Photos by Stage Time Photography

Why did I not take first in open and novice? Well, it goes back to my natural shape… my blocky bod needs more glutes and shoulder caps to help create a better symmetry. I also feel I should have been leaner but my prep coach didn’t think so. Even though I came in a few pounds lighter than my last two shows, the judges did tell me to bring a tighter package.

Judges Feedback

Judge #1:

You had a great look! Stage presence was great, composure was good, color was great, and suit color was great. Only advice I would have is to put on a little more muscle, and tighten up a bit more.

Judge #2:

You look good. Posing and presentation was good. If you are planning on going to a more competitive stage like nationals I would consider a different color suit. Richer colors give the physique a better look under the lights Also tighten your package and come more conditioned and tighter through the waist and glutes. Also you can’t go wrong building rounder tighter glutes.

Judge #3:

Cngratulations on your placing. You looked beautiful & presented well. I think to stay competitive in bikini in your future you will need to come in leaner/more condition. In this group of girls at the Western, many of them were not conditioned enough in my opinion. You were ahead of the curve but if the competition gets tougher, you will need to be leaner.

Great feed back from the judges. Aside from needing more muscle and coming in a bit leaner, you can see how my torso area is not genetcially inclined to the “X” factor so I have to build, build, build my bod!! 😀   It’s most evident in the back pose:

Photo by Stage Time Photography

Photo by Stage Time Photography

Notice the tiny waist. I do feel our muscularity and conditioning fairly similar, she possibly a bit leaner.

This class winner was definitly leaner than I was, not as muscular but had nicer glutes and a smaller waist.

Future Plans

I do plan on hitting up a national show next fall (Novmber in Miami??)  if I can keep my body fat in a good spot and build those glutes and shoulders. Regional and amateur shows at this point are not big deal. I am ready for something bigger. I may also hit up an NANBF show in the fall as well… it will of course be a Leif Anderson show: either the MN Mayhem on October 14th, 2017 or the Michigan State Natural Body Buildling Championships on October 7th, 2017 – maybe both. I will have clients in the Mayhem so I better be there to watch or partake.

 The grass is always greener

For those that are new to contest prep, I have found many people to see the grass being greener on the other side of the fence. By that I mean, if you are getting macros, you want someone to tell you what foods to eat. If you are being told what foods to eat with no flexibility, you go nuts because you don’t know the macros and/or are not allowed to switch out foods.

That can be tough when you are just getting started in the world of bodybuilding- finding a program or coach that is the right fit. Bodybuilding is a sport where you have to think long term. It takes time to build muscle. It takes time to alter the metabolism. It takes time to figure out what works best for you. Eventually you get there. You may not find it right away and that is okay. Think long term!

I have had clients that would rather have gotten a food plan only and not macros, (as I do macros per the state of MN and most states do not allow a person who isn’t a registered dietitian to give out rigid food plans), I have had clients that want to do the same exercises week after week and others the like the rotating program… even though they can do either. As long as you are lifting those muscle groups, you will build.

The thing of it is, I hear this stuff all the time at my gym, at shows from fellow competitors, from my clients…”if I had more flexibility and knew my macros I would be able to stick to my diet better” or, “if I had someone telling me exactly what foods to eat then I wouldn’t fit in things I shouldn’t.” Either way, if you are going to cheat on your diet, you will do it whether you have an IIFYM plan or a rigid food plan.

If you don’t understand what works best for you or haven’t experienced other options, your current prep may seem like torture or not right for you. Have patience. Be consistent and do your research. Ask around and make sure you have found a good fit.

Post Show

This time around after my 3rd show, I have been eating until I am darn happy.

I have been eating things that look good, that I feel like eating and I am not tracking my macros. I am hitting the gym but I am out of my element here staying in a hotel all week with some pretty sweet daily breakfast options.

We are in Michigan for the week for my husbands job and house hunting. We plan on moving back here in the spring. Although, I do anticipate a lot of travel back to MN for family and clients’ shows. 

I am pretty sure I am getting in about 2300 cals a day as opposed to my contest prep 1500-1600 calories. I am also not doing as much cardio either. I don’t have a scale here so I don’t know where my weight is but I have definitely gained a few pounds. I can feel it in my legs and ass but I still look good. I need to stay at this body composition. I can’t wait to get back home and into a routine again. But really, I won’t have to worry about my pants getting too tight cuz I just won’t wear any.