And Let it Begin...

Oh yeah! I started training yesterday for my first figure competition!! I have 18 weeks minus 2 days now...ha! And there's a lot of work to do. Yesterday I started the 2-a-day cardio...30 min AM and 45 min PM. Little set back this morning...my knees hurt. Anyway need to get cardio up to about 2 hrs. My workouts are probably going to need sprint training because over the years I've learned that's the fastest way for me to cut fat...just to add that in to a run! I had a pretty good day lifting back and bis. Back, Tris and abs will be the toughest to train. Yep, it's going to be an adventure this first time around because I don't know exactly what I'm doing ( :

Contemplating Competition...

I had a fun weekend in the Seattle/Bellevue area. I attended my first fitness/figure workshop with IFBB Pro Tanji Johnson. I met her during college in Spokane, and it's been fun to see her grace pages of magazines and on the first season of the newer American Gladiators. Anyway her workshop was a blast and I learned so much! I am excited to finally explore this industry more! I've never competed in anything like that, but it's crossed my mind over the years. Oxygen Magazine has had a big part in keeping the idea in my head, oh since about 1995. HA! It was perfect timing. I just flew in from San Francisco a week ago.

Saturday was a geared toward the future of the industry and figure posing. Sunday "Save Fitness" was all strength and flexibility training...along with a little dance! This is the most challenging for me because I have what I call noodle ankles. Sure enough once my shoes were off one of them rolled. I was able to keep going and ice it later. I've never let those injuries stop me, but they scare me sometimes since I spent time in a wheelchair with two broken feet which were the result of rolling ankles. So now I know I need extra gear when I train...tape, braces, or dance shoes. I'm feeling inspired since I've been a gym girl most of my life, but this kind of training is REALLY taking it to a new level with new commitment. There are a lot of things that can be done at home to improve in all these areas...practice, practice, practice!!!

I learned how to stand for the shape of my legs. I know I need to strengthen and tone my triceps and lats! Oh along with much, much more...but at least I have starting point.

I am at a bit of a career crossroads between chasing down a TV job or pursuing fitness/figure...with of course the goal to be pro someday. Both great opportunities for my personality and both challenging. So I think I'm going to sign up for my first figure show for this spring...hold off on fitness a little longer so I can just focus on the one, and then add fitness later.

We had a lot of people talk to us this weekend...nutritionist, posing coaches, personal trainers, a suit designer, an image consultant and a dance coach. It's a pretty penny to hire all these people to prepare you for competition, but some people are able to get sponsors to help out. I think right now, I know enough to get started, but hiring these "experts" would be beneficial especially in reaching the next level and being more competitive. And takes a little stress off the athlete too. Stay tuned...I'll keep ya posted.

This is mainly a learning experience for me at this point ( : But it's a lot of fun!!