I may not come home with a trophy, but for me, that’s what this is about.  It’s about me, being a new mom, having an amazing baby and overcoming obstacles to regain my prebaby body back.  It’s about me going the distance and proving to myself that I am capable of change and learning to love myself as I am.  I set out to compete two weeks ago and could not because I had to take care of my health first.  I was and am mentally ready. 

But let me tell you about the hurdles that I had to overcome to get to where I am.  I found out that I broke my back and had a bulging disc that was impeding me to properly workout, gain muscle and walk correctly.  I just thought that pain was normal until I found out the culprit.  Then the whole ruptured ovarian cyst and trip to the ER that somehow triggered my entire stomach lining to swell up beyond belief and weaken my entire body.  Those were the easy hurdles to overcome.  Those were just physical.  The mental ones were and sometimes are the worst. And of course that damn scale.  But I beat that one and I met my goal weight a few weeks ago.  It’s that constant voice in my head saying to just do it later and its ok if you didn’t complete your cardio and it’s just one nibble, just one cookie.  I learned how to quiet that voice down which has been for me, the toughest battle. 

And through all of this putting my daughter 1^st, hubby and family after then finally, me.  It has been one hell of a ride.  So, to me, I’m a winner.  I am actually better than I started before having a baby.  My goal was and is simply to get the balls (for lack of a better phrase) and do a competition – not to win a trophy.  I don’t need one because I have all that I will ever need in my life.  Will I compete again? Yes!  And you better believe I will be better than this time!! J

I just proved to myself that I CAN do it.  And I WILL get better.  There’s no race – just me versus me.  I am comfortable in my own skin and love my curves.  And this amazing body of mine grew a human! 

So, here we go!! 4 days till I strut my sexy mommy buns across the War Memorial Auditorium at Southern States.  And just have fun!  I’m excited that I am able to do this and I’m excited to be there! J  I want to thank everyone that has supported me from day one.  A BIG thank you to my coaches and my awesome BeautyFit family – thank you for believing in me.  My besties for always giving me tough love but that’s the best love, my teammates for encouraging and motivating me.  And last but not least Olivia and Grand – my reason, my life.