Journey to my First Powerlifting Meet

This week marks the official start to preparing for my first ever powerlifting meet.

I wouldn’t say that this is the real beginning of my journey though, because I’ve kind of been preparing for this all along.  Even back in my bikini competition days in 2012 I said I wanted to compete in powerlifting or olympic lifting.

Instead I fell in love with Crossfit which is a really good thing. I love all different kinds of movements and exercise like cardio, lifting heavy weights, gymnastics, odd objects… That’s all part of my sport, and I wouldn’t want to let one go for another.

So when I decided to do this meet I chose one that my girlfriend was planning on doing as well, that way I don’t have to try it on my own and I have someone to hang with all day and show me the ropes.  I also chose one semi-local, meaning it is in my state, a few hours away but close to another girlfriend so I can stay with her.  I also wanted to compete in the USAPL because it is drug tested and I’m familiar with their rules as I became USAPL certified earlier this year.

It’s also the right time of the year. It’s so hot in FL and my gym doesn’t have AC so doing longer cardio sessions does not feel good. But more importantly, this is considered the “off-season” for Crossfit athletes.  This is the time of year we focus on getting really strong then in early spring we focus more on conditioning for the open.

So it’s really perfect timing, and I’m so excited to try something new. Honestly this kind of training is my favorite. It’s SO much lifting.  I’m following a workout schedule that has me training four days a week for powerlifting, two days a week for oly and metcons everyday I train, which is six days a week.  I’ll go more into the workout schedule in another blog soon, don’t worry!

I’ll also talk more about what I’m eating as well over the next eight weeks, but in the meantime, if you are dying to know, you can follow me on MyFitnessPal – my username is KyraWilliamsCF

Anyway, I’m really excited about this journey and I am excited to have you follow me on it.  Years ago when I was competing in Bikini Shows I blogged about the journey. That journey inspired many of you to prep for shows as well, and in some ways I almost want to apologize for that. But I don’t because it was a road I HAD to go down to get me to where I am now. I don’t regret doing those shows but they weren’t me being true to who I am.

I’ve always been the girl who wants to wear a bow in her hair in the squat rack.  I’ve always had this need to lift heavy stuff and now I’m doing something where I honestly feel like I’m being true to who I am.

Yes, having a lean physique is important to me – I want to look good and feel good in my skin, but this is just so much more fun than just eating 1400 calories a day in white fish and asparagus and walking on a treadmill hoping to “lift my booty.”  If that is what you enjoy, by all means, I want you to go for it! But it’s not who I am.

So I’m excited to share this part of my fitness journey with you and hopefully it will inspire you to listen to what your heart is telling you, and if powerlifting isn’t your thing, then go for whatever goal that is.

Do you have any questions about what my prep is like? Leave your comments below and I’ll discuss over the next couple of months!

Your coach,

Kyra

P.S. Wanna learn more about preparing for your first meet or just training to get really strong? Check out my interview with Jen Sinkler here: https://kyrawilliamsfitness.com/jensinklerinterview/