Then and Now

Summer is in full swing (actually it has been I am just catching up with it). My kids will go back to school in about 3 weeks. It has been over a month since I have competed and while I am looking at other organizations to compete in, I have not even decided if that is what I want to do. My physical goal is to work on my legs over the next year. Put on a little size there.... not too much, just a little.

I had the opportunity to help with a small NGA show here in Tyler. Purebody Extravaganza- and it was the first year for this show. It was well ran and fun to watch. I am always competing and forgot how much fun it is to cheer on my friends. Did I desire to be on stage? NOPE, not this time. I was very content in spray tanning several of the competitors and offering my support to them.

As I watched many of the competitors (most were new to this industry) I realized how far I had come since my first competition in 2008 where I competed in figure. So I thought I would document those changes with photos. Now, don't laugh, I was a skinny little thing, but I worked hard, put on some muscle and today's physique is the result of that.

This first set of photos is from my first year of competing in 2008. I got seventh in the Heart of Texas and next to last in the Alamo showdown in San Antonio. That is where these pictures were taken.

This next group of pictures is from 2010. This was my first year to compete in Bikini. I won my first show that year and placed in the top 5 at the next. This is the look I really have strived to go back to.

This next group of pictures is from 2011 when I competed at my first national qualifier and qualified for the national level. This look is not my best and I spent the subsequent year getting back to the look I had in 2010. My muscles were flat and I just didn't look as good as I could have that year.

This is my most recent picture. Love this look. It's not for everyone, but I like it. My legs could be bigger and the connection between my butt and hams could be smoother. I will achieve this over the next year hopefully.

As you can see "Rome was not built in a day"... and neither was I. It can be a long hard road but worth every mile.

Competition Photos

I just realized I had not posted any pictures from Jr. Nationals. This is my personal best. I cannot complain (well, I shouldn't anyways) about how I came in. I was tight and muscle tone was there. I could use some more size in my legs and tighten those glutes a hair. Another year and I should accomplish both.

Ok, Now what?

It's been a couple of weeks since Jr. Nationals and I have taken some well-deserved time off from dieting. I found myself getting sick most of the time so I only splurged a little. Now I am in limbo and almost "frozen" because I don't know what to do next. I will not be going to Team Universe. If you read my last entry you will understand why.  

One note to my last entry: I did meet a nice young girl as we hung out till our time to go on stage. Meeting new people is always nice and following them thru their journey can be uplifting and encouraging as well.

For the most part, due to all I have seen and heard, I will probably not be competing in the NPC again. I am currently looking for another organization or show to compete in. I have no ill will towards the NPC, it is what it is. I just want a fair chance. When I make a decision I will share it with you. 

I am getting ready to do another photo shoot for myself to remember this moment. My goal is to send some out to magazines and see what happens. Actually, I want to see if anyone is willing to help me learn what you have to do to get in a magazine. This is what I will work on next. There are many successful women out there who say they want to inspire and help women. I am setting out to see if they are sincere or not. Women don't like to share this kind of information so this will be a challenge. Nothing else, it will give me a great subject to blog about. 

I have uploaded a recent commercial in which my legs made their debut. LOL Enjoy!