I quit posting progress pictures, as I'm sure by now you noticed. It's not that I haven't taken any, but I got this feeling inside that maybe I shouldn't unveil my physique until I step on stage. After all, I haven't in the past, so why change something that isn't broken? It sounds so superstitious, but I'm ready to throw salt over one shoulder, knock on wood, and avoid black cats crossing my path if it means that I'll fly home from Connecticut with trophy in hand and a smile plastered on my face.

Last year, I placed seventh at the Junior USA's. That was out of 13 girls. My goal then was to make it in the top ten, which I did. If you are wondering why I didn't place higher and what I've done to fix those problems, then read on.

First of all, my tan sucked. It doesn't seem like such a big deal. I mean, you go to the gym to train; you measure your food out to diet down just right; what the heck does it matter what color your skin is when you step on stage after all is said and done? Well, to the judges, a lot! I wasn't tanning at the time, and the Protan turned a slight lagoonish green and was a distraction from my physique. Solution this time: I've been tanning, much to my chagrin. But I won't resemble the Loch Ness monster again!

Secondly, my two piece suit was the wrong color. Mike Davies chose a nutmeg color. I had offered a dark, forest green, but he turned that one away and said the nutmeg would work. That was a $270 mistake. I used it one more time for the Pittsburgh show, and it's sitting in my bottom drawer of my dresser, never to be worn again. Sigh. Basically, the browns blend in too much with the tan and become washed out on stage. Your best bet is to go with rich, vibrant, elegant colors, so when I switched to green (my first choice), I ended up with a first call out at Junior Nationals. Solution this time: both of my suits are a rich emerald green. Very beautiful and a perfect match for my eyes.

Third, my legs were too thick. Judges stated I was carrying too much muscle on too small of a frame and the muscle was too blocky. My legs looked like rectangles. Solution this time: I've kept bringing my legs down. The tear drop is smaller (let me shed a tear here--no pun intended--I worked hard for that huge tear drop), but my quad sweep is slightly larger and more pronounced, so now my legs actually taper a bit, and when I stand properly, my thighs barely touch at the top, so you can see the light of day. It just fits better with my bone structure.

Fourth, my shoulders and back were too small and not wide enough. That doesn't need explaining. Solution this time: Worked balls to the wall and thickened up my back incredibly, rounded out the caps of my delts, and created a V-taper that is very pronounced. My waist looks so tiny from the back.

Fifth, I was still a bit of an unknown. I had done only two national shows previously, and the judges didn't really recognize me. I've now been in front of those judges six times. On April 17th, I will be facing them for the seventh time. They seem to like perseverance. I spoke with Angie Semsch, IFBB Pro Fitness competitor, and told her this would be my third year at the national level. She told me to hang in there; she understood completely, for it wasn't until her fifth year that she turned pro. That made me stronger inside.

So, there you have it. If I'm not on the boards, not in the journals, it's because I'm working my butt off to do well in less than two weeks. It's so weird to have struggled for so long, for so many months for an event and then to suddenly realize that it's almost upon you. I'm excited, a bit nervous, and advancing on a sense of confidence that I didn't carry with me last year. I feel like a pro. The rest is in the judges' hands (and scorecards).

By the way, all the changes I mentioned in the last entry worked. I hit 105 pounds this week and went back up to 106 pounds just for safe measure. I don't want to remain too small or too flat for too long and risk not being full enough for the show. But the stubborn bits around my quads and glutes are disappearing. All that's left really is a bit of water, which will be drawn out once the sodium is taken out of my diet and the tanning is dropped off (I'll have a last tanning session next Monday and stop sodium next Wednesday or Thursday). I have another suit fitting tomorrow, so I can't wait to see the results!

I'm also taking on a new competitor. She will be competing in the Southwest Texas show in Arlington, Texas, this August. We discussed posting her progress starting in May, so I'll let you guys know if that's a definite thing. She'll spend the month of April cleaning up a few things in her diet, and I'll get ahold of her May 1st and whip her into shape! I can't wait (evil grin!).

I'm rambling a bit and don't have a ton of intellectual things to say. I'm absolutely exhausted. I hit a point of low patience, low stamina, and few thoughts. All I can focus on is the show.

By the way, you guys are the first to know this, and then I'll post it on the public board right before I leave for Connecticut. I plan to be in Seattle, Washington, for the Emerald Cup. I'll compete in the 5'2" and under figure division, so those of you on the West Coast, if you're within driving distance, I expect to not only see you there but also hear you in the audience!!

Take care!!

Jodi :)