The NPC competition I went to

I had a chance to go to the NPC Maryland/East Coast classics competition yesterday (8/20/11).  I went to support my good friend Panny Powell.  This was her first competition and I know how hard she worked so I wanted to be there to support her.  It's been a while since I've last been to these competitions.  I used to be a regular when Monica Brandt did her Bodyrock shows at George Mason years back.  I went to every single one of them.  I really didn't know much about the bodybuilding world until I met my friend Kevin.  (For you WWE wrasslin fans, you know him as "Alex Riley", but he will always be Kevin to me).  I also went to the Arnold back in 2008 and that's when I decided to jump back into the working out craze that I am in now.  Here is Panny winning second in her class.  Again it's her FIRST show!!!

I got a chance to talk to some of the figure competitors there and they were very friendly and gave me some good insight.  I also have friends who compete and let me tell you that I KNOW all the blood, sweat, and tears they put into to get competition ready.  It's not easy.  Most of them have to give up a social life due to the rigorous amount of training they put into.  Most of all, the diet.  That's my weakness.  I'm sorry, but I love food too much.  =D  Then I saw Panny (who I KNOW loves food more than I do) make the sacrifice and disciplined herself to win second place in her class in her FIRST competition ever.  That just motivated me ten folds to get my ass in gear and get to it.

I have always talked about wanting to compete.  NO ONE took me seriously.  I don't think I even took myself seriously.  Or I got the giggles and smirks and even had people say things like "Pshhhh, you can't do that.  It's too strict!"  I've even had people tell me that you already have to be in a lean state to compete!  Um hello????  Did you forget that I stuck to my diet and worked out everyday to lose over 80 pounds????  Did you forget that even with a bum knee I kept working out?  Did you forget that even after knee surgery I was in PT two days after and back in the gym 2 weeks after?  Did you forget that there was a time in my life where I thought I was gonna die but working out actually saved me?  And now you're saying I don't have the dedication or discipline?????  THAT right there just fueled me more.  I even got looks at the competition when I said I was serious and wanting to get back into hardcore to get to where I need to be to compete.  Geez!  Oh ye of little faith?  That just motivated me MORE to prove them wrong.  You guys know me.  When people tell me I can't do it...I DO IT!  SO....countdown begins....BRING IT ON!

I also want to give shout outs to Lindsay Sollers and Pam Jaeger for also being my inspiration.  I see them daily in the gym working so hard and even when I was going back and fourth they would still give me advice and tips and tools to use to try and lean out.



Now instead of talking about it, it's now MY turn to give the blood, sweat, and tears.  I know I have a long way to go to get competition ready.  Whether it takes me 4 months or 4 years (Gawd, I hope not 4 years haha) I WILL get on that stage at least once.  Whether I place first, second, or last is not what is important to me.  What's important is that I do it and prove that I can do it and once again shut those doubters up!  Life is too short to always wonder.  I'm not wondering.  I am going to DO!  I know a lot of you will be along with me on this journey!!!!!  =D

Jeanie