28 days later…

…not zombie apocalpyse (not as far as I know, anyway), but my first bodybuilding comp.

Yes, it’s just 28 days away. Or less, actually. This time in 28 days I’ll quite possibly actually be on stage.

The count-down is well and truly on and I, for one, am freaking out. I don’t know why today, I think it just hit me that it’s four short weeks away, and I’ve no idea if I’ll be ready, I’ve no idea if I’m where I need to be at four weeks out and… I’ve no idea about anything really!

Yes, I have become that person who takes random photos in the gym. I didn’t realise it was quite so blurry! Me just now at the end of my “push” session about to do some skull-crushers.

It’s been a long time since I’ve done a sport that’s brand-new to me. It’s terrifying, exciting, challenging, disorientating and freeing all at the same time. It’s certainly given me an appreciation for how newbies to exercise and sport might feel, and I can now see why the people who come along to our “open-water swimming for newbies” sessions seem overwhelmed with gratitude at bits of information, guidance and encouragement which I think are obvious or standard!

Anyway, back to freaking out. So I texted coach Kat and she said:

“You will be ready, you’re right on track, please trust me. The last month is where all the magic happens but you’ll need to diet hard and stay clean clean clean*… Once you get your tan on you’ll look so different. No stressing!”

(*food. No drugs here!)

Then I posted on Facebook and, amongst the replies, came one from my Mum in all her NLP Master Practitioner wisdom:

“How about creating an alter-ego for yourself? The successful competitor, full of confidence, loads of experience, everytime she goes on stage everyone gasps in awe… Then that’s the character you can be “on the night” 🙂 xx”

I like it! So what shall we call her? Suggestions, please!

In other news, my bikinis are ordered, my posing music is chosen (and hacked down to the required length by me using Garageband for the first time in my life) and I’ve started to make up my routine. Speaking of which, I must go and practise!

What do you think I should call my stage alter-ego? What would yours be called? Tee hee!

28 days later is a post from The Fit Writer blog.

Nicola Joyce – the Fit Writer – is a freelance copywriter and journalist who writes for the sport and fitness industry. Her main website is here.