A true champion is not always the one who takes home the top prize. Yesterday, I did not win any of my classes. Yes, I took home three trophies but that is not what made me a winner or a champion. What does is all that I have accomplished and all that I endured yesterday to just get on that stage.

(Warning: parts of this blog will be graffic so if you have a weak stomach, don't read this.)

First of all, you need to know my background. I have three children, all were by c-section and the last c-section was giving birth to full term twins, one 7 pounds the other 7 pounds 1 ounce, not to mention, I almost died on the table as I had kidney and liver failure. The heaviest I have ever been was with my first son where I reached around 200 pounds on my small 5'2" frame. Before children, I had trained and competed in bodybuilding, but after children I made several attempts at getting back in shape but never really succeeded in the long term until January 2008 when I started eating better and doing alot of walking. I got inspired by the show The Biggest Loser and my hubby's weight loss from exercise. In May 2008 I started lifting weights again. My midsummer I had gone from a size 12 to a size 8. I had started at 168 and by December 2008 I was around 130 and a size 6. Since then, I have continue to add muscle and lose fat. I now where a size 1/2 to 3/4 and weigh around 119 pounds. I have competed in three figure contest since September 2009 which brings us to my latest adventure in competing.

Yesterday, was my second and third figure competitions: Big Sky and Montana State. I had hoped my menstrual cycle would come a little early  as I have very heavy periods that require constant running to the bathroom every 60 minutes or less. Well, my luck yesterday was that heavy day! So here I am in a tiny bikini trying to stay dry and not have an accident. The morning prejudging was extremely long. I was there from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. I was in four classes. I made it safely through 3 classes. We were all lined up for the last one when I had a dreaded accident. I ran up the three or four flights of stairs to the ladies' dressing room grabbed  baby wipes and supplies. I quickly went into the bathroom and cleaned up as best I could. I was so afraid I was missing the class and if I made it that my stained bikini bottom would show. Well, surprising enough it didn't show and one of my girlfriends held up the class until I got back. I proceeded to walk on stage confident as always even though the whole ordeal had been nerve racking to say the least.  Many of the girls said they would have just given up had this happened to them. Well, I wish I could say that was the last problem or worry of the day.

All afternoon it seem to taper off, but when I arrived at the evening show it picked up again and I was constantly running to the ladies' room. Miraculously I made it to each stage call and walk on presentation. I was totally and utterly drained by the end of the day. I felt like I had literally bled to death all day long not to mention the normal strain of competing and standing in 4 1/2 inch heels all day. The evening show finally ended about 11 p.m. and so did my heavy flow. Was I bloated all day long too, I don't know and I really don't care at this point. I did the best I could do! I succeeded and did more than most women half my age would or could have done so I am a champion, no matter what. So if you find yourself in a difficult situation or when life gives you lemons, make lemonade! Don't let anything get in the way of your success!

P.S. sorry if this was too graffic, but I felt you could not truly understand what I went through yesterday without all the facts!