After eating at different restaurants, having cocktails, celebrating, plane rides, being delayed in airports for 2 days,’10 Ms. Bikini & Figure America Champion Lori Harder is ready to relax. If she had it her way she would sit on the couch, eat chocolate, pizza, pop chips and watch television reruns all day. Despite that, Lori came home to a coaching call that she had booked knowing she would need it. She wants to feel energized, happy and she wants more for herself and the people that rely on her. This means Lori will have to do the tough stuff to get the really good stuff. Lori says, “You have to prepare for times like this and have a cut-off date. Make sure you have appointments and goals and anything else that gets you back!”

Last year, ’13 Ms. Bikini Texas winner Alina Adams made a determination to compete for the first time in the Texas show. She was happy with her overall win but the road to get there was difficult and depressing. After the show, Alina said she was exhausted and started eating horribly and skipping the gym for three months. She knew she could not allow her lifestyle to continue on as is and made another determination to compete. Alina stepped out of her comfort zone and joined Aaron Zambrano’s and Lauren Stogner’s training program. Alina could not be happier when she started training. She says, “Not only did they show me that I can enjoy prepping for a competition and there isn’t just one way to get ready for a show, they have become life coaches and wonderful friends as well. I have new friends that are like a family to me and an awesome support system that I’ve never had before.”

Jana Kovacovic is preparing for the ’14 Fitness America Weekend show this November. It is an emotional event for her, because she lost 22 lbs. for the ’11 Ms. Bikini America show. Jana says, “In 2011 it was just a fun experience to finish my weight loss goal. I did not expect I would enjoy challenging myself with fitness competitions in the following years.” In 2012 she got first place in the Ms. Bikini Classic division at the Fitness Universe Europe show.

Figure Universe Pro Michele Welcome has been practicing yoga and has done some on-the-fly workouts at the outdoor track. However she has not done weight workouts for a couple of months. The workout was quite humbling. Michele mentally prepared herself and knew she would not be at the conditioning level and strength she was at before. She was curious how her performance would be since the first day, being farther away from the goal, is always the hardest. Michele then thought back to 2010 when she went through a similar situation. Then she won Figure Universe™ Natural Pro status in the ’12 Figure America™ show. Michele says, “Just like then I’m taking it easy, doing what I can, and not looking to do a quick fix to achieve the results I want. Real results take time and a balanced nutrition. Life has its ups and downs. As I dust myself off from a year of deep depression and personal chaos, I’m not too proud to hold 10lb dumbbells while wearing my “Kill it with Drive” tank top and rock a leg workout when at one time I held 40s doing the same exercise. Keeping it real because that’s the way I roll. Day 1 – the hardest day – is over.”

’14 Ms. Bikini Universe Masters Champion Ann Hubbard had an amazing half day of sunrise, Starbucks, surf and sand in Florida when competing at the ’14 Fitness Universe Weekend. Keeping the weight off has always been a challenge for her. However, when the pounds start to creep up on Ann, she gets her head in the game. She stops focusing on food and starts focusing on moving. Ann says, “I am not a size 0 or even a 2 model like many fitness models. I am just me! At just over 5’3’’, I normally weigh between 115 lbs./125 lbs. on/off season.” When Ann was a Drill Instructor she told her Marine Corps recruits, “It is mind over matter, if you don’t mind, it won’t matter!” Fitness is and has been her lifestyle for over 25 years and at 48 she feels great!

’14 Ms. Bikini New England Competitor Cynthia Gerome does not complain and puts in an effort to change. She knows it is a long and difficult process but finds it all the more rewarding. Cynthia does not believe in any weight loss commercials on television. She believes workouts, proper nutrition, some determination and a goal is what will help you succeed. Cynthia says, “I can promise you I have more drive and determination than the average person. I care about myself enough to make a change in my life for the better and I can only go up from here.”

One year ago Ranee Araby made it her goal to compete in the ’14 Figure New England show. She is happy & proud to say that she did it and made it happen in under a year. The ’14 Figure New England show was her first competition and now she is hook, line & sinker. Ranee says, “When you set your mind to something, establish a goal & really commit yourself 100%, guess what? You conquer! Believe in yourself, do the work & trust the process. No matter what your goals may be in life, and they will happen!” Ranee now has her sights set out on the ’14 Fitness America Weekend Show in Las Vegas in November.