Every girl has a story to tell and sharing those stories is by far my favorite part of blogging.  So when Cherie wrote me telling me she was making her own figure competition suit, something only crazy people do, I had to know more about her.  I’m glad I asked because I just love Cherie’s “can do” attitude and confidence!  I think you will too!!

“If she can do it, why can’t I?”

One day I was browsing the web looking for motivation to start working out again, (I just didn’t have the drive or desire to get started), when I came across a transformation that totally inspired me!!!! Her name was Danielle Reutter and she had entered a figure contest coming in 1st place.  She had also had a baby around the same time I gave birth to my little boy and she had done all this within a 4 month time period.  At first, it seemed totally impossible but then I thought- if she can do it, why can’t I? So a year after having my baby, I decided to compete in a figure competition.

I must say it felt like everything was going against me.  I was overweight, out of shape, had very little time or money to invest and did not know where to begin my figure competition research. I just knew that doing a competition would give me the motivation I needed to reach my goal of getting in the best shape possible after gaining over 70 pounds during my pregnancy.

The first thing I started to think about was a suit. I knew I needed one but, as I it turned out, I needed three suits for my particular competition. I started looking online and found out figure competition suits are priced anywhere from $100- $4000!!!! I was shocked.  I looked for someone who made these suits in my area—-NO ONE!!!   Since, I don’t use a credit card I knew ordering online wasn’t an option and I didn’t have near that much much to spend, anyway. Durnig my internet search I came across Girl-Heroes and read Jenn’s story.  I found out Jenn had made her own figure competition suit and it turned out beautiful. (Thanks Cherie!) Again, I thought- if she can do it….why can’t I?

Once I decided I could make my own suit, I researched “the ideal figure competitor look” and decided  which parts of my body I needed to concentrate on.  I knew I needed to gain muscle and lose body fat but there was something missing from the equation….THE GYM!!!  Recently, I had moved to a rural area without renewing my license so I  had NO ACCESS to a gym (crazy eh?)! SO how the heck was I going to get the body of a figure competitor?? Well, a few months before, I had purchased p90x but hadn’t stuck with it. Now I knew I had to get my butt in gear and follow through with the program if I wanted to get up onstage.  It seemed like the best choice for me to get some hard workouts in.

People always ask- How did you ever mange to make the time to workout when you have a new baby??? I MADE the time. I was very determined. I would get up at 6am (an hour before my baby wakes up) 6 days a week to do my morning cardio.  When my baby went down for a nap, I would do my weight training in my living room.  In the afternoon, I would take him on a 30 minute walk!

Now back to the suit. I found a suit pattern that was similar to the figure competition suits through Jenn’s how to make your own figure competition suit post.  I was able to alter the pattern a bit to make the suit fit right for the stage. I bought 1 yard of black velvet swimsuit material, 6 meters of 1/4 inch black elastic, some thread, and I was off! Once I finished making the suit, I went to Michaels Crafts, Walmart, and Atlantic Fabrics to buy gemstones to make the suit look all “fancy”. I looked at many suit designs and finally based my design of of one I liked. It took MANY MANY hours to finish the suit, as I had thousands of stones to glue on by hand. (Which by the way I used Gemtac adhesive to glue the stones on.)

Once I completed my two piece suit, I needed to start on my one piece. I could NOT find a pattern for this, so I  came up with my own design. This took many hours of trial and error but I eventually finished the suit and just needed to glue the stones on- which I worked on right up until the night of the competition.  I also made my final suit. Just a plain black pre-judging suit (which was a breeze compared to the other suits), as I used the same pattern as my stoned 2 piece, but I did not need to glue any gemstones…THANK GOODNESS!!!

About 3 weeks before the competition, I met with a posing coach to make sure I had the poses correct. He critiqued me and it really helped just to meet with him for an hour. It was also helpful to look on YouTube, and anywhere else on the web to find out how to pose correctly. I then wrote Danielle and told her my story.  She took the time to write up an individual diet for me to follow to maximize my results during my final week of training before the show.

I was so intimidated this entire time- even though I was training hard and had researched everything. I knew that my competitors were very experienced, had been doing this for years, and had an advantage- especially since most of them go to a gym…lol!! I was nervous also about being on stage or tripping in falling in my high heels!!! Actually, during the show I had an incident during pre-judging. I was putting on my suit and the hook snapped off !!!! Luckily, I had brought a needle, thread and an extra hook. I was able to sew the hook on in time but forgot to put my number back on before being called out again.  It was embarrassing, but I was able to pull it all off.

