Nicole Duncan’s Arnold Confessions

IFBB Fitness Pro Nicole Duncan joins our team of Hardbody Guest Bloggers for the 2011 Arnold Sports Festival. The Duncanator will be sharing her “confessions” as she heads into the Fitness International. Check out the first installment of what’s happening in her world.

Okay so here it is just 8 1/2 weeks from the Arnold and I can’t honestly say that I’ve even started preparing for the show.  No, please don’t perceive this to be a slap in the face or a lack of respect for the industry or other competitors.  It seems that I’ve had a bit of adversity to face as we all do from time to time in our lives.  I’m a strong believer in the motto “what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger” and that “God would never put more on us than we can bear.”  So, with that being said, for those of you who might be a tiny bit interested, let me invite you into my small little corner of the world.

Right now, I type this while waiting the results of my dad’s cat scan and EKG test results.  Yes, just as I was about to leave the house to MAKE myself push through an hour of cardio my mom and I decided to MAKE my dad go to the hospital.  He’s had a stroke about 5 years ago and just a few months ago have had some questionable incidents. All day today he was not feeling well, acting a little weird and my mom noticed his speech slurred.  She had been monitoring his blood pressure, making him take his meds and making sure he was not left at home alone.  We finally gave him two options; 1) get up and go to the emergency room or 2) get checked by an ambulance because we were calling 911.  He chose the first choice.  Just last week I weighed him and took his body fat.  He, my mom and I commited to a weight lost goal leading up to the Arnold.  Maybe this is just the wake up call we all need.

Also today I went to see my doctor about my being sick for more than a month now.  I’ve woken up with major headaches that lasted all day, sore throat, congestion and/or cough since Tina and I got back from our Thanksgiving cruise.  I’ve started my contest prep numerous times only to get sick a day or two later.  I had a great workout on Monday and then woke up on Tuesday before Christmas and could barely speak.  My throat and ear hurt and the doctor diagnosed me with strep.  After being a good girl and completing ALL of my antibiotics, skipping work, sleeping in even on Christmas day and basically doing my version of bumming around for 2 weeks (that means NO exercise & NO diet) it turns out that I may still be sick.  I’m tired a lot more than normal and it appears that my strep throat has not fully gone away.  After my tests today, thyroid, iron, strep and whatever else she decides to check hopefully we will get to the problem so that I can feel fully like myself again and be ready to rock and roll.

The good thing is… I am seeking professional help.  (LOL.  That sounds like I’m loosing my mind or something).  My doctor is a runner and she knows all about what I do as a fitness competitor.  She is really concerned about getting me back on track and thinks I may only have an iron deficiency or something.  My dad is being held overnight in the best place for him right now.  And I am only 8 pounds up from my contest weight because my appetite hasn’t been the greatest. Rather than finish the bag of Dorito”s that are on the kitchen counter, I will push on towards the goal of performing at my very best EVER at this year’s Ms. Fitness International show.  No matter what, I am grateful for the obstacles that are presented in front of me because I know that they build character and in the end will make me a stronger person.  Talk to any IFBB pro and we’ve all had issues from time to time so I shouldn’t expect to be exempt anyhow.  I will press forward with my diet and training because I know God will see me through.  Sometimes you have to just roll with the punches because you never know what life is going to throw your way.  I really can’t complain or whine too much because things could be a whole lot worse. I will take the blessings that I have an run with them (on the treadmill of course!).

Until next time Hardbody Peeps, PEACE!

Nic or the “Duncanator” as my dancers call me.  LOL!

Follow Nicole on her twitter @fitnicinc.