I have been active in sports from gymnastics, dance, soccer, water skiing and cheerleading for just about my entire life. Three things that best describe me are: I am high energy, goal oriented and a bit of a ham. Perfect for the figure stage.
I competed as a cheerleader at the collegiate level in both team and partner stunt categories. After I graduated college I began weight training to stay active and keep excess weight off. I read Oxygen and Muscle and Fitness Hers magazines. The amazing physiques inspired me and I read the articles from front to back with envy. I never dreamed I could one day be on stage like them.
I weighed 92 pounds and was pretty much skin and bones; I struggled with eating disorders and body image issues. I really didn't know how to achieve a physique that was lean, healthy and strong. Genetically, my physique is bottom heavy with a narrow waist and smaller upper body. I described myself as pear shaped with pipe cleaners for arms.
When I began weight training, my initial focus was symmetry I didn't like that pear shape so I knew I needed to build up my upper body and tighten my glutes and legs. Hoping to supplement my efforts in the weight room, I bought some store brand protein shakes. But this did not really seem to help. I was not making progress toward my goal. The problem was I was clueless about proper nutrition and supplements.
In 2006 boredom was really setting in. Besides, I still wasn't seeing notable gains. I had three choices:
- I could keep beating my head against the wall and keep doing what I was doing.
- I could let my frustration build until I just quit altogether.
- Instead I decided to hire a trainer and pick out a show to do. This would give me a time limited goal to shoot for; force me to work harder and push beyond my limits; plus give me a better education on diet and supplements.
The first thing my trainer taught me was that proper nutrition accounts for about 80% of making quality gains. He also taught me the importance of using good, quality supplements to support my efforts. He introduced me to Beverly International and I have never looked back since. I competed in two local shows in 2006 and placed 2nd in one show and 1st in the other show. I was completely bitten by the competition bug and wanted to continue onward to some bigger shows. However, my husband and I wanted to have another child too, and I wasn't getting any younger so we decided now was the time.
Unfortunately this was a year long struggle with several miscarriages along the way, but in 2008 my second son was born. Once Parker was a little bit older I decided to get back into competing and at the end of 2010 I began training and dieting in preparation for the 2011 NPC Northern Kentucky. This time I joined Julie Lohre's Team FitBody program. It was really exciting to have a group of women all dieting, training hard, discussing suit selection and practicing posing. We all just "got it"; we understood each other and the camaraderie was amazing. The results were great. I was 2nd at the Northern KY, and 1st in my class two months later at the NPC KY Derby Festival in both the Over 35 and Open Figure divisions.
- First thing in the morning I took 6 GH Factor, 15 Muscle Mass, 10 Muscle Synergy, and 2 scoops Beverly Glutamine Select.
- I had 4 Mass Aminos, 4 Ultra 40's, 5 Density, and 4 Muscularity with each meal. Off-season I stick with Mass and Ultra 40 and add Density and Muscularity pre contest.
- Before my afternoon workout, I had 14 Muscle Synergy, 2 scoops of Beverly Glutamine Select, and 15 Muscle Mass.
- After my morning cardio and evening workout I took 2 Beverly Advanced Antioxidants. Boy, these really helped with soreness and recovery time.
- Before bed I had 8 GH Factor, and 10 Muscle Mass.
NUTRITION AND SUPPLEMENTS
My contest diet begins about 12 weeks out from show time. I start with 5-6 meals per day and 1 cheat meal per week. I adjust the diet every 3-4 weeks based on body assessments. At 4 weeks out there are no more cheat meals. Dietary adjustments consist of either an increase in the protein portions or a decrease in the carb portions. My base diet looks something like...
Breakfast
1 whole egg and 3 egg whites, 3 oz ground turkey, ½ cup oatmeal
OR
Protein pancakes (www.bevnut.com/faq for recipes)
Mid-Morning Snack
2 scoops Ultimate Muscle Protein (UMP) or 5 oz tuna & small piece of fruit
Lunch
5 oz grilled chicken, 2 cups salad with balsamic vinegar and ¼ cup brown rice
Snack
3 oz tuna, 10-15 almonds
Dinner
6 oz orange roughy, 2 cups steamed broccoli, ½ cup brown rice
Bedtime Snack
1 scoop Muscle Provider or UMP
The supplements I used during my training were a multi vitamin, Ultra 40, Muscle Provider, UMP, Muscularity, Lean Out, EFA Gold, and Glutamine Select as follows.
- 2 Ultra 40, 2 Muscularity, and 2 Lean Out with each of 5 meals.
- 3 EFA Gold with breakfast and 3 with dinner.
- 1 scoop Glutamine Select with training.
