Friday, July 17, 2009

Well, I haven't posted since my last competition (last Saturday) - so let me now update you all on how that went! I competed in Open Figure at IDFA's Toronto Classic on July 11. It was awesome to do a competition in Toronto so all my friends and family could be there for it and my studio peeps definitely made an awesome cheering squad!!! I had originally planned to compete in the Novice Figure division with Gina & Camille (my 2 friends I was training for this with), but I got a second placing in Figure at the Neutron show 2 weeks before, so at the last minute I had to enter Open Figure instead of Novice. This was scary to me as I didn't feel I had enough muscle to compete in IDFA as it was, never mind in Open! It was a small group, but gosh, did these women have muscle!!! I was shocked to hear my name called out in the top five and was so excited and thoroughly excited to take home the fifth place medal that night. The day and night was really long and our division was last in the show! We were only out there a few minutes to do our quarter turns after waiting nervously backstage for about 4 hours each show! By the time I got out on stage I was a wreck and I felt like everyone could see me shaking through my poses (people told me they couldn't so that was good). I was so nervous about my trembling that I may have screwed up a bit on my quarter turns! It was hard to only have those few minutes to impress the judges. At the Neutron show I competed in two different categories, it was a smaller show, and there were so many different opportunities to come on stage and strut your stuff (quarter turns, T-walks, routines, posing, etc.) that you ended up a bit more relaxed there, but having everything count on a few minutes of quarter turns at IDFA was harrowing!!! It was an awesome experience and placing 2nd in Neutron and 5th in IDFA just spurs me on to want to place higher in October when I compete again! I'm waiting to see the judge's reports to see what I need to improve on, checking out the pictures, dreaming up my next bikini (I'm thinking blue or green with tons of crystals!) and now, after a week of eating bad and taking a bit of a break from the gym, I'm ready to get back at it all!

This Sunday I start my studio's newest, most exciting endeavor, flow's 12-week body transformation program! I am so ready to throw all my heart and soul into helping ten people change their lives forever! We are gonna be one sexy studio by October! Maybe a few of them will want to compete with me once they're done the 12-week transformation! This program will also spur me back onto the healthy path so I don't put all the weight I took off back on by continuing to eat Haagen Dasz and Big Macs (which have been my staples this week after competition)! I can't wait!

Other exciting news is one of my articles on starting your own competition training crew was published in Dubai's Physique Magazine this month! Check it out at http://www.mayada.ca/meagfitness/starting%20your%20own%20competition%20training%20crew.htm

Monday, July 6, 2009

Just 5 more days until my big IDFA Figure competition!!! And I'm SOOOOOO excited! I just got my stage shots from the Neutron show (taken by pro photographer, Dave Robinet) just in time to learn from them for this next competition... what have I learnt from seeing them?

- I hated my hair - must figure something different out to do with it for this Saturday... maybe straight this time?

- My quarter turn to the back still needs work... need to pop those shoulders up more (and evenly), get rid of my shoulder blade wings, and make sure all of my hair is pulled off my back to really showcase those back muscles I've been working so hard on!

- I think my face was a little dark, so am trying to get a great make-up artist to do my face this time (I can't be trusted!)

It was also great to just see me up there and realize I don't look as bad as I imagined myself! My husband told me I looked great up there alongside all the other fit girls, but I thought he was just being nice. I still see lots of areas to work on, but I have a little more confidence after seeing myself up there and (mostly) liking what I see!!!

I was down in the gym twice this morning already (cardio and legs/butt/calves). I will run to the studio later to get together with my fitness girls and practise our walking and posing for this Saturday! YAY!!!

Friday, July 3, 2009

My prep for my competition next Saturday is going well, plus I have a fun beach photo shoot this coming Wednesday with my fitness girls, Camille and Gina and our favourite photographer, Samira! Just found some adorable new bikinis at H & M for that.

Today I thought I'd post about something that is really irritating me lately... and that is people saying they feel sorry for me cause I'm not eating junk lately and saying they can't wait till I can eat again, etc. So, I was trying to explain to some of my students last night that there's no need to feel sorry for me... I'm having a totally awesome time creating the body of my dreams! Yes, it means I miss out on some goodies along the way, but what your life is is all about what your priorities are. Right now, my main priorities in life have to do with my baby, my career, and my fitness. Some people's priorities in life right now might be enjoying yummy food and drinks while socializing with friends or trying the newest restaurants with their significant other and that's fine (I've been there too - how do you think I gained so much excess weight during my pregnancy?), I'm not judging these people and saying "gee, I feel sorry for you - too bad you can't take off that last ten pounds!" right? that would be awfully mean! And so I just want to get it out there that no one has to feel sorry for me, I am feeling better than I've ever felt in my life, better than I'd feel eating a big old cupcake every few days. Plus, if you know me well, you know I do indulge in a cheat meal (or day) at least every week - it keeps me sane! As for the comment of "I can't wait till you can eat again" - First of all, I do eat... I eat a lot... 5 - 6 meals a day of nutrient-rich veggies and power-packed proteins, I never find myself hungry, and I usually have lots of energy from this type of healthy eating, I know what people are referring to really is when will I be with them indulging in all those yummy fatty foods like nachos, burgers, beer, and sweets? This lifestyle I've started with clean eating and hardcore work-outs isn't going to just go away after my last competition of the season next week... at least I hope it won't! I didn't just put all these months of effort into developing such a healthy regimen just to throw it out the window because I've gotten through some competitions. Life isn't about competitions, to me it's about feeling terrific in your own skin, feeling confident about your body, and living a healthy lifestyle (especially now that I have a child who will be watching my eating habits and learning!) So, next time you see me eating my cottage cheese and brocoli, don't feel bad for me, know that it's all worth it to me to feel great and live my dreams! And if you really wanna see me down some nachos and beer - come out with us after the competition this Saturday (ha ha)!!!