Hi Everyone,

Thanks for coming back to read my crazy stories :)! So my weight loss transformation journey began November 2012 when I signed myself up for an NPC Bikini Competition. By the way, NPC stands for National Physique Committee, one of the many bodies of bodybuilding and the most recognized. NPC holds amateur competitions where competitors can earn their Pro Cards and then compete in the IFBB as a Professional Bodybuilder. Anyway, so I began my crazy journey.

Before Photos - November 2012

As promised from my previous blog, here are my before pictures and after pictures. I was weighting almost 170lbs., my height being 5'-7", put me at 26.6 BMI (overweight).

2013NPCSouthern Cal Championships - June 2013

BIKINI NOVICE - LAST PLACE

In November 2012 I signed up for the 2013 NPC Southern Cal Championships, the bikini division. This picture here on the left was me on stage for the very first time in my life. No I did not have a coach, trainer, nutritionist, posing coach, etc..., just myself and the internet! So I went from my previous picture of being almost 170 lbs. to this picture at about 128 lbs. It was so scary to get up on that stage, I seriously did not know what the heck I was doing. I figured, hey I came all this way, can't get a refund, so I gotta do this! I entered the Novice Bikini category and placed last and tied with other girls. I thought I looked so good that I was going to win this show! HA, boy was I wrong and boy was I sooooooooo not prepared. I did get down on myself because I really didn't know what to expect or what the judges were looking for, this was my first rodeo and without anyone's help. My friend Chelsea and BF came to support me and it was awesome to have them there. After this show though, I was hooked.

2014NPCGold Coast - March 2014

BIKINI NOVICE - LAST PLACE

So I was overweight AGAIN, between the last show and this show I went back to being about 150 lbs.  I decided to enter another competition, to keep my weight in check and under control. I started a 12 week prep right after the Holidays, but again without a coach, trainer, nutritionist, posing coach, etc..., just myself and the internet! Again I entered the Novice category and again got last place, tied with one or two other girls I believe. I was bummed on this one, I felt more confident and thought "Ok, this one is going to be the one that I win"! Welp... I was wrong again. Here my weight was about 125 lbs. (That's actually what I weight now on a regular basis). After this show I gained weight again. This time only up to about 145 lbs. and I was not happy. I just didn't know how to control myself when I wasn't in prep, honest truth!

2015NPCSouthern Cal Championships - June 2015

BIKINI OPEN CLASS - 8TH PLACE

Wanting to really lose weight, keep it off, and place a bit better, I decided to get a coach and the proper suit for my body. So I hired Kim Oddo, the best freaking coach for the Bikini industry in my eyes. He worked with me weekly, and when we started my 12 weeks prep, boy I was scared! I realized how bad I had been prepping before and how wrong I was in my diet and workouts! I mean you can tell the difference from the previous picture to the one on the left of this paragraph. At this competition I competed in the open class, which is NOT the novice category but the "experienced" category. I came in weighing at about 123 lbs., very lean, toned, and muscular. I placed 8th place in this show and I was stoked! Yes a little upset because I felt like I worked so hard with Kim's guidance, but there's always someone working harder than you are. At that time I was really into comparing myself with other girls. This was definitely an attitude I had to get rid off because it was toxic.

2015NPCPacific USAXXI- August 2015

BIKINI OPEN CLASS - 6TH PLACE

I wanted to do one more show that summer, so I signed up for another 8 weeks with Kim. Boy did this make a difference! I trimmed down to about 120 lbs. for this show where I placed 6th in the open class. Still no trophy though, only the top 5 girls get trophies and the top girl in each height class gets to compete for the overall win. I was happy with the progress though, I didn't get down on myself this time. I realized that the only competition I have is me; me against unhealthy food, me against being lazy and getting my butt to the gym, me against the little devil on my shoulder telling me I'm gonna suck no matter what. This type of sport challenges your every though, physical ability, emotional state, and finances. After this show, my psyche changed for the better, and I couldn't be more grateful for that. By the way, if you compete in Southern California, props to you girls, because there is some serious tough competition out here, believe me, I KNOW! :D

2016NPCCalifornia State Championships- May 2016

BIKINI OPEN CLASS - 8TH PLACE

And last (for now) but not least was my last competition for this 2016 year. Here again I was with Kimbo, yes that's what we call him, and I came in weighing at about 118 lbs. I competed again in the open category and placed 8th. A step back from my 6th place the past year, but I felt great. I looked leaner, more toned, definitely more confident. I practiced my posing with the Pros out here, by the way Christie Marquez is the sweetest freaking person ever! If I lived closer to her, I'd stalk her until we were best friends! lol, jk, maybe, hehe. If you want to follow her on social media her handle is @ifbbprochristie. Anyway, I went to some of her posing seminars and they made an insane difference. So if you'e looking to get into competing, you have to be ready to invest financially, physically, emotionally, and mentally, because it takes 100% from all those categories to succeed at this. It's not easy that's for sure, it's not for everyone, but if you want to give it a shot, I say go for it! What have you got to lose? The weight?! Yup, do it!

Signing off for now,

Words of Encouragement

No matter what people tell you, you should focus on YOU! This includes things outside of health & fitness. If you want to be the best dancer, the best chess player, the best student, the best gas station clerk, the best whatever...well what the heck is stopping you? People that pursue their dreams will find road blocks a long the way, constantly! These experiences make them better than they were yesterday. Learning is power that gives momentum, being in wonder is stagnant and motionless.

Ponder This...

Who or what is your road block?

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