Dawn Melanie’s BodyBlog

:and the Women from the Girls. 

That’s what my undergrad Accounting Professor proclaimed of his course, Intermediate Accounting II.  It seems that he was correct; as most of us who stuck it through went on to earn the coveted title CPA … Certified Public Accountant.  No, it took much more work after his class.  But, his class was indeed a mile marker, breaking point … just as the decision to return to competition after a major injury.

15 years ago, I decided and committed to becoming a CPA.  Today, I decided that I will compete in a national level NPC Figure competition in 2007, albeit my continued self-rehabilitation of my left reconstructed ACL. 

Three months have lapsed since the surgery and I am feeling very positive about my future figure competition career.  I recall my struggles with the aforementioned accounting course.   Similarly, I am having a struggle with rehabilitation of my knee.  In fact, my ongoing challenges to achieve significant gains in my quadriceps and hamstrings have been escalated by the injury. 

I was studying for the CPA exam while working, out of town, in excess of 55-60 hours per week.  I made the best of it, studying on the airplane:in the taxi:en route to my engagement:attending review courses on the weekend.  Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful in my first attempts to conquer this “beast.  My seemingly gallant efforts only paid off when I REALLY sacrificed.  Amount of sleep was compromised to 4 hours maximum per night.  Going out to dinner meant a stroll into the dining room … not sitting at the desk.  (How exciting is that?)

For the next 6 months, I’ll do any and all known exercises to gain strength and control of my leg muscles.  Of course I won’t be squatting, or lunging, or performing plyometric jumps any time soon.  Conversely, I’ll be riding stationary bicycles, recumbent bicycles and hydro cycles … all in effort to establish leg strength conducive to a sustained, comfortable full range of motion.  My ACL is “fixed.  I need to foster its development in order for it to allow me to train safely and effectively.

Well, I have long since passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountancy Examination and I am a licensed Certified Public Accountant and a licensed Certified Internal Auditor.  With comparable perseverance, I will return to the stage for the “big dance … Dawn Melanie, NPC National level Figure Competitor.  Preferably, this return appearance will be this year at the 2007 GNC IFBB NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS Bodybuilding Figure IFBB Pro Qualifier.  I will keep you all posted on my progress towards this goal.