Jr. Nationals recap and more to focus on

Just about a week ago I competed in the NPC Jr. national championships. I met some great people, worked with some great people and i had an amazing time in chicago. I also was able to try and enjoy the famous chicago stuffed pizza. It is good, not gonna lie. I have worked very hard over the past few months to put on more muscle and bring the best package I could. Unfortunately it wasn't good enough. The one thing that is hard to understand, especially for non competitors is that every single person looks great at nationals and it really is about catching the eye of the judges and making sure that everything is right on point. As I am not disappointed in the amount of work and progress I have made, I did not place where I would have liked. I was in the fourth group of callouts is a class of 35 women. That roughly puts me in the top 20 in my class. Where as my upper body looked great, my legs still need to come down more and I need to condition a little more as well. Also the feedback I recieved is that I have too much muscle and some suggested that I look toward the physique class. I am determined to make the changes necessary to continue to compete in figure this year and I have taken the last week to refine and focus more. I have been fortunate to be able to come down to Texas and work one on one with my trainers and put in the time, and get the rest that my body needs. We have changed my diet up to try ans make things go a little quicker and it seems as though I am already responding in a positive way. I am also really enjoying the very low and almost zero stress I am under. I am also getting at minimum 8 hours of sleep every night. In just under two weeks I will leave here and head to new jersey and compete in Team Universe, again working toward earning my pro card. I know that in these 3 short weeks between jr nationals and team universe I will bring a better package, but when I step on that stage all I can do is hope that it is enough. it isn't up to me at that point. Many people ask me what will I do if I don't win? Well being that I am naturally a competitive person, I will keep moving forward, get feedback from the judges and do what I can. I don't quit. This is a process that takes time. It doesn't happen over night. In fact I had the opportunity to see where I have come from and to be honest I am pleased with my progress from my very first competition. It's eye opening. I am sure that if I had a less demanding job and only focused everything that I did on my training it may happen faster, but that isn't a reality. The reality is, I need to decide for me what I want out of my training and what am I willing to do to get there. I already know that if I don't win my pro card at team universe, I need to make sure that I am less stressed, stop stretching myself so thin and focus on what I can do well and stop trying to do everything. I also need more sleep. It isn't realistic to be successful in this sport on minimal sleep, in fact I'm sure that many of us can and will agree we all do better in any aspect of life when we pay better attention to our bodies and what it needs in order to be its best in and out of the gym. So I have made a commitment and I challenge you to do the same, focus yourself on what you can do well, and what you need to do to get there. For me, it means taking on less, getting more sleep and being my best at fewer things rather than being ok at many. I choose this not only because I want to win, but because I want to be the best thAtbi can in all aspects of my life and this includes my relationships and my career. I love to compete, I love the challenge that it brings, but I need to be my best and this means making choices that affect me in a positive way. As much as we all want to, we can't do everything. I want to do fewer things and I want to do the, very well and this includes my training. Regardless of the outcome in two weeks, I will continue to give my best and I will stick to my commitment to take on less so that I can be my best. So, as I look closely at my life, my goals and I make decisions on where to move forward from here, I challenge you to do the same. Where do you want to be in 6-12 months from now and how are you going to get there? Who do you need to ask for help and who is going to support you in the way that you need? What do you need to change and what do you maybe need to pull back on? Who do you need to communicate your goals to and help you to be accountable? Make positive changes. Allow yourself the time to do so, and it will happen. It won't happen overnight, it will take time. But remember, don't quit. Keep training my friends. See u soon.

Here I go!

Well the time has come. I have put a lot of time and work to get me where I am right now. I am ready to rock. I am very happy with my progress and I am feeling that I will be competitive this weekend. Up to yesterday it's been crazy busy schedule for me. I am glad that I had all day to rest and not have work on the brain or any other distractions. It's focus time. To say that a lot of time and work go into prep is an understatement. I have passed up many great and fun times to make sure I get my workouts in. I go to bed early and wake up at the crack of dawn. I do have a normal life, but the closer a competition comes the more it can and will consume you. I'm okay with the consumption of my time. I enjoy what I do. It is a balancing act and after competing for the last 3 years I have found a good balance. It's a lifestyle that I choose to live. However I am definitely lokoking forward to my two vacations in July. So, once all the time and work are done, it is an interesting and short moment to rock your stuff. Think about it, 16 or more weeks goes into a regular contest prep. In those 16 weeks we cardio and lift and eat cleaner than we probably want to at times. It's a long time for about 15-20 minutes on stage. Some may say that it isn't worth it, but I disagree. It's a celebration and it's time to drink it in. Regardless of the outcome, I am not disappointed in myself. I am proud of me. I have made positive changes and will continue to as I head to Dallas, Texas on Monday morning to live and train with my trainers, Jason Phillips and Catherine Holland. I am so excited to be in that environment. No distractions, no work and complete focus. Of course I would love to eat my way through Texas, but that can wait. I will enjoy myself in Hawaii and Alaska in July. :) So, as I sit in my hotel room, resting, and of course the occasional posing practice, I am ready. I have the support of my family, friends and of course my trainers. I appreciate all that everyone has done for me to get me here. Keep training my friends. I will keep you posted on how the weekend goes!

9 days

I find it so hard to believe that I am only 9 days away from competing at Jr. Nationals. I am really starting to get excited, even among my crazy schedule. I have put so much into this prep, and I know that I have given it my all.
It's a hard thing, prepping for a competition. Any competition prep, be it figure, bodybuilding, or a marathon, it's hard. It becomes a balancing act with your life. I have trained for marathons, figure competitions and softball games/seasons. They all require a huge amount of commitment and dedication. I will say, that they are all VERY different.
I am happy with my progress. I would of course want some things to be better here and better there, but it's a process that takes time. My goal of course is to win my pro card, but I've also set other goals for this prep. I've worked hard, I've stuck to my diet, I've woken up at 4am for cardio and even have done a workout or two at the wee hours of the night. Once you step on stage, it really is out of your hands. Of course your presentation matters, but it's a few short minutes to celebrate the hard work. It's easy to get mad or frustrated when you don't place or get what you want. One thing I try to remember, is that I have worked hard. I have bled, sweat, cried and put everything I can into this. Regardless of the outcome, I have accomplished more than I have before. I am bringing my best to date and I will bring even better every time I step on that stage. Yes the pro card is the ultimate goal, but I set small goals too.
Even back in little league softball and all the way through college, I remember setting the small goals to get to the big one. Sometimes we got to the ultimate goal, and other times we didn't. If we didn't set the small goals, I honestly believe we wouldn't have made it through a season. The same went for my marathons (I've run a few). I had to set small goals along the way, or there would have been no way I would have run a 3 hour and 31 minute marathon and qualified for the Boston Marathon. I know I easily could have slowed down, or given up, but it was really the small goals that kept me going through my training and even through the race. Set small goals that will lead you down your path to your dreams. The small goals will get you to the big one, but you have to put in the time, effort and commitment in order to get to that big goal. It doesn't matter what it is, with out the work all a goal becomes is an empty dream. Keep your dreams full of life. Feed them by making small commitments first and then bigger ones. You can and you will. I have and I will continue. 9 days, and then another 3 weeks till Team Universe. I love this.