now what?

OK, so competition season is over, and I'm plagued by the lost feeling of not knowing what the next competition will be. Figure shows don't start up again until the spring, and even so, I am not sure that I will continue to compete as a "Figure" girl anymore. This past show was frustrating in that girls who don't have the muscularity that I do (ie - kickin butt in the gym), will still beat me due to a naturally better shape. The funny thing about Figure is that although you have to bring the goods- muscles- your God given shape will help or hurt you more than anything. You really take a step back and appreciate that everyone comes in different packages - small, tall, wide, and narrow (not me!). And sadly, not all are cut out to be Figure competitors. I feel that I have done so much to build my physique, and I recognize that fact and have great pride for how far I have come.

However, although I can still make some improvements, I know that there are limits to changing my shape that I will soon realize. It is hard for many of my family and friends who think that I "look great" and cannot understand that in a lineup of quality competitors, I will usually place in the middle of the group. Don't get me wrong, I am THRILLED with all of my finishes, knowing that I have always been in the top three with the exception of one huge, national show. Some girls do all of this work and never place. Trust me, I am so happy with my show experiences. But, being the competitor that I am, and always endeavoring to be the best, I am very aware of the fact that I don't have the preferred "X" shape that Figure judges are looking for. I do well in shows because I diet hard, train hard all year, and pose pose pose to give that illusion of an X. But I can't help but wonder, how much longer will I train to compete at something that I may not be "cut out" for? ha ha

I do enjoy showing a great deal, and I do not always need to win to enjoy it. But, let's face it, competing and dieting are REALLY HARD and do I want to keep going at something that may just be an exercise in frustration? For my riding friends out there - I may be a Quater horse trying to compete at an Arab show - and yeah, showing's fun, but maybe it would be more fun at a Quater horse show!

So, while I am contemplating my competitive future, I am still training and eating like a figure girl, because I love the way I look and feel when I live this lifestyle. However, when spring rolls around, who knows, I may be the newest Fitness girl or maybe a triathlete - depends which one is harder- that's the one I want. I'll be training with the knowledge that hard work and a** kickin in the gym will get me much further than just showing up, and therefore, it might just be more fun. :)