Not your typical before and after!

As I mentioned in my video, I am taking six weeks off from doing any form of exercise at all. I think it is important to listen to your body...and mine is saying "Hold up, I'm tired". These pictures are opposite of a typical before and after pic. It is my starting point before taking off and what happens to my body when I don't exercise. Honestly, I don't expect to 'blow" up. With somewhat proper diet, I shouldn't gain too much at all. The picture below is before and after two weeks. Keep in mind, I had had a lot of birthday cake and splurges, so I am retaining some water. Nothing to "freak" out about.

Addicted to the Gym in 30 days!

In January I launched my first e-book. This book is perfect for that person who is trying to establish the habit of going to the gym. If you have been intimidated about going to the gym because you are not sure what to do, then this will help. No one should allow their fears to stop them from reaching their goals, no matter what the goal. And offered to you at an incredibly low price, their is no risk. Check it out!


Addicted to the Gym in 30 days!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HJFTHDU

My plans for 2014

Check out my video explaining what my plans are for the 2014 season. I will be posting pics of before and after. It will be backwards though. Before taking off and immediately after completing the 6 weeks rest period. I will also share what I am eating from time to time. I will not be "strict" just decrease the calories that I am already taking in.


http://youtu.be/YNem9UQsT9A

My year at a glance!

Another year has come and gone. As I sit here to reflect back on 2013, I am humbled by the many blessings I have had throughout the year and by my personal accomplishments. I always view the health of my friends and family to be at the top. I know many who have suffered not one, but two losses this past year. I never want to take my family and friends for granted and so many times this past year I was reminded through other's experiences of just that. My children are at a fun age and this past year I have had more fun just hanging out with them than ever. I am looking forward to 2014 with them.

Competitively, I feel as if I had a very successful year. Switching from the NPC to the WBFF did not occur without much consideration. It has proven to be the right decision. Little did I know, when stepping on my first WBFF stage in May, I would earn my pro card and go on to compete in Vegas with the pros in August. What an incredible experience. I would stay busy working as a nurse, doing my weekly fitness segment, writing my first e-book,  while at the same time begin training for my first power-lifting meet in January and plan and promote a posing clinic in January as well. There is no wonder I am feeling a bit tired mentally and physically. I was featured in Bestway to Health on-line magaizine, the WBFF website as well as a couple of local papers. I met some amazing people along the way. I am so thankful for the amazing group of supporters I have. Businesses, friends, families gave of their time, money, and sometimes both in support of me. I am so thankful for them.

I teamed up with my local Complete Nutrition store, who provide me with all my supplement needs and Cathy Langley who sponsors my suits. These shows can be extremely expensive so having sponsors is a true blessing.

I am prayerfully considering what this year will hold for me. For now, I take on coaching some basketball and teaching an eight week rotation in children's church. I have plenty to keep me busy. I will also be celebrating my 40th birthday in February. I am actually very excited about that. Watch for links to me ebook and my new facebook business page as well. I hope to be launching an on-line training business in the spring.

Let's Raise a Glass to all the Stay at Home Moms

If I wasn't 3.5 weeks out from a show I would raise a glass to all the stay at home moms and especially those who are training for a show this summer. Holy Moly! It's hard! My last show was on May 25th so I only had one week where the kids were out of school before I had to compete. This time however, I have been prepping for World's the entire summer. My job allows me to make my own schedule but I have hardly worked at all this summer.

I am a stress eater (and drinker). And listening to mommy, mommy, mommy, 15 gazillion times a day and mommy he hit me, or it's my turn to play the game...well that can certainly drive you to the loony bin or to the pantry. But never as much as when you are in serious show prep mode. I have learned to take a deep breath...then another....then another. Until eventually, I am OK or I pass out. LOL

I don't want to say it is easier to train for a show without kids, but I am going to anyway. It is easier to train for a show without kids. My husband is very supportive so I can only imagine what it must be like for those of you who are training and doing all the kid rearing without the help of your spouse. Kudos to you!

