Today I'm sharing something really precious with you.
My inspiration comes from the people around me.
My Mum, my friends and the amazing women in The Sports Model Project. Today I'm handing over to my girl Jemma who has worked and worked and worked until she got what she wanted.
It's funny it seems like the hard way,
the hard way it just happens to be the easiest way to do it.
Over to Jemma
Over the weekend a large number of girls from The Sports Model Project competed in the WBFF on the Gold Coast.
This was my second time competing and a couple of us girls were talking about our journey to the stage and the transformations we've achieved so far.
Throughout your transformation and fitness journey, it's easy to get caught up in the little things.
Your head junk can get the better of you and the self-doubt and self-sabotage start to creep in.
In the days leading into the competition, I was so stressed about a tiny bit of jibble that sits right under my ass cheek which wobbles when I walk. But then when I got to the show and realised 85% of the girls there had this, I realised I was hating on myself for no real reason.
My journey with Hattie and the Sports Model Project has been an amazing one and I'd love to share it with you as a bit of motivation.
I joined up with Hattie in June 2015 with a plan to lose the extra kilos I’d gained over the years and although I had thought about competing, it scared me to death.
Following Hatties plan, I lost weight pretty rapidly and all of a sudden the goal to compete and stand on stage became a closer reality.
I didn't compete until May 2016, but I stepped on that stage in my best ever condition after losing 10kgs and 13.5cms off my waist.
At the time I thought I looked amazing on stage. And I did (compared to how I looked when I started) I can't discount that but looking back at those photos from last year, I looked scrawny and 'little'.
I decided to take a year off and build some more muscle.
Sure it was a long year because building muscle is really hard work. I went through the horrible ‘fluffy’ stage where I lost motivation and didn't like the way I looked. I went from 59kg (stage weight) back up to 68kg (a 9kg increase).
I went through a stage in my offseason where I would burst into tears whenever I drove into the car park at the gym. I just didn't want to be there.
At one point I contacted Hattie and told her I wanted to put my membership on hold, that it was all a bit too much for me to handle emotionally.
But I knew I didn't want to give up. I knew I didn't want to be that big girl anymore. I hit a low point and I had to make a decision. Do I keep spiraling downwards, making excuses and head right back to where I came from.or Do I put my big girl pants on and step up to the challenge.
I truly love the discipline, the weight training, the control you can have over your food and your body.
I have learned to love the daily routine and the mental and physical challenge of training and competing.
So I put my big girl pants on. I reset, refocused and changed my mindset and stepped up to the challenge.
For the first time I was eligible to compete in the 35+ category and I set myself a goal to place in the top 5.
Last Saturday I stepped onto the WBFF stage for only the second time but this time it was different.
I was so calm and in control. I didn't let the nerves get to me as much as the first time and I was solely focussed on me and my performance.
I wanted that top 5 place and during my whole 16 week prep that's what rang through my head during my workouts.
"Top 5, top 5", "would the girl who wins be quitting?", "would a pro give up?".
The show was nothing short of amazing and I got to meet so many beautiful people all on the same journey and all with the same interests.
When they called my number and I got a top 5 place, you could not wipe the smile off my face.
As tears welled up in my eyes I knew I had won. I was the winner in my own journey and I had accomplished what I set out to do.
I ended up being awarded 4th place in a line-up of amazing women to which I was honored to share the stage with.
Reflecting on the show this week I am super happy that I took the time off to build muscle because I looked great up on that stage. I was fuller and curvier, but I've still got a long way to go.
I know what I need to do to keep progressing and that there will be more struggles to face along the way.
The girls I competed against were phenomenal and their bodies were ready for the world stage. But you could also tell that they had a minimum of 4-5 years of building and competing behind them.
It's important for me to remain focused on the end result knowing that one day I'll look like them and I too will be able to confidently stand on that stage in the best shape of my life and be worthy of a top 3 place.
So don't lose motivation and don't doubt yourself.
Believe in yourself and push that little bit harder to reach your goal because if it doesn’t scare or challenge you is it really worth pursuing?
Pics are from my very first check in and last weekend. The confidence I now have is undeniable and I have Hattie and the amazing support of the girls in The Sports Model forum to thank for that.
