1 day down... about 80 more to go!

Yesterday was a success! My biggest personal challenge is getting past the first full day on diet/in the gym and that hurdle has been jumped. Working in a stressful environment creates difficultly for me in avoiding night eating when I get home from work and I often lack the energy/drive to get my workouts in. I worked from home yesterday so that I'd have a 3 day weekend to be sure I'm back in the groove before facing a work day.

I was also excited when I was at the gym on the elliptical and got to watch the E! THS: Female Bodybuilders, which I had wanted to see. Even better was that my new ad that launched last week ran while I was watching... that admittedly caused me to erupt into applause on the machine. It's the little things. My favorite part of the show was the figure girl that commented: there are times where you don't want to talk to anyone by the day, you're often exhausted and at the gym sometimes you just can't speak because anything that comes out of your mouth will be a curse word. But this is a choice that you've made because this is something that you want to do and feels good to you.

How It All Started

For years I've been subscribing to Oxygen Magazine- I've always loved working out and have been interesting by physique competitions, but never did I think I'd ever be one of those competitors. Last winter I started working out with a trainer that is an athlete in the Fitness Division, who ultimately introduced me to the realization that I could be one of those tanned and toned women if that is what I wanted to do. She made me realize that competing wasn't as daunting as I had made it in my mind. Of course there was a lot of work to be done, dedication and sacrifice- but we were taking baby steps.

My first was a small local NPC show where I competed in the Bikini Division. I am grateful for making my debut in a comfortable sized event and for all of the support I felt on the day of the show from all of the fabulous girls I train with and of course my rockstar trainer. I can't believe that day was over six weeks ago...... not to mention twenty pounds ago! Which brings me to today- the first day of the second time around.

I invite you to follow my journey to get back into dieting/training for my second NPC Bikini Competition- stay tuned...