So I actually competed for the first time in 2022!!
After over 20 years training in gyms, with an instant love for weight training at 18 years old, at last my time came to compete on stage…. I finally got around to doing what I dreamt of in 2022.
The reason I didn’t compete earlier and get into bodybuilding seriously?…well I had my eldest daughter at the age of 25, 15 months later my second, then 8 years later my third. Its not just the pregnancy and then getting back into shape afterwards. As all parents will know, they come first and take up all free time…in a nice way! There was no way I could even contemplate strict dieting whilst they were young and guarantee I would never miss a training session, it was impossible….majority of their lives I have raised them as a single parent.
So my youngest hit 8 and I decided I was going for it!…18 months serious training, like I’ve never trained before. Serious clean bulking food as I’ve never ate before….never missing a meal. Then January 2022 I started dieting ready for a show in May. It was so hard. I love food…eating different things and I love chocolate! I stuck to plan and only had a cheat meal once a week. At frist I thought nothing is happening, but then realised when comparing photos weeks into it that it was. It seemt slow but yes my shape was starting to come through.
I kept trying to imagine how I would look when I got to stage point. I just couldn’t believe I could get my body in that condition…others can see things you can’t (as long as they are experienced in this).
April came…I was thrown off track. All that hard work dieting and training! My prep was ruined due to a personal incident which lead me to hospital and I couldn’t train for weeks after to my full ability. I was devastated but I kept going the best I could, being careful not to push myself too much and cause for problems.
I took a holiday in April to relax and rest, clear my head. I came back and decided to smash it! Chose a show beginning of July, which gave me 8 weeks.
I had ate and drank a lot on holiday, completely off my plan but I felt I was ready.
The weeks flew! I put in 3-4 hours every day training, cardio, practising posing and learning a routine. The routine I had to have help from a dance teacher, it was hard for me..I was determined to nail it though and must have practised it over 2000 times! The posing was not natural for me either…I had lessons and watched olympia contestants on utube whilst I did my cardio. No way was I getting on stage looking awkward!
I was worried and nervous the last few weeks, wondering if I would be ready. I trusted the process and the advice I was given and kept going. You sure need a coach to do this! The last few days I was amazed !…I have never seen my body like that!…I always wanted to and I could not believe I had got to that level.
The day came…I was so so nervous. I got up and did everything I practiced….I came back home with 1st place in Trained figure!!!!……at last my time came to compete on stage!………Next blog I will tell the rest of the story of my competing year.