a trek that felt like days - going each way.  I don't even know why - I just know I won't do it again!!  But if you ever visit Cape Cod - make sure you visit the "Pancake Man".  The Peanut Butter Cup Pancakes are bangin'!!

Wow! 2 Days left!!

I am completely overwhelmed with emotion this morning.  As I left the gym, having officially completed my last workout of this 20 week competition prep, I actually began to tear up!  It is crazy when you work so hard for so long and then realize that all of the work is done.  138 days ago, I set off on this journey, unsure of whether or not I would be successful.  I have been faced with challenges that I did not anticipate - including an injury that affected my workouts for 8 weeks.  And so just knowing that I have made it, and I'm a little over 48 hours away from getting up on that stage again is such a good feeling.  

It's a little bittersweet for me this time around though.  I will be missing a key person this weekend - my best friend, training partner and usually my back-stage support person.  Thanks to technology, Bill has been able to see my progress and give me words of encouragement along the way - so he's kind of been along for the ride - But he's had the benefit of not having to be here to deal with my moods!!  

Which leads me to the other reason why I am so overwhelmed with emotion.  I am so blessed to be surrounded by an amazing network of support in the form of family, friends, clients and class participants.  I could not begin to list all of the people who have gone out of their way to lend support, offer help, or just go out of their way to send words of encouragement my way - but every single on of you has made an impact on me during this process.  The excitement that my class participants have shown each week to hear about my progress and their patience with my gradually declining energy levels in classes has been a constant source of positive energy for me during this 20 weeks, and I will hear some of your voices in my head as I take the stage this weekend.

 

 My clients have been incredibly tolerant of my moods, my energy levels and my constant chatter (ok, maybe sometimes whining) about being hungry, tired, frustrated with the scale, etc.  I have received gifts that I never anticipated, and that were incredibly thoughtful and generous!  I know that a few of you can't wait for me to be "back to normal" - and I appreciate you sticking it out with me!!

Most surprising has been the number of people (mostly on facebook or at the Y) who have stopped to say good luck or ask me how it's going.  People that I didn't even realize knew what I was up to have stopped to wish me luck and it's been amazing!  

On a side note, it's also been a little weird.  People seem to say whatever is on their mind to me.  And when I'm in the gym, it's almost always worse.  The best example came earlier this week when a "regular" at the gym was talking to me and, while looking directly at the spot where my boobs used to be, asked if my "lack of 'female parts' (with air quotes) would count against me on stage?"  Wow!  Amazingly, I found myself explaining the difference between figure and bodybuilding and getting into a conversation about what judges look for.  What I was thinking was, "well, I don't think we've found a way to build boobs in the gym, so I don't think that falls under the bodybuilding category...your calves, on the other hand, would!".  Ah, it's never a dull moment in the gym...but I digress.  

Finally, for the amazing gift of my 3 closest friends, who are putting aside their lives and leaving their families for the weekend to travel to the show with me, there are no words to express my gratitude.  I knew when I decided to prep for this show, that Bill would be gone, and the idea of traveling so far away from home for a show by myself was not the happiest of scenarios.  But I never imagined that the 3 of you would be willing to come with me.  I know that you have no idea what you have gotten yourselves into - and I can only say that Saturday will be a new experience for the 4 of us to share!!  Rachel, Denise and Nancy:  I love you guys.  And I am so excited to share this weekend with you!   

Lots of packing still left to do - so it's time for me to wrap it up.  Looking forward to lots of steak and sweet potatoes in the next 48 hours.  You may not want to approach me if I am eating - especially if my eyes are closed and I'm making noise!  Til next time...thanks for reading, and keep workin' it!!