Happy, Fit 'n Free: TBT: Competition Prep, Vol. 1

I've decided to start dedicating my Thursday posts to a "Throwback" theme. Woohoo! More #tbt in your feed! 😉

I'm considering competing again once the craziness of wedding planning has subsided (woohoo!), and it got me to thinking about my competition prep experience. I haven't competed since November of 2014. It's been awhile!

I actually used to keep a separate blog dedicated just to that (ironbikini!) but it has long since disappeared off the interwebs. Sad face.

So, let's start from the beginning.

Why on earth did I start doing bodybuilding competitions anyway?

Former endurance athlete? Whaaaat? How does that happen?

Well, it all started one November in 2012 when I went to support a dear friend of mine in her first bikini competition. It wasn't just bikini competitors, but also figure, physique, and bodybuilding. I was so inspired. I thought to myself "I want to do that!"

And that's it. I was hooked. It's usually just that simple for me. Once I set my mind on something, there is not much that will change it.

I had just gotten out of a serious relationship and needed something to focus on. I had put on some extra weight and thought this would be a good motivator to shed a few pounds. I was nearing 140 lbs which my 5'4 frame had never hit before. Yikes! My stage weight ultimately ended up being under 115 lbs.

So I hired a coach and trained trained trained. It was quite the experience. I could go on and on about it. In fact, I did in my former blog... LOL.

The dieting was the biggest thing to wrap my head around. Lots of food prep. Lots of counting of macro-nutrients. Meal timing. Eating 6-7 meals a day. Not being able to eat out. No alcohol. No sugar. No bread. My life literally revolved around thinking about food. Seriously. There's a reason they say "Abs are made in the kitchen..."

The working out bit wasn't too hard. I had to add some extra cardio towards the end, so that was time consuming. But certainly not as time consuming as Ironman training (I'll save that for another #tbt blog post!).

I competed in my first show in April 2013 and placed 4th and 5th! Woohoo!

I competed again in May and picked up 3rd and 4th. WoohooHOO!

Then in October ... 2nd place! WoohoohooHOO!

And ultimately again in October and November 2014 ... which included a 1st place win! OMG!!!!!

(with my girlfriend who got me into competing)

I had acquired quite the collection of hardware.

I felt fulfilled.

Sort of.

It had taken its toll in other areas of my life and I decided to take a break from it.

Find balance again.

Enjoy eating without stressing about macros.

Enjoy alcohol.

Enjoy dating.

Because it's kind of hard to date when you can't eat or drink.

And here I am. About to be married. And married to a man who is intrigued by the challenge of cooking for me during prep and making sure it is all stuff that fits into my diet. I know.

Have I mentioned lately have truly BLESSED I feel?!?!?

#oneluckychic

And it will have its challenges, I'm sure.

He'll have to get used to the crazy tan.