Christina's Fitness Journey: Renewed Focus

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Renewed Focus

Last year, when I began my "fitness journey," I didn't really know what I was getting myself in to. I have always loved working out, but it was a totally new adventure and it turned out I loved it. What most of you do not know about me is that even though I have wanted to do a figure competition for YEARS,one of the main reasons I FINALLY did it is because I have had an eating disorder for the last 4 years. I reached a point of desperation and frustration because I knew that the stupid disorder was the only thing holding me back from my fitness goals. It was the strangest thing that happened when I started training. I lost ALL desire to continue with the unhealthy habits and LOVED the incredibly hard work a competition requires. A lot of people looked at me and were like, "Wow, you are so dedicated, You won't even eat the fruit I am offering or have just one bite." But I was absolutely determined to reach my goal and to prove to myself that I did not need a stupid eating disorder to rule and dominate my life. The PROBLEM with all of this was that I was doing this on my OWN will, thinking "I can be strong" instead of realizing it was not me at all. It was God THROUGH me. I have no doubt that this lack of giving glory to the One who is worthy is why immediately after my competition, despite my aching desire to do another one, I got injured. God said "Ok, you think YOU are in control? I can take this away in a heartbeat." So I had a solid 8 weeks off to really think and get my priorities straight. I dealt with the heart of my eating disorder--SIN--and realized that God had given me this body and love of fitness for a REASON. NOT to glorify myself, but to glorify HIM through it. HOW? By recognizing that by his grace I have been rescued from the sin in my life, by his strength I can make it through each and every "dieting" day and workout and never even think about eating the way I used to, and by his power, I can, will, and HAVE conquered the awful hold FOOD has had in my life.

Over the last few months, I have experienced healing in my life in more ways than one. My leg got better and better as I continued to heal emotionally from the scarring of the sin in my life.

As I approach my second competition, I have a renewed focus. ONE focus. To glorify Jesus. For rescuing me, for giving me the strength to compete, the health to compete, and the desire to share with others that we CAN be rescued from sinful habits and learn how to take care of the amazing body He has given each of us. As I finish this post, I am reminded of the lyrics of an old song:
"To God Be the Glory, Great things He has done."

3 comments:

Chris and AbbyDecember 3, 2010 at 6:19 AM
Thanks for being so open! Good luck with competition number 2!
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ErinDecember 3, 2010 at 6:51 AM
I can so relate to the way food can become an idol or a source of sin in our lives. For me, having to cut out so many (basically all) of my favorite foods due to Daniel's many allergies has opened my eyes to how much I leaned on those foods for emotional reasons, when I should have been leaning on God. I think He wants to remove those things that have become crutches for us so we then turn to Him.
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ChristinaDecember 3, 2010 at 2:31 PM
Thanks for reading, Abby--and for the good luck!

Erin, I can't even begin to imagine your struggle just from the little bit my mom told me. Have been praying for you!!!
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The divisions I compete in...

Figure competitions in the WNBF (World Natural Bodybuilding Federation) are judged based on one round of prejudging, where competitors will be compared while wearing a two-piece swimsuit and high-heel shoes. Comparisons will be made in the standard quarter-turns of the competitors. Judging will reward toned muscularity, relative leanness, overall symmetry, facial beauty (makeup, hair, etc.), stage presence, poise, elegance and an overall fit look. There is no fitness demonstration, and this is not a bodybuilding competition (there are no mandatory "poses" other than the quarter-turns).
The Ms. Fit Body judges the competitors based on their physical symmetry (in the quarter-turns), facial beauty, grooming (makeup, hair), costume, stage presence, muscle tone and shape (in the five poses) and overall fit look.
This is not a hardcore bodybuilding competition, but it is also not a swimwear contest. The desired look is for muscletone, symmetrical shape, beauty and the appearance ofhealth and fitness.Suit and heels are also worn for this category.

Personal Records So Far=)

3/8 Lying Leg Curls 3 sets of 90lbs
8 reps

3/15 100lbs on leg extension 12/11/10

6/30: 85 lbs Flat Bench Press (laughable, I know. My chest is so weak, but it's getting there!!!)

6/15: 3 sets of wide grip pull ups: 15/12/8 FINALLY!!!!

5/27: 3 sets of wide grip pull-ups: 14/11/9

5/5: 155 lb Deadlifts 3 sets of 10

4/24: 505 lb Leg Press 8 reps

4/3: Free weight squats- 175 lbs 10 reps

3/12: 495 lb Leg press 8 reps

3/8: 165 lb free weight squats--8 reps

2/19: Deadlifts 135 lbs 15/13/12/10/10

2/19: 75 lbs Flat Bench Press 15/14/10

2/10: Straight Leg Barbell Deadlift 155 lbs 8 reps

2/6: Lying Leg curl 80 lbs 2 sets of 8

2/6: Lunges with 90lb barbell (30)

2/6: 155 lb free weight squats--8 reps (end of the workout! =) )

2/4: Weighted dips (20lbs) 3 sets of 8, 1 set of 12 with 10 lbs

2/4: 40 lb db rows--end of workout, too! =)

2/2: 50 lb straight bar curls

1/30: 450 lbs Leg Press

1/12: 3 sets of wide grip pull-ups

1/14: 135 lb squats

1/30: Lunges with 40lb db's

Some inspiration to get me through the hard days.....

For every disciplined effort, there is a multiple reward!

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

Obsessed is what the lazy called the determined.

The more I am told NO, the harder I go! ~Ava Cowan (and now it's true for me, too!)

Train hard. Expect results. (not sure who said it but I stole it from my friend, Chris)

“Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragement, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak”

“There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, [no person] that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.”

What it's all about!

This blog initially started out as a way for me to record my journey towards a figure competition. Since then, however, my whole lifestyle has changed. Therefore, my blog is taking a different approach. I will share about my journey towards HEALTH. That will include competitions, yes, but it's so much more. Varied workouts, a well balanced diet, mental health, etc. A lot of what I post on here will be wisdom I have gleamed from others, so I will always be sure to give credit where credit is due and point you towards those who have made this journey possible for me.