That time I did an NPC Body Competition and couldn't believe it and wrote a really long title for a blog

From left: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 10 weeks.

Hi.

I am officially two weeks out from an NPC competition. I'm doing the bikini competition... like what.

I spent the past 10 weeks (literally the WHOLE summer) — eating off a meal plan, working out, like, a lot, and refraining from alcohol, sugar, pretty much lots of things.

Honestly, everyone keeps telling me how amazing it is AND I only see it as an opportunity.

How blessed am I that I can work out and push my body? How blessed am I that I have the resources and access to healthy foods? How blessed am I that I have co-workers and friends in my life that support me (especially when I'm usually the wine one)?

Pretty darn #blessed, I would say. 

So no, I wasn't perfect. No, I won't continue to do this forever. No, this isn't really "my thing." And no, I'm not COMPLETELY changing my life now. 

But I am changing it. 

I am ready to practice balance, health, happiness. 

I am ready to discipline myself in ANYTHING I want to discipline myself in — because now I know that I can. Whether that's health, whether it's fitness, whether it's career, relationships, finances — I know I can do it. 

And that is what I wanted. 

I wanted to build my confidence by attaining a goal and disciplining myself to be PATIENT in pursuit of an ultimate goal, rather than resolving to immediate satisfaction (see cookies, etc. in this case). 

Now, I know I can do this. And now, I know that ALL OF YOU can do this. 

Whatever "this" is for you. 

If you want something bad enough — you can do it. 

It's as simple as that. 

Peace out. The next two weeks will be rough.