In the end, I competed against 14 other competitors and ended up coming 3rd place in my class!!! I was thrilled, especially knowing I had done this ALL on my own without a trainer, made all my own suits, and without a gym membership.  It just goes to show you that if you are determined enough, you can always find a way to reach your goals!  Don’t let anything stop you.

Thank you Cheri for sharing your story!!  You are an inspiration and have motivated me to kick up my own workouts a notch!!!    Congratulations on your accomplishment.  You are a Girl- Hero!!

What’s your story?  If you would like to be featured as  Girl Hero email me at jenn (at) girl-heroes (dot) com  or don’t be surprised if you hear from me.  

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

The post Girl Hero Cherie appeared first on Girl Heroes.

Went to the cupboard.
Despite being close to the show.
When she got there
The cupboard should have been bare
Since she has trouble with “NO”.

Here’s a recap of the competition from yesterday.

The competition was an hour away from my house (w/o traffic) in Hollywood so I had decided I’d drive down in the morning which meant I got a good nights sleep in my own bed.  I got up at 6 am put on another coat of tan because I looked more like child who had been playing in the mud under a sprinkler than a “glamourous” figure competitor. After the tan I put on my face and Brent took a few pictures before I headed out to pick up my friend Martha.

Slowly growing some lats.

Only shot where you can see The Abbeys.

We get to to the high school where the show was being held and walk into the “athlete’s meeting”.  Which I  get a kick out of because I’ve never considered myself an “athelete”.  I’m just a girl who is obsessed with nutrition and likes to workout hard.   Right away, I notice that it was a much younger crowd than my last competition.  It’s not that I’m old but 31 and two kids definitely feels different than 20 and no kids when I am about to go onstage in a bikini.

After the meeting, I go backstage to find a space in the dressing room.  Good thing this is a small show because the dressing room is the size of a closet.  I start wishing I had a brown paper bag in case I hyperventilate.  The men check in first and then the women move out to the lobby to check in.  I notice this one beautiful girl who is walking around with her shirt held up with a hair clip to show her GODDESS abs.  Seriously.  I have NEVER seen abs like that on a woman. Miss Abs was also naturally tan, tall, with long exotic dark hair.  I’m sitting there feeling like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man’s sister and praying that she isn’t in my class.  The check-in lady calls for the novice figure women and Miss Abs stands up.  I mutter something like “Oh %$#&” and immediately start wishing I had stayed out of the peanut butter jar and did a little more cardio.  The peanut butter just didn’t’ seem worth it standing next to Miss Abs.   As she is paying I look down and notice her fancy iphone has picture of herself as the screensaver.  Normally, I’d roll my eyes at such sillyness but in the moment  I’m thinking I’d do the same thing if my tummy looked that good.  In fact, I’d probably put a billboard of myself in my front yard if I had abs like hers.  Damn peanut butter.

So I go back to finish getting ready because of the heat my face looks like my 6 year old did my make up while I was sleeping. Let’s just say I’m a little white (or fair as I call it) and getting to my face to match my body and then stay that way is like trying to freeze a chocolate bar in a hot car.

This is a drug tested competition which means I have to pay $60 to pee in  cup.  The girl gives me the cup and looks at me as if I’m supposed to squat right there in the middle of the dressing room.  Motioning to the one room bathroom I ask, “Can I go in there?”.

“Sure but I have to watch?”, she replies.

What???   She has to watch.  Give me a break.   I don’t even go to the bathroom in front on my husband and I’ve had very little water the past 12 hours.  I sit there and try act like this is no big deal by making stupid jokes.  After 5 or 6 minutes I’m running out small talk and realize God is not going to answer my prayer the way I want.  I let her know I just can’t.  “We’ll get it later,” she says.  Yipppeeee can’t wait.

As I said this is a small show so it’s moving really fast and before I know it I’m waiting in the wings of the stage to go on.  I’m doing my best to remind myself that I did this to LOSE but seeing the young tight girl next to me is making me feel like Old Mother Hubbard who went to the cupboard too many times.  But the cupboard wasn’t bare.  In fact, the cupboard had Costco size jars of peanut butter.  They call my number and for a minute I think maybe I really am an “athlete” as I imagine sprinting through the auditorium in 5 inch heels.  I survive going onstage although I’m smiling at the judges as if they are holding loaded guns instead of score cards.  Now we have a 3 hour break until the night show.

