Wow. This was quite the experience. Getting spray tanned, having fake eyelashes put on, being glazed over with oil—this was a tad different than powerlifting, for sure.
In a world where everything is about looks (and very little on performance), it's definitely something that is out of my realm. I preach to my clients, friends, and people trying in the strength world that training is about performance primarily. Especially with women, train hard, set PRs, lift heavy, dial in your diet (even just a little), and the body composition changes will come. So, this was quite different.
As you've been reading, I love the training. It's fun and challenging. John Meadows (who is amazing) had me on a diet that wasn't bad at all. And I'm sure it was a cake-walk compared to what more figure girls go through. I was where I needed to be two weeks out, so it was cruise-mode for sure.
Morning of the show
Eggs, toast, coffee, and then some rice cakes with almond butter a few hours later.(I'll be documenting more about the specifics later... just wanted to get some pics and results up).
Day of the show
I really didn't know what to expect. "When do I get there?" "What do I do?" "When do I change?" "When do I get oiled?" "What do I do on stage?"Figure was last in the lineup so there was lots of waiting around, which was probably a good thing. It was strange not knowing anyone. I'm used to going to powerlifting meets where we are all like family. But, I did make a friend or two that helped guide me. Plus, John and Dr. Serrano was there as well.
On the stage
We didn't step on stage for pre-judging until about 12:30 p.m. We walked out individually and did our presentation poses. I was last (ugh), but at least I got to see what the other girls did before me. I just followed suit. Then we got in our diagonal lines. Each line was called out for mandatory poses. Then, back to our lines. They had first call-outs, which basically tells you who placed top five. I was not in that call out, but I was in the second call-out, so I knew I was placing somewhere between sixth and tenth place. Phew...that's done. Off to eat a burger, fries, and a cookie.
Back for the finals
Because the judging is already done, we just go out, stand on our lines, and they call out the top-five. I didn't place as well as I had hoped. I got the results online yesterday and I tied for sixth! So that was cool. Basically first out of the second call-out group.My final thoughts
I looked EXACTLY how John wanted me to look on stage. He said that my leanness, legs, back, tan, and everything was perfect—he wouldn't have changed a thing. People keep asking if I was too hard or too lean. There is a possibility, but I don't know. All I do know is I came into it looking how we wanted me to look. I do need to hit my front pose a little better because this is the pose I struggled with the most. But, that's OK. It was the experience I went for and I'm glad I did it!
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