New Here!

**BrookeMerritt** · #1 06-15-2012, 01:50 AM

Just wanted to introduce myself and say hi. My name is Brooke and I am competing in my very first figure competition this August. I went from running marathons to suddenly wanting to change my body with weights last fall. This past year has been one of the hardest and rewarding years of my life. I am a mom to 2 little kids (4 & 1). I don't know any competitors in real life, so this whole process has left me feeling very alone. I do have a coach, but he lives a few states away so we skype every month. My husband lifts, but sometimes it would be nice to talk to other girls who know what i'm going through. Anyways, I am so excited to have found this site and just wanted to say hello! I'm adding a few pics to show my progress from last year to this year. I know i still have a long ways to go, but am loving the changes.

**MGreene** · #2 06-15-2012, 02:16 AM

Welcome!!! You have come a long way,,congrats!! What show are you doing?

**BrookeMerritt** · #3 06-15-2012, 02:19 AM

I am doing the Muscle Heat Competition in Greensboro, NC. I am SUPER nervous, but excited too.

**buffbabeGA** · #4 06-15-2012, 02:34 AM

Welcome to the boards.. best board around for supporting women in the industry. I am from Georgia too. I live in Marietta and my husband competes. Will you be going to the Georgia State show next month??

Siouxcountry · #5 06-15-2012, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrookeMerritt

Just wanted to introduce myself and say hi. My name is Brooke and I am competing in my very first figure competition this August. I went from running marathons to suddenly wanting to change my body with weights last fall. This past year has been one of the hardest and rewarding years of my life. I am a mom to 2 little kids (4 & 1). I don't know any competitors in real life, so this whole process has left me feeling very alone. I do have a coach, but he lives a few states away so we skype every month. My husband lifts, but sometimes it would be nice to talk to other girls who know what i'm going through. Anyways, I am so excited to have found this site and just wanted to say hello! I'm adding a few pics to show my progress from last year to this year. I know i still have a long ways to go, but am loving the changes.

You have come to the right board, many of the members here joined us before competing in their first show. Make yourself at home, get to know everyone. Many of the regular members have journals, feel free to follow a few that interest you. Nice progress!

**fitcrazy** · #6 06-15-2012, 03:32 AM

Welcome and have fun competing!!!

**Fleur** · #7 06-15-2012, 04:51 AM

HI! Welcome!! You have definetly come a long way!

**BrookeMerritt** · #8 06-15-2012, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buffbabeGA

Welcome to the boards.. best board around for supporting women in the industry. I am from Georgia too. I live in Marietta and my husband competes. Will you be going to the Georgia State show next month??

Where is it at? I would love to attend and watch! Since i don't know any competitors i don't know of any local shows. I searched but found none. I only know of the ones my coach is putting on in North Carolina. We live in Augusta, so right on the border of South Carolin.

Thank you everyone! Right now i've been going through alot because I am 10 weeks out from the show and my coach wants to start seeing me drop some weight. I was building muscle at first, so he wasn't too concerned with the scale. I do cardio twice a day (morning/night for 30 min) along with my weights and eat almost 1900 cals a day. It's like pulling teeth to get the scale to budge even though I'm getting so tight and smaller. Mentally, it's just frustrating when i stay so strict with everything

But i'm still trucking along!

Siouxcountry · #9 06-15-2012, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrookeMerritt

Where is it at? I would love to attend and watch! Since i don't know any competitors i don't know of any local shows. I searched but found none. I only know of the ones my coach is putting on in North Carolina. We live in Augusta, so right on the border of South Carolin.

Thank you everyone! Right now i've been going through alot because I am 10 weeks out from the show and my coach wants to start seeing me drop some weight. I was building muscle at first, so he wasn't too concerned with the scale. I do cardio twice a day (morning/night for 30 min) along with my weights and eat almost 1900 cals a day. It's like pulling teeth to get the scale to budge even though I'm getting so tight and smaller. Mentally, it's just frustrating when i stay so strict with everything

But i'm still trucking along!

I would be careful. No need to do anything extreme in order to be ready for the August show. Plenty of shows in the fall if you are not ready.

LaurenFazio · #10 06-15-2012, 01:29 PM

Welcome girl! Great progress!!

**dragonflysteph** · #11 06-15-2012, 01:57 PM

Welcome!

**Playswithrocks** · #12 06-15-2012, 03:42 PM

Welcome

Great progress you've made for yourself. You have certainly come to the right place to find other competitors and learn more about what to expect.

**kmcduffie** · #13 06-15-2012, 05:28 PM

Welcome!!

I'm from GA as well. Further south than Augusta.
Great progress so far!!