There are flashpoints of anarchy in my everyday. Waves of disorder before the order flows back. When I cook, every ingredient, every pot, every measuring spoon ends up scattered on the counter. But by the time the last bite of the meal is consumed, I have turned my back on chaos. Pans and plates have found their place again and any leftover morsel has been ensconced in its proper container and refrigerated. Only the aroma is left to remind you of the meal. Same with my desk,  the color of which is blanketed by charts, folder and scraps of papers during the day. Layers of paperwork and forms are accented by pens, paperclips and drugstore glasses. Barely a corner of color is evident until it is unveiled at the end of the day; paper corners once again properly aligned in stacks. As with the desk, so is it with my body by the end of each calendar year. The last month of this  year (like all others before it) I have joined my fellow Americans in the ritual of excess. I consume all the “forbiddens”. The fried, The saucy. The cheesy. The just-too-much. A whole Bavarian pretzel? Why not. A second slice of cheesecake? Sure. And at some point my body relents – and expands. Shapely legs become blocky. Stomach is post-burrito-big when I awake.  And my backside? Well, let’s just say that there is more of me to love. And I have to admit that I enjoyed every bite of the fried and the saucy and the cheesy. So don’t expect me to bemoan my lost physique. Because I now have a goal. Something destroyed has to be rebuilt. And in my mini-anarchy mind, that motivates me. I am in awe of all of you who are able to keep within mere pounds of your ideal weight throughout the year. Must be lovely. But it isn’t me. I’m not saying that that is good. I’m just saying it isn’t me. I look forward to my Month of Too-Much because it is the only time I allow it. Even after a competition, my stomach is too shrunken and I am too indoctrinated into small portions and semi-starvation to fully enjoy food. After a competition, I feast on colors, tastes and textures that have nothing innately sinful about them.  Fat-free salad dressing. Roasted mini peppers. Humus on pita. There is no comparison between the joy of munching on a flavored rice cake after competition and the pure elation of devouring a slice of warm deep dish apple pie (with whipped topping on top, of course.) in the month of December. So now comes the time to rebuild the physique. To turn away from mindless eating for pleasure and go back to eating for function. But I will be doing it without self-recriminations. There will be no avoiding the scale and certainly no boo-hooing when I step off the scale. There will be no running past the mirror desperately clutching my towel, afraid of what visage will be found in the glass. There will be no shrinking into the hidden corners of the gym to work out hidden and in secret. Vacation was good but vacation is over. And it’s time to go to work.

When I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in June 2013, I was confused, angry and in disbelief.  Growing up, I had been an athlete. I ran track for over 12 years, played collegiate volleyball, became a cheerleader and dancer and ran cross country in college.  I worked my way to being captain of my college cheer team and was awarded Female Athlete of the Year.  I didn't consider myself a person who was at risk for any medical condition. I remember leaving the neurologist's office and running to my car crying my eyes out and trying to understand what was happening and what to do next.  After a few days of being depressed, confused and anxious, I decided to live my life like I had before the diagnosis.  My body felt fine, so why play into being sick or disabled? Despite my diagnosis of MS, I remained active and by 2018, I made the plan to get on the fitness stage.  But then the pandemic hit. The city shut down. My gym shut down. Undeterred, I decided to turn my second bedroom into a mini gym.  I bought rubber floor mats, a squat rack, Olympic bar, weight plates, dumbbells - everything needed for a home gym. I was committed to reaching a goal that was over twenty five years in the making.  I didn't know when I would be competing, but I knew I wanted to compete before the end of 2022 - which didn't leave me much time. When I finally decided to enter a show, it was with the OCB, a natural bodybuilding organization where there would be an even playing field. Because of my diagnosis of MS, I needed to ask my neurologist to complete a medical exemption form with my diagnosis and the medications I was taking. And that was before the stress of the polygraph test.  I started questioning what I had gotten myself into. In November, 2022 I entered the OCB Franco Classic. As the day approached, I became more nervous and unsure of how I would do. I didn't tell anyone I was competing.  My closest friends and family knew, but that was it. I just couldn't bring myself to make the official announcement.  I kept everything quiet until a week and a half before the show when I posted on social media that I was entering a competition.  I had no expectations other than to have fun and to do my best. I entered novice, 35+ and open in the bikini category.  The day of the competition, I reminded myself to remain present and enjoy every moment because it goes by so quickly.  I walked on stage, nervous and unsure and to my surprise I placed 2nd in all three of my entries!  It was like being in a dream and was one of the best accomplishments of my life. I know some can treat entering a competition as something to be checked off their bucket list, but to me this is a lifestyle that will be vital to my long-term health and independence. This experience has taught me that I am stronger mentally and physically than I thought I was. It taught me to never doubt myself.  I feel stronger today than I did twenty five years ago and I would say that I'm in the best shape of my life.  I can't wait to see how my body transforms over this next  year as I prepare once again to get on stage. Let's get it.  LET'S GOOOOOO!

