It was June 14th, 2014 when I stepped on stage to compete in the Bikini Division at the FitSciences Championships. FitSciences Championships and SmartMoves Ent are non profit organizations that focus on combating Childhood Obesity within schools in Atlanta. The FitSciences Championships was held during the “Atlanta Health Expo” weekend that was filled with great events including a 1-mile and 5k run, children’s olympics, free health expo-seminars, health screenings, cooking clinics for parents, and activities for corrective and preventative approaches. Prior to making the commitment, I had just recently decided I wanted to try competing. I kept thinking to myself that I would probably do something like this when I was much older if I wanted to advance in my career. However, when this opportunity presented itself, Iwas completely SOLD and I had a few short months to get ready!
Overall, I would say I dedicated five months to preparing for this show. I had already been focusing a lot of my time on my personal health and fitness but I knew in order to build an admirable physique, I had to focus more time on strength training and dieting. After a few months of following weight-training plans that I found online and quitting bad dieting habits, I hired an amazing body-building coach named Kim Sullivan, who helped me turn my vision into reality! I first enrolled in the show, then I hired her! I knew I needed to first make the commitment in my heart before I announced my plans to my family and friends.
Kim quickly took over my diet and training routine, and for the next three and a half months, I truly grew as a professional. She handed me a new program every four weeks and it was up to me to follow it!
At the time, I was a full-time Fitness Professional on a NAVY base in my hometown, where I had the privilege of working very closely with our Active duty Sailors and their families. I enjoyed that job very much for two reasons: 1) I discovered my love for teaching Group fitness, and 2) I also had the resources available to me to take on such a commitment! Aside from work, my days consisted of meal prepping, early morning fasted-cardio, and an additional 1.5 hrs strength training almost every day of the week! I had only a little idea of what I was getting into, and although it was difficult at times, I am so very happy I gave it a try!
Back stage, I felt like such a Princess. My bikini was hand made by a friend’s mom and I personally made my Luau costume for the Theme-wear portion of the show. Backstage, I was accompanied by my sisters who helped me with my hair and makeup, and I had the rest of my family patiently waiting on me in the audience.
I ended up placing 5th overall in the bikini division, and although I did not receive the trophy, I was called to center stage for recognition amongst the top contenders.
My experience was truly one that I will always be proud of, but even then, I do not plan to do it again. Although I enjoyed the end result, I personally do not feel that the process embodied the well-balanced, healthy lifestyle that I desire. PLEASE comment below if you’d like to know more about my experience or have any questions about competing in general! :) Here’s what I ate on an average day:
MEAL 1
4 egg whites 1 cup spinach 1/3 cup oats w/ 1 tbsp flax oil
MEAL 2
4 oz orange roughy Asparagus (as much as you can eat) 2 oz sweet potato
MEAL 3
4 oz chicken breast 2 oz new potato ¼ green peas 1 tsp olive oil
MEAL 4
4 oz salmon 2 cup spinach leaves (shaved carrots) 1/3 mushrooms (1 tsp olive oil)
MEAL 5
One 1/2 scoop protein shake
MEAL 6
2 oz lean 99% ground beef 2 oz ground 99% turkey ¼ cup whole wheat pasta
MEAL 7
1/3 cup scallops 3 oz flank steak Asparagus (as much as you can eat)
PLUS,
Vitamins & Glutamine
Philippians 1:6 ~ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus
