PRU ~ POST COMP BLOGGIN

WEEK 43 – POST CONTEST: Thursday, November 18, 2010
Well it’s been almost a week since my first figure competition and I can tell you I am still just walking around in disbelief and excitement! I am also a little lost … been taking it easy this week - just cardio – which is so strange. Don’t get it twisted though; I have a game plan so I will be back in the gym hard for the D3 show!!! Gotta maintain … Gotta maintain!

I don’t even know where to start. There is so much I have to share. I have received so many wonderful and positive comments from everywhere! I want to again thank my D3 family … this is an accomplishment for all of us!!!

The thing that most resonates right now is that so many people are telling me that I have now inspired and/or motivated them to get in shape. This is a great thing. What I’d like to impart is that this has been the beginning of a journey of REBIRTH for me. In nine months, I SHED 40 pounds and a lot of doubts, and gave BIRTH to a new, healthier, positive, energetic and “TAKE YOUR DREAMS OFF THE SHELF AND GET THE IMPLEMENTING” - ME! And of course back on track spiritually.

When I look at the before picture - that Dre posted in a previous newsletter this week - I just want to scream! I remember that day so clearly. That’s the day/timeframe that I said to myself … “self … it’s either now or never, so what you going to do playa (smile)!” I was at the heaviest I had ever been in my life and I felt so dowdy. I made up my mind that day that it was time to get the body in order. I had not been to D3 consistently for some time, so I started back and added one more class. Then Dre threw me the ultimate challenge in February 2010 … to be a part of the D3 Dropdown team. I needed it and was so glad that she picked me.

Like all of us, I made up excuses as to why I wouldn’t be able to dedicate the amount of time required – family/work obligations, impending bunion surgery, etc., etc.,. I realized that these were just excuses. Once I commit to something I commit. That’s exactly what I did. The original goal was to just lose 20 pounds by my 45th birthday and 25 pounds by November – a figure competition wasn’t even on the radar. I remember telling Dre, I will be so happy if I can just get down to 135. Once I hit 135,,, it was on! About May, she asked if any of us wanted to do a figure competition and I said I’m in. I just wanted to see how far I could push my body. I listened to Dre and did whatever she asked. I also did my own homework.

There were many hurdles/challenges along the way … some of which I hinted at in my blogs. I won’t go into a lot of it now, but I just want you all to know that this was not a cakewalk. Like most people, my life is not without trials and obligations: family, work, illness, death. However, the D3 motto is so true … there is nothing that can defeat a “made up mind”! And Andrea Everett … yes D3 is truly “life-changing fitness for a made up mind”! And Andrea Everett … YOU ARE THE TRUTH!

On that note, Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I wish you and your families continued blessings! Love you all!


WEEK 43 – POST CONTEST: Monday, November 15, 2010
Well it’s the Monday after my first competition and the fog has cleared a bit (smile)! Let me just say this has been one of the most incredible journey’s of my life!!! Simply incredible! I don’t even know where to start … well first off I know I worked unbelievably HARD to get my body prepared for this competition. Not a cheat DAY, MEAL, SNACK, TASTE!!! I made up my mind that I was going to put my ALL in this and that is what I did.

I didn’t place in the competition – and I won’t lie to you I was truly disappointed because I know I had one of the BEST bodies there – BUT as Dre, my husband and everyone who was there to support me reminded me … the trophy is this awesome, sculpted body that is mine. I want a trophy though (LOL)! I prayed, cried, talked it through and by Sunday after church I was cool with it all. Dre told me after the competition, it is soooooo much bigger than you winning a place in a competition … God has something bigger for you. I love her! More importantly I believe that this is true to my core! I’m not a big believer in God talking to people, but I do know that God has been revealing so many things to me as I embarked on this journey. You see, though I was working to lose weight and to see how far I could push my body, God was re-inventing and re-invigorating my SOUL! He was giving me some much needed spiritual nourishment, as I shed the weight I also began to shed some fears, stagnation, self-doubt, unhealthy thoughts … all that … and I got the old but a more new and mature ME back if that makes sense. I am READY to take my dreams off the shelf and start implementing them and STARTING NOW … that’s exactly what I’m going to do!!! Just had an AHA moment … THIS IS MY TROPHY!!!

Well I have to run for right now, but I’m going to give you a blow by blow of the competition a little later. I had to get those thoughts out right now!