I had never been to my high school reunion. At the age of 48 I decided to attend my 30th year high school reunion in Oklahoma. I had been working on my masters degree in nursing and was sitting at the computer doing research for a paper due that week. I looked over in a mirror on the wall and didn't like what I saw. I had not balanced my fitness goals with my education goals and had gained a lot of weight. I immediately turned off the computer and headed to the gym and began working out that day to ready myself for the reunion which was three months away.
I began to work out hard and consistently in preparation to see my old school pals. I really didn't even realize how conditioned I was getting not believing that at my age that I could ever be in the same physical condition as in my earlier years, so almost by accident, my hard work payed off more than I ever expected, and I became more conditioned than in my younger years.
People at the gym began telling me that I should consider entering a body building contest. I had never even been to a bodybuilding contest so I just sort of laughed and continued doing my routine. Then I began to notice that I was truly in better condition that the two ladies who were known to be bodybuilder competitors at the gym.
I decided to do it. I went to one of the ladies and told her I thought I was too old and she laughed and said I would do quite well and convinced me that I would be able to walk across a stage and show everyone my accomplishments, and that I would be an inspiration because of my age.
Twelve weeks later I entered my first contest and won first place. When they called my number out I was paralyzed for a moment and then began jumping up and down. I was the second oldest contestant and it was my first contest and I had won first place in my division.
Two years have passed and this summer I decided to try to compete again at the age of 51. I entered five contests and even went to my first national contest. I placed in every local contest and seventh at nationals. Now I have to see if I can compete at 52 next summer because I am in training for nationals now, so here I come.
