Nabba Finals

What an amazing weekend!

So on Friday I went to work until midday, went home to prep some meals for the weekend ahead and then we hit the road en route to Southport. I went with my mum and step dad, unfortunately Juris couldn't be there as he was on a stag do with the lads! Nevertheless I had the support of my family and was excited to get back on stage again and also spend some time with them. It took us ages to get to Southport, having to stop every half an hour because I needed to pee and because of traffic, I think it took us around 5 hours.... When we got to our hotel (click to view) we checked in, chilled out for an hour before heading over the road to the conference centre to get my first layer of tan with Liquid Sun Rayz then it was back to the hotel room to enjoy a glass of wine and get to sleep.

The morning of the show I woke up looking alright, I knew I wasn't looking my best however I am happy with how I came in considering how much I'd been struggling with the diet on the weeks running up to the comp. I was on for prejudging around midday then it was off to the local Italian restaurant with the family for a big feast, it was absolutely amazing. Not just the food... but spending quality time with my family, something that doesn't happen regularly enough, especially whilst prepping.

I knew from prejudging that I hadn't made the top 6 (I didn't expect to anyway, due to mucking up with my diet a lot) so I think I enjoyed the family meal a little too much... carb coma!

We spent some time exploring Southport before I went back to the room to rest before getting ready for the night show and awards ceremony! It was great getting back on stage again in the evening, I knew it was going to be my last time for a while so enjoyed every second of it. And also enjoyed more food after that...Ooops!

Sunday was another lovely day in Southport, the weather was stunning, so so hot! I enjoyed breakfast with my family and we headed out for a game of mini golf, proud to say that I took home 2nd place, losing by 1 point to my mum! For the first time in ages I actually felt 'normal' - drinking coffee with milk, feeling energised and genuinely on top of the world. Knowing that my prep was over was like a gigantic weight had been lifted off of my shoulders, I felt so free! I was starting to get to that point in my prep where I was constantly down, no energy, negative - basically not enjoying it at all and kept messing up with my diet. I knew that this had to be my last show because of my head not being in it anymore. With that being said, I did have to eat relatively clean Sunday because I had a photoshoot booked on the Monday with Lee Archer and a friend of mine who had also competed at the Finals!

Monday was photoshoot day! I was a little nervous the morning of the shoot, I didn't know if I looked very good due to the little binge I had on Saturday in Southport with the family however when looking at the pictures on the camera... I was well chuffed.... Can't wait to see the finished results in a few weeks time!

As you can see we enjoyed a fair few cakes then I had chocolates, then pizza, then a bowl of ice-cream, more cakes, cookies... Everything! Happy days!

Overall an amazing weekend spend with friends, family and a great end to my competing season. I'm happy with what I've achieved this year, placing in the PCA Saxon Classic and NABBA Midlands which I didn't do last year and I'm really looking forward to enjoying my offseason, getting back into a healthy eating pattern, getting back a healthy mind and enjoying life!

Competing is very demanding and having these few days back on more food, feeling energised and happy... I feel like i've been slightly missing out... Excited for the future :)