The Big Show

As we got closer to our competition I have to say my nerves really got the best of me. Honestly my biggest concern was that I was going to stick out like a sore thumb. The thought of everyone wondering what the hell I was doing there was enough to make me want to throw up. Not a great feeling. I knew that I was going to do the show no matter what, and the body I had now was what was going up on stage. Nothing to do about it at that point other than practise my posing and hope for the best.

Well I have to say that my first impression of the WBFF show was that the competitors were amazing. The girls were incredibly friendly, complimentary, helpful, and kind. I am pretty adept at picking up on others energy and I have to say that every girl in there was nothing but positive. Although it was a long day, we had a lot of fun back stage getting to know each other and ended up having a great time.

The first moment I stepped on stage was scary. You are trying to focus on so many things at the same time; walking, smiling, keeping your core engaged, posing. My mind went immediately blank for a few moments and then I got my act together, but let me tell you I was extremely grateful that the prejuging show doesn't tend to draw much of an audience. At first I thought the prejudging would be redundant, but it ended up being an excellent practise run for the big show that evening. You work out all of your nervousness in the morning so that by the time you step out on stage that night, you feel tremendously more confident.

Being on stage is a lot of fun. Nerve racking, but fun. Trying to keep your muscles engaged and posing over and over again is definitely a workout all by itself, not to mention walking in those shoes for hours! Let me tell you I didn't see my ankles for a few days afterwards, the swelling reminded me of what my legs looked like during pregnancy.

The best part of the WBFF show was the atmosphere. No one had an attitude about them, everyone was friendly and wished the best for their competitors. I honestly can say that I don't think many of the girls there even care where they placed, it was all about the experience. It was a show celebrating the accomplishments of fitness minded individuals regardless of what stage they were at in their training. Some girls were magazine ready, others had just started out. The point is it didn't matter. We all had our different reasons for being there and had an intimate understanding and respect for the other athletes and what they'd accomplished.

When the show was over it was definitely an emotional moment. It was the end of a new beginning, and the beginning of a new journey. I got to share it with my training partner and friend, Bre, who has shared in the struggles of competition prep and who has been by my side every step of the way. The show ending felt very similar to how you feel at the end of your wedding day; happy to be starting a new chapter and happy the hard work and planning is over, but a little sad that the excitement and anticipation of your big day is gone.

The most revealing part of this experience for me was seeing the pictures after the show. I was honestly dreading the WBFF stage pictures. I was expecting to be devastated as I compared myself directly standing next to some of the incredible women I shared the stage with. When the pictures were posted, I cried. I didn't stand out. I didn't look strange up there next to all that beauty. I looked just like everyone else. It was a feeling I'll never forget. I came face to face with the reality that I was no longer striving to have a great body, I had one. Sure I want to improve even further and take my physique to the next level, but I am pretty happy with how far I've come in just six short months.

The competition, our photo shoot, even our Facebook page, has become a celebration and commemoration of the triumph and struggle to change our lives. We have accomplished much but it's just the beginning. The end of the competition marks the start of a new chapter of our fitness, who knows what the next year will bring.

To all of you that have shared in our journey, thank you.

Meg