My second competition prep was totally different than my first. This time, I was able to reverse in advance of prep starting and remained relatively lean throughout, only 6 lbs up from stage weight at the peak. My cut lasted 4 weeks instead of the usual 8-12+ and totaled less than 100 calories. Amazing. {If you’re not working with a coach – a real coach with a nutrition/medical background – you should be. The amount you will learn would amaze you. I highly recommend Ashley Leahy.} With the last show, I had my eye on the prize and something to prove. Yes, I went on vacation two months before and yes, I ate cronuts and drank champagne at a friend’s wedding only 3 weeks prior. Other than that, I was on track and killing my workouts (thanks to my awesome trainer, Johnny Loreti). This prep, however, has been a totally different story. I moved across the county. I bought a house. I reconnected with friends I’ve seen far too infrequently over the last few years . I started dating a pretty amazing guy. With that came happy hours, dinners out, skipped workouts, and too many days of not even attempting to track. And I loved every minute of it. It was a conscious choice to find balance and live a life I love.
The result? I wasn’t as lean on show day as I could have been. My posing wasn’t perfect. Up close, you’ll see that my suit was sewn and jeweled in a hurry {hopefully no one noticed from the stage!}. And when I flew home on Sunday morning to celebrate a certain someone’s birthday filled with burgers and fried chicken and cupcakes, I didn’t regret a single decision I made. The pictures still look great. I’m still proud of the changes I’ve made in the last 13 weeks.
More than anything, I went home feeling confident that whether or not there’s a show in my future, I’ve found a lifestyle that’s sustainable – where I can still enjoy myself and have a healthy, strong body I’m proud of. I’d call that a win.
