DC Completed...now on to Universe!

Whew! It's been a busy couple of weeks! The Washington DC Bikini Universe Capitol show went very well. I didn't get last place and I didn't fall down on stage...actually, I placed 7th/12 in my height division. For being my very first competition I am very pleased.

The show was actually fun after I had a bit of an emotional melt-down right after my first walk on stage. It was as though all of what I had practiced was there but the overwhelm of the lights, audience, action and chaos made me a bit shaky. Then, I listened to some worship music and my second walk was a lot better! In the end it was a great release and a very fun experience...the Savage team is amazing and so REAL!

LOVED going to the Cheesecake Factory that night! Nachos, chips, chips, more chips, crispy crab wontons and some outrageous dessert. Thought I would be sick but I wasn't. I felt fabulous and my abs actually "popped" while we were standing outside the restaurant afterward waiting for the valet parking guy...go figure!

Next, we (myself, Shawn, Aiden and Alynn) took an awesome mini-vacation to the beach to catch up on some much needed focused family bonding time...it was amazing. Turned the cell phone off and put the fun hat on! I walked on the beach alone right after the sun came up each day and had long talks with God. I've been walking through a lot of temptation...experiencing some tests that determine which roads I am going to take with my fitness modeling career. Undeniably, his voice is heard and I know that I am meant to stay all natural and use my testimony to help other women...especially young women. It was so nice to take a break and I would really be suffering right now if we had not.

It's a push right now as Universe is 24 days away and I have a photo shoot with Lisa Brewer next Monday. But... my priorities are in a great place. I feel very grounded as a few of the other competitors and I have been doing a weekly bible study to keep our hearts and minds focused on God through this process. Because, in the end...

1 Peter 1:24-25
"All flesh is like grass, And all of man's glory like the flower in the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls; But the Lord's word endures forever." This is the word of good news which was preached to you.

God Bless you and have a fabulous day!
Angela Sweet

Salad and a Straw- Hell Week Day #1

I am not calling it Hell week anymore because I am convinced that it will produce HEAVENLY results...so let's call it..."THE TEST." And, I am passing. I'm hungry. Down to the wire...

I am sodium loading, water loading and carb depleting this week...which means that for three days I do two/day workouts on only vegetables and heavily salted proteins. They taste great- with salty rubs/ marinades and I top it all of by drinking at least 1.5 gallons of water each day. Today it was over two!

I am incredibly blessed because I am being assisted in my workouts every day this week by different friends. This is a great time to call for help because I feel like I am running on fumes during my workouts and it's a mental battle. The social pressure and support is priceless.

A great friend of mine also had a terrible thing happen to her little girl this past week...the kind of health crisis that opens your eyes and helps to put things in perspective. My heart has gone out to her this week and it's been a constant reminder to stay grounded, and appreciative of every single moment I am given.

So, I may be drinking the left over balsamic vinegar at the bottom of my salad bowl trying to satisfy my appetite, but inside my heart is content with all that God has given me.

Angela Sweet

READY FOR "HELL" Week

Next week is the pre-show hell-week. I'm actually excited for it. I tend to hold a lot of water...so this is the time that I start seeing major muscle separations. I'll post pictures. Let's get this show on the road already! Cooked for four hours today and am prepped for the next week and show. Ahh, feels good.

"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another." Walter Elliott

God Bless You!
Ang

Balancing Act

It's 8 days before the show and I am feeling very emotional. One moment I am excited...prepared, and proud of this journey. Other times I feel very sad, sluggish and frustrated. This is known to happen during this week due to the increase in training an decrease in carbs. I'm just figuring out how to "deal" with it. It would be so much easier to eat and be merry...but I know that's not the right choice.

I feel sorry for Shawn because I am "wasted" as he calls it...at the end of the day I have nothing left. I am glad this is almost over and I can have some energy to love him more. I can't help but feel like I have failed him. I just can't be 100% for everyone all the time. I think I have PMS right now.

Ugh. I am tired of listening to myself. Going to bed.

Ang