Sacrifices

I’ve been thinking a lot about sacrifices lately.  Mostly because I’m in “competition prep” mode.  In thirteen weeks I’ll be stepping on the stage again … this time as a 50-year old competitor.  I know I won’t be the oldest competitor there but I’ll probably be one of the oldest.  And I’m fine with that.  My age doesn’t have anything to do with anything.  I’m on a mission.  I want to win.   Not just my class – I want the whole thing.  I want to be the last woman standing.  I want to be an IFPA Professional Figure Competitor.

Big goal.  Especially in such a subjective sport.  It’s really anybody’s ball game. 

I watched some videos of women who are doing what I want to do and I was so inspired.  They work hard and they get results.  I suppose that’s true of anyone who has a big goal.  You have to work hard and sacrifices have to be made.  You try to balance everything: work, family, gym time … but it’s hard to balance everything and be successful at that one thing.  Something is going to suffer.

I’m okay with that.

This will be the first time that I’ll be prepping for a show during the holidays.  In other words, dieting on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.  I’m known for loving Thanksgiving.  I usually begin cooking two days prior and really just focus on making and eating everything.  Let’s not forget the wine.  There’s always wine.  Not this year.  It ought to be interesting.  My daughter has already informed me that she still expects me to cook – which I don’t have a problem with – I just have to create a strategy where I don’t sample everything I make.

It’s a small sacrifice to make for the bigger goal.  I think that’s where some people get hemmed up.  They can’t see beyond the sacrifice to the greater goal.  The key is to keep your eyes on the prize, on the end game, on the results that you want to achieve – and everything else can be seen as the steps to get you there.

Never trade what you want the MOST for what you want at the MOMENT.