Day ZERO

So today I met my coaches. A married couple, whom I will call A & G until I make sure they don't mind me mentioning them,  who have been in the figure and bodybuilding industry for years and have the experience I need to coach me through. Our first workout and posing practice starts tomorrow at 4:30 pm and I can't wait! The competition is October 1, 2011 near San Fransisco, CA.

For those not familiar with figure comps and what that means here's a breakdown:

Figure comp: Comp that judges how immaculately you have trained, shaped your physique, and how eating such a healthy diet results in a lean form. Most people imagine the tan glossy body builders, and you're right but also wrong. Tan and glossy yes. Why? Because under stage lights and with muscular fitness it enhances the contrast of your definition during competition. Wrong because I will not be body building. Figure comps are a portion of the aforementioned but think womens fitness magazine cover model. There ya go....below is my goal..obviously not me. YET.

Diet: This will be the death of me. It's strict and insanely healthy and clean and due to my enormous sweet/carb tooth, I'm sure I'm about to go through some serious withdrawals. Meals are clean like egg whites, plain tuna, protein powder, green vegetables, brown rice, chicken...high proteins and healthy carbs. No candy, Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks, none of that...for 17 weeks. Come on October 1!!!

Workout: weight training and cardio. Soreness everyday. Everyday. Yes I said everyday. Love her arms.

Tanning: Yes I'll have to do. It'll look crazy...but my muskuls will look even better!!!!

Posing: Means we practice how I pose during the competition, poses are not  much more than a position you hold to showcase your results. It's actually an art and hard to do. I tried to "fan" my lats out yesterday to create the illusion of a V from rib cage to waistline. This is a plus for the judges and crucial to success on stage. I'm now sore from just trying to figure out how to "pop" them out.

PICTURES: DISCLAIMER if you are squeamish and have no intention of seeing me in a two piece back out now. I repeat run away now. If you like transformation stories then you are in the right place. My first pictures will be of Day 1 and maybe my first attempt at posing which I'm bound to look goofy trying until I get it down. Bear with me, the results and the progression are going to be worth it. I'm trying to sound confident so I hold myself more accountable. Here goes the first dreaded before picture: (will post after tomorrow's session, hang tight. Though I doubt you're on the edge of your seat)

Why am I doing this you ask?

What I've always wanted to do is a figure competition. I have had many reactions ranging from "You're crazy", "Why would you want to do that?", to "What attracts you to that". Well here are my reactions: I'm not crazy, I'm highly motivated. I would want to do that because I am all about pushing myself to new limits and not finding my limits but not believing to have them. I have run triathlons, 1/2 marathons, marathons, and always enjoyed strength training and fitness. But I have never truly trained for any of these. I have also thought numerous times to for once try something, start it and finish it. I'm humbled and grateful I have been active enough throughout my life to not struggle with completing these things. But when it comes to dedication to one goal, with a structure there, a strict diet and an end goal to to be in the best shape I have ever been...I've never done it. I've struggled with my weight many years despite my lungs to complete a run and I'm in no risk for my health it's truly a personal goal I have always had. What's most important it's the one that as a person, you know is the hardest thing you've ever committed to, the most rewarding to envision completing, and the one you know will help build that you inside that is yearning to grow. I gave birth to my first child 9 months ago, my beautiful daughter. I never want her to think she is restricted to do anything she wants to do and since many of us think that after birth it's just too hard....well it is hard. But it can be done. So during this first year of her life I am going to start by setting an example that you can do anything you envision doing as long as you have the passion to do it. I hope if you're stuck around long enough to read this through, you will come back and visit me often to lend support and positive encouragement along my journey. Thanks for sticking around this far!