Thinking About Figure Competing?

2 Comments Tuesday, 8 July, 14 Lexa

Disclaimer… I’m no expert and don’t claim to be one. As a blogger, with one competition under my belt, I’m getting lots of questions about how to get started.

When I decided to compete in my first figure competition (FC), I had no idea of how many people would be inspired my journey. Every day I’m asked about FC, so I’ve decided to dedicate a post to those pondering over taking the journey.

How to get started?

To start you must be committed and disciplined. Not half ass committed, but 200%. Your diet, fitness routine, and lifestyle will change… forever.

Are you willing to workout (hard) everyday, twice a day, or whatever is necessary to accomplish your goal?

Are you a social drinking who occasionally indulges in an ice-cold beer, martini, margarita, or something else? Well… are you willing to give up your happy hour?

Do you have the determination to go out to dinner with family and friends but can say no to your favorite cheese cake, chocolate cake, or Alfredo creamed dish?

Seriously, I’m just saying. If you’re going to struggle with my three questions, you’re not ready, because that’s just the beginning.

I recommend you begin by reading everything you can about bodybuilding and figure competing. YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook, has a plethora of information. Quite often, bodybuilder’s are eager to share their knowledge.

Check out bodybuilding.com This site has articles on just about anything related to bodybuilding. Nutrition, workouts, motivation, and more. Here is an article about getting started in figure competition.

There are also plenty of websites and bodybuilders’ who charge for their “expert” advice; however, I have yet to pay for any “how to” books. Before buying any “expert” advice, make certain that the source is credible.

If you cannot shake the desire to compete, you should consider the following:

Trainer

I recommend you find a good trainer to help guide you. Unless you have a solid knowledge base on weight training and nutrition, you’re going to waste time through trial and error in trying to get it right. The “it” is methodical weight training and a proper nutrition plan that is effective for you.

No two bodies are the same. What works for someone else’s body may not work for your body.

As far as selecting a trainer, the choice is personal. Just like a good shoe; it has to be a good fit because you are going to spend a lot of time with your trainer.

There will be days when you love your trainer and there will be days when, well you know… when you may not feel so fond of him/her.

I’m a fitness enthusiast and I get high off of intense workouts. Most people aren’t like me. I performed every exercise and did so without complaining or hating my trainer. Lol! I’m just keeping it real with you. Before I selected my trainer, I considered the following:

Experience/Credentials – She competed for many years and is knowledgeable. You don’t want a fly-by-night trainer with a certification but who lacks the depth of knowledge required to sculpt your body to perfection.

Gender/Age – Not that I have anything against a young man or woman, but I wanted a trainer who understood an older female body. Lol! No, I’m no dinosaur but I’m not 25 either. Training over age 40 differs from someone in their 20’s and 30’s. The needs are different. I wanted an experienced trainer who understood a female body over age 40. It was that simple for me.

Personality – I wanted a trainer who was serious-minded but also, someone who told me what I needed to hear, not what I wanted to hear. My trainer was just that and more! I worked hard, laughed every session and, learned a lot and had a blast during the process.

I remember when she told me that I couldn’t listen to my music while training with her. I didn’t like it and was disappointed. I didn’t make the mind-body connection until after I worked out a few sessions without the music. She was right.

Budget – The costs for personal trainer sessions vary greatly. Shop around before deciding. If you belong to a gym or fitness club, observe the trainer’s there. Are they attentive to their clients or are they on their cell phone and talking to other members?

Discuss your fitness goals with the trainer and ask for one or two trial sessions. Remember the preparation period for your first competition could range from six to 12 months or even longer. Do the math to make sure that you can afford your trainer. You don’t want to waste you or your trainer’s time.

Expenses – So you know that a trainer cost money, but what else? Well, if you’re going to bother getting your butt on stage, you darn well better show your stuff in a quality suit. I’ve seen both suits of quality and of less standard. You want quality. If you cannot afford new, you can always buy a used competition suit. A new suit can cost about $400 or more. Remember quality!

You will see an increase in your weekly/monthly food budget. It stinks but the reality is healthy foods costs more than processed junk foods. For example, you’re going to eat more foods like:

Leafy vegetables
Fruit (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries & apples)
Boneless, skinless chicken breast (I figured out when it’s on sale at my grocery store)
Seafood (depends on you; I ate more shrimp and salmon)
Center cut pork loins
Protein shakes
Supplements (depends on your needs)

Training Schedule – You must be willing to commit to a consistent weekly training schedule, at least four days per week. If you’re busy like me with a child in sports, a steady training schedule is possible but requires planning and a little creativity. If you want it bad enough, you’ll work it out.