The really nice thing about this show is the location. Not only is it relatively close to my house but it’s on the corner of Melrose and Fairfax which means Urban Outfitters (Yes I’m 31 and still shop at UO) and a bunch of other fun little stores are within walking distance.  And since it’s Hollywood I don’t feel like freak with my orange runny “tan”, in fact, I feel like I fit in even more.  Martha and I go to Crossroads Trading Company.  It’s a buy-and-sell-used-clothing store and every time I go I find something cute and cheap.   This time it was a pair of Joe’s Jeans in a size 26 (no stretch mind you) for $30.  They were a tight 26  but after walking on the stage next to “I’m 20 with the prefect body” they were just what I needed to give the ego a lift.

After some shopping and pizza we walked back to the high school for the evening show where they hand out the awards.  I’ve drank big glass of green tea so I manage to serve up the urine sample with a side sarcasm.  I seriously considered leaving but decided against mainly because I’ve spent much of my life starting things and not following through.  It’s a pattern I’ve been working really hard to break so I go back to feel like Old Mother Hubbard one more time.

Right before I walk on stage it occurs to me that this is so not me.  I love to dress up just as much as any girl.  I love to feel beautiful just as much as any girl.  But figure competitions are just not my idea of beauty and glamour.  Not that they aren’t glamourous and beautiful in their own right but unlike a lot of girls nothing about the look but the muscle appeals to me.  I have always loved old school retro glamour.  Fair skin, red lips, elegant dresses, and classic hair. That’s the style I’ve always  gravitated towards (aside from my one year as a cheerleader in high school) when I want to feel beautiful. In that brief moment, I don’t think I have ever felt more like I was somebody else in my fake tan, tiny bikini, stripper heels, and over the top make-up.  It was surreal and I started to ask myself some questions but before I could get into my deep nonsense about why I was doing this they called my number.  While I was onstage I suddenly felt a strong sense of peace and okay with who I was despite having logs instead of legs.  I looked for my friend so I could give her a smile and I smiled a real smile at the judges.  They lined us up and started to give hand out placings.  I was fully expecting to hear my number first which means I would have received 4th or last place.  When they called Miss Ab’s (The pictures do NOT do her justice.) number I was really shocked.  Then they called my number for 3rd.  The girl in the green was 2nd.  The girl in the pink was first.  (She was totally adorable btw and very much deserved 1st.)

My friend and I decided we would leave early so I rush backstage eager to put on my new jeans.  I hike them up over my thighs and button them pleased as pie to be wearing a size smaller than before.  Then I squat down to pick something up off the floor and RIIIIIIIP.  No joke.  My new ego inflating jeans just deflated my ego like someone letting go of an unknotted balloon filled with air.  I don’t know wether to laugh or cry.  I decide to choose laughter because there is SO MUCH more to life than the size of the my jeans.  Besides who needs those stupid old Joe’s Jeans when I have The Braxtons.

So how do I really feel about my placing?  You know of course I would have enjoyed winning. Who doesn’t?  I was also a little relieved not be be last but I also sort of feel like I should have been.  I thought Miss Abs looked really great and could tell she had worked hard.  Had I been a judge I think I would have placed me last.  The thing is, it really doesn’t matter all that much to me.  It never has been about winning for me.  When I say I enjoy the preparation more than the show I mean it.  When I say do this to lose I mean it.  I didn’t reach 115 but 119 feels so much better than 126 to me.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again I grow and learn from the preparation.   I didn’t give this contest preparation a 100% and that’s not good.  Not because of how I placed but because I ultimately believe in good work ethic, following through 100%, and doing what you say you will do.  Had I won it would have re-enforced my half-azz tendencies.  I’m going to hang my third place plaque in my garage right under my first place plaque NOT to remind me that 100% effort will get you a first but that a 100% effort is so much more satisfying than 90% regardless of the outcome.

