Wow, what an incredible weekend! I flew out to Long Beach on Friday for Camp Savage California (http://www.cathysavagefitness.com/). Ever since I did one of Cathy’s Summer programs my 2nd year in Baltimore, I wanted to attend a camp. Right after that, however, I moved to Phoenix and it was just never conveinent to go to camps which are usually on the east coast. So when I heard she was having a camp in California, I couldn’t pass it up and signed-up right away. At that time I didn’t plan to compete at Fitness America (actually I didn’t even know when it was). Turns out the timing of the camp was perfect, because I learned a ton of information and tips for both FAP and my NPC show the following week.
The camp was two days and was a mix of workouts, posing & walking practice and discussion on other fitness/figure/bikini competition topics such as nutrition, post-competition rebound, etc. Saturday night we all went to dinner, and man did I feel sorry for that waitress. Serving 35 hungry and incredibly particular fitness competitor is not an easy task.
The most amazing part of the weekend was meeting such an incredible group of women! Each of them was inspiring in their own way. It was such a powerful experience to be surrounded with a group of people who have the same unique goals and drives as I do. Going through the process of preparing to compete in fitness is like nothing else and is impossible to really understand the combination of physical, emotional & psychological stress it entails unless you’ve done it. That perhaps is coming out more dramatic sounding than I mean it to, but there really is something to it. I keep comparing my experience getting ready to compete in gymnastics to my experience over the last eight months. Of course differences such as age and extent of other responsibilities certainly have an impact, but within the short-term, I think training for fitness has been harder. The physical demand of gymnastics was far more intense, but handling the stresses that come with trying to balance work, school, workouts, diet and personal life creates a completely different and on some levels much more challenging experience. With that being said, from a challenging experience comes amazing and everlasting rewards. No matter what happens in the competition, I know I am a better and stronger (mentally) person as a result of doing this, and my life will forever be impacted for the better.
I came away from the weekend knowing, more than ever, that I’m meant to be doing this. I feel so grateful to have found this industry and for whatever little thing pushed me over the edge to decide to compete. Dripping sweet after doing sprints & drills for an hour, I couldn’t help but smile. I loved it. Learning how to position my body while walking & posing to best display the results of my hard work is fun. And I’m truly coming around to the idea of performing on stage, and am getting so excited to show what I can do.
So that brings me to today.. where I’m still completely pumped & energized from the weekend. Even if I was only half awake this morning for a 6:15am leg workout with my trainer, it left me in a great mood, and I rocked Spin class later that night. I’m going into Fitness America looking to have fun and a great learning experience. It’s all worth it and I’m excited for what the future holds!
I wasn’t on top of my picture taking this weekend, but there are a bunch coming, I’ll post when I get them!
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That camp sounds amazing! What a great opportunity to learn and network. I’m so happy for you.
That is a waitress’s worst nightmare lol! All those “no butter, no oil, dressing on the side” comments…
Sounds like it was a worthwhile trip! You are almost to the finish line girlie!