First of all, thank you all for being so supporting of this blog. I never imagined that I would receive as much interest as I have in the first week! Nor had I imagined that it would spark so much discussion as to need a Question and Answer post. But here I am...and here it is. :)
Posting made easy. Since you have all contacted me via facebook, most due to the awkwardness of signing up for an account, I have opened up the comments to everyone. You no longer need an account to leave a post.
Q. How often do you plan to update? Seems very frequent so far.
A. This first week has been a bit unusual because I've been setting the stage for the blog and filling you in on the last month. (Which I'm still working on.) I'm not certain how much I will blog, but I doubt that it will be more than once a week. Unless, of course, there is something new and exciting to post like the creation of non fat, no calorie, sugar free Cinnamon Rolls that taste like the real thing. In other words...once per week.
Q. Why pageants and fitness competitions? You seem better than that. Plus, women should accept their bodies for what they are versus what the media says they should be. You know the average size is 12 in America. What are you a 6? 8 on a bad day?
A. First of all....Get off my blog!! (Expect to see this phrase regularly.) Pageantry has truly been given a bad name and it's unfounded. Pageants, in my case, have been transformational. I like to call them my mind, body and spirit bootcamp. Had I not competed, I don't know that I would have looked at myself apart from the "credentials" that I had accumulated. I was no more than a resume. Someone who was trying desperately to look good on paper so that she could prove her value to the world, but most importantly to herself. It was pageantry that made me look at Tracie the complete woman. I was forced to reevaluate every aspect of who I was, learn what was important, what I stood for, what made me happy and differentiate MY beliefs and desires from those that were forced upon me.
Now regarding the average woman being a size 12!! That just infuriates me. Everyone is so concerned about the media and the fashion industry setting unrealistic expectations as it relates to being too thin, however there is no concern about being too large. Not that a size 12 is too large, it depends on the individual's body, goals and commitment level. But let's face it, Americans are becoming larger and larger each year. We have seen the first reduction in the average lifespan of the American due to Obesity. Next the average size will be 14, then 16 and so on. The worst part is that we as women, will continue to use it as an excuse to stay as we are rather than become who we want to be. Women should not be afraid to go for their dreams no matter what they are. If you want to become a ballroom dancer, obtain a degree, start a business or...become Mrs. America you should go for it regardless of what others say. As Madeleine Albright said at the California Women's Conference last month ,
"There is a special place in hell for women who don't support each other."
I literally choked on my water. She is such a hoot.
Me personally, I never settled for society telling me that I would not excel because I was black, underprivileged, abused or a woman. I most certainly will not be told that I'm wrong for wanting to have the best body that I can have based on my own standards. I personally LOVE the look of bikini and figure competitors. It's not for everyone, but it's for me...if of course I can get my body to do it and still maintain an enjoyable existence. (Yes, there is a limit.) What size will I be, what will I weigh? I have no idea, nor do I care. I'll just know it when I see it. Lean, mean and cut. :)
Regarding the fitness competition...It is a milestone for me on the way to Mrs. America. Something to force me to get into shape and to learn to articulate to judges who I am without words. I'm leaving no stone unturned this year. However, I will allow Lanell to answer that question. She would have a better feel for the fitness competition arena and why she competes. I suspect it's similar to my reasons. (See Comments for Lanell's response.)
Q. Would you like some recipes for your journey?
A. Yes, Yes and Yes!!! If I eat one more grilled chicken breast or pack of ground turkey, my husband will need to pluck me. ugh... I'll post the recipes that I test and love under a recipe label. Now remember, my people are from Alabama, we prefer to have some flavor with our food. Lol! No frue frue stuff either. Hearty, healthy and flavorful meals need only apply.
Q. Can I go to Any Fitness Together (FT) for the free training offer?
A. FTs are franchises, therefore the offer is not valid in any studios other than the four listed below. If you are are not in the area, I suggest that you contact your local Fitness Together studio and ask if they will honor the special. It can't hurt. The offer is one free week (up to three sessions). In addition there is a 20% discount on 24 session packages should you fall in love with FT as I have. :)
- Sacramento/Carmichael: 2648 Watt Ave #103 Sacramento, CA 95821 (916) 483-2930
- Fresno: 1568 E. Champlain Drive Suite 103, Fresno, California 93720 (559) 433-0663
- West Fresno: 2002 W. Bullard Ave, Fresno, CA 93711 (559) 436-1755
- Clovis: 1990 N. Fowler Ave Suite #116 Clovis, CA 93619(559) 299-1880
Q. Who is the hottie on your follower section?
A. Is that why everyone is following anonymously? For fear of being stalked?:) This has been my most frequently asked question. Lol! The hottie is Terry Steele. He is the manager at Fitness Together Arden. Sorry ladies, he's spoken for. But there is a bright side: If you call in for the special, Terry is the person you'll be dealing with. So you get a few good work outs and some eye candy. Can't beat that! lol!
Funny story, Terry and his wife have the same name. Isn't that just too cute for words? My husband and my brother also share a name, but I suppose that's not quite the same thing. Lol!
When I met my husband, he introduced himself as Bryan and I said, "Oh that's not going to work. What else you got?" He has been "Staff" ever since.
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Okay, that is enough for now. I'll be back. :)
1 comment:
In response to the question…why compete? I am proud of what I have accomplished and I have a competitive nature. Did I start out with the goal of competing, certainly not? I started working out to rehabilitate a back injury. At that point in my life walking was even a challenge. I worked out every day just to improve the quality of my life physically. That struggle taught me how to work tirelessly toward what often times felt like an intangible goal. Side effects of that were changes in my appearance and improved nutrition. As the pain lessened I knew there was no going back. Working out gave me back my life! A new lease on life, a “new body”, self confidence, and an inner strength I had never felt before. Competing came to my attention because other gym members started asking me if I was “getting ready for a competition”. They had to explain it to me and told me to go see a bodybuilding show for myself. So I did just that. The”old me” would have never dreamed of getting on stage. Especially not in an outfit that “fits into a sandwich baggie”! The “new me” was ready to try it! It is not about beauty or sex appeal. It’s about a healthy lifestyle. Long term goals and hard work that is what gave me the sense of achievement. The competition is just a standard for me to measure my results by. It keeps me from getting complacent.
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