I Did It!!!

Remember in my Shame On Me!! post when I said

 "I've also handed the reins over to someone else in order to be

 more competitive (would love to win an overall title one day!), 

make the necessary changes to my physique, 

and get my nutrition on point."? 

Well, it happened!!! 

photo credit

Last Saturday I won Figure Class A and the Overall Figure title at the NPC Terminator! I was honestly in shock! After prejudging, I thought that I had placed second in the class and I was perfectly ok with that. But in the end, it was my number and name that they called when they announced first place & the overall winner. I can't describe to you what it felt like to be standing in the middle of that line, tiara on my head, 1st place trophy at my feet, hearing my friends and family cheer for me. It was an amazing feeling and I will never forget it!

I know a recap (not only for this show but the Dennis James Classic) is necessary but I don't want to do that in this post. Right now I would like to take the time to thank a few folks!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

• Thank you to Tom aka The Boss #2 - my unofficial coach & trainer, "It's Crunch Time" reminder, and partner in crime. I know prep is hard, not only for me but you as well. I know that the last few months have been crazy with all of the changes but you stuck it out with me and even made me grilled cheese sandwiches! Thank you for supporting and sometimes carrying me on your shoulders (even if I'm a walrus)! 
• Thank you to my incredible family (Mom, Dad, Reecie, Jonathan, Uncle James, Aunt Margaret, Little James, Clarisse, Josh, Josue, Pam, Jack, Crissy) for putting up with my "I can't have that" on Family Day, listening to my boring prep talk, and coming to my show! I love you guys and know that I couldn't have accomplished so many of the things that I have without you guys!
• Thank you to my #IronFamily! Nate, Jimmy, Pancho, Philip, and Brandy! You guys are so amazing. The encouragement, support, love, and positive energy you provide is more than a meathead could ever ask for! :)
• Thank you to my gym Desert Sports & Fitness, specifically Joella and Steve! I appreciate you guys making sure that not only I, but all of the other DSF members have a top notch gym to get gains in :)       Joella - thank you again for all of the times you've been my post office box and let me sneak my meals into the refrigerator. I'm pretty sure I owe you more Starbucks, yogurt parfaits, and chocolate than I can keep track of. Steve - I know I'm you're favorite. That's why you give me so much shit, right?? :) Thanks for keeping things interesting!
• Thank you to my amazing friends (Lo, KC, Marissa, Chelsea, Savannah, Jenny, and everyone else I forgot to name)! I have never been that girl who had a large group of friends but the friends I did have were/are QUALITY. You have no idea what your texts, lunches, video messages, shopping dates, dinner dates, etc mean to me. You help me keep my sanity. You remind me that despite my craziness & my tendency to close myself off - there are still people who want to be a part of my life and care for me. I don't deserve you but am so thankful for you. 
• Thank you to Mason for helping me prepare for this show. I know we didn't have a lot of time to work together but I'm definitely happy with what we were able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. P.S. Dafuq is "carb sensitive"?? ;)
• Thank you to those of you reading this! I know I haven't been as consistent with this thing as I have been in the past but I appreciate you still being here and following me on this wacky journey. You guys rock my world!

Now....where did I put my tiara?? :)

Shame on Me!!

It's been over a month since the last time I posted something! That's a damn shame. I offer no excuses. I go from feeling like I don't have much to say to feeling like I have so much to share but can't manage to form a coherent sentence.

What can I say?? I'm a hot damn mess :)

Let's talk competitions! I promise at some point to provide a proper recap post but right now, I'll just give you the Cliff's Notes version. I competed in Figure at the Dennis James Classic in Phoenix on May 31st. While my prep for the show was full of craziness, I arrived in Phoenix feeling pretty solid about the physique I would be presenting. In the end, I walked away with 3rd place. As I always do after each show, I emailed the head judge for feedback so I'm intrigued to find out what he has to say.

Here are some pictures to hold you over until I get an actual recap done!

Brandi (fellow #IronGal) and I met Dennis James after athlete check-ins!

Officially checked in - Figure Class D! 

Originally I had planned to do two July competitions following the Dennis James Classic but that plan has been completely revamped :)

My next show will be the NPC Terminator and it's in a little less than 3 weeks! The really awesome thing about this show is that it's here in Tucson! The Princess will be able to attend the show (I've been instructed that "you better win it, Mom!") as well as other family members, some of my friends, and my #IronFamily. It will also be fun to hang out with everyone after the show - bring on the food, booze, and shenanigans!

I've also handed the reins over to someone else in order to be more competitive (would love to win an overall title one day!), make the necessary changes to my physique, and get my nutrition on point. Past coach/athlete relationships did not work out as well as I had anticipated so I was hesitant to hire a new coach. I really figured Tom & I could continue to do this competition thing on our own for the remainder of this year and then when it was time, we would have a serious conversation about whether or not I should continue to compete.

While at the Dennis James Classic, I ran into a coach/trainer that I've come to know over the past few years. His fiancee and I have competed together at some of the same shows and as recently as a month ago, one of his clients rented one of my competition suits for her national debut. He and I politely chit-chatted like we usually do and then I heard myself saying something about me feeling like it was time for us to talk seriously about becoming one of his athletes. About a week after the show, I called him and we had a great conversation (complete with "AHA" moments for me) about my goals, my training, nutrition, etc. I didn't want to make any decisions without Tom's input so he & Tom spoke to one another the next night. In the end, Tom told me the decision was mine to make and he would support me no matter what I chose to do. He added that he appreciated that this particular coach was willing to not only answer questions from me but my husband as well. Tom told me he liked what he heard and thought it would be smart of me to work with him. What could I say after that!?! :)

Two weeks ago, I officially hired Mason of Team MFit AZ as my coach/trainer and from the moment I put myself in his hands, he has been whoopin' my ass!

The last couple of weeks have been an adjustment, not only because of my new training & meal plans but work as well. Mason asked me how I was feeling during my check in over the weekend and I told him, "Like shit" (I was being slightly dramatic) but he explained to me what changes he saw taking place and then  sent me this photo:

Of course I could pick this apart but bottom line, I look better 2 weeks out than I did one day out from my last show. It's been tough and I've felt weak at times but I know, to my core, that there's some good stuff on the other side (maybe a set of Dwight Howard shoulders??!?! lol). Both Mason & I have high expectations (no pressure!) and I don't want to let my new coach & team down - so I will do what needs to be done, even if that means wanting to knock over a StairMill!!