What Does It Mean To Win

Below is something I wrote about winning about 5 weeks out from my show in 2009. As it turns out I not only won my class at that show 2009 Jr Nationals but I also won the overall and it was the first time ever I looked at myself and really saw a bodybuilder.

Since that show I have competed in 3 others I placed 4th at 2 and 1st at the 3rd but whether I was 4th or st I knew each time I stepped on stage I won - i was better than my previous show, i gave 100% every day.

Outside of the physical there are other ways to "win". Over the years in the sport I have met so many people that have become good friends. We support each other through prep and celebrate each others victories. I have won a circle of friends who work hard, who I am inspired by and who are there supporting me. They will be there no matter how I place.

Pushing through the struggles of prep and frustrations that can come in the off season and celebrating your accomplishments and victories you grow as a person and "win" by becoming a better person.

So when the show is over and you ponder am I a winner put the trophy and placing aside and really look deep at the whole picture and what you did to get there and who helped you along the way - then you will know you are a winner!

(written May 2009 during prep for 2009 Jr Nationals)

What Does It Mean To Win

"We all want to win, to place first but is that really what is means to win? To have a

subjective judge tell you whether you prep was a success or failure?

If coming in first is the only way you will view your prep as a success then more

times than not you will be disappointed. You can't determine what the judges will

like that day and you can't determine who will be standing on stage next you. I had a

friend on stage with 54 other girls in her class at Jr Nationals one year if coming in first is

the only thing that doesn’t suck then 54 of them failed.

I see people post in others journals when they aren’t first “You will do better next

time” why dismiss the success they made by saying winning is the only thing that

matters?

If you come in with a better look then your previous show.

If you made improvements you wanted. More muscle. Tighter conditioning. Better

symmetry.

If you gave it your all every day.

If you NEVER cheated on your diet. NEVER missed a cardio.

NEVER missed a workout.

If you gave it all you had each and every workout.

Then you have won and the trophy, if you get one, is icing.

With this mindset you can be a success regardless of the subjectiveness of this sport

and enjoy it so much more.

I see so many people stressing in their journals and not enjoying the process and the

journey. I see people not enjoying life and avoiding friends and family just because

food is around. What does it mean to win a trophy if your life has been miserable for

12, 16 or more weeks?

Believe me I am competitive. I thrive of beating the person next to me in the gym. I

WANT to win but I can’t control judges or what type of physique is next to me on

stage. I have came in first and won an overall and was miserable the entire prep

worried if I would be good enough. Was it worth it? No.

My prep for Nationals 2007 was the hardest one ever I made no changes in weight,

pictures or measurements for the first 6 weeks. But I stuck with it, I never cheated, I

pushed to complete workouts when I was tired. I placed 10th of 12; yet I am more

proud of that accomplishment of pushing thru and not giving up.

Now my current prep; the most I have ever had to drop about 30lbs. I have never

dropped more than 12 in a prep. I have really just let go and enjoyed it. I have

complete faith in Jeremy and I know I will be my best ever. Will it be good enough

for first maybe, maybe not but I have won because I did make the improvements I

wanted, I put on the muscle I need to balance my physique. 

Taking this mindset the cardio does not bother me. I have had zero problems with diet including going outwith friends and family and enjoying time with them while they eat my favorite foods. I haven’t missed a second of cardio or a workout. Do I have hard days – sure

as hell do! I have had cardio sessions where I was lightheaded and dizzy, I have had

workouts that I felt extremely weak but I pushed through. I know that the reps that

are the hardest where you feel you can’t move it are the ones that count. We have

discovered things about how my body works and I totally look at the scale as a mere

indicator of what is happening but I don’t base my mood on what it is doing.

I can look back on this prep with no regrets.

I am thoroughly enjoying this prep and am a winner regardless of my placing!"