Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising everytime we fall

A few days ago a client asked me if I have ever had trouble staying fit, if I have ever fallen off.

Here is my story:

I competed for the first time last November almost a year to date. Going into that competition I had no expectations I wanted to compete for myself not to win but to prove that I could. It wasn't until I got a top five call out that I realized I might be a true contender in this sport. I ended up winning my class and the overall! It was overwhelming, incredible and the only thing that made me happier then winning was knowing I had qualified for the Ontario Championships.

I enjoyed some cheat food and continued to workout with the luxury of missing early morning cardio sessions. I gained 15 pounds from my contest weight and was right around where I started when I began to prepare for the show in November.

20 weeks away from the Ontario Championships and it was GO time. I began prepping my food, waking up for those early morning cardio sessions and following a strict diet. My body began to change and 2 weeks away from the show I felt ready. I remember telling Tyler that I was scared of losing not because I wanted so badly to win but because I couldn't imagine not having a show to get ready for. I wanted to go to Nationals I was not ready to stop reaching higher.

Showtime came and went with a seventh place finish. I was devastated there were no hopes of going on this year I would have to wait until I could re-qualify at another regional show in the fall or winter. July was a tough month for me getting over the loss trying to overcome and get back into a routine. For the first time in my life it truly did not come easy. I had to drag myself into the gym and my workouts felt lifeless.

August continued to be the same with my diet still derailed and my workouts becoming few and far between. I had the privilege of speaking to an OPA judge who gave me some feedback on why I placed the way I did. I felt relieved when his critique made sense and his suggestions were things I could work on to become a better competitor. I felt ready to push hard in the gym again. I prepped all my meals for that week and was ready to go hard but when I tried I couldn't.

It was no longer the 7^th place finish that was keeping me from being motivated anymore. I had come to terms with my placing and my mind was ready to go but my body couldn't deliver. It was in this instant I realized something was wrong.

My energy levels had been at an all time low but I assumed it was the stress the show preparation had put on my body. I was wrong. I took the rest of August and September off from the gym. Nothing had changed. It was at that point that I knew this was something else.

I went to my doctor she believed I had developed a thyroid problem. Blood tests were taken and this was not the case. I went back weeks later and was given the suggestion to stop taking my birth control pills.

Two weeks later I felt great my energy levels were up, I was happy and I began revisiting my old friend the gym again. Turns out I had a hormone imbalance which can effect mood, energy levels and weight gain.

Where do I stand today?

Today I am happy, energetic and completely in love with fitness. My next fitness endeavor is getting off the 25lbs I have gained since June. I will be documenting my new journey in this blog along with workouts, progress, videos and nutrition tips. Feel free to follow along and do this with me.

“Failure isn't falling down, It's not getting back up” :)

Your Friend In Food and Fitness,

Sarah Rennick