From High School Math Teacher to Natural Pro Bodybuilder

By: Christina Comparato
No Nonsense Newsletter Volume 11 #3

Contest Pose Two years ago, my best friend Barry Gordon and I opened a nutrition store, Total Nutrition in Toledo, OH. I teach high school math – algebra and geometry as a profession, but since I’d been spending a good deal of time helping others in the gym with their training, nutrition and supplements, the nutrition store was a natural progression. The next spring we decided it might help our business if we showed our clients and prospective clients that we could not only “talk the talk”, but that we also “walked the walk”. We decided to train for and compete in a local bodybuilding contest in Toledo. I’d been working out for several years and had even competed back in 2003. Back then I really didn’t know what I was doing on stage and didn’t have a lot of stage presence. Now things were different. Barry was there to help and we were putting our store’s reputation on the line.

Things couldn’t have worked out better. I won my weight class and went on to do three more shows where I took two 1st places and a 2nd. I even was in March ’06 of Flex’s magazine for winning my weight class at the NPC Mountaineer Cup in West Virginia. Weeeee! I was having a blast! I competed in four shows in six weeks. But I knew that I could be better. I took a week off and then started preparation for the Ohio in mid- September, eight weeks away. I had some areas to work on- primarily my legs. I kicked up my leg routine- still two times a week but now more intense focusing on quads and glutes. Mass aminos, Lean Out, Ultra 40, Muscle Mass and Glutamine Select were my main supplements. (See my complete nutrition/supplement plan for details.)

One week before the Ohio, I competed in a small show in Michigan and took 2nd. What a bummer. But, I had a week left and decided to get back into the game and come in stronger than ever. No cheat meal on Sunday after the contest; instead I went to the gym and did two, one-hour cardio sessions. Not just on Sunday, but for the next five days as well. I was up before school at 5:00 AM for an hour and after school at 4:00 for another hour (besides my weight routine). It was tough; I was exhausted and had headaches from the training and diet. But, wow was it all worth it when the announcement was made on stage. I won the lightweight and my 1st overall title—Miss Ohio. It was the best feeling, I felt like I was on top of the world

But I wasn’t finished. Two weeks later I competed in Cleveland at the Natural Northern USA and at the last minute decided to end the season with one more – a Natural Pro qualifier. The Pro Qualifier was in Youngstown, Ohio at the Karen Miller Cardinal Classic through the International Natural Bodybuilding Organization. I wasn’t sure about this one. I was tired mentally and physically and my body was ready to rest for awhile. This would definitely be my last contest of the year; if I won I’d bring home a pro card. So, I kept at it and increased my Glutamine Select, Mass aminos, Ultra 40 and Muscle Mass. It all paid off. I won lightweight and the overall title awarding me a WNBF Pro Card, the first female in northwest Ohio to earn one.

Nutrition & Supplements: I’d tried many supplements but never Beverly until Barry and I opened our store. We’d had several people ask us to carry Beverly supplements and many told us of their outstanding results using Beverly. I decided to try it for myself. Once I started, I was hooked. They became a prime factor in my winning equation. Here’s my nutrition and supplement program. It worked for me; I bet it’ll work for you too christina_side_chest pose
AM - 4 Muscle Synergy
Meal 1: 1 whole egg, 3 egg whites; 3 oz 93% lean beef; 1/2 cup oatmeal
(before cooking) or ¼ cup grits
SUPPS: 3 EFA Gold; Vitamin Pack; 3 Ultra 40; 3 Mass Amino; 1 Lean Out
Meal 2: Protein Drink: 2 Scoops Ultra Size or Ultimate Muscle Protein
Whole Food Option: 5 oz chicken or turkey breast, 5 strawberries
SUPPS: 3 Ultra 40; 3 Mass Amino; 1 Lean Out
Meal 3: 5 oz chicken or turkey; 4 oz sweet potato or ½ cup cooked brown rice;
1 cup vegetables (broccoli, etc.) or salad with 2 TBS Vinegar and Oil Dressing
SUPPS: 3 Ultra 40; 3 Mass Amino; 1 Lean Out
Before training or in PM: 4 Muscle Synergy and 1 scoop of Glutamine Select
Meal 4:  (same as meal #2)
Meal 5: 6 oz 93% lean beef; 2 cups vegetables
SUPPS: 3 EFA Gold caps; 3 Ultra 40; 3 Mass Amino; 1 Lean Out

Pre Contest Workout Schedule: 
Mon: Chest, Tri’s, Abs
Tues: Legs, Abs
Wed: Back, Bi’s, Abs
Thurs: Shoulders, Abs
Fri: Legs, Abs

Cardio: 5-7 days of 2 sessions of 30-45 minutes each
Lifting: 4 exercises of 3 sets (more for legs) rotate moderate weights for
20-15-10 reps with heavier workouts of 10-8-6 reps.

    Personal Profile: Christina Comparato  
Age:  31
Occupation/Education: H.S. Math Teacher/MS Ed and business owner of
Total Nutrition - 3 locations (one with on-site personal training)
Family: parents, brother, sister-in-law, (niece or nephew on the way),
2 cats - Muscles and Oreo
Residence: Toledo, OH

Years Training: 9
Then and Now: When I started training I was a normal everyday looking person
without a lot of muscle. No one would ever think I’d eventually win my Natural Pro Card.
Height: 5’2
Off Season Weight: 130-135
Contest Weight: 105-110
Favorite Cheat Food: Cashews
Favorite Diet Meal: Grits!
Favorite Beverly Supplement: Glutamine Select - it tastes great, it’s loaded with
 BCAA's and glutamine. It really helps me recover without adding calories
 (it’s my treat to myself everyday after my workout).
Favorite Beverly Recipe: Ultra Size cupcakes

In my CD player:  everything from Rocky to Garth Brooks
Words to live by: Desire! Determination! Dedication!
Other interests: Rollerblading on the open country roads

The biggest challenge you face in preparing for a contest: bringing in my glute/hamstrings tie-in
The most important things that a female who wants to emulate your bodybuilding success should definitely do:
-Cardio-learn to love it!
-Train hard daily while focusing on your goals.  How bad do you want it?
-Find the right supplements that work for you.
-REST

My favorite training program: Tri’s - My favorite exercise is my 3-level rope
extension with 30 reps x 3 positions. Then, kickbacks and overhead extensions.
Finally, finishing with skull crushers.
    

Bodybuilding World  :  Body Muscle Journal  : Back Issues : Order Online : Beverly International Net :  Vitamin Supplement Guide
beverly international nutrition