These are exactly ONE YEAR apart.
1 month post partum & 13 months post partum.
-65lbs
-over 15% body fat
-ountless inches
-Betty back fat & Tina, the talking tummy
I DID IT!! I competed after so long of wanting to and training- even if I wasn't in the shape that I wanted- but it was time, especially so I could build a better me. I wanted to write my first experience while it's still fresh in my head. The day felt like it dragged, but looking back, it was over in a flash and now everything is "back to normal." Such a weird feeling, but it feels good! I feel free, less stressed, more motivated and looking forward to the new goals I have.
Competition Day Recap
Tan: I ordered two bottles of Protan and didn't even use half of one bottle. I exfoliated all week and did the first application Thursday night to see how my body took it. If you do this, make sure you put lotion on hands, knees, elbows and feet as the tanner stains those areas very easily and it appears darker. Also, don't pour it in a container and dip the sponge because it takes longer and is messier- just spray and use the sponge brush it comes with!! I let dry that night and went to bed in long sleeve & sweats. I felt pretty dark, but we did another application on Friday night and I did the same process. There may have been a few streaks or darker spots, but we easily touched it up and it really was not bad at all for our first time! Plus, saved money and I didn't have to worry about peeing on competition day because it was dry and wasn't getting ruined by anything that touched or splashed me.
Mani/Pedi/Body hair: Got my mani, pedi, and eyebrows waxed on Wednesday evening. I bought Hair Away and used that Thursday, along with a razor for other areas, after my gym session. I wanted to do it all this day because I knew we would be applying Protan later. No body hair on show-day. I brought a razor with me just in case I had any missed spots or fast growers hahaha.
Jewelry/suit/heels: I had two suits and really wanted to wear the second one I got as a back-up, but it was too tight, making me look even fluffier, so I went with my first (which I still loved). Brought both suits with me just in case though. All my jewelry & heels were bought from Amazon weeks before and luckily no problems there.
Food/luggage: I packed my instructed meals in my Isobag with a few extras in case the day ran late- which it did. My Isobag included chicken, brown rice, greens (which I didn't eat), rice cakes, peanut butter and a Snickers for before I walked out on stage. In my duffle bag I packed: Protan, Jan Tana body glaze, bikini bite, gloves, hair straightener, brush, tooth brush & tooth paste, gum, cookies for after, extra clothes, razor, lotion, make-up for touching up, vaseline, deodorant, hair spray, phone charger (it's a must), aaaaand I think that's it? I made a list throughout the week and made sure every single thing was packed before heading out the door.
Check-ins: "8AM Sharp" was emailed to us, but competitors came even up to 2 hours late and checked in and got their NPC card, so I'm not sure I will be there on the dot for future shows. We live 45 mins away so I woke up at 5am- did all the morning necessities, breakfast, etc and had to make sure all my sons' stuff was packed as well. We dropped him off around 630 and we arrived at the venue by 730. From there the actual show didn't even start till about 1pm when prejudging was supposed to start at 1130! I feel it was very unorganized, especially since they did 2 shows back to back on the same day... it took so much longer. Thank goodness I had only registered to the first show! Phew. The second show people, or those doing both, had a really long ass day.
Backstage: After getting our numbers we went back stage to start getting ready for the show. Everyone was scattered down the halls, the bodybuilders doing touch-ups, practicing poses, pumping up and girls scattered in bikinis, touching up, taking photos and in the bathroom doing the same. I'm not sure who, but one lady brought an extension outlet with a bunch of outlets to put it in the bathroom which was so nice and convenient! Everyone got to charge their phones or hook up their hair curlers/straighteners without fighting and rushing each other for the 2-3 that were in the bathroom. Everyone had a bunch of luggage and one thing I saw that I will bring next time is a fold-up chair! Some girls looked intimidating, and ended up being so sweet and some didn't even say hi. Some were on drugs but most were thirsty, hungry and just depleted. Alex stayed with me to help get ready, but then he went and found a seat to watch the prejudging and I was left alone. Which is not my ideal situation, if you know how shy I am. So I just chatted up other girls randomly in the hall or bathroom or went on my phone etc.
