Last week I
went on a trip of a lifetime! Yes, I’ve been to Vegas many times before (for my
stagette, with the hubby, with my sister, etc), but this time was different.
This I went with my coach and over 20 other beautiful TBB ladies! We came from
everywhere! BC, Alberta, Ontario, Rhode Island, and Florida! Some came to
compete at the WBFF Worlds show, some came for photo shoots and we all came to
support each other. What an amazing team J
I may have come home with one less pair of pants (I lost them somewhere out in
the desert), one less curling iron, and a couple more pounds, but what a fun/
exciting/ nerve-wracking/ tiring/ once-in-a-lifetime trip! Here’s the
breakdown...
Tuesday: Travel day
Tuesday: Travel day! Food is always the top priority!
Wednesday:
Settling in
I pretty
much had Wednesday to myself since, unlike many of the other ladies, I wasn’t
doing any shoots that day. It was nice to sleep in a bit, hit the gym for some
weights and cardio, prep more food, and then spend some time down at the pool.
It gave me a chance just to slow down, rest up and prepare for a busy Thursday.
Wednesday- Settling in. Gym, food and sun-- everything I need in life :)
Thursday:
What this has all been about
This was it! This is what I had been working toward. This was the ultimate goal! A shoot with Paul Buceta. Paul. Buceta. Open any issue of Oxygen magazine and you’ll see his name and pictures on every page. He is, without a doubt, one of the best fitness photographers in the world… and I got to shoot with him J
Thursday was
a crazy day though! First, it was over to the Aria to get hair and makeup done
by the fabulous ladies of 2 Chicks and Some Lipstick. Lori and Valeria were so
much fun! It was such a pleasure just to meet them both, let alone get my hair
and makeup done by them.
Then, it was
out to the desert for a group shoot. Despite being to Vegas countless times, I
realized I had never even been too far off the strip before. This was such a
great opportunity to really get out there and see the desert. It was stunning.
And, with storm clouds and lightening in the background (luckily we didn’t get
rained on), the landscape was breath taking. After getting in a few different
shots, it was time to load up and get back to the hotel for the shoot with
Paul.
I didn’t
know what to expect, but it all unfolded nicely J
First off, he’s awesome. It was really easy to feel comfortable in front of the
camera with him behind it. The time went by fast and I got some really great
shots. I also definitely had the, Is this seriously my life right now?? Never
in my wildest dream would I have thought I would have had this opportunity to
shoot with Paul. It has inspired and motivated me to keep pushing, to keep at
it, and to keep dreaming. I will shoot with him again, and next time I will
come back bigger and better. I told him so.
Thursday: Photo shoot shots!
After the
shoot, Ami and I celebrated by going out for a couple delectable little treats-
champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, and chocolate covered pretzels. Damn
you, Jean Philippe Patisserie, you will be the end of me. I also celebrated with a protein pancake covered in an unmeasured amount of Nuttzo and bananas. Cray cray!!
Then, that
night, all the ladies (who weren’t competing the next day) went out for a night
out on the town! Whoo hoo hoo!
Thursday: Post-photo shoot treats :)
Friday: Rest and recovery
With all the
scheduled shoots out of the way, Friday was a bit of a rest and recovery day
for me. Again, I spent it sleeping in, hitting the gym and then laying by the
pool. In essence, the perfect vacation day for me.
Friday: Rest and recovery
Friday was
also awesome because the hubby was coming down to join me J J Yay! I was so happy to
see him. He support me so much and we have both been so crazy and busy with
just everything that has been going on this summer that it was nice to have a
little time out and spend some time together. Obviously this time together
involved a couple of treats. Upon his arrival we had crab cakes, pizza, wine
and, for be, a nice big bowl of frozen yogurt and candy J Hahaha, some things never
change.
Saturday:
Show day!
One of the
original reasons behind the trip in the first place was the WBFF Worlds show.
This is one of the biggest shows of its kind with competitors from all around
the world! I was excited to not only cheer on my teammates competing, but also
to see all of the other fitness models that I have been following in the
magazines and online over the years. I watched the show in amazement. The guys
(omg, the guys!) and the girls!! Wow. Just the dedication and hard work
represented on that stage was inspiring. And this isn’t just any old show, this
is one of the biggest and the best. There’s the glitziest of the glitzy bikinis,
sparkly evening gowns and even theme wear. Wow! Everything over the top and
spectacular. Watching the show made me start thinking about my own competition
plans… Hmmm…
Saturday: Show day! Pics from the WBFF Worlds
I also got to meet Andreia Brazier. She has been one of my biggest fit-spirations over the year. And, there she was. She also placed first :)
Sunday: Pool
party!
Sunday was
spent poolside (and in the pool) at Wet Republic. After months of prepping, and
food plans and training, it was time party it up VIP style! The afternoon was
filled with a little drinking, some dancing and a lot of fun. I love these
ladies!!
Sunday: Funday!! Me with the hubby, my coach, a big bottle of vodka and some teammates
More Sunday Funday! Me with Paul Buceta, and teammates Heather and Ami. I heart these ladies!!
After a nap
and cleaning ourselves up a little, the hubby and I went out for a very nice
dinner at Gordon Ramsay’s Steakhouse. That Gordon Ramsay, I’ll tell ya, he
knows a thing or two about running a nice restaurant. He should think about
getting his own show (or four). Seriously, I cannot say enough great things
about the amazing experience we had at the restaurant. Every detail, every
morsel of food, everything, was just divine! I even ordered off menu (I’m not a
meat person), and had a “vegetarian wellington.” It was superb!
Sunday Dinner: Sooooo good!
Monday:
Leaving Las Vegas
After
stocking up on a couple more off-plan treats (in the form of candy) for the
plane ride, Monday was spent traveling home. We ended the vacation with one
more dinner out, sushi, and then got right back at it.
Up next!
Tuesday I
fell right back into my routine, prepped all my meals and got back to the gym.
Vegas was fun, but I am happy to be back at it.
Competition
wise, I am still figuring it out. I’m probably, probably, done for this year.
When I compete again, I was to come with something different. I want to come
back with something bigger and better. I’m learning that this takes time. Time
I’ve got. I am committed to keep at it and see where I end up.
Training and
diet wise, I’m keeping up with that too. Some people have asked me if I’m
“taking a break” or “easing up a bit.” Breaking from what? I love what I am
doing and how it makes me feel. Yep, it can be a lot of work planning and
preparing and sometimes it’s nice to have a break from all of that, but a break
from training and eating clean?? No way! My body and my mind are craving it.
Putting in this time and effort to properly fuel and condition my body is
treating it. I want to keep at it. I need to keep at it.
Other plans?
This summer has just been so busy. From moving, to Napa, to Chicago and then
Vegas, the past couple of months have been a whirlwind! Moving into the fall
things should start to calm down a bit more and I really want to focus on
building a bigger and better me. What does that mean? Well, a couple different
things, but nothing that I am ready to reveal yet. Something has started, and
this is only the beginning. I can’t wait to see what’s up next! If anyone had
told me what this past year was going to be like 12 months ago, I wouldn’t have
believed it. That makes me excited to see what will happen next!!
XOXO
Jen
No comments:
Post a Comment