Patience – Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is a good physique. If you maintain consistency on the gym floor, in the kitchen, and at the table, you will be amazed by how your body changes.

Nearly two years passed before I decided to go for it. I hope it doesn’t take you two years to decide because I wish I had competed sooner! If you decide to compete, please come back to and tell; I want to hear all about it!

What are you afraid of?

Make it a great day and remember to keep it movin’!

No Dream Deferred Here!

12 Comments Sunday, 18 May, 14 Lexa

There is something magical about the many “firsts” that we experience in life, which cannot be duplicated.

The jubilation a mother experiences after hearing the first cry of her newborn, the jittery feeling of starting a new job, the joy of buying the first car or home, your child’s graduation from kindergarten or college, or in my case debuting as a figure competitor at 48 years old are feelings that can never be replicated.

The raw and unexpected ball of emotions that evolve from the onset of something new is remarkable!

Calm… anxious… proud… hype… disbelief… happy… tearful… overwhelmed… and more!

It took nearly two years of me pondering and to man up to the challenge of competing. The seven-month flight took me along a road of expected twists and turns. Today I’m scratching my head and earnestly wondering,

“Why the heck did I wait so long?”

I can’t help but to reflect on one of my favorite Langston Hughes poems:

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore–
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over–
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Thankfully, my desire to compete didn’t dissipate into a distant memory . However, my desired lingered and festered like a sore. Like a relentless kid in a candy store pulling on mom’s shirt tail, the want to compete, tugged and nagged at me until I couldn’t take it anymore and succumbed to the challenge.

I am happy I did, for I would have surely missed out on an incredible experience.

Ohm-gosh! There is so much to say, I’ll have to break it down into segments of several posts.

I’ll start with the question of, How did I measured up?

Women’s Figure Debut – 2^nd Place

Women’s Figure Debut is for first time competitors. To place second behind a woman who has previous “stage” experience is pretty cool. I’ll take it.

Women’s Figure Masters 40+ – 3^rd Place

Women’s Figure Masters 40+ is just that, women over 40 years old. I went up against a few seasoned unofficial pros. To place 3rd is a major accomplishment!

Women’s Figure Open B ~ 4^th Place

In Women’s Figure Open, I competed against women’s entire figure division, young and old, so I am pleased with my results.

The most inspirational and moving moment was the ANBF’s first wheel chair body builder competitor.

Amongst spectators, I sat and then stood screaming and applauding in amazement at his performance. This guy was remarkable! It was his front chest pose that stunned the audience evoking tears from many, including me. His muscles were well-defined and his composure and finesse was outstanding.

People come up with endless excuses for why they can’t or (chose) not to exercise. Yet a man, suffering from a brain tumor, with every valid excuse not to work out, obviously takes on the challenge and title of bodybuilder. Come on now; really there is NO excuse.

I credit my success in this competition to my wonderful friend and trainer.

My inspirational friend and BEST Trainer around!

She’s an awesome woman, who helped me to develop not only the body, but also the confidence and ump to successfully compete!

Her dedication to a healthy lifestyle and her commitment and work ethic is impeccable. Regardless of how many hours she worked before we hit the gym, she brought her A game and kicked my butt daily! Most mornings, I started my day feeling very sore (some days like I had been hit by a truck), but it was always after a fun, challenging, and very creative workout.

Thank you AR; you ROCK!!

My family and friends made me feel special on stage. They sported their blue, “Team Tanya” t-shirts and make their presence known. The competition had a large number of competitors, yet my crew sat for the entire show (over 6 hours) and waited for the presentation of the awards. Thanks guys! I am so blessed!

Some of the loyal “Team Tanya” supporters.

The guy in the front with the black t-shirt is from “Team Karen” who shared in the enthusiasm of my team. Lol!

The extra sparkle and edge on stage surely came from my “Glam Squad!” Hair stylist and owner of KinHairitage Salon, Victoria Shelton and the fabulous make up artist Miss Takiyah did their thang!! I wanted to represent the Natural Chicas in a Big way and they came through big time!! I loved the hair!!

There are more pictures to share with you, I have to get them off of my daughter’s camera, so I will post them in a day or so. For now, here are a few more photos.

Loyal “Team Tanya” supporters.

B’Dazzle showing mom some love.

