Now, The Freshman 15. Competing in pageants has taught me a lot. I know how to work a stage in various types of apparel, how to hold myself with poise, grace and just the right amount of spunk during an interview and how to do my hair and make up to near perfection. This summer as I competed for Miss Teen United States, I learned for the first time how to prepare myself for a swimsuit competition. It was one of the most challenging, frustrating and rewarding experiences of my entire life. I was beyond pleased with how I looked on stage. I felt extremely confident, mainly because I knew I had worked so hard to get to where I was.
As a college freshman, people often daunt about gaining "The Freshman 15" pounds. As a young woman, the thought of gaining 15 pounds is terrifying. Over the first month of college, I have found myself comparing my body to my friends and complete strangers I walk by on my way to class every day.
Since Nationals in July, I have not been following a diet and exercise plan that is quite as strict. And let's face it, college food is simply not as healthy as it could be. When your mom can buy fresh fruits and veggies once a week, it's much easier to maintain a balanced diet. But, that does not mean you don't have a choice. True, I could have pizza for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but I don't.
Through my experiences in preparing for Miss Teen United States, I learned much more than I ever wanted to know about diets and eating right. But eating healthy gave me much more than a healthy body; it boosted my confidence and made me good about how hard I was working. So, I stopped comparing myself to other girls I see on the sidewalk. I feel good about myself because I know I eat well and workout when I should. That's the most important part: feeling good about the decisions you make. Instead of thinking about the 15 pounds you could gain, find 15 reasons to love yourself. Find 15 healthy new foods you want to try, or 15 new exercise moves to try! Staying positive is key.
I simply cannot thank Jason, from Youngquest Fitness, Cheri Kennedy, my coach, Ashlea McLeod, my director, and Maddy, my sister queen, enough for helping me on my journey, always believing in me and giving me reasons to love myself! I just may have found inspiration for a new platform:)
xoxo,
Victoria
