April 24th, besides being my momma's birthday!, was the day of my very first Figure Show!!! Everything went very smoothly, but also very quickly! It flew by, kind of like my wedding day:) It was one of those things you prepare for months in advance and the actual event itself is like the blink of an eye. All the work and preparation was still totally worth it. Saturday was just a fun day all around...eating pancakes with syrup for breakfast, enjoying one of those all-time girl faves of having my hair done!, getting all dolled up in a fancy "bedazzled" suit and jewelry, playing makeup artist;), and simply getting to show off what you've accomplished in the gym and with a disciplined diet. I had so much help and support not only throughout the last several weeks, but the day of the show especially. My trainer Steve was there to remind me about good posing techniques and cheer me on, and two ladies who've been helping me all along, Jerri and Julie were there to get my tan just right, my suit to stay "glued" on, and basically just guide me along based on their own experience. I totally appreciate them ALL so much! I was one of 9 competitors from my gym, Smitty's Iron Works, in Midland. Our gym had a large crowd of supporters to cheer us on as well! 
The awards for the night were sabers for the men and swords for the women; I was lucky enough to take one home! I placed 3rd in a group of 8 ladies, which was pretty good for my first time. I really loved the atmosphere and the hype:) Being on stage was something I am used to, but still I was very nervous and shaking like crazy! We may have been up there for like 5, 8, even 10 minutes, but it felt like 30 seconds...I immediately wanted to run (well not really, with the heels!) out there and do it again, and make improvements from the first time. So in light of that, I have officially set my next goal: the Peggy Sue show on September 25th in Saginaw! I am really excited to be continuing... Right now I am on somewhat of a "maintenance" diet, which is not super strict and allows me cheat items during the week:) My objective is to gain as much muscle mass as possible during this next few weeks off-season. At the end of June I will hit the training and dieting again heavy to prepare for September. Can't wait!!!
