Yes, I have cellulite too!

I think there is often a misunderstanding when it comes to fitness competitors. First of all, most of us do not stay in stage shape. Some will stay more fit than others and some let themselves go. I am not constantly doing photo-shoots, so I just try to stay a couple of weeks out from "photo ready". The longer you maintain a healthy lifestyle, the easier it is to maintain a leaner look. As I have been laying off the gym the last 4 weeks, I have tried not to look at myself constantly in the mirror. This will only give me time to critique the negative changes. That is why weekly I have been taking a photo of my abs and being done with it. My goal was to eat healthy and monitor the changes. But let me be honest, I have not eaten real clean. Surprisingly however, there has not been that much change in my mid-section (that's a good thing). But wait, I noticed the changes in my thighs. I have always had some cellulite, even in my younger 20's. I hated it and for the most part I am not a fan. However, as I have competed, I have learned to give less attention to that negative part and focus more on the positive parts...like a tight mid-section that I didn't have prior to eating healthy and competing. 

So why have I never shared cellulite photos? Well, for a couple of different reasons. First of all, ewe! Why show the part of me I hate worse? Secondly, as I became more "OK" with it I was afraid of the responses, mainly from those who have lots of cellulite. I could hear them saying..."Where? I don't see any. That's not much." But for me it bothered me the same. That's where I am just like you. I do have insecurities and it is hard to show your vulnerability.

What is cellulite? There are so many different answers to what it is and why some have it and others don't. I believe it to be somewhat hormonal related as to how much you have. It seems to show up more around our periods. This could be do to water retention as well. It will be more prevalent when you are retaining water. It has also been thought to be the way the muscle fibers cross in women. More like a tic-tac-toe design than in men. And of course fat. Once you develop fat cells they are there. As you lose fat and get leaner those fat cells shrink and are less noticeable. They don't go away. That may be the best explanation. I have more prominent cellulite on my right thigh. It does not go away until my body fat falls below 12 percent. I don't stay below 12 percent, therefore I usually always have it. Whatever the reason...why don't men have it as much? LOL

Anyway, after taking 4 weeks off and not eating my typical meal plan my cellulite has become more prominent. In fact, I see it more now on my left thigh as well. It's hard to get a good picture (thankfully) of my cellulite by myself. Is it because I have gained fat, or because the foods I am eating are high in sodium and causing me to retain water? It could be a combination of both. Below are my pics from first week to 4th week off from the gym and yes, my cellulite pic. Be kind...I'm normal.

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