I thought I would make a quick video to keep you informed regarding my first bikini competition, the Beachbody Classic. Of course, made it through pre-judging. I felt really great going into it, but I did not make the top twenty. Having said that, it’s not the end of the world. I will be on stage tonight for the grand finale.

If everyday of my life went exactly the way that I wanted it to go, I would have zero character, and I really wouldn’t be the person that I am today.

I was with my nephew and I checked my email, and then I just started crying. I felt like I put so much into this. I’ve been preparing for this competition for nine months, I’ve lost almost forty pounds. The reality is, objectively I probably have about five to ten percent more body fat to go. That’s okay, because when things like this happen, first of all we need to be objective.

It kind of reminded me of two things. The first thing was several years ago, I did my first sprint triathlon that was open water. I was the last person out of the water. The next couple years I came back, went at it even harder and I was no longer last. Sometimes it just takes time to excel in life.

A lot of people have been asking, people that are really close to me like, “Are you going to do it again, are you going to do it next year, are you still going to a show.” I don’t know. I need twenty four hours to think about it, but I’ll tell you what’s getting ready to happen right now. Now that I’m done crying, I’ve gone to ta couple of sessions. I’ve seen some friends, and just listened to Gary V. and I know..Patience is a virtue, and you never ever ever give up. Never ever ever give up, so I’m going to get dressed.

I’m going to put on my suit, I’m going to get my face made up and we’re going to slay it! I’m going to represent my team. I’m going to represent my family, I’m going to represent everything and everybody that has push me a long the way. I’m going to get on that stage and I’m going to represent myself and I’m going to represent you all. In the best way possible.Thank you, thank you for your support.

Thank you for every moment that you took out of your life to put a single comment on my page to encourage me, because it’s not over and we all have life. There are so many people that I take care of everyday that would just love to be able to even stand up on their own. To breathe on their own, to feed themselves, to walk to the bathroom on their own. Who am I to be upset or to complain, because I didn’t win a freaking body building competition? Be thankful, be thankful for the life you have. I’m going to represent all my friends back Jacksonville Florida. Just represent life, represent health, represent tenacity. I will be representing my team, Team Resilience and Transformation Nation.

I’m sharing some fun pictures including my before and after below. Enjoy!

Beachbody Classic Bikini Competition 2016

Lemon Water – A glass of lemon water several times each day can help detoxify your liver and improve your body’s fat metabolism. Lemon water also aids digestion and when taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach helps cleanse your colon and digestive tract.

Ginger Tea for Belly Fat Melting..

Ginger helps your body digest food, and also increases your body temperature and burns more fat, more effectively. Ginger also decreases cortisol, the hormone that promotes fat storage allowing your body to release and burn more fat.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon stabilizes blood sugar which decreases insulin levels. Like ginger, cinnamon is thermogenic and burns additional calories through metabolic stimulation. Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to your diet to increase your metabolism.

Green Tea – According to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition drinking 4 cups of green tea each day can help you lose an additional six pounds over eight weeks. Green tea contains natural phenols and antioxidants which boost your metabolism. Make a cup fresh and hot each time or drink iced green tea from the ‘fridge to speed up your metabolism.

Hot Peppers

Hot peppers like habaneros and jalapenos contain capsaicin which literally fires up your body’s temperature burning more energy and calories. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that capsinoids reduce abdominal fat and improves fat oxidation. You can eat your hot peppers raw, cooked, dried, or powdered. Hot peppers contain differing amounts of capsaicin which is why some peppers are more hot than others. Adding peppers, powders and hot sauce to your meals will increase your metabolism, body temperature and promote fat burning and weight loss.

Cranberry Juice

Cranberries provide a rich source of natural fat burning acids including malic acid, citric acid, and quinic acid that work as digestive enzymes. Cranberry juice acids digest fats in your lymphatic system and help your body move the metabolized fat out of your body. If you decide to add cranberry juice to your diet, drink pure 100% unsweetened.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar is a popular home remedy used to reduce body fat. The vinegar lowers blood sugar and insulin levels, and helps break down and eliminate fat and reduces the accumulation of body fat.

Cabbage

Raw or boiled cabbage should be a part of your weight loss diet. Cabbage contains tartaric acid that blocks the conversion of sugars and carbs into fat. Cabbage is rich in vitamin C and fiber and low in calories. A cruciferous vegetable, cabbage contains phytochemicals that help balance hormones and improve metabolism. Consider adding similar cruciferous vegetables broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts which are are also beneficial to a healthy and natural weight loss diet.

I must add, there is no substitute for following a consistent balanced long term plan of fitness and nutrient dense meals. I thought it would be fun to evaluate these belly fat melting foods.

Fit Pharmacist

My First Bikini Competition .. The Results Are In..

Natural Belly Fat Blasters You May Already Have at Home..

Ginger Tea for Belly Fat Melting..

Hot Peppers

Cranberry Juice

Apple Cider Vinegar