So what’s next?  Well I was delighted to step on the scale this morning and see 119 so I should probably work on getting over the scale.  But I digress and I still want to reach my goal of 115.  Honestly, I’m not sure why.  It’s just the number I’ve had in my head as my “perfect” weight which is total crap because perfect is relative and happiness is certainly not found in the bathroom on my scale.   Regardless, I want to follow through and reach my goal even if it didn’t happen on my competition day.  My birthday is 2 months way so that gives me 8 full weeks to lose 4 pounds and buy a pair of  size 26 jeans for my present!!!  Totally doable and healthy.   Although I’m tempted, I’m not going to do any more shows for a while because I think I should practice managing my food and exercise better for my family, myself, and for God.  I want to face some of my struggles with food (binging) head on for no other reason than it’s the healthy thing to do.   I’ve been wanting to learn how to use kettlebells so I’m going to start incorporating those as well.  I’m going to finally buckle down and get my personal training certification instead of talking about it.  I’m going to focus more effort on my taekwondo because at my  last testing I got some good feedback from my instructor and one of the guest judges.  I think it might be more in line with my natural strengths (flexibility and speed) not to mention I’m more comfortable in my uniform than a bikini!

Last but not least, I’ve been working on some changes for this site.  I’m SO EXCITED and I hope that these new changes will encourage and inspire more women to “change the world by choosing health”.  (Yes, I dream big!)  So stayed tuned to be a part of the mission!!

Once again THANK YOU so much for the support (and making it to the end of this long post). I’m grateful for your readership and want you to know how much YOU inspire me.

XOXO
jenn

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The post Old Mother Hubbard appeared first on Girl Heroes.

Wanted to say hi before my competition tomorrow.  Unlike my first show, it’s been a really chill day.  Seriously, I’ve been so laid back.  It’s nice for a change.  Cuddled with hubby before I got up and had breakfast.  The I spent the day painting on my tan, managed to throw in a few errands, and my kids and I practiced taekwondo for bit..  I’m  pretty much sick of plain egg whites, chicken, and asparagus  which is all I’ve been eating for the last 2 days.

Well…I did have a few spoonfuls of peanut butter.  I’m incorrigible.  I’m really looking forward to my treats tomorrow: dried mango, raw mixed nuts, blueberry flax granola, a Cliff bar (the closest I get to a cookie since I’m former sugar addict), and almond butter.  I won’t eat it all.  Yeah right!

I have a post show plan set in place.  Going to enjoy a fun meal with my friend tomorrow night and another with my family the next.  Then it’s back to the star chart plan with one fun food day a week.  By sticking to this I know I’ll be able to maintain.

The last 12 weeks have been very up and down.  But that’s pretty much life.  When I start I have all the motivation in the world.  Then a few days or weeks later I’m doing good not to drive through every drive-thru from here to Los Angeles.  Then a wave of motivation hits and I’m convinced I’ll be an American Gladiator.  Then life gets busy and I have trouble finding time to brush my teeth much less get a decent workout in.  Then….and so on…..

I wish I could say I feel amazing and can’t wait to get on the stage tomorrow.  But the truth is I’m slightly disappointed in my on-and-off-again discipline because I didn’t quite reach the goals I set for myself.  Had I been on my plan 100% or even 95% I would be feeling more confident. It’s not about winning or losing, it’s about being true to your word to yourself.   I believe when you set out to do something you should give it 100% but believing and doing are two different things.  I’m not complaining and I’m not fishing for compliments…just being real.  Every choice I made was just that a choice I made.  I don’t blame anyone.  It was my choice to give 90%.  Perhaps at this point of my life that was my 100%.  But if I’m honest with myself, the small voice tells I could have been a little more disciplined and pushed a little harder.

It’s a journey.

And I’m choosing not to forget where I came from.  I used to be the girl who hid candy in my glove box.  Or the girl who was forever going to start exercising tomorrow.  Or the girl who could eat a pint of ice cream as if it was only a tablespoon.  Or the girl that cried because none of my clothes fit.  I’m not that girl anymore, even if I didn’t commit 100%.  For that I am grateful.  I still can’t believe I’m at a place where I can wear on of those silly bikinis, fake some confidence, and walk on a stage to be judged like a terrier.  For years I dreamt about getting my body back after my kids but I’ve never imagined I’d do something like this!!!

I’m also grateful more than I can say for your encouragement and support.  So many times I was exhausted while working out alone in my dusty garage and wanted to quit.  But then I would think of you and the emails I’ve received.  I would think of the struggles you’ve shared with me and I would feel like I could run one more minute or get one more rep out.  This silly little blog cannot express my gratitude for the inspiration YOU have been to me.

