My Fitness Challenge

Let me start by saying that this is not going to be pretty. Lol! I will tell it like it is. There will be no candy coating of language, no edited photos, no hair and make-up, no grandiose ideas of saving the world with these entries. Just me at 43 years of age, trying to get into the best shape of my life. Why? Because it's now or never. I'm not getting any younger and I surely am not getting any more motivated. If anything, I'm beginning to lose faith in my ability to put the fork down! Hopefully this blog will not only keep you entertained, but help with whatever fitness goals you may have.

Some of you may know that I compete in Mrs. Pageantry. I have had the goal of becoming the first African American to win the Mrs. America crown since 2004. I have competed 4 times at Mrs. California America, a qualifier for the national pageant. I’ve placed 1st runner up the last two years in a row and darn it....I'm going back again in July of 2010. Will it be my year? 5th time is the charm? Who knows? I joke with the Mrs. California America Director that I am the Susan Lucci of Pageantry. Let's hope it doesn't take that many attempts.

Side Bar: To avoid confusion for some, I should explain that I won the title of Mrs. California United States 07/08 and placed 15th at Mrs. United States. Mrs. United States is a completely different pageant system but what a ride it was. I believe it prepared me tremendously for the challenge of Mrs. America.

Back to the task at hand....

I work out regularly, eat much better than the average American, but no matter what I do, I can't seem to get the firm body that I've always dreamed of. I've been slim and fit by American standards my entire life. However slim and fit does not always equal firm as you will see in my photos. (Shiver)

After four kids, a crazy busy career and other bits of life, I have gradually packed on quite a few pounds of fat that seems to happily reside on my midsection, hips and thighs. Now don't get me wrong, each year, I drop 20 or so pounds to compete at Mrs. California America. But guess what? Each year my body is completely different. One year, I'm looking pretty lean, the next my thighs are shaking like a cold, wet Chihuahua. Not pretty. There are few elements at work here:

• I always wait until the last 2-3 months before the pageant to get serious.

• My hormones...you don't know my life...this just ain't right

• Nutrition. I eat no fried foods, very little red meat, no soda etc... however, I like my donuts and ice cream...correction...I LOVE my donuts and ice cream and the occasional Butterfinger, frosted flakes at night... you get the picture.

• Training/sculpting knowledge

Now again, I work out regularly 2-3 days per week and the last two months I it is cardio 6 days per week and weight training at least 3. Then the last few weeks before the pageant, I go nuts if I'm not where I want to be. I end up dehydrating, body wrapping...sacrificing chickens to the weight loss gods, whatever it takes. Thus the inconsistencies in the end result. Oh and after the pageant, FREE FOR ALL!

So what would any overachieving wife, mother of four, entrepreneur and philanthropist do? I challenge myself to a figure competition in April. That’s right. April 2010! As I tell my friends and family, “You must not know who I am. You better Google me.” Lol!! I know, it sounds crazy, but its right up my alley. However, I’m not a complete fool. I was smart enough to enlist the folks over at Fitness Together Arden Arcade in Sacramento, Ca to support me in my madness. (See special offer on upper right.) I love Fitness Together because they have great trainers of course, but they also have private sections within their studios. That's right. No one is laughing at my flat feet and lack of coordination. Well, except for my trainer of course. :)

I’ve been working with my trainer Lanell Martinez for 30 days now and have the first set of stats and photos to post. But Darn… I’ve got to get the kids ready for bed. Then get in a workout and log my food or Lanell will give me the “Look of Disappointment” tomorrow. Lord knows I don’t want to see that again this week. It’s only Wednesday. Geez! Stay tuned……