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Leave of Absence = New Found Motivation
March 04, 10
As a seasoned conditioned figure vet, I took this last year very seriously post-show. I had set goals that I thought were very realistic. Eat healthy all year long, Exercise daily, and maintain motivation to keep myself 100% committed to fitness. Of course since I am an extremist, and a perfectionist, I also set the demand of thinking “it’s ok to gain weight.. but I want to see my 8 pack all year long!” Very typical of me, to make a goal that is realistic, however very hard to maintain! If it’s a challenge, I am up for it!
These goals that I had set meant purpose to me. From the 2008 -2009 competition season, I let myself gain weight. I didnt realize how much weight I gained over winter until I actually took a picture in early January 09, and reflected on it after my win @ the WBBF worlds in September 2009. I was disgusted, ashamed, embarrassed.. and thought “I will NEVER look like that again!” From there, I knew I would set new goals.
I have had amazing things happen this year, and we are only tapping into the 3rd month. My husband and I bought our first fantastically beautiful house, we took off 3 weeks of holidays (which is RARE and I felt guilty, but much needed), and our personal training department in our gym is rocking out record breaking numbers, and I have my own monthly column in the new WBFF Fit & Firm online magazine (along side WBFF Pro and Cellucor amigo Karma..*hi karma!*)
However, with highlights come downfalls. Since we were away on our vacation enjoying Superbowl in Miami, unlimited food on our cruise, living on airport food for a few days, skipping workouts, packing our house for the move, we have basically been off track for 3-4 weeks now! A whole month written off! To an extremist, perfectionist and Type A World Figure Champion, this has been a hard one to swallow. Suddenly, my clothes are not fitting the same, my 8pk is now resembling a 4pk, cardio seems so much harder, and workouts are less effective! Can you say downward spiral!? Have I let myself down? Maybe… but I also set very high expectations, so I am trying to live with no regret because “life happens.”
It happened! Today I had a member say to me “sounds like the calm before the storm”… And that is exactly what has happened! I am used to being dedicated and committed to both work and training,… giving 100% for so long all year long, that my body needed this break! And it’s true! Funny how allowing myself to get into a habit of relaxing, has changed me into knowing what is coming for me starting at the beginning of April.
April brings contest training. YAY… contest training! Never have I been eager to get into blogs, vlogs and serious workouts and dieting! I feel so good when I’m committed and challenged! My brain is already firing off with so many ideas of how I am going to approach this year’s contest training, and different things I can do to stay on the top and be the leader! Did I mention, I do not like losing? So you can bet my mind is going to do whatever I have to do to stay on top! That is my goal, which I will accomplish.
It’s just amazing how letting yourself get out of norm and hitting a deep emotional level, can make you that much more motivated to get back on track, and prove to yourself that even though life takes you in an unexpected direction, you can reroute yourself back onto the path of success. You just have to make it a priority, want it, and go for it!
Everything happens for a reason, and as much as I do not want to believe that taking off a month from my “fitness life” will help me in the long run, I trust that it will! Today was the first day of change for me. Today is the first day of March, sun is shining, and I feel great! I feel back on track! *sigh of rejuvenation*
Emily Stirling
Figure Competitor, Personal Trainer, Nutritionist
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Discussion
Wow! I can really relate to this article! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the Shout Out Em! You are a beautiful lady…and I appreciate the honesty in this article. So many of us experience the same issues and are afraid to speak about it.
Your spirit and energy definitely helps to motivate me to push harder, be better and confident to say I will do my best.
Let’s rock the 2010 WBFF World Championships!!!