I FREAKING DID IT!!!
For those who knew me well back in 2012 I was obsessed with competing culture. My instagram was full of competitors. I followed most of their daily vlogs on youtube. I knew I could do the intense workouts and dialed in nutrition…..
But step on stage. NOPE. In a tiny little suit. NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN…..
As the years passed I stopped following competitors. Unsubscribed from youtube channels and carried on with my life. That dream was dead and buried.
However, by the fall of 2024 my for you page started showing me competitors again. I was immediately sucked back in and started following a handful of accounts. The itch to compete was growing. Could I really do this now that I am in my 40’s?
In May I posted my first video on social media letting everyone know I had been keeping a secret…..
I hired a coach and would be competing in my first ever bikini competition!!!!
I started working with my coach in April. The major change was my macros. I haven’t counted calories, carbs or fats in over a decade. All I counted was protein. While most of the exercises are ones I had been doing, the structured plan was different. I did lift heavier and learned to push myself harder. I even started working out more at a gym and trying new equipment. I am OBSESSED with the cable machine.
I actually LOVED every workout. It’s always been my fuel. I literally look forward to every workout each day. I started resting on Sundays. Which at first was hard for me. I had never taken a rest day. But I learned to enjoy mobility stretching and a long walk with Ryan each Sunday morning before church.
I decided to document my journey through prep and beyond the stage. I always shared my workouts daily online. But this was different. It has been a long time coming. Each day I learned something new in this sport and was excited to share it. The best part was so many people loved following along, it made it even more exciting for me.
If you were one of those people, THANK YOU!!!
YOUTUBE PLAYLISTS
I created a playlist on my Youtube all about bikini prep. It’s been fun to talk to the camera in long form as social media does best when done with short video clips. In my first episode of my mini series I talk more in depth about hiring a coach, what my macros are and workout structure.
In my second video I talk more in depth about my macros, sharing some food, weighing out my food and using Myfitnesspal.
While I don’t think most people need to weigh their food daily, its a good starting place. Same thing for logging your food. Most people think they get enough protein and fiber. They don’t. Most people think they don’t consume too many carbs. THEY DO. And its often not the most nutritious carb sources either!
In my 3rd video of the mini series we go over COSTS. Listen no one talks about how expensive this sport is. Not the hiring a coach part. Not the food or supplements. How much each show costs, the tan, the hair and makeup and my goodness the SUITS!!!!!
I am now an affiliate with Angelcompetitions Bikinis so be sure to use code JACKIE15 on ordering a suit, posing suit, the blankets, robes, jewelry and more!!!
Click here for all my accessories!!!!!
I may have to start a 5th job if I keep competing lol!!!!
Be sure to support me on Amazon or LTK or any of these affiliates xoxoxo
BIKINI PREP FLEW BY
I started with my coach April 1. She did not want me to even look at dates yet. Because anyone can get on stage. But to show up with a package that can compete against others it may take longer than 12 + weeks. I wanted to make sure if I got on stage I could truly be proud of my body and the package I brought.
5 weeks out I made this video to highlight my progress through prep but also back to the girl I was in 2012.
I had looked online at different shows. I knew I wanted to stay close for my first two shows. I found two in Maryland. So while I waited to sign up, I had those dates as my motivation to keep pushing. My first show was August 23, 2025 in Towson Maryland. I could not believe how quickly the summer passed and that meant almost show time, yikes!!!
This mini episode is 2 weeks out from show 1!!!
Aside from having to wear something so tiny ( I rarely wear a regular bikini) posing was the hardest part. There is a specific front and back pose required in the bikini division. But the transitions and movements you add your own swag to. As someone who is NOT A DANCER, my body does not just sway in a graceful way. But practice over and over makes better, right?
ITS SHOW TIME
Professional Pic- Jeff Bins
Peak week is not a magic week. If you had not put the work in up until then nothing crazy will happen in that week. But you start the week depleting. So lower calories and carbs the first two days. A slight bump up on Wednesday. We load a bit more carbs Thursday. Hold and taper down on Friday and show day is basically not much food and a few sips of water….The goal is to show up as lean but defined as you can on stage.
Here is what was in my bag for backstage, my pin number and some more behind the scenes things
I cannot believe how fast and fun my first show was. I was a crazy wreck the day before show. Watch the video to hear how I wiped out down the basement stairs. When I say I was a nervous mess I mean it. But I kept praying and asking for prayers to calm my nerves. God delivered.
My mission this first season had 2 goals.
Mission 1 – GET ON STAGE
I FREAKING DID IT!!!!
Mission 2- HAVE FUN!
YOUR GIRL HAD A BLAST!!!!!!!
I thought I may hate show day. I thought I would hate the stage. Turns out I loved it all.
Professional Pics & Video Chris Vera
I am not going to lie, the first week post show was ROUGH. I did not have cravings all prep long. They hit HARD. My body was also rebelling. I was bloated and my body was holding onto water retention. I was very discouraged. I took an epsom salt bath every night to help. The goal for show #2 was to come in leaner and tighter. Calories and macros dropped even lower but my body was fighting….
By the middle of the second week I was feeling better. I decided to go lower in carbs than what coach said. My body was finally responding. So I went about 20-35 grams fewer carbs. While I don’t know that I got leaner, I was coming in tighter. I was pushing harder in my workouts too. Last push to bring a better package.
My second show was going to be a full circle moment for me….The first two shows I ever attended were at Laurel High School. And now I was going to be competing there!!!
SHOW DAY #2
Remember how expensive the suit was….yea I was wearing it again for this show too
Ill have to catch you up on hair and makeup and show day but here is a quick video showing off the glam. We went a little lighter. More pink eyes and lighter lips and I loved it. Also the tan this time was even DARKER yikes lol!
13 years ago fear held me back. Not any longer. I have loved this journey and cannot wait to see what I can do with this sport in the future.
If you have stuck around long enough to read this, THANK YOU. Here is my wrap up video for my first season including stage videos from my second show and how I placed at that show in all 4 categories. Its been incredible to share this journey with you.
My journey does not end here. Its only just begun. Now we prep and build for Jackie season 2 and I cannot wait to come back and kick my own butt! No matter your goal, stay consistent. Progress may be slow and it takes time but those results will show up when they matter most. No matter how old you are, and if you have never taken your nutrition or exercise serious before, its never too late.
You don’t need a goal of getting on stage. You need a goal of aging well. Being able to do everyday tasks, going on trips with long walks, and staying as independent as possible the older you get. So get that protein in at every meal. Eat your green veggies and have some berries too. Walk daily. Hydrate often. For the millionth time ladies PICK UP THOSE WEIGHTS! You got this!
Professional Pics- Jeff Bin
Professional Pics from Pho
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