My Expensive Hobby

When people ask why I do figure competitions I have a go to response, "It's just my expensive hobby. Some people shop, some people buy guns. I do figure competitions." Yes, doing a figure show comes at a cost (a hefty cost). But doing a show isn't just a hobby - it can't be. It has to be a deep rooted love.

That's just the easier answer than trying to explain how I enjoy all the different complexities that come with show prep. The months of prep for 10 minutes on stage, the extra workouts to build certain muscles, the drawn out plans of what to eat and when to eat it. That I enjoy pushing my mind and body, seeing how strong I really can be. Because in the end, they're not looking for my long love story - they just want the cliff note version.

And like any good love story, show prep has it's phases...

In the beginning it's all new and exciting - you live for your meal prep and fresh workouts, seeing those immediate changes. Your meal plans are still fun and not completely full of fish yet (I'm currently at 4 meals with fish). Your calories are still up for your workouts don't feel as draining. It's all fresh and new and..."easy". 

Towards the middle it gets mundane and annoying and you might hit a plateau. It's here that you have to rally and remember why you started - remember your goal, focus on the little things. This part is hard, like really hard. I find myself trying to find a "fix it" - a new food that is prep appropriate, a new trick to help the cravings, blah blah blah. Not to say my chocolate "pudding" from Devotion Nutrition didn't help at least a little... Or the Crystal Light "jello" was totally useless... There are little tricks to help curb cravings. But nothing can truly fix the slump you get in except your perception, your attitude. Grit and bare it and you'll get through - I did.

And after you get through all of that, there's just pure joy and contentment as you walk across the stage and present everything you worked hard for. There's no more worry, there's no more meal planning, there's no more wondering how you're going to make it. Plus, immediately after you get off stage you get to shove 5 Oreo's in your mouth...no? Just me? Well, no love story is really complete without at least a little chocolate...

We're almost to 4 weeks out and I already see real improvements from last year. And I'm seeing changes to my body starting up again. Workouts will shift soon and prep brain will start to really hit (more than it already has). But that's all part of this love story. 

My registration is submitted. Hair, makeup, and tanning appointments all set. I'm beyond ready for it to be here but know there's still a road to go before I'm fully ready for that stage. That finish line is in sight!