Tosca Reno

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Sunday, October 14, 2012

Taking the Stage - Winning It

Yes!
I am sure most of you know by now that I took home the trophy for the Bikini Grand Masters category yesterday.  This has been the most thrilling 24 hours of my life. So it is important now to share a personal message of love with all of you.

It was certainly a long day... and many people stayed through the endless day to support me through it. For that I am immensely grateful, and I will thank you more completely in an upcoming post.

Finally, at about 10 pm I was up on stage competing in the Bikini Tall category. Thirteen women of all ages graced the stage with me. In this category I did not place.  I can accept that because youth still trumps all but I knew in my heart I was in the best shape ever and I felt completely comfortable on stage with all of those beautiful women.  However, I still had one category to go - Grand Masters.
Top 3 and me!
I felt incredible energy taking the stage with 4 other wonderful competitors, each over the age of 45. For that alone we all deserve a trophy. This is NOT an easy thing to do at any age, but certainly not at more advanced ages.

I waited patiently through poses, turns and walks hoping my name would be called. Finally, the awards were presented.

And I came first!

This is my first time placing first in a competition in all of my years of competing.

What a thrill.
Bring on the Dom!
I did it for Bob, I did it for me, and I did it for everyone who has helped and followed along on this journey.  On my wrist I was wearing the Tiffany bracelet I had given Bob on our wedding day. He gave it to me to have hours before he passed away.  He was with me all the way.  I love you Bob and we did it!!

Thank you.

33 comments:

  1. Congratulations Tosca!

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  2. Tosca, you are absolutely brilliant and inspiring to women and men of all ages. Congratulations on your win and I'm sure Bob is so proud of you.
    Hell, I'm proud and I don't even know you!
    Thank you for sharing this.

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  3. You rock Tosca! Can't tell u how much u inspire. I couldn't go to sleep last night without finding out how u did. You A-M-A-ZE!

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  4. Congratulations, Tosca! You definitely worked hard and deserved that FIRST place. Thanks for the inspiration and for sharing your journey to the stage.

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  5. I'm right there with "three puppies" - I was checking FB constantly to see how you did. Your post here just brought tears to my eyes. You are such an inspiration! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

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  6. Congratulations Tosca! Though we've never met, I have been following your journey, and was so excited for you yesterday. I'm a 51 year old Nurse Practitioner and was attending an educational conference yesterday. I actually let out an audible "woo hoo" when I saw your post! I just wanted to shout out that THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT! We can talk about medications for diabetes and heart disease until we're blue in the face, but THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT! I'm so happy for you. I know this win means so much to you on so many levels. But I just wanted you to know how much it also means to those of us trying desperately to help others "get it"! Thank you for sharing this intimate journey.

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  7. WOW WOW WOW!! you ARE a winner in so many ways Tosca! Thank you for "keeping it tight" and sharing your incredible journey with us!

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  8. Wow. I've really enjoyed watching your prep and journey (especially while prepping myself)! Congratulations. You are an inspiration and Bob would be proud! Are you planning on doing it again?

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  9. woohoo!! congratulations Tosca!! Hope you are enjoying a relaxing Sunday and know that are enough!!! (way more!!!) xoxo

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  10. Congrats Tosca! I love how you continue to inspire women everywhere!!!

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  11. Congratulations, Tosca and Team! I am so proud of you!! You were one of my first thoughts the morning of your show and I wish I could have been there in person. Please know that we were all there for you in spirit. Lots of love, Lauren from Virginia. p.s. did you record video from the big day?!?! We would love to see it.

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  12. Congratulations! You proved that when you put your mind, heart and soul into a pursuit, you can achieve greatness. Enjoy your win!

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  13. Congratulations Tosca. What an honour to have share in your day. This was a well deserved win and we are all so proud of you.

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  14. Congratulations Tosca! You looked stunning and send a message to all the women my age who think it's too late. Never. I had the pleasure of being at the show and got to see you live, my daughter did her first ever competition and placed first in her categories too. If the adrenalin rush she exuded was any indication of how you were feeling with this win, I save bravo! You earned it. An amazing example to us all. Thank you.

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  15. i would LOVE to see an article in Oxygen showcasing the other 2 women who placed. the three of you look incredible, and i think its so important to show success at all ages!!

