The big challenge now is trying to keep the motivation high since the competition aspect is gone. Now that I have the freedom to eat whatever again, I don’t quite know what to eat !! Obviously I am not going to go back to my old ways. I have every intention of continuing on this fitness road I’ve embarked upon, but the simple diet I was eating certainly made mealtime a snap. I need to learn now about clean eating and the foods that I can incorporate into my diet to maintain the level of fitness I’ve achieved. Of course, after the pic and measurements, I went out for a cheeseburger and had a margarita, too. It’s amazing how my mindset has changed now that I don’t have a deadline looming. I’ve gotten a little lazy in the daily commitment to exercise. I need to kick that back up a notch. I can see how a fitness lifestyle takes a tremendous amount of dedication and determination to maintain.

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I have been waiting now for almost two weeks to find out the results of the contest. I talked with many people in the gym who were even angrier than I was about the way it ended. They all had similar experiences. Some people even refused to do the measurements and pics because it wasn’t with someone in charge of the challenge. There is no way for me to try to get them redone, either. The timing of all the elements of diet, water, supplements, exercise, etc…..was geared for that morning. I was at my peak. I no longer feel excited about the challenge. I do feel great for myself, personally, but the rest is a huge letdown. They will be giving the results on May 5. Very anticlimactic.

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I went in as scheduled this morning to have my after pics and measurements taken. The situation at Gold’s Gym was nothing short of completely unprofessional and disappointing. There was no one connected to the Gold’s Challenge there to do the measurements. None of the employees seemed to have any idea what was going on. The manager, in particular, was clueless. They finally got one of the reception guys to measure me and take the picture. The first thing he says to me is “Do you know how to use this camera ?” Then when we get to measuring, he’s asking me where to hold the tape. I really was just angry. I went up to the manager to ask what was going on, and all he could do was throw his hands up and say” I don’t know what to tell you.” As unprofessional and inept as I’ve ever experienced. None of the tape measurement numbers changed, which is impossible as my clothes are hanging on me now. I’ve lost over 15 pounds, and almost 6% body fat, and none of my measurements are different. My trainer had gone on vacation for the week, so he wasn’t there to help. It was simply deflating after all the work I’ve done.

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So tomorrow morning is the day of reckoning. I’m excited. I have not lifted weights for a couple of days now. Only cardio. My water intake has been on a tapering schedule for days. Today I only get 1 liter. Tomorrow only 16 oz. And I had to buy distilled water to keep the sodium levels low. I’ve done my treadmill for the day. I will lay in the sun for a while, as having a tan is desired to help show off the muscle better. I will also practice my “posing” in the mirror. I get only one front and one side pic to be shown to the judges. I need to be able to effortlessly nail a muscle defining pose, and smile, for the camera on command. I think I’ve got it down. I bought a great bathing suit. My body looks fabulous. It’s only the competition, and what they’ve achieved, that is in my way. Did someone want it more than me ? Did someone work harder ? I’ll know soon enough.

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Keith has given me my final instructions for the days leading up to the picture day. I have been given a list of supplements to take. I have begun a sodium depletion process that includes boiling the salt out of the chicken, no seasonings on it or the broccoli, and large quantities of water to flush sodium out of the cells. I take water pills also, to aid in this process. The last two days before the pic, I am switching from broccoli to sweet potatoes to load up on carbs. I don’t really understand all that is behind these directions, there certainly is a science to it, but I feel I have a huge advantage over many of the other contestants because of my trainer. He is giving me all his competition knowledge. It can only help.

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I think my time off might actually have done me some good. I’m very energized this week. My body feels strong and fresh, too. I’m lifting heavier than ever. I love working with my trainer. I enjoy those days so much more than when I train alone. I love the joking and laughing we do as I train, and I learn much every day about exercise and fitness. I am physically pushed to limits I would never reach on my own. I wish I could train with him all the time. Maybe some day soon, I will be able to.

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One thing I am proud of; that bump in the road is the kind of event that always ended my previous get fit attempts. Once I got out of the routine, it was easy to stay out. This time is different. I think because of the contest. I have a goal, and a time frame. And there is that accountability. I’m back on track and more determined than ever.

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The weight has been falling off me now. I started this contest at 140 lbs. I am now at 127 lbs. Because I have had almost zero fat and sugar intake, and very low carbs, the fat cells in my body have atrophied. Muscle definition is clearly showing now. The weights I’ve done have helped to build that up some, but there is only so much you can grow in 12 weeks. The most dramatic change is coming from shedding the fat so the muscle stands out. This is going to be the transformation that I hope will impress the judges. Once this contest is over, I will continue to train heavy with weights, as I would like to put that 15 pounds back on in the form of muscle.

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Another wonderful benefit of joining up to a gym is the camaraderie and sense of community. Once you start making regular workouts a part of your life and routine, you will find that the same people are generally at the gym at the same times that you are. You begin to see familiar faces every day. I have picked out certain women that I see regularly that I think just look amazing, and I have talked with them about their training and eating disciplines. They inspire me greatly. Their work ethic and dedication is obvious. It helps to bring home the notion that to achieve and maintain a truly fit physique is a lifelong commitment. I often get angry at myself for letting so many years go by that I just sat and wished better for me, but never made the effort. I often thought it was too late for me to ever achieve the health and fitness that these women enjoy. But, it appears, it’s never too late. I started at the age of 42. I now look and feel better than I did when I was 25.

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There are mental, and emotional, components as well. Just sticking to a program, and achieving goals you’ve set for yourself is very powerful. If you’ve tried in the past, and not achieved what you set out to, you know the disappointment you feel. Of course, just the opposite is true when you persevere and succeed. You have every right to feel proud and bask in the inevitable compliments that come your way.

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