Well it has been one long journey for me and 1 full year of ups and downs getting ready for 1st ever figure competition at age 40! The diet sucks, the workouts are grueling but it's been more than worth the wait. I did have some setbacks but I was not going to let that stop me from goal. first stumble was difficulty gaining the muscle I needed to compete. I ate more food than I care to describe and honestly, it was hard getting every bite in but I did. Being an endurance performer is much different than what I'm figure competition training. Because I was so lean to begin with, I had to retrain muscles to gain. That meant NO CARDIO for 3 months. It was really hard for me, because I LOVE TO RUN. But I knew I had to bust it out! The first 2 links below were taken about 5 years ago before I began running. Boy was I sloppy looking!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb63 ... orkout.jpg
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb63 ... rkout2.jpg
These next two are from entry in Sarah's (from this site) 12 week bikini challenge. I did feel better, but looking back, I think I was too skinny. That was a result of all the cardio I did. Between running, swimming, and cycling, I was losing a lot of muscle even though I was weight training. I entered first triathlon and came in 5th place in age group. It was awesome!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb63 ... hrink2.jpg
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb63 ... hrink2.jpg
Now new journey began, 1st figure competition and I faced yet another struggle diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Discovered through a blood test, I had no signs or symptoms but still needed to be put on synthroid to control by thyroid. Of course that meant metabolism was gonna be kickin' up a notch, which resulted in...yes...MORE FOOD! OMG, I thought I would never make it through the last bite. About 4 weeks ago I had an injury to trap muscle and workout day on back took a "back seat" until i was able to work it out with physical therapy. Now I'm back in the saddle again and in the process of "leaning out". I gained a total of 12 pounds of muscle and competition weight should be around 130#'s. Being 5'8", I carried the weight well and leaning out has been a breeze now that I can do cardio again. Other than really feeling hungry, I have no complaints and trainer is very happy with progress as I was quite the challenge for him. So below are latest pics. I hired a fantastic posing coach and terrific trainer has been really phenomenal with all ups and downs. I will be sure to post pics from the show. Thanks for all your support!
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb63 ... C02374.jpg
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb63 ... C02375.jpg
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb63 ... C02379.jpg
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb63 ... C02391.jpg
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb63 ... C02394.jpg
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb63 ... C02406.jpg
22 Days till I compete!
Moderators: Boss Man, cassiegose