Prejudging: So after moooore waiting, it was finally bikini's turn. We were last and I got instantly nervous as soon as they said "bikini A." Before our turn, I had spent the last hours practicing posing in the mirror, fixing my hair, re-applying glaze and chatting with the other girls. I was first in line for Bikini Class A and they gave me instructions before hitting the stage. As much as I practiced, I was so not prepared for the nerves that hit me as soon as I walked on stage! They called my number and I walked with what I think was a smile on my face?? Not sure what my hands were doing... The lights were so bright and I have bad eyes to begin with, so could kind of make out where the judges were. I tried to smile, but it kept twitching, I felt I was barely able to keep my eyes open too. I tried to bring the sassiness and smiling self that I had been practicing so much, but it was hard and I definitely stiffed up. I saw a video that Alex took of me and my posing went way too fast. Next time I will practice more without a mirror in front of me. We did comparisons and that was about it! I felt like I was up there for just a few seconds and it was over. Looking back, I feel disappointed that I didn't give it my all. All that hard work and waiting around for me to choke up there sucks.
Night show: Before the night show, Alex and I went back home to our town to get a burger then chilled at home to hang out, and I really wanted to get a nap in, but that didn't happen. I was soooo exhausted at this time but had stuff to do, my son was awake, and time just ticked away... I didn't get any rest. The night show was supposed to start at 7, but I knew it would be a while again before we were up, so I took my time driving back. I think I got back around 730pm and the show had just started. The night show was way more exciting with louder music, more people, guest posers and trophies. I watched some of the performances and I felt more comfortable and motivated again. Too bad judging had already happened and I was kind of bloated from eating earlier. It was around 9pm or so that we finally were up. I did much better with my performance, but again, the judging is done in the AM. Instead of leaving the stage, we got called up from 5th place to 1st and took photos together. I felt like a cow at that moment next to the other girls lol. I was like shit, I shouldn't of ate. But at the same time my muscles were so much fuller and tighter. The girl that took first place, Ashley, really cool chick, looked so amazing. She wasn't from the area so I know it wasn't political and she took the 1st place and overall and was definitely well-deserved! Her walk and posing was just so confident. Some girls had amazing bodies, but ruined it with their performance- aka boring and awkward. I think I was somewhere in the middle. But I learned so much and glad I had this first experience because I know the next time will just be better and better.
I could list everything I would do differently, but whats the point. It happened and I have learned SO much, about coaches, nutrition/macros, and training. Right now, my concentration is on building more muscle, doing less cardio, building my metabolic capacity with reverse dieting, and ENJOYING myself again. I lost the baby weight, and that's all I felt I looked like. Just flat and fluffy in a bikini. Next show, I will have more muscle, definition and be so much leaner. I'm excited for the changes I will make. I've made such a difference in 1 year! Let's see what another year can do :)
Day before posing practice- If only I could have posed the way I had been practicing, I would have felt better about my performance rather than stiffing up :(
Competition day! Getting ready!
Makeup by Linda!! Thank you sosososo much! She came and met me at the venue in the AM before heading to school. My life-saver!! I couldn't of even come close to doing as good of a job as she did.
Backstage fun! Posing, pumping, booties and tanned bodies.
I got to meet a lot of really awesome ladies!
Snickers before hitting the stage. Mmmmm.
Helping me with glazing up <3
I know I wasn't as lean as I should have been,
but I have never felt so tiny!
At home before the night show :p happy bellies!
Before the night show and post-burger and cookies :D
oops hahaha thickkkkkk!
Comparison photos from prejudging. The lighting made it hard for him to get good photos but I'm okay with not seeing detail lol!! My curves look better like this :P I will admit, as proud as I was for coming so far with my transformation, I wasn't completely confident and a little embarrassed for not being as lean or cut and I tried hiding it, but I know it showed. 5th place and a trophy to take home. I knew it would be 5th & I'm not mad! The shorties in my class were bangin' and gave me more motivation to build for my next show. This hasn't discouraged me in the least bit. I knew going in that I would probably be the thickest/fluffiest one of the bunch. It was about completing my goal I had set, getting over some fears, and now, these will be my new before photos.
It's me vs. me.
It's my journey.
Can't stop, won't stop.
Time to build!!
Come follow me on IG @coral.suarez
xoxo