4th Place Open (All ages all elves)

3rd Place Masters (over 40)

Pumping up the muscles before the competition

Center stage

Front Pose

2nd Place Debut (First time competitors)

Taking a break outside…

Getting made up before show time.

Representing the Natural Chicas!

This journey has been a blast and I am truly thankful for everyone’s support.

What’s next?

I’ve been bit by the bug…. Let’s just say, I’ll be back!!! Lol!!

Happy Sunday!

Approaching The Finish-line

Leave a comment Tuesday, 13 May, 14 Lexa

“You hit home runs not by chance, but by preparation.”

– Roger Maris
Major league outfielder

Four days remain and I am going strong!!

My meals for today? Same as yesterday.

Lol! It’s a mental thing right now.

I LOVE chicken! The kale and collard blend really is a treat. 😜

Yesterday after work, I practiced posing, did a little total body (except for legs), and 30 minutes of constant cardio. Today is pretty much a repeat of yesterday. By the way, I dropped one (1) pound.

Have an awesome day!

“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and your discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.”
-Patanjali

May 17th is rapidly creeping up on me. Six months ago, the date of the competition seemed like years away. But today signifies that only three weeks remain until show time.

The week’s highlight was seeing the first version of my competition suit. It arrived by mail on Wednesday. I ripped the envelope open as if it were a special delivery from Oprah!

Like a kid, I was giddy and eager. My seamstress lives over 2 ½ hours away in another state. We haven’t met in person, but thanks to technology we’ve had in-depth conversation about my suit. Her eye for quality fabric and intricate details is impeccable. I’ve seen her work firsthand and know that I put my trust into the right person.

: This pic does the suit no justice as it is, but the quality of the fabric and the details of the stitching is amazing. I cannot wait to see the completed suit!

Thursday I tried on the suit. Eye popping!! Though I wasn’t quite ready for what I saw. Yikes! Cheeks and crack! Umm… baby’s got back and need more fabric in the rear. I can’t bring myself to post those pictures.

All the nuances of figure competing are completely surprising to me. As a little girl, I didn’t compete in pageants, cheer leading, or any of the girly stuff. I played football, wrestled, and fist fought my boy cousins—none of which required me to be on a stage. The tricks of looking good on stage is remarkable.

It turns out; my suit was too big and needed a few adjustments. I am still getting use to the idea of walking on stage wearing a skimpy two piece suit. But I am ready! Lol!

Friday I mailed the suit back to my seamstress for final alterations. Final alterations include the addition of a multitude of crystals and other delicate changes that will make me feel very special when I hit the stage.

I had to take a week off from the 30 minutes of daily cardio training because my weight loss was occurring too fast. Look at the numbers:

♥ March 31st – 147 lb.

♥ April 7th – 145.2 lb.

♥ April 14th – 142.9 lb.

♥ April 21^st – 140.2 lbs.

At this rate of weight loss, I would have well surpassed my competition weight goal. Years of fitness training and daddy’s genetics have kept me relatively lean, so with minimal intensity, I can quickly drop weight.

This week, my training was limited to weight training. I missed the cardio, but remain focused on the goal.

Counting and winding down is more about increased intensity and momentum. This is a source of inspiration for me. Patanajali’s quote epitomizes the core essence of my project (fitness challenge). It has been greater than a physical transformation. My approach to fitness will never be the same.

My passion for running has shifted and my desire to lift weights has expanded. Wow! I never thought I’d utter such words. Post competition, I face determining how to balance my love for CrossFit and my urge and the need to throw up weights at the gym.

No, I am not going to stop running all together, but I doubt that I’ll ever return to running 40-60 miles a week that I typically do during the summer. My body looks and feels better now than it did before the weight training regimen. Amazing!

48 feels really good!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

A Sneak Peek

Aside 2 Comments Saturday, 26 April, 14 Lexa

Under Construction

Leave a comment Wednesday, 16 April, 14 Lexa

Four weeks from the upcoming Saturday, I will be strutting my stuff on stage and flexing my deltoids, trapezes, triceps, rhomboids, biceps, and more. And so the real countdown has begun.

It is hard to fathom, that only six months ago I decided to compete. For nearly six months, my focus has been eating clean, getting adequate rest, sculpting and constructing my physic through creative and consistent weight training, and an unwavering dedication to training.

Going into the stretch, besides my “regular” workout regime, 30 minutes of cardio, is a part of the mix.

