My First Fitness Competiton Recap-FAP 4/30/11

Wow. I have no words for this weekend besides it was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had. From the moment I woke up in my apartment on Friday to curl my hair, to the car ride home, reliving the whole weekend in my head. I would not have wanted it any other way. It was beyond what I could have hoped for my first show experience. I have met so many amazing women from near and far, all with a passion for health, fitness and wellness. We Savage girls have a bond unlike any other and I would not have wanted to be a part of any other team.

I started the process on Thursday–the nails. Acrylic. My first time. They are a bit strange and still getting used to them, but after almost a week now, they feel like second skin (however they are coming off next week! I miss my shortie nails!) I headed to the Mystic Tan booth shortly after for a nice ‘glow’ for my photo shoot which took place on Friday at noon.

Friday mid afternoon we all checked in and that came with a WHOLE lot of free swag! Protein bars, supplements, 2 tshirts, a gym bag, magazines, protein powders, you name it–it was in that bag! 
Here we are waiting to get tanned and just relaxing!
This is on the way to Mohegan after I prepped my hair in my hotel room. My roommate who competed in the Bikini Classic division happened to be a hairdresser and did an AMAZING job on my hair!! We will call this the BEFORE picture
And the AFTER picture. Hair done and make up all glammed and ready to go! This was taken in our dressing rooms back stage. And now let the pictures backstage go! Note: VERY picture heavy here, but I promised to give a full recap so enjoy it!!
We all were crammed int about 3 dressing rooms. Lots of jewlery, bedazzle, tan, and extensions flying everywhere!
Lots of us brought our own mirrors to get ready
This was 3 of us in our sportswear. My theme was Bollywood/bellydancing. I had a hip scarf which was my ‘prop’ I loved the colors of it!! The girl in the middle, Leigha is the In House designer for Cathy Savage Fitness and actually made most of the girls sportswear suits! She also placed 5th out of the Bikini Short Class. Ashley on the left is AMAZING. We called her our stage mama because she is flawless on that stage, not to mention gorgeous!
Gold Beauties–Me and Christina. Her theme was Egyptian Goddess and we matched!
After the first round I got to go into the audience to see my amazing family and friends who came to support me. This was taken when the Bodybuilders were up!
Eating my chicken and asparagus mmmmm
All of these photos curtosy of my wonderful parents!
And backstage we had some fun on the photoshoot set!
Post show…First glass of wine since New Years!! It was really late when we finally sat down to eat and I really didnt wan’t anything too heavy because I didn’t want to get sick since my body was not used to anything but meat and asparagus and sweet potatoes!
We got shrimp cocktail for the table (amazing!) I doused it in the cocktail sauce too!
And for my dinner I got a HUGE roasted turkey sandwich on toasted bread with chedder, lettuce, tomato, onion and mustard.
It was AMAZING and perfect. I am not a sweets person at all. The past week when I was really dieting down, the only thing I wanted was a hearty meal. Real food…not crap like nachos or cadbury eggs or anything…but just real substantial food. I also enjoyed some of my moms Bagel and lox and my brothers Bison Burger. 
My two best friends and their moms also came to my show which was so beyond amazing of them to make the trip to do that. They made me reese’s cookies! (Which were incredible!!!)
I ordered the “Sandwich Board” With roasted turkey
My amazing Parents
And incredible family all together
My big brother and his Fiance and me!!! I LOVE them so much!!

I started this journey last September and had no idea where it would take me. Would I make it? Would I like it? Would I survive to make it to the actual show? I stuck with it the whole time. I stayed focused and never doubted myself and this is the most important aspect. You have to believe in yourself and know that ANYTHING you want is possible. You are the only one that will hold you back from doing something you set your mind to. I loved being on that stage, I love the friends I have made and most of all I feel so happy and content with myself. 

…..More recap to come on a next post

Love you all and I want to THANK YOU all for bearing with me through the ‘off’ blogging and most of all supporting me throughout this whole process. The Facebook posts, messages, emails nearly brought me to tears so Thank you from the bottom of my heart

xoxo