Figure Competition 2019 Season Complete

2019 will be an epic competition year to remember!

Man, you guys what a crazy whirlwind the month of May was. As you saw in my last post from the end of April I was getting ready for my 2 back to back figure competitions. So to make sure I keep everything straight I am going to talk about each show individually! Here we go!

Show 1: May 4- OCB Richmond Atlantic Supershow in Richmond, VA

This show was set up a little differently than my show last August, but then again that is the only show I have to compare it to. There were SO many competitors they divided the day into men and women. Men went in the morning and the women's portion started at 3 pm. Since my show did not start until the afternoon I didn't have anywhere I had to be at the crack of down, but I still had to get up at 6 am to start eating for the day. On show day I have my meals pre-planned as well and I have to eat them at certain times, hence the 6 am wake up call. On a side note, my breakfast was a few tablespoons full of dry instant oatmeal. No milk, No water. Straight up oats. It wasn't as bad as I thought. Once my saliva made the oats wet they tasted pretty good! haha

It was weird though because my fiance and I just relaxed in the hotel room all morning because my hair appointment wasn't until 12 pm. I didn't feel that excited in the morning and I started to question myself like "why am I not more excited?" But when it came time to leave I got really excited!! I was so ready! Hair and makeup went SO incredibly smooth. I loved my look! I went for a soft but edgy look. Backstage I had one of my friends Anna with me so that was fun to have a familiar face to hangout with. Backstage I didn't feel nervous, but as soon as I went out on stage to compete in the Novice Category and hit my first pose my body started shaking to the point I felt like I was trembling and I freaked the judges could see it! (I was told later they could not!) When I went back out a few divisions later for Open A Category my body didn't shake.

The competition was tough this year! The judges had us up on stage probably for a good 5-10 minutes, which feels like FOREVER when you're holding those poses. It was well worth the fight! Overall, I placed 2nd in Novice and 2nd in Open A. I was BEYOND PROUD of myself and all that I conquered. I knew I could walk away knowing that I gave it my all!

My feedback from the judges was I need to tone/slim down my quads more and build more shoulder. It was very similar to the feedback I received for my August 2019 show, but I definitely made progress in those 9 months. Albert and I went out afterwards and had some of the best cheeseburgers ever!!!! I am still drooling over them.

Show 2: May 11- OCB Catonsville Conquer in Catonsville, MD

I went through a second peak week as my shows were back to back. My coach and I took the feedback I got from the May 4 show and put it into training hard for this show. We added 45 minutes of fasted cardio back into every morning and weightlifting at night. I knew I could do it because it was only 5 days. I knew there was an end in sight and I was determined to give it my all. For the May 4 show we took the cardio out during peak week and as you'll see later it definitely made a difference!

This show was amazing and so much fun! We started at 10 am so that meant I had to wake up early, but I also started getting ready earlier. The show had men and women, but all the men's divisions went first and then the women did. So in the morning it was a little hard to stand around and wait, but I made friends and we all kept each other busy. One of the things I love about competing, at least with OCB, is most of the girls I've met backstage are super nice and we become friends. We are competing against each other, but we support each other too.

Can I side track for a minute? I LOVED my tan! It looked so natural and on stage it made my suit pop! ah! I competed in Open A and Novice categories again this show....working for that first place! The competition was also tough this show too. I walked into it thinking I would place 2nd again or hopefully first since I did so good in my show the weekend before. I took 3rd place in both categories! I am not going to lie and say I was thrilled with 3rd place. Again, I took 2nd place the week before and for this show I came in leaner and tighter, essentially I brought a better package, so I was a little disappointed in myself. But it just goes to show you it depends who shows up that day to compete.

Albert was at both shows cheering me on! I loved having him there. He is my rock and supporter! <3 After the show we went and stuffed our faces at this AMAZING restaurant called Jimmy's Famous Seafood in Baltimore, MD. I can't wait for us to go back there again!

Well that was it! That's a wrap on my 2019 season. It was amazing and I couldn't have asked for a better coach to help guide me! She truly became one of my friends! I will be taking a long off-season as now I can focus my time and energy on becoming Mrs. Smolinski. I know what I need to work on...build more shoulder and slim down my legs. So season 2021 I am coming for you with a vengeance. I hope you're ready!

All in all I gave it my best and I couldn't be more proud of myself!

Here is a transformation between show 1 and show 2:

Thank you so much for sharing in my journey with me! Stay tuned for my next post as we will discuss reverse dieting!

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crumble Muffins

With summer right around the corner it is never too early to start planning those summer treats!

I love these muffins because they're light, fluffy, and scream fresh fruit. So I made a trip to my local farmers market and picked up a few containers of fresh strawberries. They were sweet and perfectly in season.

Even though this is the muffin recipe for May you could definitely make these all summer long! Pair with a bowl of yogurt, fresh fruit, or maybe a little ice cream on the side.

There are a few working parts to this recipe so make sure you read the recipe before you get started. I am always so excited to start baking that I usually half-read the directions and then I have a few oopsy moments!

I hope you're having as much fun with these muffins as I am!

Let's Get Baking!

Active Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Makes: 12 muffins

For the Topping:

• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 5 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, cut into pieces

For the Muffins:

• 1 cup 1/2-inch pieces rhubarb (1 stalk)
• 2/3 cup chopped strawberries
• 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 2/3 cup milk
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• confectioner's sugar, for dusting

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. Make the topping: Mix the oats, brown sugar, flour, and salt in a small bowl.  Add the butter and work it in with your fingers until the mixture comes together in clumps (approx 5-10 minutes). Set the toppings aside.
2. Make the muffins: Toss the rhubarb and strawberries in a small bowl with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, set aside. Whisk the flour, remaining 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl, make a well in the center. Add the eggs to the well and gently whisk. Stir in the milk, melted butter, and lemon juice until just combined with only small bits of flour remaining. Stir in the rhubarb-strawberry mixture.
3. Divide batter among the muffin tins, filling them almost to the top. Top each muffin with the crumble mixture. Bake until the muffins are lightly browned, about 25 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the middle of the muffin, the toothpick should come out clean and then you know they're done!
4. Once the muffins are done, pull them out of the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a rack to cool completely. Dust with confectioners sugar once cooled.

Enjoy! Stay tuned for next month's muffin of the month!