IFBB Figure Pro Andrea Watson made her pro debut at the 2010 Fitness International. She was slated to make her second pro appearance next weekend at the Orlando Show of Champions however those plans have been put on hold. Walk with Watson on her latest journey.

As I was driving to work this morning, and listening to my favorite country radio station, the song “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw came on the radio. I know that many of you are gagging right now and can’t get past the country music thing, but the words of the song speak volumes. Take a look if you get a chance at the lyrics here.

Last year when I was going through a rough time in my life I often listened to this song to keep me in a positive mind-frame. Today, as I once again am facing challenges, I think about the message and remind myself that every day is a gift and that we should live each day like it may be our last. Are there things that you’ve been putting off because you have tomorrow? Is there something that you’ve been dying to try but haven’t made the time to do? Are there people, family, or friends in your life that you have not forgiven because of petty things that have happened in the past? Forgiveness is a blessing in disguise. If you found out you only had a short time to live would you have any regrets? Why wait for bad news to “Live Like You Were Dying?”

I have been incognito for awhile and have not responded to any emails, Facebook comments, etc. I have been in and out of the doctor’s office dealing with some medical issues (back, stomach, some too personal to list) and have been having a really rough time. Ever since my surgery last year I have not been 100%. I have not been able to train like I did the first time around. My body and mind have taken a beaten and I’ve really been struggling. I’ve been down, down, down and not in a positive place. My doctors want me to let my body rest and put training and competing on hold. I’ve really been struggling with their advice but know that it’s the best thing for me right now. I once again am turning to my faith to help me get through this time.

Some people may say that I’m throwing everything away and just to push through it. However, we are all guilty of judging a book by its cover. Well folks, this cover may look good on the outside but the inside needs some work. I am not looking at this as a challenge; this is an opportunity. I am not giving myself a pity party or looking for sympathy by far! I don’t need any of that. Judge me if you want…believe what you want to believe…say what you want to say….but please respect me as I would you. I am continuing to stay positive and am asking God for strength.

Will I compete again? When and if the time is right. The champion will always live inside of me so don’t count me out.

I want to thank my manager and my coaches for their continued support. Also, to all of my family, friends, and supporters thank you for always encouraging me and believing in me. Many blessings to you all.

Andrea Watson checks in…

Often times when I am at the gym I overhear people talking negatively about the sport of bodybuilding and figure competing how it is rigged, who should have won what show, who slept with who, and how so and so shoulda, coulda, woulda… Isn’t it funny how people become experts at this sport just because they have trained competitors for a show? They talk about how horrible so and so looked and if you compare their pictures then duda da da…I think to myself…hello people….get a freakin’ life outside the gym and stop talking like you know everything!!!! Well, people probably think that this little gas monster does not have a life because I am in the gym almost three hours a day but that’s besides the point.

This negatively quickly reminds me of what my coach, Shannon Dey, always tells her Bombshell girls. The best advice she ever received was to “Stay out of the doghouse and stay true to yourself.” Meaning, don’t be guilty by association and do not participate in conversations where people are bashing fellow competitors. This makes you look bad, insecure, and like a BIG FAT HATER. If you truly feel that way, keep your mouth shut and your comments to yourself. What good does it do for you to complain about it to others? I have been accused of being stuck up and anti-social because I don’t run with these crowds. So what? I would rather be accused of being that way than of being associated with all that negativity.

People tend to remember negative impressions rather than positive ones. Think about it, when you receive bad customer service you are quick to tell your mother, brother, Bubba, Sissy, Uncle Tom, and Aunt Sue to never to deal with that company because they pissed you off. However, when you receive good customer service you don’t go telling the whole world do you? The same thing applies in this industry. When a competitor is bitchy, stuck-up, and moody at the gym or backstage you will always remember her that way. Or, when you have a conversation with Negative Nancy about how Suzie Q won and her ass was much fatter than yours, how her belly has never seen an ab a day in its life… Guess what? People will remember you as….a BIG FAT HATER!

Be aware of these Negative Nancys and Doubtful Debbies!!! Don’t let yourself turn into one.

Negativity feeds your soul and in turn ruins it. Positivity leads to a healthy and happy soul.

The response to IFBB Figure Pro Andrea Watson’s “Walk with Watson” has been great. Thanks to Andrea for sharing her candid, honest thoughts along the way. She’ll be taking the pro stage for the first time next Friday and she’ll be one to watch. Join me in wishing her good luck! Here is the final installment of Walk with Watson. Let us know in the comments field if you’d like to hear more from Andrea after the Arnold.

