Post-Contest Wrap up

Well, this post is long overdue to say the least..... I am now 5 1/2 weeks post contest and doing really well.  I had an amazing experience in participating in this show.  The week of my show I was calm especially the 2-3 days before the show, all the hard work and dieting was done, and the week of I had to really pay attention to my sodium and my water intake and keep a record of that as well as my macros (protein, carbs and fat) which I was used to doing for the last several weeks leading up to the show.  I am glad that I decided to do this show in Liberty, MO and that I did it alone without my family with me, I know that may seem strange but for me, I just wanted to experience this first show without any distractions and just focus on the details of getting ready for this show.  There were some hiccups the week of my show including my credit card having a fraud attempt (so it had to be cancelled that week) and my husband was delayed in getting home.  I remained calm (surprisingly) and was able to just roll with the circumstances, God was with me every step of the way, why would that change now? My new credit card arrived FED EX the morning before I left for Liberty and my husband high tailed it home the night before so I could give him a hug before I left, so everything worked out.  There was a major storm here in town as I was leaving, so much that there was flooding on the base, but I was still able to get my last workout in and a pedicure before hitting the freeway to Liberty!   I made it to the hotel and got ready for my first of many spray tans, it was amazing how dark I got for that show, but it is necessary with the brightness of the lights on the stage.  The day of the show I was relaxed and it wasn't until I got my hair and makeup done that I felt rushed, especially in getting my food before I hit the stage, next time I will get hair and makeup done earlier so that I can register sooner, I was tight on time getting checked in at the show, but I made it! I got myself ready for the stage in my little suit and 5" heels and the night was like a whirlwind, so much fun!  This show is unique since it is an evening show with prejudging and the awards immediately following. Typically, a show is set up where the pre-judging takes place mid-morning then there is a break in the afternoon and awards and show take place in the evening.  This show was non-stop, especially since I had signed up for 5 Figure classes:  Beginner, Novice,  Open, Masters 40+, and 35+.  They were almost back to back so very little down time in between, I would come off the stage from one class, and be called to get right back on the stage. The other Figure competitors were so supportive and encouraging and it was an awesome experience. I was so thankful to know two other girls at the show competing next to me and we would cheer each other on, sometimes we were competing in the same class, but I felt that we were on the same team since we had practiced posing over the months together and this was our first show.  Later in the evening, the judges made their decisions of the top 5 winners for each class.  I went to this show to gain the experience and see if this was something I would like to continue doing or check it off my bucket list, I was not expecting to place, but you know what? I did! I earned 5th place in the Masters 40+ Tall class! I was so surprised and happy, all of my hard work had paid off!  What is even better is the two girls I had mentioned earlier also earned trophies so we all walked away with hardware, we enjoyed a wonderful post-show meal of pizza and a few beers, it was an awesome victory!  I was so thankful to having help from my friend backstage who was a great moral support to me and friends who drove all the way out just to see me make my debut on the stage, what amazing support!  I also was able to text my coach and stay in contact with him as needed throughout the process.  So the question you may have is, am I going to compete in another show? You are just going to have to wait and see......to be continued.