Things Sought, Things Accomplished, Things Learned

It’s official.  I am DONE with the figure competition! 

It’s been a few days since I stepped on stage and I can happily say that I am fully hydrated, fed, and bloated (ok, so I’m not so happy about the bloated part).  But I’ll take it because the pizza, chocolate, and ice cream that I indulged in were well worth it.  

Since I’ve been in a constant sugar coma these past three days, I’ve had a lot of time to think about the whole ordeal.  The amount of knowledge I’ve gained these past 11 weeks has been incalculable. I give those that compete in figure competitions a lot of credit.  It’s not an easy process.  However, it’s not an entirely safe process either. 

Entering a figure competition once is a great experience, as a person has the opportunity to learn more about their physical and mental abilities.  For instance, you learn that your body can function (sometimes even better) without certain foods.  Your cravings are simply that.  Cravings.  You don’t NEED that daily Mountain Dew or Skittles kick to make it to your 3 pm meeting.  Learning and adopting a “clean” diet has immense benefits. 

At the same time, adopting a “figure competition” diet is another story.  While eliminating fruits and dairy helps you appear contest ready, it is something I would NEVER recommend long term.  For multiple reasons.  Your organ function will start to decline, especially your brain and kidneys from the excess protein and low carb intake.  Your social life is put on hold, or suffers completely, because you can eat next to nothing if going out to dinner or for drinks.  You adopt the mindset that certain foods are “good” while others are “bad”, which is far from true (everything in moderation)!  And lastly, you get sucked into such a routine that life doesn’t become fun anymore.  You get up, go to work, eat the same thing for every meal, go to the gym, and sleep.   I don’t know about you, but I feel that life just isn’t worth living if you can’t be spontaneous, jump in the car, and drive 45 minutes to order an iced caramel latte and a Butterfinger blizzard with your best friend every once in awhile.  Yes, both the latte and the blizzard.  At the same time.  J

With that, I encourage you to try the things that might seem impossible to you.  Prove to yourself that you are capable and stronger than you might appear to be.  Learn about yourself.  Do so carefully and intelligently, and with your best interest in mind. 

One Day, Many Thoughts

At this point in the game, with the competition one day away, I am feeling much more than the predicted excitement.  Nervousness, anticipation, and anxiety are becoming intertwined with the excitement.  This has left me with a balled up, mangled mess of aggressive feelings that I can’t wait to throw at the next piece of chicken I see.

I exaggerate.  It really hasn’t been all that bad.  But questions run through my mind constantly.  Has my work paid off?  Am I as toned as I should be?  Or worse yet, will the other contestants even know I’m competing?!

I consider these thoughts, and then let them pass instantly.  Because when it comes down to it, I know that the answer to these questions is yes, yes, and who cares. I’ve come this far on my own terms.  I never gave up, and I’ve learned SO much in the process. 

In fact, I feel I have learned more than you will be willing to read about in one short blog.  So I’ll try to keep my thoughts to a minimum today. 

1)      Food is a healing power.  It can do your body good, or it can do it much damage.  You have the power to fuel your body, and there are proper ways to go about doing that.  Limiting or eliminating certain foods is NOT always the way to go. 

2)      Most importantly, I have learned that ANYBODY can do ANYTHING if they put their mind to it.  I was the “nice, chubby girl” in school.  No lie.  I was voted ‘friendliest’ for my senior year book, and while that’s not a bad thing by any means, it sort of made me feel like I was the person who would do good things, live an average life, make lots of friends, and just….well, be. 

I can ‘be’.  But I can ‘be’ my best and do and accomplish things that I even thought were impossible.  I will ‘be’ the friendly girl, but I will be the friendly, fit, accomplished, driven, AND capable girl that, through her experiences, will help others see that they, too, can do more than they deem possible. 

The Countdown Begins

I’ve been getting a lot of strange looks again lately.  I’m thinking it’s because of one of two reasons. 

1)      People think I’m out of my mind when I tell them I’ve entered a figure competition.

2)      My typical, upbeat personality has transformed to one that encompasses exhaustion and irritability. 

With only one week left, I’m giving it my all.  Chicken and vegetables at most, if not all, of my meals.  Water, water, water.  Lots of cardio intervals.  Higher reps but lower weight with lifting.  The good news is that I don’t have to do legs this week (they retain too much water)!   Thoughts about chocolate.  Sleep.  More water.

The thing that I’m worried about most, however, has to do with the preparation for the final day.  I never really considered myself a high-maintenance girl, but this competition sort of requires me to be.  I have to get…a tan.  :/  But I’m not talking your typical “sun-kissed, beach-bod” looking tan.  We’re looking at a full blown, almost black, “get me the darkest shade” tan.  

I understand it accentuates the muscles and helps the judges see the contours of the body, but come on! 

Oh well.  I’ll get over it.  Every great experience requires sacrifices and struggles that you must endure. 

All I can say is….I can’t wait for Saturday to be here!