The Final Stretch!!!!

Holy mole peeps, we’re entering the home stretch…thank you Jesus…I am finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!  My evenings now consist of me walking around the house with my posing suit on and Brian shooing me out of the way because I’m blocking his view of American Idol!  Sheesh, I’m half naked man, look at me damn it! Tell me if my butt still looks fat, if I’m still holding water in my back or if you can see my abs. My little pinkie toes are squished and hanging on for dear life because they’re forced into my new clear heals… so I decide to put on some socks to stretch them bad boyz out!!!

I am dreading this weekend because there is so much I must get accomplished.  For one, I have to give myself a bikini wax… yes, I do my own because I don’t just let anyone see my golden gates of heaven…this is one of the most painful things about prepping for a competition! I debate on whether or not I should just shave the Thursday before the show but then I think to myself, sista!, Are you crazy? Don’t you remember you’re half Filipino and Italian and God has blessed you with so much hair…too much hair…then I get a vision in my head of me showing up on stage on Friday with a Chia Pet that has grown 10 inches in the middle of the night and is now waving at the judges! Yikes!  Better do the wax!

My dear mother is constantly on my case about whether or not I’m losing the weight and if I am going to be ready for the show. She even bought me a Tony Little No Impact glute workout DVD from Food World because she is trying to help!  Bless her little heart. She has said so many Rosarys for me over the past few months that I think I have enough blessings to carry me and every competitor in the NPC and IFBB into the next lifetime! Just picture a little Filipino woman (smaller than me) saying (note the accent please), “Andria, I don’t see dose little bumps (muscles) in your back like I did at your pirst show….hab you been doing your butt DBD dat I bought you?  Hab you been sticking to your diet?  Your butt is big.”

The purse that I carry around with me the last month reminds me of something Inspector Gadget would carry around…if he was a figure competitor. It is not a fancy Coach or Luis Vuitton, no people, it is a bright yellow, nylon $8 TJ Maxx special, which has numerous pockets, zippers, hiding places, etc.  In any given day it holds my iPod, 3 packs of sugar free gum, empty orange roughy, chicken, or asparagus baggies, tanning lotion, deodorant, clean panties – just in case, baby wipes, etc.  The other day I was at Publix checking out, spending half an hour looking for my wallet that was mysteriously hidden in there somewhere….when all of a sudden a disgusting, dirty, smelly gym sock falls out.  But wait a minute!!!!  To my surprise I see a little piece of heaven sitting at the bottom of my Inspector Gadget purse…is it a purple skittle?….a M&M?…I quickly grab it, sniff it and pop that baby into my mouth!  Ha, ha little sucker, can’t escape little mama…to my pleasure it was a delicious Reeses Pieces left over from a couple of months ago…I had just experienced a tingle inside of me that I had not felt in a long time…who cares about the nasty sock and the look of disgust on the cashier’s face?

Well folks, this has been the toughest prep for me. I have faced many challenges since last July: from having surgery, to the doctors finding cancer in my appendix, gaining 20 pounds out of depression, rushing Sam to the puppy ER because of her heart condition and being told to make preparations for her death, dealing with the recent loss of loved ones, and a few other issues that are too personal to list. I could have given up many times but I decided to go on and finish what I started. I have grown so much spiritually this last year and I know that my faith will get me through anything and everything.

Through this short journey of mine, I have learned to be a fighter and a very positive person. This sport has given me the strength to see just how much I am capable of doing. I may not have the perfect body or be the best on that stage in Columbus but I am proud of what I have accomplished. I have worked so hard and given 110% each and every day. I can say without a doubt that there is nothing else I could have done leading up to the show to bring a better package. In the end, my placing is out of my hands and in the fate of the judges.

Thank you for following me along my journey.  Thank you for all of the e-mails, comments, and encouragement.  Now, to my fellow competitors…HEELS ON LADIES, IT’S STAGE TIME!!! GO HOBBIT, GO HOBBIT, GO HOBBIT!!!!  HEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAW Y’ALL LOOK OUT COLUMBUS HERE THIS COUNTRY GIRL COMES!!!!

P.S.  I will be working at the Met-Rx booth on Saturday and Sunday so please feel free to stop by and shower me with pans of eggplant parmesan, any type of sweet, or just food in general! Tee hee.

GOD BLESS, I WISH YOU ALL OF THE BEST IN 2010!