Thank You!! (Like the white face and hands!)

xoxo
j

The post I’ve Lost Now I Compete appeared first on Girl Heroes.

I just got back from the gym and planned to only do 20 minutes of  cardio but when I was done I was surprised that I wanted to lift.  Why? After 5 months of intense training I thought I may want to take some time off.  But I realized I love it. At least today I did. Some things are just that way and it’s hard to explain.  It’s similar to my love for acting. I know some people wonder why I just don’t give up.  I rarely get parts and it’s so hard to find the time to pursue anything with all the other life things.  I don’t give up because I can’t.  It will always be a part of my life in some small way because I love it for what it is.  I don’t care if I ever “make it”.  Sure it would be nice but I don’t do it with that goal in mind. I do it for the pure joy of make-believe, getting lost in the moment, the experience of connecting, and the thrill of creative discovery.  I workout for reasons other than results.  Had I ended up coming in last this weekend I realized I would still be at the gym this morning.  It is just an amazing feeling to push through another minute of running when I feel like I might collapse. Or to push out another rep when my muscles are shaking and I think I can’t.  It reminds me that I was created by and I am sustained by a Creator that is bigger and more powerful than anything I can imagine.  My workouts are a time for me to get lost in my thoughts and discover more about God and who He created me to be.  Sometimes I have meaningful discoveries other times I just simply enjoy being a person created in His image and the possibilities that come with that.

I did have a GREAT weekend. And it had everything to do with my friend and nothing or at least very little to do with the competition. We had so much fun on the drive down, admiring the hard work of the other competitors, hanging out at the hotel, waiting around at the competition, getting ready and, of course, eating afterwards. True friends are such a gift and I will do my best to never take those who are vulnerable enough to share who they really are with me and love me despite my flaws for granted.

The competition itself was interesting. The bodybuilders are amazing. I am so inspired by their hard work and discipline.  Since this was a drug-tested all natural show there weren’t any (in my opinion) grotesquely large Hulk-ish chaps and lasses. Instead, the bodybuilders were more like a pumped up versions of Michelangelo’s David wearing velvet Speedos or bikinis. It was very cool and beautiful in an odd sort of way.

People are asking me if I plan on continue to compete.  I’m undecided.  Truth be told I feel a bit silly walking across stage in a bikini.  Not to mention, there was A LOT of waiting around and a few rude girls.  One girl hissed, “Me first, I walk first.” at me on stage as we walked to the middle for line up.  I suppose it’s not much different than trying to get a nearby parking space on a rainy day aside from the fact I’m already feeling insecure wearing a bikini that would fit a child.   I’ve never been totally comfortable with my body.  In junior high I was the girl taking showers with my towel on so it was really hard for me to be backstage with lots of half naked women.  Most people there seemed so comfortable with their bodies.  I am not.  Years after junior high, I am still really nervous to change in front of other people.  I found myself going to the bathroom to change in the bathroom stalls.  At one point, I had to leave the dressing room because I couldn’t hold back my tears.  I grabbed my sunglasses and rushed out.  This is what happens a lot when I’m sleep deprived.  There was this one woman in particular who had these freakishly large botched breast implants.  Never in my life had I seen anything like it (and I’m not that sheltered).  It made me really sad.  I wondered what had made her do that and felt so sorry for her.  I was angry with our culture and the pressure it puts on women, so much so, that some women go out and mutilate their bodies such as she did in an attempt to reach some unnatural ideal. (Sigh)

I’m really thankful that I did this to LOSE because five months of preparation was a lot of work for 5 minutes on stage. At first I was a bit disappointed. I thought of of the hours I had spent in the gym and all the yummy food I had “deprived” myself. But then I also remembered something else I really believe (I think I blogged about it before) it’s the journey not the destination that really matters and this journey has been an incredible one. I have enjoyed, well maybe not always enjoyed, but have learned so much during this preparation.  I love the intensity of knowing I’m going to compete adds to my workouts. I learned some life lessons that I (hope) plan to let spill over into other areas of my life such as: consistency not perfection will get results. I messed up on plenty of meals and missed workouts but I stayed consistent and always got back on track.

