u/Important-Bell-1675

I'm coming off a pretty extreme deficit having competed this past month, but still reversing so have to continue tracking and slowly increase calories.

Sooo still a lot of volume-based eating 😆

Last night's dinner was sooo good and the first time in a while to have fish (not that I couldn't have it before...it just doesn't keep well for advanced cooking).

It was the perfect post-gym meal too 😋

A little bit of rice, salmon, pickled asparagus, radishes, brocollini, red bell pepper, lions mane and button mushrooms. The mustard is a like a spicy one (no fat, 1c)

Macros (for the serving I had)

43c

47p

8f

As the title says, I have 6 kids. I want to preface this with my youngest is now 10 and I did always stay active BUT it doesn't negate what I am about to say:

1. Give yourself grace. Unless you are shelling out lots of money or have the freakish genetics, we will NEVER be EXACTLY how we were before kids. There will he differences. Not bad. Not weak. Not ugly. Just...different. We carried a whole-ass HUMAN y'all!!!! So wear that pride. Yea it's easier said than done. And some days, you'll still pick apart your appearance in the mirror, and say shit things to yourself, and obsess over the IGer or celebrity who seemed to bounce back, or even put money aside for that surgery (ask me how I know lol). But it's a practice.

2. Give yourself TIME. Raising little kids is hard AF. And while I was active and moderately in shape, I simply could not devote the necessary time to my training for AESTHETICs until they were older. I had to fit in those workouts early on for function and internal health. And that's ok!

Now at 40, I compete. Yes, I get on stage, mom bod and all and willingly get judged lmao! Am I assuming tight as the youngins? NOPE. But I put in effort and time and throughout all those years, and still now, practice gratitude for the POWER beyond "looks" that my body can do. It's pretty cool.

Take it slow. Do exercises that make sense for where you are RIGHT NOW in life. Be grateful you have this vessel and mind and heart that can do soo much

Cheesy but yea 🩷

My daughter even put a fish fin on my cheek 🐠

Update on how my first competition went :)

Placed 3rd in True Novice and 4th in Master's. I competed in NPC Fit Model. Did not do other classes. Was my first competition/show.

Feedback was almost exactly what I thought it would be lol

But I didn't go into it even thinking I'd place at all. I just wanted to celebrate turning 40 and also know I didn't permanently "ruin" my body after 6 pregnancies (so fucking silly I know but there's so much pressure to stay perfect and young) but bodybuilding has definitely given me confidence and pride

Anyway, I compete again in 2 weeks and then growth season and I am HOOKED so will compete again next summer ☀️

Cardio is increased this next week and I am back in a depletion 🫩

This is my first time competing. Just turned 40 and doing fit model. Never thought I'd compete especially bc I was/am self-conscious of some areas (6 pregnancies) but after talking with other women bodybuilders and learning that some of those things like loose skin/post-pregnancy consequences are not negatively judged barring you build up your physique according to division rules, made say f*ck it let's do it. I have had a blast most days. Some days of prep were really hard tho lol

Anyway, 1 day out and had a little photoshoot. This is just a quick shot in my suit not the pro photos she took.

Practicing a lot of mindfulness and just enjoying the process! And practicing smiling and LOOKING confident

I'm in peak week and 2 days out from my first show. Feeling mostly good! Muscles finally looking less flat from long-ass depletion.

There are areas I still critique heavily. I've had 6 kids/pregnancies so it shows a bit but I have done what I can on that front and am practicing self-acceptance and my vacuums lol 🩷

Will compete again in 2 weeks and then go into a growth season!

Kinda obsessed with my post-workout shoulder pump! Can't wait til later this week when I get more carbs. We've been in a depleted state the last few months to prepare for my competition so muscles often look flat unless it's RIGHT after I workout, which can be defeating lol! All the hard work and you often can't see it in a severe deficit.

Anyway, carbs are coming in a few days as well as tan! Competition Saturday and will be purchasing the live stream for my 6 kiddos to watch from home while husband escorts me.

Yea it's hot af outside so I'm sweating profusely. We need a mini-split 😬

As the title says, it has shorts with pockets underneath large enough for keys and cell-phone AND you can use the bathroom easily 🤣

It's hot af where I live so if I can reduce layers, be cute, and also move freely to exercise, take care of my kids, etc. then I'm in. Thinking about sewing some myself but getting a hold of the right material is hard.

Anyway, I figured this simple but functional outfit would be appreciated 😊

Y'all...I DEVOURED this book!

Fantastic characters, great simple, but enjoyable plot, funny banter, heartwarming, and even though I typically do more spice, this spice WAS enough for the overall story and good....also perfect setting (adding to my Scotland collection for my little smut retreat there)🩷🩷🩷

I give it 5 stars. No MM which I also usually like but I still loved this so much. Cannot wait to read more of her stuff.

Not an ad just figured I'd share as an ADHD woman (FMC is ADHD!)

It's not super fashionable or a statement but I'm a busy mom and a bodybuilder 5 weeks out so I do NOT want to do a bunch of laundry. I need clothes I can wear to whatever but I also don't want to just wear workout clothes everywhere or at least, LOOK like I'm wearing workout clothes everywhere 🤣 So I have been leaning towards clothes that can kinda do all the things esp for Saturday errands, gym, etc. Anyone else?

Saw this and loved it. I read MOSTLY RH but love love love POLY even more soooo any recs where the boyfriends BOTH fall hard, fast, and deeply like this? It's ok if it's more a traditional RH or even MMF :)

Best part of living in Florida...being a passholder who can do Disney day trips. I'm very very grateful 🙏 and happy 😊 Now time for the 40s!!!

As the title says, I'm 6.5ish weeks out from my FIRST competition. I still need to lean out obviously but hit 120s today! After having 6 kids and just turning 40, I'm feeling really proud of doing something that is hard. Not necessarily trying to win. Happy to see some vascularity and the hamstrings. Also starting to really feel the effects of the deficit bc lifts are a LOT harder but this process has taught me so much. Part of the nerves is the vulnerability of getting on a STAGE in a swimsuit lol

I know it can't be too much for my division, and I think it's only bc I have a pump, but it made me happy for some reason😍 Anyone else have little things that keep you going? This still be my first competition. Prep has been ok. Hard but not unbearable yet lol

I live in a really hot climate so very rarely get to wear things like this but on a recent conference to Amsterdam, I figured I could wear one of my fave "work" fits. It was a nice change!

Well one is more savory but the eclair was sooo good ✨️