Strike a pose

Part of competing requires standing on stage, doing quarter turns to show the judges your physique from various angles.

I have always admired the gals on stage for looking so graceful as they flexed every muscle in their bodies...wow.  Looks easy...and I found out how NOT easy it really is..

Part of my training includes learning how to pose properly....I do NOT want to be the girl on stage shaking away, frowning from discomfort. I want to be a graceful, muscular swan up there...

Sooooo, I am taking a posing clinic every Sunday evening. Last week I showed up in shorts and a sports bra and heels..you know, cause nothing spells grace like gym wear and heels. BUT...all the other gals were sporting full on BIKINIS!  Dang! I missed the memo that must have said

"While you are likely pasty white from this Manitoba deep freeze, bulked up from eating way too many carbs to muscle up, and not BIKINI ready as of yet...you must still wear one. OWN it. STRUT it. WORK it. "

The poses are pretty straight forward. The problem is HOLDING them. I heard the word "conditioning" alot during the hour. Condition yourselves to hold these poses, while smiling and NOT having a mirror in front of you. Easy Peasy.

From the side pose I heard this yelled out at me alot. "Cheryl, suck in that stomach, tall, shoulders down, palms facing in,  relax, smile"

Ummmmm,  first off, I have 3 kids. This "pooch" is not easy to suck in, it has a mind (and skin) of its own.  While I am sucking it in, it ain't moving.  PS: complete body flexing = no relaxation.

I  removed that frown I get around my eyes when I concentrate. Noone cares that I'm a mom, I am competition to these young pups....they are thirsty to beat the old lady striking a pose next to them tight bods. 

By the end of the hour I was strutting my thang, smiling for the mirror and actually enjoying the sense of control I had over over my body.  I went home and bought these for the show...

6 inch heels. I'll be 6 feet with these beauties on!!!!!
Watch me trip and fall...good god help me!