Friday, April 26, 2013

The After - Thank Yous, Details, and Ramblings

FINALLY I have gotten around to writing my post show blog.  Now that the tan has mostly worn off and I've had the week to remind myself that eating crap will result in me looking like crap, I can reflect on the last 2 weeks. But before I do that I have ALOT of thank yous.

1) To my husband.  When you and I decided we were going to do the show together the first thing that came in to my head was us not talking for 4 months. But something amazing happened, we had a BLAST! We became this well oiled machine that could workout, prep food, pack lunches within a couple hours. This show brought us to another level in our relationship and I can't wait to do it all over again for September. :)

2) My mom.  My number one freakin fan 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  Thank you for buying chicken when it was on sale. Thank you for watching our 3 dudes when we left for the competition.  The words "thank you" don't feel like enough for all that you do for us all the time.  xoxo

3) My friends!! Who listened to me whine, complain, babble about the same things all the time because I couldn't remember if I told you. Talked me down from food ledges, ALWAYS asked how I was feeling/doing.  I love you all.

4) My sponsors Gorilla Jack.  Martin the All Seeing All Knowing and Barry the Gentle Giant.  You are more than just sponsors you are my friends. Always making sure I was feeling ok during prep, answering every question I ever had, and bringing me peanut butter for my birthday. 

5) My trainer Ainsley McSorley.  I was a basket case at the beginning of this prep. My mind would change from one minute to the next.  I'm sorry I sent so many emails. lol  You pushed me hard because you knew I needed it and I thank you.  I haven't felt this good for a year and you helped me get back here.  xoxo

6) Everybody else. There are so many other people who would check in through Facebook and email etc so I just wanted to say you are just as much a part of this as everyone above. Thank you. :)

NOW, let's get down to the good stuff. 

The competition: Fitness Star International
The place: Brandon, Manitoba


When I saw the FS show in Winnipeg in November 2012 I KNEW I had to compete in it. Regardless of my loathing at the time for competitions, I knew FS was something different.  It was just what I needed.  Michael Ryan and James Erdt are the most down to earth people, REALLY wanting to connect at the ground level with the athletes.  Being able to talk directly to the powers that be makes me feel like I'm really a part of something.  That I'm not just another number on the stage.

The show itself is unlike any other show.  There's a live DJ on the stage spinning tunes to get everyone excited and pumped.  I don't think anyone realizes what up tempo music can do for a person who is dehydrated and full of rice and potatoes. lol  The calibre of athletes is amazing, everyone so friendly and wanting to know your story.  This makes for a great backstage environment! 

Since the show was 2 hours away from home, hubby and I had to bring everything we needed with us. The hotel room was packed. We even brought our own blankets, sheets, and towels so we wouldn't get in trouble with the hotel for staining them with tanner. (that crap doesn't come out of anything).  I have to say I thought being away from home would be stressful but it was fanastic.  I did all my own hair and makeup which gave me time to rest a little more and really enjoy the process.  My poor husband was so sick but he was an absolute trooper through the show. What he lacked this show he'll definitely make up for in September. 

Fast forward to now, being a week post show, this part was the part that worried me the most. Last year I gained about 10-15lbs within a couple of weeks from stress binge eating. It hurt, ALOT.  As usual I stressed and planned and made sure I constantly had an inner dialogue with myself about food.  My mantra being "Food is not connected to your emotions."  While I have indulged in a few treats and cheats, it has been NO where near the amount of food I ate last year.  The majority of my day is filled with clean eats however it's just that second last meal of the day, supper if you will, that gets me every time.  I did take the week off from working out to let my body recoup some. This was mostly due to a chest cough that intensifies the more I breathe. Awesome, right? It feels like it's starting to get better but regardless, Monday is my official workout start back date. I'm excited to be honest. I have felt WAY out of sorts letting myself rest this week. I know my body needed it, obviously since I haven't been sick in years, but knowing that I long to be up in the morning doing cardio and hitting the weights right after work tells me I am finally getting to the place I've been longing for.  For right now I'm just trying to function as a normal, healthy person, prepping clean foods that I like to eat from a guideline my trainer has given me.  For some dumb reason this is harder than it seems. For the last 4 months I've been reading my food off a paper on my fridge and to be able to plug in whatever protein/carb/fat I want makes my mind turn to mush. lol  That being said, repetition should fix all of that. I hope.

SO! My current motivation for eating clean and working out is the FS show in September.  Now that I've lost my 20lbs I am finally in the proper starting position for a really great prep.  I am definitely on my way to finding balance this summer and just having an over all fantastic year.  Thank you again to everyone who was a part of this amazing journey. :)

5 comments:

  1. Awesome! Time to make off season fabulous too! Love it.

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  2. What did you think of the Fitness Star organization? Well run event?

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    1. An AMAZINGLY well run event Janessa!! I was in two categories and they were making sure that the girls who were doing the same thing not only had enough time but were punctual to make sure the show ran smooth. James Erdt and Michael Ryan are amazingly down to earth. They sit with you at registration to get to know you, to assess your body, and to make sure you put yourself in the proper category. I had asked about my judging info two days after the show and it was back within an hour with EXTREMELY detailed information. Amazing people, amazing show, definitely a breath of fresh air. :)

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  3. Awesome to hear! Maybe see you on stage in September then :)

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    1. FANTASTIC! You won't regret it. Be sure to introduce yourself. And if you're at the MABBA provincials on May 25th come find me at the Gorilla Jack booth. :)

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