MY FIRST FITNESS COMPETITION — MY WAY FITNESS

First thought about competing crossed my mind at the beginning of last year (2018) when I was looking for something new and different to do for my fitness. Being a Personal Trainer have always kept me fit but I felt I needed something new and different. First thing I did was to join local Transformation challenge to get the feel of the specific diet and training structure I was missing since my son was born 3 years ago. I was looking for new friends and like minded people on the coast and I still can't believe that it got me the confidence to say YES. I'M DOING IT. I WILL COMPETE.

First most important thing I did was to start looking for Prep Coach. I knew that I needed somebody with experience to guide me all the way to the stage. I wanted a woman that screens fit in my face and makes me to believe that it can be done. I found Jess Bennic through a friend and I can't be happier with all her support and experience that she shared with me all the way. We discussed my diet, training and mind set pretty much daily. Yes I had plenty of questions!!! We trained together every couple of weeks and worked on my posing. That was the most difficult part for me. I didn't feel confident to strike poses in high heels not mentioning the fact I was going to be half naked in front of the judges and a crowd.

COMPETITION DAY

When the day of the competition came I was crazy nervous but I was lucky enough to be part of the team of 3 girls my coach Jess was preparing for last few months. I needed the support and all the laughs we shared. Stepping on the stage for the first time was nerve racking. I was shaking and I so worried I will stumble on my heels and fall off the stage. The lights were really strong and right in the face so I could hardly see the judging panel and the music was screaming so loudly I could hardly hear the judges to call out the turns. As a first timer it was only me and other 2 mums on the stage. I was happy to take 2nd. Another 2 rounds I didn’t place and I was pretty bummed about it but when my last category in Sports model came around I gave it my all and placed 2nd out of 9 girls. I was so excited and cried as soon as I get the chance to hug my hubby and son who were sitting in the crowed cheering me on. It felt amazing and I will never forget the feeling.

Next goal was the NSW State titles so after weekend of food celebration it was back to hard work for next 3 weeks. I must admit that was pretty tough. The carbs and overall calories were dropping and I felt tired pretty much all day every day. My mind set was up and down. I was getting emotional about simple things and even every day things like busy traffic felt stressful at times. ha ha. I am so grateful for my husband and son for the best support along the way.

MY JOURNEY TO THE ICN STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME

I have been thinking about writing this since the moment I decided to compete.

I wanted to share my journey with all my family, friends and with all of you who might be interested in hearing about it all and I can only hope it inspires as many as possible that following your dreams and setting massive and at that moment almost unrealistic goals can actually become reality.

Well here it is. And please be mindful that this is my own experience only and it can differ from others :-)

MY TIP: Make sure you research before you commit to your coach to fit your budget and needs and most importantly you need to click on personality levels unless you heading for disaster. You have to have full trust in your coach advice. Good coach helps you to pick the federation to compete with and the division you should enter according to your physique and level of leanness. You can wait to decide on how your body will respond to your training and diet.

THE PREP

My prep to get on the stage in Coffs Harbour Classic took approximately 15weeks. I had to teach my body to adapt on prescribed exercise routine and nutrition to support my muscles to grow. I knew thanks to my transformation challenge I will be expected to eat large amount of food at the start. It was the scary part at the beginning because the portions looked massive and size of my usual breakfast pretty much doubled. ha ha.

New training moves like hip thrusters were definitely fun and I enjoyed lifting heavier and heavier week after week. I was focus on my goal but sometimes I felt selfish to drag my son to gym so often. But my gym has amazing creche so he had lots of fun there while I was training and working with my clients as well. For all the mums out there who wish to compete.... gym creche is the must if your child is not in the day care or school every day so you can make sure that all your training is done. I am personally not early morning person to do weights. I prefer to get as much sleep as possible before heading to the gym. Plus my regular job is in the evening so it was very challenging for me to get plenty of sleep. I started napping pretty early on. Towards the end it was very hard and I took all week off work to make sure I am properly rested for the competition day and my body is in the best shape possible.

STATE TITLES

Going in to NSW State titles I didn’t expect much knowing that there will be plenty competitors to stand against who has more experience then me. Seeing the sea of women around me in the back stage area was crazy. I tried to ignore any butterflies I had in my stomach and hit the stage every time with no regrets. Unfortunately I felt short in 3 of my 4 categories I entered.But I was excited to be called out for top 5 in one of the Sports model categories and end up placing 4th. It was such an exciting moment to place at my 2nd and much bigger competition as well. I was on total high and full of emotions.

CONCLUSION

I had so much fun competing and enjoyed every minute of it. I discovered lots of things about myself and what I can achieve with a great support and advice. I fully lived competing day by day.

I would like to also take this opportunity and say THANK YOU to my husband and son for the best support I could have wished for. I love you to the moon and back. xo

To my coach Jess Bennic for her guidance along the way and for all the laughs we had and for listening to all my questions and winning.

To all my Friends who understood I was too busy training to catch up too often and because eating out was out of limit.

And also to all my Impact gym family for sharing their experience with me and giving me the advice. It made it all extra special to share it all week by week :-)

I’m sure I will be back for more :-)