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!

Pre judging

So last night was pre-judging and it didn't go so well for me. I didn't mess up and I looked my best ever. It just wasn't going to be good enough. The show started at 3pm. I did not go on till 7:15pm. That is ridiculous. That screws up meal times, what your hair looks like, plus your feet hurt and you are tired. I remember being back stage about to go on and thinking this..."Am I having fun?" No this is not fun. I'm tired, my feet hurt, and these girls are not overly friendly. They hang out in there groups and don't try to meet anyone. By groups I mean like the "Bombshells". Smaller shows you can usually meet more people that you will stay in touch with. I did meet one girl at the airport who was very sweet and who I will likely keep in contact with, but no one at the show.

They escorted us on the stage one at a time. You had 10 seconds to do your thing and then exit off. You were then brought back on 10 or so at a time. They had us turn around once and that was it. You exited off the stage again. They brought everyone back on stage and started callouts. There was only 4 in the first callouts. That is very strange. Usually its five. Some classes there was 3 called out or 6. This is confusing. I noticed the head judge talking to some man sitting beside her. I kept thinking, they are not really judging this group.

I was unfortunately in the last call outs, which was probably the back half of the group. We had 22 in class B.  I was probably so far back I won't even be scored. So I exit off the stage, strip off those 5 inch heels and head back to the dressing room. I feel defeated, but not really too upset. If I deserve to be in the back then that's that. I didn't know what my competition looked like so I couldn't really complain. Fast forward an hour or so when I have had time to look at the pictures. I could see why 3 of the 4 were in first call outs. After that, it's anyone's game. I do believe I looked better than some that were called out before me. Now I'm a little pissed. All this time and effort for what? I feel a little politics being involved.

I had the opportunity to talk to someone who knows this industry quite well, actually judges. Learned a lot. When you have certain trainers who girls always do well you take notice. Never mind they have been in town with their limos taking the judges out and partying (many times I hear) with them. These groups bring in tons of money to the NPC/IFBB. If you require your girls to purchase so much in NPC products, do so many shows a year, don't you think the organization would want your girls to win? You are a commodity to them. Overheard as well is that the NPC really does not want to let in any more trainers. What does that mean? Well, only so many girls can win and when you have several groups swooning you, you eventually max out on these top fives or wins. What a dilemma. I call bullshit on all of it. I saw several girls in the taller classes that should have been in the first callouts that didnt even make second callouts. I can at least understand some of  the reasoning behind some of the callouts in my class.

The sad part is to see the disappointment on these girls faces. They are women like me who went in actually thinking they had a chance. I always believe, and still do, that God is in control. Things can only happen if God allows them to happen. It is not his will that I win or place in this show. In fact, I don't think it was an accident that that person was sitting beside my husband and friend and shared his own frustration as a judge. Maybe my competing days are over, or maybe doing small local shows just to stay in shape is what I am supposed to do. Either way, I am at peace this morning. I will get dressed, eat my grits, tan, do my hair, put on my makeup, and bring the swagger tonight just as if I still had a chance to WIN. Why bother you ask? Because I am a COMPETITOR!

Just tired

This is what I meant to post last night.

Long day. I really wanted to be able to post some video from the show tomorrow, but this show will kick you out if you are seen with your video camera (or phone) out. I will however try to blog my reactions and thoughts on the show. I'm having trouble with my iphone being inconsistent with which way to hold the phone when recording video. Frustrating!

Chicago Bound

Jr. Nationals

It' finally here, the show I have been training for now for a year. I am actually headed to Chicago as I write. I am at 9 percent bodyfat at 112 lbs. With the exception of my last show five weeks ago, this is the most I have ever weighed at show time. In fact, I have never weighed more than 106lbs. That is major improvement. And let me tell you...you can certainly see the difference. I am going to try doing video entries throughout my experience here at Jr. Nationals. Stay tuned.