I have been preparing for the Ms. Figure International diligently now for 6 weeks.  I am at the halfway point and it is just mind boggling how quickly the time flies.  Preparing for this show has been all consuming, every single aspect of it.  Everyday, all of the pieces of the puzzle must start to come together and not one piece may be left out for the picture to be complete.  Especially at this point, everything in my day is meticulously thought out.  All I consider is my sleep, lifting schedule and split, cardio schedule, necessary training adjustments, deep tissue massages, diet changes, supplementation protocol etc.  I have a very set schedule if at all possible, it creates a bit of consistency that is soothing to me.  I find that the more things I do outside of what I have listed above seems to be a distraction and leads me away from my goal.  The nice thing is that week by week, I tighten the reigns.  There is a certain rhythm to it all, and it is exciting when things fall into place.  I have to say it is exciting even when they don't.  My weight sticks forever it seems and just won't budge for weeks.  The internal tension that creates gives me an extra edge and surge of energy.  So a seemingly negative actually is a positive.  Fear has always been extremely motivating for me personally.

I am having my cardio equipment put together right now.  I have waited a month for it to be put together, so this dieting athlete isn't too happy with the wait or the fact that it is damaged right out of the box.  I will channel my inner irritation since it's 8:00 PM and I still have to train tonight.  Makes me laugh even writing that.  Irritation is a predominant feeling when dieting hard.  Not sure if men go through quite as much emotional disturbance as women do, but all I can advise is to be super sweet to a woman on little carbs.  Life will be much smoother lol.

I think about when I was younger and the very late nights I used to have when I get anxious as the hours click by and there is work to be done.  In my mind I pretend like it is a Friday night from years gonne by, so it changes my perception completely.  I use mental tricks all of the time.  I also watch motivational videos read inspiring books and look at pictures online to help me as well.   Tonight I will be sipping SuperPump Max to get me through this long night.  As long as I get my 9 hours of sleep before my next session tomorrow I am good.

" A small voice inside keeps whispering, "I know I can do this." 

I have said that in my mind a thousand times. 

For some reason it helps me unlock the passion and self belief from that one thought alone.   The feeling is so intense I feel like my heart is going to explode. 

I believe this passion has been my fuel and competing in this sport has given me a way to feel good about myself in a way I had never experienced before. 

 My spirit alone is the sole reason I will never give up." 

Ava Cowan