So for those of you who struggle with the balance of it all, know you are not alone. And in the end, it is worth it. No one can take away your achievements or your success...even though your children may try to destroy your trophies in a battle to determine the strongest woman alive!

Sponsorships

As I prepare for my first Pro show in 3.5 weeks, I am beginning to get ideas about where to go from here. Since becoming a pro I have learned that you have to sell yourself more than ever. Everyone thinks, "Hey you're pro now, why don't you get a sponsor?" Well, Gee! Why didn't I think of that? LOL That is so much harder than you think. “The next big fitness model or athlete” is approaching companies daily. Most of them just want to give you their products and that's it. I want and NEED more than that. My show in Vegas will cost me about $2000 and that is with me having my supplements and suit sponsored. And I will be wearing the same formal again. UGH! 

Hearing NO can get you down as well...but only if you let it. I have been told NO many times and now I am being told yes by some. Others make promises and never deliver...shame on them. And some just disappoint you so bad you are paralyzed for a short time. This happened to me a couple of weeks ago when I was turned down by my gym for sponsorship. Yes, I do a weekly fitness segment for them on a local morning show for FREE! And yes I get asked all the time where I workout. They do give me a free membership, but two other gyms do that as well for me.  My dilemma stems from the fact that I LOVE the people from my gym. They have supported me so much throughout my years of competing and some have supported me financially. I really hate to ask again to be quite honest. Maybe that is pride getting in the way.

Despite these setbacks, I honestly feel God has a bigger plan for me. I am not sure where all the money will come from, but I know it will come. I had one young man offer to do a boot camp and a meet and greet and give all the money raised to me for my show. I have another young man printing t-shirts with his logo on them and putting my name on the back and sharing the proceeds with me as well. Such support. I am blessed to have people like that in my life. Not because of what they can do for me, but because I learn from them on how I can help others.

I still have a couple of different options that I will pursue. I will keep you updated on that. As for as what I am going to do after World's, that is to be seen. My goal is to have my website up and running by the end of the year. I have several different ideas on how I could share my knowledge and supplement my income as well. Wish me Luck!

You can watch me live on August 24th

PRO CARD BABY!

I did it! On May 25th, 2013 I competed in my first WBFF event and won my pro card. I did so by placing first in 35+ Bikini Diva Model. I also finished 3rd in the Open Bikini Diva Short class. What a night. I have never had so much fun on stage. If you have ever read any of my blogs in the past, you may know that I am not a natural on stage. In fact, I have never enjoyed being on stage. That was just a means to an end. Well not any more. I rocked it on that stage and while I do "fake it till I make it", I actually started believing it myself this time. I have gotten some feedback from judges and non-judges alike who said "You Rocked it!" I never thought I would have anyone, much less a judge say that about me. I knew my posing was good, but not my sass and swagger. I was very pleased with my physique. I do believe I was holding a little water this time. My hormones are off right now, so that may have accounted for that. While me backside has improved dramatically over the last year, there is still room for improvement. The shape is great, just need to work a little more on that ham/glute tie in.

The number one question I have been getting is what does having your Pro Card mean? Well, it's like any athlete going from amateur to pro ranks. Arnold Schwarzenegger was a pro in the IFBB. And while it is not like a pro football player (where you get paid to play) it is somewhat the same status among your peers. I will compete for money however. Having a pro status can possibly open up a lot of doors for you. It really just depends on what your goals are and how hard you are willing to work. Some want to be fitness models, others want to promote their training or other business. I would like to find a big sponsor to just cover the cost of competing. I think it's fun but comes with financial burdens. I have a few things I am considering doing, but nothing for sure yet. My number one priority is my family and they will obviously take center stage before anything else.

Right now I am taking a couple of weeks off to spend with my family then I will be hard at it again. The World Championship is in 12 weeks in Vegas and I will be there with my sass and swagger. Feel free to friend me on my facebook page or like my other page to see pictures.

https://www.facebook.com/CandaceHarmonBikiniCompetitor?ref=hl

https://www.facebook.com/candace.harmon.5?ref=tn_tnmn