A Slice of The Fit Life

“You have brains in your head, heart in your chest, and shoes on your feet so YOU can steer yourself in any direction you choose. Never accept the passenger seat; always be the driver to your destination”

- Me!

My road to the stage ended Saturday March 24th at the NPC Northern Kentucky Bodybuilding, Figure, Bikini, and Physique Championships,  and after 358 participants took the stage for the largest one-day show in the nation my day was complete with a trophy in hand! 

At prejudging I was a first call out, which traditionally is a great sign, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I stuck to my day-of meal plan throughout the day and into the evening and took the 2-hour break between pre-judging and finals to rest at the hotel and kick my feet up. After a thoughtful rest and another coat of face paint (crazy amount of make-up) my teammates and I prepared for the glitz and glamour of the final evening show. 

Walking on stage for finals that evening may top my list as one of the best adrenaline rushes I ever experienced (second to completing my first Tough Mudder). I never thought I would live for the flashing lights, music, and panel of judges staring straight at you, but I made eye contract with each and every one one of them and flashed my pearly whites. I was determined to make the past 14-weeks count for something, and I didn’t want to step off that stage with any regrets. It made it easier to think I was just teaching to a REALLY large BOOTCAMP class!! 

I am still speechless when I think about the fact that I placed in my first EVER show. When they called out my name I stepped forward and quickly learned the NPC Signature Pose and accepted my trophy with a humble heart and mabye some shakey knee caps. If I was allowed the chance to give an acceptance speech these are the people I am overwhelmingly thankful for having in my life and helping me with my road to the stage:

1. My supportive fiance, willing to try all the veggies I make for us and for reassuring me every step of the way that I CAN DO anything I put my mind to! 
2. My workout partner, if it wasn’t for our 5:30am (or 5 am) workout sessions I would have felt very alone in my training process. I probably wouldn’t have my first ever 4-pack if it wasn’t for you forcing me to do ABS EVERY DAY! And I would probably still be rocking some Maybelline makeup and a Mona Lisa middle part! 
3. The Training Edge Teammates - as previous competitors you gave me all the insight I needed along the way - you didn’t hold anything back and even prepared me for those back splatter moments along the way :) I am proud to stand beside each of you for all you have accomplished in this sport. 
4. My BRICKHOUSE ladies and clients. YOU ALL inspire me to be a better trainer, nutrition specialist, and professional in this industry. I want to be your GURU on your personal journey and every time you accomplish a personal goal you give me chills. You are some of the most appreciative people I have EVER had in my life!! I FINALLY feel like I am making a difference in people’s lives! 

“The Difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge but rather a lack of will.” 

- Vince Lombardi 

10 Days to…

Posing practice has begun, teeny tiny bikini arrived and actually fit, (If anyone is interested in competition swimwear, Saleyla based in Vegas is amazing!), and with the help of a wonderful friend I have grown to enjoy a more girly appearance. I am officially an NPC member and will be spending a year competing to see where it will take me. Now if only I could learn how to walk in these terribly uncomfortable plastic heels?? 

I get asked a lot, “Are you ready for it to be over?” and often they are referring to being done with the dietary changes and rigid training schedule. And in actuality the small changes I have had to make really are not going to be short term changes. Sure I miss my natural peanut butter, dark chocolate squares (even though I have snuck a couple of those) , and most of all icecream, but after making these slight changes in my diet I have reaped so many rewards both physically and mentally. 

The main dietary changes I have made include:

• Increased my veggie intake to 5 to 7 servings per day
• Controlled Carb Choices - Oatmeal, Sweet Potatoes, Rice Cakes, Ezekiel bread, some Kashi Go Lean cereal, and berries.
• Almond Milk versus Skim Milk
• Low Sodium food choices (tried to keep them under 150mg per serving) 

Mentally, I am very alert and full of energy. For the crazy schedule I lead this lifestyle has been helpful to keep me going like an energizer bunny. Before I started preparing for this show I would spend Friday night through Sunday morning eating out, “cheating”, and skipping workouts then it would take me til Wednesday to feel back to myself — then I would start the whole cycle over again. 

Physically my body has NEVER looked this way. This is the largest change to get used to. I touch certain body parts and they don’t feel like mine. My rear end is down to a gluteus minimus and my shoulder caps are the widest part of me now. My sugar-loving midsection has changed the most and I am still getting used to not having to pull my pants over a roll when I sit down. 

The largest reward I have gained through this journey is my strength. (Mostly due to an amazing and supportive workout partner) I have lost 8.5 lbs of pure body fat and gained 3 lbs of muscle mass. I was fearful, at first, that the dietary changes would effect my muscle mass and abilities in the gym but I have trained progressively and have gained strength I didn’t know i could have. 

Here is a Composition report of when I first started working out @ The Training Edge:

(Woohoo check out that Abdominal and Low Back Change — there is the evidence of my sugar-loving self) 

And here it is kids the fruits of my labor thus far….