 3 days after this photo was taken I started working out. |
Competing in Figure and Fitness has brought me to a new level of understanding myself. Although my motivations for competing have changed through the years, my love of the lifestyle holds true. While the demands of competing do require a great deal of sacrifice and discipline making it incredibly challenging, this is what makes it so rewarding for me. After having two children in a span of 3 years, I was not happy with the way my body looked which in turn affected my self-esteem. I wanted desperately to get back into shape. My son Dillon was 2 and my baby girl Sophia was 5 months old when I hired a personal trainer and went on a mission to do just that. I followed my nutrition and training program to the letter and totally transformed my body in just 12 weeks! The change in my body was so drastic I could’ve easily been in one of those weight loss commercials. This is when I was first introduced to NPC Figure. |
Even though I didn’t have any experience with physique competitions, I was so excited about the changes in my body that I was enthusiastic to give it a shot. With only a few weeks until the show I was on the fast track through contest prep 101. I found myself in a whirlwind of caring for my family, working part-time as a home health nurse, training 5 nights a week, fine-tuning my diet and learning how to pose in 5 inch heels. I would’ve never thought that at 7 ½ months after Sophia was born, I would be standing on stage performing quarter turns in a line up of 14 beautifully fit women and taking home the 5th place trophy! I was hooked! Reaching my goals thus far and feeling strong and healthy helped me regain my self-esteem and feel better equipped to deal with “life”. This is when I personally discovered the correlation between physical and emotional well being. |
 Exactly 3 months later at my first NPC Figure Show! |
 My First National Fitness Show in 2004. |
A year later I began to compete in Fitness. Not having been formally trained in gymnastics or dance it did intensify my training and the challenge made me love competing even more! Performing my fitness routines is one of my favorite parts of competing. It is a tremendous outlet for me as it allows me to express my personality by doing something which I enjoy so much; dance. The process of working with my choreographer to decide on a theme, design my outfit, choreograph my routine then perform the finished product for the audience brings me so much joy and personal satisfaction. After transitioning through a couple of gyms, trainers and two years of competing at the local level, I made it to the National arena. I began to train with my new Coach. He trains me as a “fitness” athlete instead of a “bodybuilder”, helping me to achieve balance in my physique for a more sleek and appealing appearance. |
| I now train at an increased level of intensity with emphasis on form and improving my conditioning. Two of the most priceless gifts my Coach has given me are to trust in my abilities and to have patience with my body. And if you know any Latinas then you are aware that teaching us to be patient with anything is a feat within itself! In this type of sport the judging is subjective. It comes down to opinion and personal preference. It is very easy to get caught up in what the other athletes are doing or look like. My Coach has taught me to focus on what I have control over which is my physique and the task of improving it. I compete against myself. I am held accountable for following my training regimen which directly affects how rewarded I feel after each show no matter where I end up placing. |
 Rock 'n' Roll routine, April 2006 |
 Earned my IFBB Pro Card! November 2006 |
Two has become a magical number for me. I have two beautiful children. It took me two years of competing to make it to the National level and coincidently took me two years at the National level to earn my IFBB Pro Card, my biggest athletic achievement! For me contest prep is the “contest” and the day of the show is my trophy. As I stand in a line up of beautiful athletic women waiting to step on stage, I reflect. In those few minutes I replay my last 12 weeks, my contest. I think about how I juggle being a wife, a mom, a lifestyle coach to my clients, a sister, a daughter, a friend and an athlete. |
| I visualize myself making lunches for my children, preparing my meals, keeping up with housework, educating and training my clients, training myself, hours spent practicing my routine, doing homework with my kids in the afternoon before heading back to train more clients, fitting in cardio wherever I can, family activities and everything else that life throws at you each day. This is what I have done in the past 12 weeks. And now here I stand in my gorgeous suit, 5 inch heels, hair and make-up just perfect, ready to show off all my hard work. In my heart, I have already won! I am so damn proud of myself and that’s what you see when I walk across that stage and flash you my smile! That’s my payday. |
 2006 |
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