No two-body types are the same, which makes it a tricky, scientific, and methodical process. Who knew? I certainly didn’t! What works for one body may not work for another body. Thankfully my friend is guiding me through this process. Honestly I’d be lost without her. Thank you AR!

Slowly my caloric intake has reduced, but nothing crazy. Amazingly, the combo of 30 minutes of cardio and slightly cutting calories is resulting in slow weight loss.

Monday is weigh-in day. Here are the earlier numbers:

√ March 31^st – 147 lb..

√ April 7^th – 145.2 lb..

√ April 14^th – 142.9 lb..

I am astonished by the quick decline! Why? Because I haven’t done anything extreme, like run 10 miles or eat less than 2000 calories on any given day. The other surprise in all of this is the redistribution of weight. Typically 147 is a big number for me, yet my clothes are fitting me differently.

Last night I was able to pull my size 8, normally fitted jeans, off without unzipping or unbuttoning them! Hubby and I laughed hysterically about that. Pretty much all of my clothes, including my undies are falling off of me.

At the end of most days, the frequency and intensity of training, working, and trying to take care of the house, leaves me feeling exhausted. As soon as my head hits the pillow, I’m out… like a light…into a deep sleep. Some nights though when I attempt to roll over, especially the days that I worked shoulders and arms, the soreness of my muscles wake me. Oh Boy! Ouch! But I manage to fall back into my deep sleep.

To get a little R & R and “mommy-daddy time,” a few days ago, hubby and I took a break from both our schedules.

We didn’t travel far from home, but it felt like we hopped on a plane and flew south. Overnight temps on Tuesday in South Jersey plummeted some 30 degrees to a low of 34!

We rose to frost and a dusting of snow! But once I nestled into the 85 degree tropical like home for the day, the reminder of winter was a distant memory.

Relaxing and cooling it with hubby in a warm, sunny, and tropical like retreat. Nice! I know, my hair looked a hot mess, but my hair wasn’t the priority.

Did I have a meal cheat? That’s a negative!! Absolutely not! I ate clean and I ate well. I was permitted a little fire water, so I opted for (one drink) a little Vodka with a splash of cranberry juice.

I let the bartender get carried away with the Grey Goose, but when he poured the juice (which is loaded with sugar), I hovered over him like I had a weapon. I’m sure he thought, woman, why bother! After my first sip, I thought the same. Ha! Ha!

The following day I went to CrossFit. Fran! Fran! Fran! She kicked my butt!

The WOD: Fran x’s Duet

21-15-9

Thrusters (95/65) (75/45)

Pull-ups

Rest 2 min  & repeat

My trainer reminds me not to over do it when I go to crossFit.

No injuries!

With that in mind, I completed the thrusters with 55 pounds; believe me, that was enough.

For the sake of time, when I did the pull ups, I rotated bands between the thin blue and green bands. Yes, I was challenged but enjoyed every minute of it. My completed WOD time: 18:09

After yesterdays back workout, my trainer reminded again to continue to switch things up. Instead of using the CYBEX Arc Trainer, which I used yesterday, I did something different that was an extremely intense cardio workout, that consisted of 20 minutes of 5 rounds of:

2 minutes – Jacob ladder (JL)

2 minutes – Running at a 6 on the treadmill

I didn’t really rest in between, I just focused on my music, tried not to think about the fire in my hamstrings and quads, and keeping JL between 85-95! Whew!! Twas a lot but fun!! Lol!!

Today was leg day. Within the first 20 minutes, I did at least six different sets on the Smith Machine. Mr. Smith as I like to call it, gave me an intense workout. Lots of squats were incorporated in today’s workout, as well as, (at the end of the workout) some cool plyometric exercises–they used every ounce of my remaining energy.

I realize that today is Easter Sunday; however, we’ve opted for a quiet day. For most of the week, hubby has been working on replacing the balusters on the steps, pulling up carpet, and adding hard wood flooring on the steps and hallway. I’m so lucky, hubby is great with his hands. His skills are all self taught and he is outstanding at what he does. Nope! In case you’re wondering, he’s retired from his second gig as carpenter. Lol!

Hubby’s hard work! I’m such a lucky lady!

Half way through!

Yay!! The white balusters are gone!

Today, after my workout of course, we decided to chill and watch The Bible on the History Channel. My feet are propped up and that’s exactly where the need to be. Rest is crucial to muscle recovery. Tomorrow we revisit shoulders; my body is still under construction.

Happy Easter and Happy Sunday!