One Week Till Showtime!!

This time next week I will be getting ready to hit the stage at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in NY! Fitness routines friday night, 2 piece physique round Saturday morning, then finals Saturday night. It's going to be a very exciting weekend!!
It's even more exciting to think that this will be my TENTH show!!! That's right, the big 1-0! I started competing back in 2005 and have done 2 shows a year each year. I can't even begin to describe how much I've grown over the years.. physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually! This has been an amazing ride and to me, it's still only just beginning! My goal each show is just to improve from the last, and that is what I've done! Constantly learning and growing and trying to be the best ME I can be!
Wish me luck and I'll keep you posted on how it all goes!!
Thank you all for the ongoing support and emails! Your words of encouragement are priceless!
God Bless,
Stacy

Enjoy the Journey!

One thing I've heard a lot of people talking about lately is improvement. No matter what our goals are, whether it be stepping on stage or just working toward becoming healther version of 'you', we need to focus on improving ourselves on a daily basis. Set short term goals and work toward achieving those on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. As you reach those goals, think of yourself as the winner you are! You've taken a step in the right direction and are making progress! We will never be 'perfect' so it's the steps along the way you need to appreciate and enjoy! Don't overlook all of the small accomplishments you are making on a daily basis! Set realistic goals and give yourself a pat on the back when you achieve them!!
One thing I've seen get people discouraged in their journey is the comparison factor. We cannot go around comparing ourselves to others. This will lead to a constant feeling of failure because we'll never be 'that' person. We have NO control over other people's lifestyle, diet, training, stress level, and even genetics. Instead, we need to focus on the things we DO have control over. We CAN control what and when we eat. We CAN control how much water we're drinking throughout the day to stay hydrated. We CAN control how many times a week we do cardio and how intensely we lift weights. These are things we CAN control! So my challenge for you today, is take control of YOU! Don't allow the negatives to impact all the positives you've achieved! If you fall, get right back up again! Again... YOU are in control of YOU... when you get kicked, are you going to stay down or stand back up?!? I know for me.. at the end of the day... you'll see me STANDING!!!
"NEVER bend your head! ALWAYS hold it high! Look the world straight in the face!"

God Bless,
Stacy

Counting Down The Days...

It's almost showtime! I can't believe it's almost here! Time DOES fly by! I'm very excited and honored to step on another National level NPC stage! It'll be my first time competing at New York's Team Universe and I am very excited about the whole experience! I know, just like all of my other shows, it'll be one to go down in the books! This prep has been great.. filled with ups and downs.. but this sport is what I LOVE!!! Everything about it! I am sooo thankful to be given the gift to be able to go for it and to achieve my dreams!
I hope that whoever reading this also has the ability to go for your dreams as well... whatever they may be!!
God Bless & Happy Training!!!!
Stacy

Friends who Pray Together... Stay Together...

This summer has been an interesting one to say the least. Many ups and downs. I am blessed with a WONDERFUL family and wonderful friends that surround me! I thank the Lord daily for his many blessings He's given me that I do not deserve! I do want to share with you about a friend of mine and fellow 'bodybuilder', Lori.
Lori and her husband, Adam, are like two peas in a pod.. just like myself and my husband, Andrew! They share the same life and love for bodybuilding as well as for each other! Andrew & I are thankful we got the opportunity to meet this couple! The week before Christmas, Adam was diagnosed with cancer. It was a tough fight and Adam did NOT ever give up... but did pass away on July 2, 2009. Lori, being the beautiful woman she is, stood by his side every step of the way! Giving up was never an option for either one of them!
I don't know how she does it! I can't imagine being in her shoes. Sure, she's surrounded by friends and family and church family who love her and comfort her.. but how does she do it!? I'm sure she has her moments, and it has to be hard.. but she's a VERY strong woman and I admire her greatly! I've had the honor to spend some more time with her lately and she's taught me so much! She gave me a card after we worked out together the other day and in it was a little card that said "Friends who Pray together... Stay together"!! How true it is! Lori & I have a bond that goes beyond bodybuilding and competing and basic friendship.. we are sisters in Christ! And that gives us a peace beyond all understanding! Please continue to keep Lori and her family in your thoughts and prayers... You can also check out her website at LoriStaats.com. Click on the link on the bottom left corner for her tribute to her husband.
As for Adam, I am SO thankful I got a chance to meet him and get to know him! I only wish we all could've spent more time together!! I know we'll see him again in Heaven one day! "What a Day That Will Be.."

8 Weeks until Team Universe!

So I have just under 8 weeks until my next competition, Team Universe in NY! Reservations have been made and I'm working on my new routine! Like has been pretty hectic this month, but that's the way things go sometimes. Things are coming together slowly but surely and I can't wait to see the outcome as always! I plan to bring my best to the stage and make the adjustments needed to make sure I place even better at this show. Each time improvement is all I can ask for! I should have more pictures coming up soon, but until then... here's a pic I had taken in Chicago at Junior Nationals! Check out FemFlex.com for more pictures and video! God Bless, Stacy

The Cost of Competition

I've had quite a few questions lately on what it takes to compete. Other than having the time, dedication, and mindset to really push yourself to your all-time best... it takes money! The cost of competition is great, but the reward of living a healthy lifestyle and achieving what we do on that stage is worth it! So you can better understand what goes into competing, here's a breakdown of some of the costs.

Competition Fees & Costs

These are considered the necessities:
NPC registration card ...............$80
Competition Registration ...........$150
Airfare/Gas ......................................$200-$400
Hotel Accommodations..............$575-$700
Posing Suits/Fitness Costume...............$300-$1200
ProTan/Jan Tana...........................$50-$150
Dietician/Trainer...........................$350-$1500

Optional
Accessories for night show............$25-$100
Hair..............................................$160
Manicure/Pedicure........................$75
Photo Shoot outfits........................$100-$1000

Monthly Costs
Groceries..........$500-$1000 (per person; varies on dietician/healthy food is much more expensive)
Website Maintenance Fee...........$75
Supplementation.......$500-? (again, this varies on the dietician and individual)
Gym membership........................$30-75 (can't forget that one)

I'm sure I've left a couple of things out. Costs are subject to change depending on the level of the competition and the competitor. Needless to say, "it ain't cheap!"
Keep in mind, for females, we schedule a lot of photo shoots to give our fan base the material that they request and enjoy. That's a whole other page for cost when it comes to clothing, shoes, jewelry, travel, etc. Some photographers pay small amounts while others do not. Don't get me wrong, even the photographers that don't compensate do result in QUALITY work!

With all that being said, Please feel free to donate to your favorite bodybuilder (male/female) as we thrive on our passion for the sport in hopes that we can achieve what the vast majority only dreams about. This is NOT an easy or inexpensive sport and the smallest amount helps. Thank you!!

God Bless,
Stacy

4th Place at '09 NPC Jr Nationals

I'm back from Chicago and Jr Nationals was a blast! I competed with some great ladies who made the experience amazing! I have to give a HUGE thanks to my husband for all of his support and encouragement. He drove the entire way there and back with no complaints while I caught up on my sleep. He is the best and I couldn't be anywhere NEAR the competitor I am without him.
This time I managed to, again, improve my physique and bring in a better routine! I'm awaiting feedback from the judges but am already in training for Team Universe in September... so stay tuned!! =)