Jessica Paxson – Confessions of a Hardbody


Cover model and IFBB Bikini Pro, Jessica Paxson checks in with just over one week to go until the Bikini International takes place in Columbus, Ohio. Jessica says, “I have not been training for the Bikini International.” Find out what she’s talking about in her Hardbody Road to The Arnold blog.
jessica-road
Jessica Paxson – 2013 Bikini International Contender
I think my ‘Road to the Arnold’ blog should be titled, “Confessions of a Hardbody”. That has definitely been my ongoing theme, so I thought I would end my final blog with the biggest confession of all.

Here it goes… for the past few months, I have not been training for the Bikini International. I am sure I have a lot of explaining to do, so I will start typing.

As 2012 came to a close, I decided sit down and write out my 2013 prayers and goals. I really do not like the whole “New Years Resolution” thing. One of my goals was to get in the best shape of my life for the Arnold Classic. As I contemplated my goals a little more,  I began to think about the fact that I would be turning 30 March 7th, a week after the Arnold. So many thoughts and emotions were running through me and I became very convicted. I scratched out “get in the best shape of my life for the Arnold Classic” and wrote “be the healthiest inside and out I have ever been (mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually) when I turn 30”.

Of course that still meant I wanted to train the hardest I ever have and step on stage at my best for the Bikini International..but this time, I truly would be doing it for me! My goal was to train for life, not a show. As I am about to compete in my third Arnold classic, I can honestly say, I have never felt better.  I am in the best place I have ever been in my walk with Christ and I am truly filled with joy and purpose like never before, which I know is key to everything else in life falling into place.

I have enjoyed my training, pushing it to levels I never have, my diet was spot on, and I changed things up with an awesome holistic approach that has my body functioning on higher levels and feeling amazing.  I didn’t go through this prep tired and drained. I had energy and a new purpose to help push me. I see so many women that are competing that kill themselves with training, diet, and cardio. Doing so many things that are incredibly harmful to their bodies…and for what?! A few minutes on stage?, a magazine cover?, a trophy?!.

Let me tell you, the stage lights will soon fade, the magazines will pick another cover model, and that trophy that means so much to you will collect dust. You only have one body and once chance to live a healthy life! Take the time to reevaluate your priorities for your training and competing, it is so very worth it!

This time when I step on stage I will truly feel that I have already won. I will walk out on that prestigious stage with my head held high and feeling so thankful and grateful to God for all of my many blessings…and hopefully I will look good doing it ;), ha!.  This experience will make celebrating this milestone birthday with my amazing fiance, family  and friends just a little more sweet :).

Thank you for letting me share my journey to the Arnold with y’all! All the best and God bless!

Jess

Follow Jessica on twitter at @JessFit.

For more information on the Arnold Sports Festival visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com and use #ASF2013 in all your tweets.



Jessica Paxson Fitness Confessions – Hardbody Road to The Arnold


Jessica Paxson checks in to give us the latest on her road to the Arnold. Jessica talks about ditching excuses and instead of just looking like she’s in shape, she really is in shape. Jessica is just a few weeks out from the Bikini International in Columbus, Ohio.

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Jessica Paxson – 2013 Bikini International Contender

“Don’t just look like you’re in shape, BE in shape!!!!”. Ah, I can still hear the words of my trainer Mike Davies being yelled at me as he would put a going through one of his brutal boot camp workouts. I have to confess, it’s been a long time since I have trained with that motto in mind. I started out in this industry as a fresh faced 21 year old. I came from a competitive dance, cheerleading, and gymnastics background. I was up for and ready for the challenge of training hard and busting my butt to get in shape for shows and challenging myself with new and different training styles. I think somewhere along the way I got lazy.

Of course you cannot be that lazy to get your body in shape for a show, but I stopped really challenging myself with my training, and kind of lost that excitement and passion I had when I trained in the gym. Don’t get me wrong, I pushed myself and had great workouts, but it just wasn’t the same. I would attempt a few boot camp style workouts and my joints would hurt, I would be winded and pissed off I wasn’t at the top of my game anymore. So, I never stayed consistent with it.

