Choosing your competition

  Every year about this time I start getting the question " Do you have a show coming up?" Very few times do I have someone ask how I come about picking a show. Recently however, I have been getting this question more often.

  First of all, I pray about each show. I really feel that the Holy Spirit guides me to picking my shows. Case and point.... I had my heart set on doing the Master's Nationals this year. I have wanted to do this show for two years and just knew this was the year. God would have different plans for me this year. At least that is what it looks like thus far. I was asked to do the spray tanning for a new local show coming up. Wouldn't you know it would be the same weekend. I told the promoters I would have to pray about it and that's what I did. I prayed that God would make it clear what I needed to do. Do I do what I have wanted to do or take this job that could prove to be quite lucrative? Remember, I have my kids in private school so every penny counts in this household. It would be no longer than a week when I would get another offer to work as a nurse at a camp for blind kids. I have done this camp for two years and it always falls around the fourth of July. Well, not this year. They opted to move it.... yep you guessed it, the same week as the competitions. It was very clear to me that I could not give up this financial opportunity. Assuming contract negotiations go smoothly, I will be skipping the Master's Nationals this year.

  What size show should you pick? For me, and I have said this before, I want to compete. At this stage of my training I want bigger shows. I believe if you are starting out, then smaller shows are a great place to start. You can get the experience of competing in a show without the overwhelming level of competition. What constitutes a small show? I think a show where you have less than 10 competitors in a class is small. There are many shows where there are less than five. I personally, won't compete in these right now. I'd rather be number five out of thirteen than number one out of three. Smaller non-qualifying shows tend to be less competitive. Now don't get me wrong. I have been to small shows with three people and number one was in it to win it. But I have also seen where number one would not have made top ten in a National qualifying show. So you have to decide what do you want? Do you just want to get a feel for competing? Do you just want a trophy? Or do you want to compete with the best? There is a place for all of these. You decide which one is the right fit for you. 

  I also consider who the head judge is going to be. After competing in and attending a few shows, you can get a good idea of which judges you feel will like your look, or those who don't play favorites as often. I don't want to bash anyone in particular, but let's be honest...there is politics just about everywhere you go and everyone knows it. Keep at it long enough and you will likely get your break. I call or email and ask who the head judge is. I do this because the head judge has a huge influence in picking the first call outs. If I get a name I don't want to hear, I do not do the show. I look for another show who's head judge is a better fit for me.

  My plan this year is to compete in two National level shows. I have also chosen to compete in a smaller show only 2 hrs from home. I made this decision for three different reasons.

#1. My workout partner, who is an older gentleman, has decided to enter his first show. He has supported me for years and it’s my turn to show my support for him. While I would be very content to just go and watch, he wants me to compete in the show as well. This would put us dieting at the same time and our goals very similar.

#2. It would be a great opportunity to "play" with the diet. This show will fall only a few weeks before my first National level show and I can use it as a practice. This is what will be a challenge. I felt I was a little flat last summer at my show, but I was too scared to add more carbs. I guess I was worried about making it worse with too many carbs. This time I am going in with the attitude that I have to see what works. I will consult with my trainer while at the show and make the necessary adjustments.

#3. I am READY for another show. Plainly said, I just want to do another show and don't want to wait till June. 

So regardless if you are new to the industry or a regular fixture on the competition circuit, there is a show that is right for you. If you feel confused and lost about picking a show, then ask someone who competes regularly. You can also go watch some shows. Do the call outs make sense to you? Were the judges consistent in their call outs? These are just a couple of things to look for when attending a show. Above all, have fun. If competing is not fun then it has all been for nothing. Hang it up and pick a new hobby. J