What I Won from a Bikini Competition
By Annette Robinson
For years and for reasons I’m yet to understand, I have had a love/hate relationship with my body. From teen years in high school, to now in my 50’s, I have gone back and forth with this struggle. For a few years after high school, the battle was so bad that I even went as far as becoming bulimic. As I got older, the struggle just became a part of who I was and what I had to deal with every day. People would compliment me on what a nice figure I had, but my response would always be something like, “I have more to lose, or this part of my body needs work.” It seemed so much easier than taking the compliment.
After having three children, all fairly close in age and also raising my three awesome step kids, it was hard to make a commitment to get into a workout regiment. It was always intermittent. When I was in my early 40’s, my friends and I decided to train with Team in Training for the Nike Half Marathon in San Francisco. Since I’ve never been a runner, it was tough, but I did it and went on to do six more after that.
In between, I started kickboxing,which I loved, as well as doing other strength and conditioning classes. Even though I was working out, it was still intermittent, not a set program, no set goals. A few injuries here and there, and I would be back to square one.
Like all women, I eventually gained that midlife, midsection bulge that I had never had to worry about in my younger years, always carrying my weight on the lower half.
A year and a half ago, I finally decided enough is enough. I had to make a change. I connected with my trainer, who I had known for some time, got on a weight loss program, and made it my mission to change my body. I HAVE NOT stopped since! I train once a week, attend strength and conditioning classes, and started boxing (which I absolutely love!). It took me some time and trying a large variety of classes to find what I truly love. Loving what you do is the best motivation!
Always interested in health and fitness blogs and posts, I came across bikini fitness competitors. These women looked amazing! I wondered what it would take to look like that and do what they do. I never thought I could ever be one of them…fit, strong, and confident enough to set foot on a stage in a bikini, especially at my age.
Lo and behold, 6 months later, I was on stage doing my first competition.
I have never felt comfortable walking on the beach in a bathing suit and here I was on stage in the tiniest of bikinis….no better way to get over insecurities…right?
“For me, this competition was not about winning and getting medals but more about doing something I never thought I could accomplish. It was about years of zero body confidence, and finally at the age of 55, getting over that.”
As we age, we think everything should just be the status quo, that we are too old to start up something new. I have found that is not true. We are never too old to make a change, and never too old to learn something new. I am now studying to get my personal training certification to start a new career.
During these crazy times we are experiencing, we have had to make adjustments to so many things. With workouts, like everything else, it has been different but manageable. I’ve been taking Zoom boxing classes most mornings through my boxing gym. They have adjusted the classes and made it easy for everyone to join in.
My favorite is fitness influencer, Alexia Clark, on Instagram. She has daily demonstrations of home workouts using basic household items; bottles of water, detergent, towels, backpacks and brooms.
One of her exercises that I do often is leg extensions, using weights or water bottles in a shopping bag. Very effective!
I am still prepping for another show in the future, so I have had to figure out ways to keep up my workouts. There is so much free content out there. Pick one that fits your needs and lifestyle and keep moving!
One last thing that is keeping me moving during this pandemic - I’m fostering two irresistable puppies.
All I can say is, go after those dreams, challenge yourself everyday, and no matter your age, anything is possible if you’re willing to work hard and commit.
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