October's Hope: Before & After, and alittle in between :)

Well there you have it, folks... that is me going from January 22nd at130 lb. to May 12th at about 105 lb. I can tell you this though... the last 10 lb. was pure water weight. In order to prep for the next show I need to get back up to 120 lb. This will allow me to put on some more muscle. Once we get about 6 weeks out from Worlds in August, I will begin to cut again.

I hope this makes weight loss, and a healthy lifestyle more realistic to you, out there. The main ingredients are accountability, consistency, determination, a network of support ( my Iron Vixens- our training club), a little elbow grease, and motivation.

I have recently been getting the question, not "where" but "How do you find the motivation?!!" The "where" is so much easier to answer. I find the motivation in watching my husband, inspirational photos and songs ("Everybody's Watching" by Taylor Swift- listened to that about every morning), and other people that I found inspiring... the "how", not so easy to explain. And for awhile, I didn't really have the words. But I do now. The truth is, the "how" came to me when I dug deep down inside myself, during those moments of frustration, during the hard workouts, when people told me I wouldn't or couldn't, but mostly when I realized that no one else could do this for me, except for me. I wasn't going to let anyone else down, but myself... and for the first time in my life, I was actually doing something JUST FOR ME.

I had gotten to a point to where I was so committed to this in my heart, that even when my brain told me "No!", my heart had already made my decision for me... I wasn't going to quit, no matter what I said to myself, because my heart was in it; and still is. and I know everyone has that in them, you just need to find that passion inside yourself, then keep putting your motivational material in front of you, touch base with your supportive network frequently, and just KEEP PUSHING!

Had enough sappy stuff, yet? Me too!

Prior to the competition we all get spray tanned, 3 coats... I know crazy. But when on stage, the lights are so bright the tan is necessary in order for the judges to actually see the competitors structure.. if not then the lights wash everything out and you just look like an albino stick glowing on stage, even if you are at your leanest. needless to say, that was the first time I was ever spray tanned in the buff, and, by, do you have to get over being shy real quick, haha.

Speaking of not being shy, due to the spray tan (which everyone has done) you can't wear deodorant, perfume, or even pee normal... that's right, I peed in a cup. I won't be ashamed! I peed in a cup to save my tan, in fact we all peed in cups, lmbo! At the competition, I had made some new friends backstage, Kylie, Erin, Courtney, Mandy, and Candace. All such wonderful women, all inspiring, and I am very excited to meet up with them again! Erin competed for her first time and walked like a pro, Kylie place 3rd in Bikini Diva Modal, Tall, Courtney placed top 10 Bikini Diva, Tall, Many placed 1st in Fitness and won her Pro Card, and Candace I believe placed 2nd in Fitness. All did an amazing job, and I feel honored to have stepped on the same stage :)

Following the show I was invited to a private photo shoot with Allen, Harry, and Lee with LHGFX photography, and David Bickley. It was an amazing experience. These guys were total professional, very fun, and wonderfully talented! I felt like a Maxim model or something! I had never taken pictures like this before; they made me feel beautiful. Luckily, Mandy and Candace were there, and seeing some friendly faces put me at ease. The photographers will be submitting the photos to several publications, and I will only get to see the photos if they publish. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Because I had the photo shoot first thing Sunday morning, I did not get to pig out immediately following the show as I had planned. So you better believe that following the shoot I headed straight over to the Cheesecake Factory, and didn't stop eating till I got home, in Wichita, at 9pm :) From the 14th through the end of that week, I took time off from my strict diet (eating clean during the day, enjoying some not so clean things at night), but was still in the gym 3 times that week.

So, where am I with things post show?! Well let me tell ya, with training it is go big or go home; heavy, full body weight lifting and HIIT with a carb backloading diet. As long as you build your weight lifting base in the gym, anyone could do this combo. Yes women, even you! In fact especially you!!! Men, you will love this diet/workout combo because you will build muscle faster and easier by feasting on carbs following your workout on heavy weight lifting days, with minimal cardio. Women, trust me, you don't have the hormones to get "too bulky", its not so easy for you to build muscle, but it will help you tone up and shed some elle bees... ya that's pounds. Check out John Keifer's book on Carb Back Loading so you can get your back loading on too.

Today I weighed in at 113.6 lb. I need to increase my caloric intake to get this show on the road. I am currently using MCT oil in my coffee in the AM, Fish oil pills, and Whey protein isolate (NOT a proprietary blend- so read the ingredients before you purchase, NO BLENDS). Just review, I do not drink pop of any kind, I do not intake anything with aspartame, and I try to avoid sucrolose as often as possible.

With my diet and workout on track for muscle growth, I've been working on writing sponsorship letters. I am just about ready to send out the first round of letters. For those of you who do not know, now that I won my Pro card I can only compete in the Worlds, and I believe International shows. Let's just say, that's expensive. If I am going to go to Worlds in Canada at the end of August, I'm going to need some serious sponsors who see my passion and dedication to making the fitness industry my career path; and hopefully they can see with the right support I am determined and will make a difference.

My next goal is to place in the top 10 in a World or other Pro competition, then top 5, then WIN! don't get me wrong, I am competitive and go into training with the intention to win, but I want to keep a level head.... because it is not likely that a newbie would ever win Worlds... or is it.... because after all, that's what they said about the US Central Championship ;)

Many people have asked me if I plan to continue this blog...and... you bet your sweet buns I am! I have a lot to report on! I've got progression shots for Worlds, more diet and workout tips FOR YOU (working on getting my personal training certification- I'll be open for business soon), confirmation if I am or am not even going to be able to attend Worlds, Pictures from Worlds (because we all know I'm gonna find a way to make it happen), and what I plan to do following Worlds.... AND!!! MORE INSPIRATIONAL PHOTOS!!! YAY! We just have too much to talk about for me to just quit now! .... but it is for tonight...

Welp! That's all till next Wednesday, friends! Tah Tah for now :)

Oh! See below for inspirational photos... of my new friends!!! ;)