I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped me get through my shows.

First my husband.  Not only did he live through all my temper tantrums and emotional outbursts, but he helped to see me through them.  He was my rock through it all.

My Mom and Brother were a God send.  They willfully looked after the kids everyday so I could get to the gym.  Thank you! THANK YOU THANK YOU! Also thank you for being at my show.  

Michelle Riechart of Healthy Bodies was a huge supporter.  Always positive and pushing me.  There were times when I was down and she reminded me that no matter how I did I'm in the best shape of my life.  Thats the biggest trophy to take home.  Thank you Michelle!

My kids deserve the biggest THANK YOU of all! They suffered through the early mornings, late nights, hiding their snacks, and constantly reminding me of how proud of me they are.  They sacrificed just as much as I did for that medal.  They deserve to wear it around their neck as well!  

The competition was amazing.  What a great experience.   Six months of hard dieting and training came down to the 2 minutes on stage.  The anticipation back stage waiting to hear your division being called was a little much.  My metabolism went into hyper drive from the anxiety (a little late to pick up that much).  I literally would watch my muscles shrink minutes after eating.  

When the time came to go on stage.  I choked.  Thats right for the first 30 secs, I fell apart.  Hearing Steve, Michelle and my family in the crowd helped me get back in the game.  I was in the middle a back pose when I snapped out of it.  I managed to pull it all together and then the morning show was done.  Yup that quick!

So then the night show came and we were all called on stage one at a time for our presentation poses.  The judges called us all to the front and sent us off stage to wait and hear the top five.  
That was the longest minute I suffered throughout the entire six months.  Here I thought watching the treadmill count down took forever...HA!  Let me tell you though, the second your number is called......I was so happy to be in the top five!  I didn't care what I placed, I met my goal and I felt like a million bucks!

Next to my family, competing was the most gratifying accomplishment of my life.  I would recommend it to anyone.  Not only did I change my appearance, I also changed my lifestyle.  I still maintain the diet, the training and now I am prepping for my next competition in October!  

Thank you again to everyone who helped me get there.  

Competing isn't just about perfecting your body.  What needs the most development first and foremost is the mind. 

First and foremost you need to be your number one priority.  For all of us with kids and a spouse, that will be the toughest challenge yet.  The guilt will eat you alive.  The thing you need to remember is ultimately this will only benefit them.  They will learn dedication, organization and determination.

This is a journey of self discovery, you'll figure out very quickly what your truly made of.  You will learn how to deal with life's curve balls in a positive fashion.  You will learn how to succeed with all the odds stacked against you.

Second thing you will learn is organization.  You need to plan meals, shop ahead and budget not only your finances but your time as well.  For example, I work a 9-5 everyday, I get up with my four kids at 4am.  We go to Grandmas, where they go back to sleep. I go to the gym, push put anywhere between 25-60 minutes of cardio.  Then about an hour of weight training.  Then off to work for eight hours.  After work I head back to the gym and complete my second session of cardio.  I then pick up the kids and get home to make them supper.  The days are long and filled with chaos, but that is the will to succeed.

There will be days where you question if all this is worth it.  There will be days where you just want to quit, once I describe the end result, that feeling will quickly disappear.

The sacrifices you make are among the biggest you will make.  Birthdays, anniversaries, father's day, mother's day, they all get forgotten in the midst of it (sorry for the lack of presents honey!).  Ultimately they are getting a hotter, sexier, confident and better you.  This has to be about you.  Prep yourself for a loss of friends, support, and money.  You will gain it all back, only better friends, better support and well the money is still gone.


Get rid of any negative factors now, your success depends on it.  Both in and outside the gym.  Eat well, train hard and change your thought process.  That is contest prep.  I will get on to the actual experience in my next blog, and I won't wait so long this time.

Pumping Iron starring Arnold Schwarenegger really glorified the sport of professional bodybuilding.  Well thanks to him and Pumping Iron, bodybuilding and fitness competitions have exploded.


He expressed the intensity in bodybuilding and competing.  Arnold presented the sport with such a positive demeanor, how could it be wrong.
Well the reality is, it's tough.  Arnold states in the movie that it is like he is always in a euphoric state.  He failed to mention the strict diet, strict is an understatement.  If you thought you were a healthy eater prior to this adventure.  Your wrong.  Arnold seemed so happy all the time in the movie, he lied, your grumpy.  Low blood sugar levels, cutting carbs, cutting calories and eating the same food two or three times a day,  expect to be grumpy,  Read all the articles you want, nothing prepares you for the journey your about to go on.

You've decided you want to compete.  First things first.  You need to decided what league your going to compete in.  They all have their perks and benefits.  Let's look at the Ontario Physique Association.  The OPA hosts 15 shows a year.  Some include naturals, which require drug testing and some do not.  The OPA will take you the furthest and provide more opportunities to advance.  There is also the World Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation and International  Drug Free Association.  Both of these are equally as competitive, they just seem to be more highlighted.  More opportunities for coverage.  So, pick your association and then pick a date.

Next it's time for the reality check.  You look good.  You know you look good.  Go find a coach.  Make sure you connect well with this person, they will be your lifeline.  Meet with your coach for the first time and get ready for the bomb.  It's gonna hurt.
Your going to hear the words "You have a lot of work to do, but you have a good base." Ouch four years of training and thats all you have? a good base.  All the time, the weight loss, the dieting, everything and all you have is a good base?  Well suck it up and let the fun begin.

One of the first things you should get from your coach/trainer is your meal plan.  The first two weeks are either going to make or break you.  Some can't make it past the first four days.  You are going to be in physical pain.  First part of your nutrition should be a flush.  It will be painful.  You will feel the years of bad food and damage peeling off the intestinal walls by day four maybe five.  Just like crack and cocaine, sugar is addictive.  You will experience headaches, confusion, stomach cramps, aggression, anxiety and expect a bout of diarrhea .  However, your body will feel like a million bucks and you'll have a ton of energy.  You will be insanely hungry, oh, so hungry. Your stomach is shrinking.  Let it happen.   There are ways around the hunger though.  Discuss with your trainer what will be best for you.
You will soon see how strict and organized your life needs to become.  You just made one of the most life altering decisions.    There will be more diet  experiences to follow.  If you don't want to wait, just ask the trainer and ask your question!