Posing

I have a posing coach now; I am so excited to have connected with her. She has been competing for years and started in Figure, then went to Bodybuilding and most recently has been competing at the National level in Women’s Physique.

We met Friday at 24 Hour Fitness, not my gym but one of the gyms she trains at. The place is packed with people, “cardio city” and it looks to be quite the pickup scene.  We went straight to the group fitness room.

I told her I know nothing, I am a newbie. Well, not really. I have competed in Figure for several years, I know how to pose, I know the language, I know the drill. But I don’t know the ins and outs of Women’s Physique. I don’t know how to pose (the turns and comparisons are different); I don’t know how to do the mandatory’s (I did meet with Steve once and that was a great start, but I decided that I needed the advice of someone who actually competes in Physique);  I don’t know how or what to include in my evening routine.

She made it crystal clear. We started with the front, side and rear turns. She was very patient and moved my legs and feet ever so slightly, I mean inches, just to get the legs to look right. She explained what to flex and what not to flex. She told me about how to come in softer if I want; the judges said I was too hard so coming in lean but soft should be a piece of cake. She even clarified the routine- I had thought that I had to have the mandatory poses included, but no, it’s a display of my physique, set to music, it’s a celebration of my hard work, I can do what I like. This changes everything, everything.

We posed and talked for an hour, I had a fantastic time. Not that posing is “fun”, in fact, posing for Figure was never like this. Physique is actually going to be hard work! I would start to cramp after a very short time, it was so different! We laughed about it when I told her that, then I said “and what on earth does Bikini do anyway???!!” Peals of laughter from both of us ensued.

Meeting with her finally made it all hit home, this is going to be a reality for me.  Although I had committed to competing in WP, it hadn’t seemed real, there wasn’t enough change and I wasn’t learning anything new. I have certainly added more mass, and need to add more, but the posing and routine are a huge piece of it all and that piece of the puzzle was missing; it’s all falling into place now.

We set a date to meet again in two weeks, I would practice every day, and she would know if I did or did not. I drove home, feeling high as a kite, I was so excited.

Then it was dinner out with the family, David, Tom, Cooper, K.K. and Heidi. It would be our last meal together until Thanksgiving, that is, if Cooper comes home from Chico State then.

In the car on the way to the restaurant I texted Roy- “Filet Mignon or Prime Rib?” “Definitely Filet” he said. “Martini or no booze?”  I asked. “I have heavy squats first thing in the morning and then work all day.”  “No booze” he replied. Yes, just as I would have done, but sometimes it’s good to get affirmation.

I told him that I didn’t think I could do several sets of squats at more than 135 pounds on my own, so I would just add reps and/or sets, and then Wednesday when we meet we will improve upon that.

When I woke I had a new sense of excitement. I was glad I adhered to my plan of eating a healthy meal and no alcohol, I felt rested.

I was tight, I have been battling the tightness for months now, after the glute/hamstring issue it seems to be my I.T. Bands and hip flexors, so it means I need to stretch and warm up quite a bit, but I know this so I plan my training accordingly. I set a personal goal of performing one extra set of squats, and when I set my mind to something, nothing can stop me, nothing.

I did my warm up sets, many of them and then my squats at 135 pounds. 6 sets with the following reps: 5, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10 for a total of 54 reps. I looked back in my log and found that on Wednesday (on my own) I did 9, 9, 9, 9, 10 for a total of 46 reps. I just completed 8 reps more! I let out a huge yelp of excitement.

For the first time that I can recall, I started to feel nauseous; I had pushed myself to the point of almost vomiting.  I didn’t though; I sat and sat, and rested, waiting 8 minutes for it to pass before going on to the Hack Squat. I know how long I sat because I use a stopwatch when I train.

I was high, I felt like I was on top of the world. I enjoy this so much and many people cannot understand why.  I celebrate things like this, it means so much to me, and it makes me feel complete as a person. I cannot explain why.  

A friend recently told me that I made others feel that they cannot live up to my standards. I was hurt; I certainly don’t go around telling people things like that.  I don’t ridicule people for drinking alcohol on a daily basis, eating junk food or not going to the gym, that’s their choice and I really don’t care, it doesn’t impact me.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that what I do does take an amazing drive that most people don’t have, but that isn’t anything that I should be ashamed of, nor should I apologize for it. In fact, I should be proud of it and I am, very proud of it. I don’t force anyone to read this blog, I don’t offer diet, nutrition or training advice unless they ask for it. I decided that I cannot take responsibility for what other people feel and I cannot own the comment. It’s unfortunate that my actions make him feel that way, but I cannot change that. It reminded me of a quote.

“No one can drive us crazy unless we give them the keys”

I shall keep on pushing myself; keep on pushing the limits, challenging myself and celebrating my successes. I will shout it from the rooftops, but I will be sure to refrain from sharing my celebrations with others unless they truly want to share them with me.  I have numerous people who tell me I do inspire them, and I hope to continue this. I will remember to thank those who support me, such as David and Cooper as it certainly isn’t easy for them to live with me and my unusual diet and schedule. And I will keep writing,motivating, and inspiring others.

Lift Strong!