Speaking of pictures. I forgot to announce the birth of The Abbey’s.  They were born at 5:30 am on November 15.  Unfortunetly they didn’t survive and 16 hours later were drowned in salt and cheese at Miguel’s Mexican Cantina.  But here a picture of their birth.  RIP dear ones.  Soon you will be resurrected.

Before I conclude this post, I want to thank my precious most wonderful best friend.  Brenton, I love you more than I could ever express in words. You make every cell of my body feel like it has it’s own beating heart.  I would have never been able to do this without your support and encouragement.  Your patience inspiring. Your encouragement bewildering.  Your love unwavering.  It is an honor to be your wife and best friend.  Thank you for believing in me and reminding me that it wasn’t in my best interest to eat half a jar of almond butter.  Also a big thanks to my parents for sitting through a 4 hour show to watch me for 5 minutes.  And to my in-laws for taking care of the boys this weekend.

To those of you who made it to the end of this looooong post and who have followed this journey.  THANK YOU!!!  All the emails and words of encouragement these past few months have meant so much to me.  I’m really excited to keep learning and sharing about all things health related.  I hope you continue to follow the blog as you strive to reach your own fitness goals.  I really feel like if I can do this ANYONE can!!!  Good luck!!  YOU CAN DO IT!!!

xoxo
j

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The post Aftermath & The Birth and Death of the Abbeys appeared first on Girl Heroes.

Getting ready.

Backstage

One piece round - my least favorite.

Post-comp dinner

xoxo
j

The post I was competing to lose but… appeared first on Girl Heroes.

So I packed my chicken, my vitamins, buffalo burgers, green beans, and we hit the road. During our 8 hour drive, I munched on snow peas while my family ate pretzels. I sipped my water. I did sit-ups and pushups at every rest stop. Not really. We arrived and my grammy had stocked up for the week with green beans, asparagus, chicken, salad, tuna, oatmeal, eggs, brown rice,…ect. Everything I needed to stick to my plan. But what did I end up eating. Bagels. And cashews. And graham crackers. And pizza. Yep. Now mind you I don’t consider this a major binge given my bulimic past. I ate 1 piece of pizza. A few (x-tra large) handfuls of cashews. Six or so graham crackers. And more bagels than I’m willing to admit. Some of these I ate in place of my oatmeal or brown rice so I would feel like I was sticking to the plan. And this was all spread out over 5 days.

So what’s the big deal?!

Problem is I have this little competition coming up in FOUR weeks and these foods are not on my current plan. And this close to comp, it makes a difference. I was supposed to drop a pound or two this week to meet my competition goal. I haven’t weight myself yet. I’m too afraid. But there is good news. I DON’T FEEL FAT. This, my friends, is progress. At least it’s mental progress for someone who has body dysmorphia tendencies. And I take full responsibility for my choices. This too is progress. In the past I would have blamed my husband for bringing home a baker’s dozen of fresh baked bagels from the local Jewish deli and sitting them on the counter right in front of my face as he slathered them with freshly whipped cream cheese. So when I walk across the stage and feel my behind jiggling can remind myself of how much mental progress I’ve made and hopefully that will make it all better. Yeaaah right.

I’m not sure where my will-power went. I think she was in a carb induced coma. But she’s back today. And she better stick around for the next 26 days.

The post “I’m on vacation.” appeared first on Girl Heroes.

Up early today. Not enough sleep…ugh. I need to give my body more time to rest and restore and here I am up at a quarter after ten. I know it’s not that late but I’m an early riser.  I have a hard time sleeping in even when my kids aren’t home.  As I said earlier, I am spending waaaayy too much time online “researching”. While I’m finding valuable information and it is a necessity since I can’t afford a trainer right now, it is taking up a lot of time. Plus, seeing all the pictures of the competitors is sort of freaking me out. After looking at all their ripped bodies, I have to keep reminding myself I’m competing to LOSE not to get ripped.  That’s not to say I don’t want muscles because I do.  It just that, for most people, it takes a long time and A LOT of work to see that sort of muscle growth.  So ladies, who worry about “bulking up”, (and I used to be one of you), you WON’T unless you are genetically inclined, which most women are not or you put TONS of effort, way more than you’re likely to do even when you feel like you’re training your azz off, or you take drugs.  I got over that fear and I’m going to enjoy the benefits and results of weight training.

The post Rest = Recovery appeared first on Girl Heroes.