josephinedalton’s BodyBlog

Well this is the hour of decision. I am not liking my figure right now and am leaning more towards just watching the show versus competing in it. I woke up at 130.5 lbs, about to do 2nd coat of tanner and eat a high carb breakfast to see if my abs will come out more. We’ll see. I’ve updated photos to show the progression over 24 hour period. From post water loading to morning of show. I’m sure I will shed a tad more water by then, but I dont think it will be enough. I should have worked a little harder those last 4 weeks.

—added at 12:15am—
I wanted to thank you all for the encouragement. But I know what I am doing; I coach bikini competitors and am also a well seasoned competitor (after 45+ competitions)

  From here on I am taking a new stand on competing; rather than competing for the fun of it, as I have been since 2005. I am now competing to win and gain exposure. I have a name in the competition circles (not a big name though, but people tend to know who I am and remember me) so each time I get up on stage, I have to bring my best. I cannot afford to show up looking half-ass (for what I am capable of). It doesn’t look good to potential sponsors, magazine editors, photographers, etc;.  And I have a whole new generation of young girls to compete against; girls who don’t have to work as hard as me to maintain their physiques (I am 36, not 22).  

2 years ago I misinterpreted the standards for the Flex Bikini contest. I thought I looked ok in the mirror at home and in the dressing room of the show. But when I showed up on stage, I was too soft. Stage lights add an additional 10lbs and that is why we competitors go though the whole process of water depletion, carb loading and tanning.  I know my competition weight, and each year it gets harder and harder to attain that weight.  

So instead of doing the contest, I am teaming up with an established fitness photographer to do some shoots. ALthough not quite up to parr for the stage, definitely look good for some fitness & bikini pics. Since he is staying with me and Geoff for the week, I will have those photos before he leaves and will be posting a few here.

This entry was posted on Friday, September 25th, 2009 at 9:31 am and is filed under Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.