It's that time again ... time to diet, time to train even harder, time to get lean, time to COMPETE!
I started prep today for the Arnold Amateur. I'm taking a huge leap and am prepping for another big show. This one gets more publicity than any other show I've done, and to be honest, I'm scared! I'm scared I'm going to fail. That I'll have told everyone I know, have gotten them all excited, and then I won't do well, and I'll fail.
What is failing? Is it being off on my condition? Is it not placing well, or not placing at all? Is it not doing everything I possibly can to prepare? It's perhaps all of those things. I have control over how well I prep and how well I'm conditioned. I don't have control over the placings, so I need to let that one go. To hope that the judges will like my physique enough to award me a high placing.
I'm excited to be in contest prep again. Even though it's the most stressful thing I can do to myself and to those close to me, it's like a drug to me. For the next 14 weeks, every time I close my eyes, I'll see myself standing on stage, going through my quarter turns, doing my model poses, dancing around trying to get my tan to dry. I'll picture every part of prep, from the hours of cardio and training to eating cold food because I couldn't find a microwave. I'll be eating during meetings at work, carrying my food with me at all times in a cooler, reading numerous books while doing hours of cardio, searching for a new flashy suit that won't break my bank account, crying during squats (yes, it's ok to cry in the gym), and arguing with my boyfriend about my diet (I'm realistic - I'll whine and argue, and then end up doing exactly what he tells me to do).
I'm looking forward to this prep more than any I've done. Why? Because I'll have my trainer with me the whole way ... training with me, eating with me, talking with me, and letting me cry on his shoulder (I'm pretty sure my boy has no idea what he's in for!). Day 1 of prep is nearly over ... only 92 more days to go!