A few weeks back, actually about two weeks ago I did something that I thought I would never do, entered my self into a fitness competition. I've always played team sports and never dabbled in the individual athlete category like tennis, track, etc. So the premise is that I enter the competition as an individual and I picked the prescribed category. What does that mean? Well that means I do all the movements as the set weight, height, reps, and standards. The scaled category allows for assisted movements, and lighters weights. So the prescribed category is TOUGH. With that said this was my first competition of ever of this sort, also doing prescribed when in January of this year I was doing most work outs and movements with a scaled element.
Luckily I wasn't alone, two other women from the fitness gym where there as well, and it was their first competition as well. Let me give you some more details as to why this is a big deal. There are a total of 6 workout over two day, 4 one the 1st day and 2 on the 2nd. Four of the workouts are circuit like, either you need to finish in a set time or do as many round as possible under time cap and two of the workouts are pure beast like strength.
I made it through the two day competition, with minimal soreness and I had so much FUN!!! I got to bond with the the other women and test myself. I mean I exceeded my own expectations of myself. It's an amazing feeling to walk in the literally underdog and be able to keep up! Also I know now I can PUSH myself much HARDER that I have been.
So I didn't win but I had a HUGE victory getting over my fears, and insecurities of my own abilities (standing alone). I'm just so stoked to see what else my body and my mental toughness can do next. The competition made me feel like I could do anything.........Power Lifting Competitions, Strong Women Competitions.
The experience also made me think about how I live my life. I started to think about the quality of life I was leading, and how I was treating myself. After the competition I started looking at sleeping, nutrition/eating, and stress a lot differently. I can achieve my physical goals, but I have to take care of myself. Nutrition is the key to my success for many reasons. I sleep better, my body recovers quickly, and during workouts I feel capable and strong. This shift is putting me in a life style much different than my friends, family, and co-workers. But I feel that those that will support me will be there and those that don't will drift away. Such is life.
Did I mention that this competition had an over 40 and 50 (age) for women and men? Now that was the most inspiring part. I'm watching these beast-like people over 40 years old crush workouts. I can only hope to be at that level, when I reach that age.
Go out and find your own challenge and the thing that make you so nervous it makes you sweat and go for it! Do whatever you want but try to better yourself in some way. It makes you feel amazing and you emit that onto other people whether you realize or not. I've said this in previous posts, if you bring yourself up, you bring other with you. People want to excel, be the person that helps them get there!
One man had a t-shirt on at the competition (he was competing at the age of 70) that I'll never forget and I'll always abide by, "I'd rather be dead, than average". I guess that's who I've always been. I'd rather excel that stay dormant. I may not be as good as the women in my gym, but I'm better that I was in January...........
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