After getting tired of making excuses, I am happy to say… I don’t just look like I’m in shape, I AM in shape! I have added one boot camp class a week (starting with two this week) and my training has changed to more giant sets, plyos, and circuit style workouts. I pushed through the aches and pains, and I feel GREAT! I am loving the challenge and I have that fire and passion back! I love the group of women (and sometimes men) that take my fiance and I’s boot camp class. We all have a love hate relationship with the class and push and encourage each other. It’s a total rush! If you are a competitor, you know that show prep can get draining and repetitive. So, challenge yourself! Do something different with your training and enjoy the process! Nobody is making you do this and what is the point of getting stage ready if you are miserable while doing it?!

Happy training to y’all! Stay fit and God bless!

Jess

*If you live in or around the Centerville Ohio area, join Blair Mone and I for a boot camp class Thursdays at 7pm and Saturdays at 11:30 am at Club 51 Fitness (51 E. Spring Valley Pike Centerville Ohio 45458). Email me at jessicapaxson77@hotmail.com for details!

Follow Jessica on twitter at @JessFit.

For more information on the Arnold Sports Festival visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com and use #ASF2013 in all your tweets.



Bikini International Jessica Paxson’s Road To The Arnold


Jessica Paxson has been a figure in the IFBB for nearly a decade. She turned pro at the age of 21 in the Figure division and made the transition into Bikini. This will be her third Bikini International competition and she’s ready to give it all she’s got in Columbus. Jessica joins us to shed a little light on what she’s been up and shares some advice to other women. Enjoy Jessica’s journey to the 2013 Arnold.

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Jessica Paxson – 2013 Bikini International Contender

Hey Hardbody Readers!

My name is Jessica Paxson and I am from Dayton Ohio. 2013 Marks my ninth year competing! I can’t believe I turned Pro at 21 and will be celebrating my 30th birthday the weekend after I compete in my third Bikini International competition at the Arnold Classic!

I have to say that the Arnold Classic is my absolute favorite show to compete in! The athletes are treated so well and taken great care of, and the show is run so smoothly! I love that we have pre-judging and finals all on Friday, so I can spend the rest of the weekend working the Optimum Nutrition and American Bodybuilding booth at the expo, and I LOVE that I get to drive a short hour and a half to compete in my home state in front of tons of friends and family!

The last show I competed in was the Sheru Classic in India last October. That was my second time visiting India and it was another amazing experience! I really enjoyed it because all of the athletes got to spend  time together which doesn’t always happen at every show. It really felt like we were a team. We got to experience the culture together and were treated wonderfully! I would love to compete in that show again.

I knew that for my next show, I wanted to request an invite to the 2013 Arnold Classic, but I thought I would have a little bit of down time before I had to start gearing up for show prep. I have to confess, I am not one of those anal competitors that is OCD and just LOVES prepping my food and staying on schedule etc.. I honestly wish I were a little more type A. The diet part of competing has always been a struggle for me, which is kind of crazy since my whole career involves the health and fitness industry. I am a personal trainer, sponsored athlete, competitor, and fitness model.

So, I have had to learn the hard way, quite a few times, how important it is to eat clean year round… I am so happy to say that I feel I FINALLY got it after nine years of competing! lol!.

I was enjoying my down time (a little too much : /) when I received a call from Muscle and Fitness Hers magazine saying they wanted to shoot me. I was thrilled to get a chance to shoot with them again! I thought we would schedule a shoot right around the Arnold, like I always schedule my shoots. Nope, they wanted to shoot the first week in January! At first I was thinking… aw man, I don’t get to really enjoy my Thanksgiving and Christmas… then I had a reality check. HELLO!!! Most competitors would kill for an opportunity to shoot for a magazine like Hers!

It was time to REALLY start practicing what I preach. Year round clean eating and a healthy fitness lifestyle! This was the first Holiday season that I didn’t over indulge and you know what? I felt great!!!  This all seems so simple, but it really was a hard lesson for me to learn. It’s also hard to admit because as a competitor and fitness model I have women that follow and support my career. I don’t want to have people writing me or telling me they look up to me, when I really don’t follow the lifestyle I preach!

I feel it’s important to talk about these things because women look at the magazines or the competitors on stage and compare themselves to what they feel is perfection…when in all reality a lot of us women struggle with different types of issues in regards to our diet.

I am looking forward to a nice meal after my shoot and getting right back on track with my show prep for the Arnold. It’s all about balance!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and blessed New Year!

Jess

Follow Jessica on twitter at @JessFit.

For more information on the Arnold Sports Festival visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com and use #ASF2013 in all your tweets.

 



Disclaimer: Reader discretion advised, please consult your physician before beginning any exercise or diet program.