Comeback Kid

"Don't be discouraged by setbacks. A set-back is a set-up for a come-back."

Getting sick right now (Less than 7 weeks out from Vancouver) has taken its toll and I am trying not to panic. A couple of my team mates and I got together last night to practice our posing and presentation routine fully clad (or lack there of) in bikinis and heels at my training gym. The high school boys made quite the audience mixed in with the two girls practicing their break dancing to Katy Perry's 'California Girls' (stage left) and the MMA fighter taking flying leaps and jabs at the punching bag (stage right). Pretty awesome if you were walking by and peeked in the windows to the group exercise room. Think three girls in bikinis and heels wedged between two girls spinning around on their backs and a sweaty grappler attacking the punching bag. Yep awesome! It was very successful, each one of us posing individually for the others and we ended up taking pictures to document our progress and physiques. Following this pose off, two of us walked next door for our Sunday night cheat meal. Earlier during the day, I received a text from my mom that read "buy your friends their cheat meal on me :) " immediately followed by another text from her that said "is that like offering to feed a football team???$$$" ooooh mom, do I love you!

Today is a new day and the beginning to a new week of training and like the quote above says, I am setting myself up for a come-back. I have been slightly (ok those of you who know me, know that slightly and panic are never side by side. It is more like I am very, very) panicked about losing muscle, lacking in progress, and not meeting my goal for the week. The one thing I have been practicing and really focusing on is keeping all self-talk positive. I know that my body needs time to heal and recover and I also know that I have made huge gains since day one and I should be proud of myself. Don't get me wrong, I am proud of myself but I also am very competitive and instead of seeing the positive progress I sometimes spend too much time focusing on what still needs work. Since love is in the air and I am pretty sure Cupid shot me in the bum (or maybe that is still from last weeks heavy leg press) I want to say that I love myself, I love my body, and I am dang proud of where I am and this week is going to be filled with health, happiness and love.

    Left: Day one                             Right: 9 Weeks out

Ciao for now,  J

From the Heart

I recently heard a quote from a man that said, "The fear of not being enough is paralyzing." Through this journey to the figure stage, I have had twists and turns, ups and downs, and full on grab the Oh crap handle, brakes skidding to a halt one-inch from the car in front of me experiences. This quote really resonated with me because when I compare myself to other figure competitors and gym-goers, I feel less than adequate sometimes and fear that I will never be good enough or "big enough" to hit the stage. This is a constant battle I deal with and I have to keep telling myself that I am my own worst critic and I am also my own worst enemy. I know how hard I have worked and it all lies in ME what will or will not be accomplished through training, dieting, posing along with all the details in between. Coming from an individual who is Type-A and also has anxiety about pretty much everything, these thoughts are paralyzing...

How am I making it through those mind-stalling traffic jams that leaves me feeling like I am piggy backing an elephant around? There are many inspirational and heart-warming people as well as experiences that have helped yank Dumbo off my back. A recent encounter that occurred yesterday while at the gym was when a gentleman approached me, Batman and Robin at a row machine. He was disabled but had such a bright personality and told us that Jesus was the sun in the sky and that he also could do the machine we were on. He then proceeded to joke around with us and asked me if I was a cop because of my muscles and if I used them to rough people up. His whole demeanor really made me stop and think that there will always be things in life that will drag you down but there is also soooo much more worth living for and to never ever stop loving life! Another occurrence that truly took me back was when talking with a team member during cardio one day. She and I were discussing all the things that had to be done in the next 7 (yes 7!!) weeks before the first show. I was complimenting her on her physique and all the hard work that she has put in when she stopped and said, "you know you are going to rock it right?" I looked at her all cock-eyed and sideways before she continued on. I got all teary-eyed before half tripping off the treadmill to give her a gigantic sweaty hug. Sometimes you just need to hear those things to turn your day around. A little compliment, a smile, a friendly gesture can really make someones day and I challenge you do just that!

Ciao for now,  J