Lynne Ritter, a 59-year-old figure competitor Lynne Ritter shattered the typical age boundaries by embracing her long-held dream: becoming a figure competitor at 59. For 30 years, Lynne juggled the demands of her family and her career as a culinary arts teacher at Seneca High School in Tabernacle, New Jersey. Alongside her husband Todd, her world revolved around their three children, Felicia, Reilly, and Jesse. In all those years of sacrificing for her family, she felt she had lost herself. But now that her children were 35, 22 and 21 years old, she finally found time to rediscover her own ambitions. No longer was she running from one crisis to another. No one needed her in that intense way that children do. In the gym, she found peace. Once, Lynne's dreams of competing were just distant whispers of her younger self. She knew it was time to turn those quiet aspirations into reality. Even in the bustle of the gym, a goal-oriented Lynne found the solitude needed to concentrate on herself again – and to plan. She wanted to cross the finish line. Her husband, a seasoned competitor himself, stood by her with an understanding of the dedication required. She prepared for this new venture like a true teacher by researching. A year before her competition, she attended a local OCB show and cased out the competition. She analyzed the 50+ figure category with a discerning eye, imagining herself on stage. Envisioning her future self among the athletes on stage ignited a lasting drive that propelled her throughout the next year. As a nutrition teacher, Lynne easily mastered macros and dieting, yet she recognized the need for a maestro when it came to sculpting her physique, especially at her age. Genetically, she could build muscle easily, but the really difficult part was getting lean enough. So she contacted Joe Franco, a local coach, pro bodybuilder, and promoter of several successful natural bodybuilding shows. Under his tutelage, she followed his ever-training regimen and fine-tuned the macros in her diet, chiselling down to her ideal. In February 2023, Lynne debuted at the Double Down Natural, stepping into the spotlight with a calm, collectedness that belied her novice status. She felt comfortable on stage, from her clear heels to her bejeweled bikini. Yes, she was surrounded by younger athletes, but she knew she had earned her place. Lynne's presence was unwavering, a testament to her relentless training and countless hours of sweat and discipline that had sculpted her into a contender. Hours of gym work and daily cardio displayed her physique to its peak. And at 59 years old, she had the confidence that only comes with time. At the Double Down, she placed 3rd in the 50+ Figure division and 4th in the Open, 35+, and Novice divisions. Now hitting her stride, Lynne graced the stage again in November 2023 at the Franco Classic. She placed 4th in the 50+ division and 4th in the Open division among stiff competition. After her first two competitions, Lynne's commitment to a healthy lifestyle is stronger than ever. She works out in her home gym and sticks to her macros even in the off-season. At any social event, she brings her food cooler and avoids alcohol. At 59, she feels better than ever, free from pain and full of energy. Moreover, she sleeps like a baby and loves working out with her 21-year-old daughter, an athlete. She remains determined and focused, waiting for her body to tell her when she will be ready to compete again. And in the meantime, her health journey continues to inspire her friends and her students. Lynne's story is a powerful reminder: it's never too late to chase your dreams and redefine your best – regardless of age.