I have wanted to compete in a Body Building competition for as long as I've been a fitness fanatic. I know that most of you are thinking NASTY because you are most likely picturing this...
Oh my gosh. It's hard for me to look at that. Is that even a woman???
Sorry, but I had to paint a very clear picture of what I will NOT be participating in. Haha!
Here is a better idea of what I'd be aiming for.
"Fitness and Figure competition is a class of physique-exhibition events for women. While bearing a close resemblance to female bodybuilding, they emphasizes muscle tone over muscle size."
FITNESS
In a Fitness contest, the competitors show off their physiques and perform a demanding aerobic routine.
Tanji Johnson
FIGURE
In a Figure contest, the emphasis is on the feminine and there is not a routine round.
Nicole Wilkins
What's the difference?
Curves are compulsory, and facial beauty is prized. However, the physique guidelines are similar, and many women cross over from one to the other. The division emerged on the scene when the numbers for Fitness competitions started to dwindle.Typically these competitions are held as part of the same events as bodybuilding contests.
And then there's
BIKINI
The biggest difference in bikini competitors and figure competitors is their pose and their "look." They train and eat much the same way as figure girls but keep a fuller figure and give a different image.
Although I would of course like to "look" like the bikini girl, I think for competition sake I would do better in Figure because of my natural body type. In other words I have REALLY broad shoulders. But sometimes, you can be either depending on how your body shapes up.
So ONE day, I plan to be in a competition whichever it may be, and I'm trying to educate myself as much as I can until that day comes. I feel very confident I could shape up and lean out pretty quick.
Ya know...for the fitness professional and enthusiast like myself, I see the fit body as a blend of art and science at it's best. It is the result of hard work and dedication. The human body can literally be molded like clay and it fascinates me! After all, this is my professionm so I'm bound and determined to make a competition happen. I feel that it will grow me as a trainer and nutritionist as well. I want to understand it on a molecular level especially if I am training people to be in competitions one day.
So, I'm gonna do it. WHEN? I'm not sure. But I always said I'd wait til my girls where both in school, so who knows...maybe within the next year.
Now THAT will be fun to blog about. :)
One of my biggest hang ups though is trying to figure out exactly what I believe about nutrition in this regard. A lot of competitors use supplements that are unnatural. They are perfectly legal, but just not "whole." They also eat a TON of animal based protein...eggs, chicken, etc... My body despises such things, so I'd have to find other ways that work for me. I want to have integrity in the choices I make as a competitor and be true to what I believe about healthy eating habits. It can TOTALLY be done.
In fact, I have a good friend who embodies the essence of whole food nutrition. She is happy and healthy and beautiful and doing CRAZY awesome as a competitor since she started in January of this year. Here's a picture of her and a link to her facebook page. She is a fantastic friend and is actually moving to Lawton for a short period while her husband goes through training. I cannot WAIT for her to be here. She will be the lightening to my fire. hahaha.
Anyway, I just wanted to share a little bit about my future goals in the fabulous world of fitness. I believe in livin large. If you have a goal or a dream or an ambititon then you should go for it no matter what. God will say no if it's not right. All you can do is your best.
I also want to share a link to 2 Competitors I love and admire and respect because of their strong faith.
1. Tanji Johnson
His Grace is Sufficient!
I don’t know about you, but in my youth, I fell into the need to be successful in EVERYTHING I did. It fulfilled me and made up for the lack of affirmation in my childhood. Drive and ambition are notable qualities, but if they lead you to be without GRACE for yourself as you walk through life, then it can become very unhealthy.
When you fail, how does your discouragement affect you? For example, the way we look is often a reflection of the lifestyle we live. It’s easy to feel guilty when we get out of shape or look a hot mess because we feel bad about the choices we’ve made or are making. We know how we should be living, what we should be putting in our bodies and how we should honor it with exercise and living a life of great health and energy. But sometimes… we just don’t. Sometimes we get lazy; sometimes we just want a break from the discipline, focus and motivation required to do the right thing. And many times, the guilt of our decisions drain us of our strength and confidence. In a positive way, guilt can convict us to make better decisions and live better. But shame carries a weight so heavy that it keeps us down. Living in guilt can become a habit; a familiar place to retract to. We allow ourselves to be discouraged and place our identity in our actions and past. This is the quickest way to death. To live in freedom is to walk in the light and believe that God has not forsaken but set forth great plans for you in your life!
Why are we so surprised and condemning when we know that Adam and Eve left behind in all of us, an inclination to sin? (Romans 5:12, 17) The beauty of our salvation is that Christ’s sacrifice is the ultimate and final payment of our sins (Hebrews 7:27). We have been set free from our past, even the past of “yesterday”. That is why there is freedom in Christ. The price has been paid. We no longer have to be slaves to sin living in darkness. Acknowledging this grace and this freedom is what being a Christian is about. Living a life of gratefulness and knowing that God’s grace is sufficient for our souls allows us to live in joy and abundance. Therefore, we should never give up on the pursuit of excellent living. Accept grace and renew your faith in the God that empowers us.
If you are struggling in your fitness program, relationships, personal issues….don’t give up! “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” 1 Timothy 1:7.
Stay encouraged, my friends, we all fall short of the glory but we are all one in Christ.
Love
Tanji
2. Jaime Eason
She is a breast cancer survivor and is "Mad about her family and Pursuing Christ"
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