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  16. Tosca, my heart swells with pride as I read this post...proud of you for what you have accomplished, for the love and devotion and honor you have shown to Bob in this accomplishment, for the icon that you stand for to showcase health and fitness -- especially for women our age, PROVING that age is just a number. Yes, it is HARD WORK, but you have shown that with determination, commitment, resolve, DESIRE -- WE CAN achieve our long-held dreams. You shine. I celebrate you.

    Congratulations to both you AND Rita on this wonderful milestone and celebration!

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  17. Congratulations Goddess of Iron!!

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  18. Congratulations! I am so happy for you! You deserve it after all your hard work. You are such beautiful, inspiring woman! Thank you for sharing your journey with us! I hope to inspire one person the way you inspire me and so many other women. Sending you a big hug!

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  19. Congratulations from an Australian fan. You are amazing and Bob would smiling from ear to ear along with you, your family and friends. This is an awe inspiring journey you have started and won and will keep doing well. A true inspiration. Good luck to you and well done to Rita she helped do a amazing job. :) x

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  20. You are so inspiring, I hope you documented it all for another book/TV show.

    Bob would be proud of how you have motivated so many of us to live a healthier lifestyle.

    Congratulations..

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  21. Tosca it was heart pounding to watch you on stage. The definition in your body was incredible! We were so thrilled when your name was called as the category winner. Congratulations! Thank you for sharing this journey with us. A big congrats to Rita too. Wonderful!

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  22. Oh that is fantasic Tosca! So so happy for you. A greater reward for all of your sacrifices and hard work you could not have hoped for! You continue to inspire and impress!

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  23. Tosca, you worked so hard...you were so dedicated. Congrats! Bob would have been uber-thrilled at this accomplishment. Continue in your journey and know that you carry him with you. We are behind you. You are not alone.

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  24. You are living proof that hard work and dedication pays off.
    I am so proud of you and I know Bob is proud of you as well.
    I followed your journey from day one and am truly honoured to have witnessed your victory and to be a part of your celebration. Tosca... You are amazing.

    Joe Salottolo

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  25. The moment you stepped on that stage, you had already won regardless of your final ranking. It is your attitude and your dedication that make you a winner, but the trophy sure is a nice bonus, and well-deserved. Thank you so much for giving such a shining example to us. It is so inspiring!

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  26. Congratulations Tosca on your well-earned and deserved win! I too stayed up later than I should have on the computer just to see how you did, and it was so worth it!!!!
    Hope you are taking time to really savour your accomplishment. You have touched so many lives (including my own) in such a positive way, and I have no doubt you will continue to do so. Inspiring...there is no other word for it. Please keep doing what you do as long as you feel the passion to do so. You are much loved and admired.....hugs, Deb

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  27. Super congrats! What an amazing time for you and a new chapter as a NUMBER 1 winner!

    You inspire so many, and so many love you.
    Keep doing what you do, your amazing!

    Again, congrats well deserved for you and Bob.

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  28. Tosca,
    When love is your guiding light you can breakthrough any barriers, shining with passion, style, compassion,generosity, kindness,grace and humor. A BIG HUG and congratulations to you my fellow 53 and so beautiful sister of iron! Thank you for sharing your house of pain and your wonderful journey to your special day with all of us. Much love to you, Rita , your family, the Oxygen and Eat Clean Teams and of course your beloved Bob who has put his magical sparkle in all of us to shine.

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  29. Congrats! So proud of you! You are so inspirational! You made me cry :)

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  30. Congrats Tosca!!!! I have been following your journey and am on one of my own to compete in my 3rd show November 17th!! I am so happy for you! I know it is an unexplainable feeling of joy, relief and pride (just to mention a few) all wrapped up in one huge emotion!!!
    Once again congrats! And I know it wont be the last time I say that to you!!!!!:-)

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  31. Congratulations! I can't wait to read about what it took. Tough love, dedication, clean eating... as a subscriber to Clean Eating and Oxygen I believe in the process and can say that I am well beyond the dedication of most of the population. I look great, and I am accomplishing wonderful goals. But what you accomplished takes some heart and dedication that we haven't all tapped into yet. Let's hear it!

    Your win comes to no surprise to all of us readers. We are so happy for you, so proud of you, and most of all, inspired!!!!

    You have a list of thank yous, people that helped you reach your goal. You deserve a thank you just as much as that congratulations too.

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