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.