I always loved the look of muscle but had no concept of what it took to achieve it. I did aerobics classes with friends and ventured into the gym one day - clueless but grabbin the dumbells and givin it a go. An older gentleman saw I clearly needed some guidance and helped me out, i was naturally strong and went all out. Boy was I sore the next day! He did up a program for me, we trained together and as he was a powerlifter I got strong. He would put on local competitions and I became the stats girl cheering on all the competitors. He held the world bench press competition to which I assisted in various duties. I was hooked. I started competing and my strength naturally increased with consistent lifting. I wanted more. I got certified to teach aerobics, certified to personal train and took it on still so naive and green to the bodybuilding industry. I herniated a disc deadlifting at 1999 competition but continued with bench press, nothing was going to take the love of powerlifting away from me. I met a female bodybuilder at the local gym I worked at and she mentored me into bodybuilding being so terribly naive. I wanted it and through a failed preparation due to poor mentoring and lack of knowledge I became that much more determined. I got ready for another show with a tenatious attitude and I competed. Through that competition - a lot came to the surface with historical eating disorders, and a less than supportive relationship to which end I quit in order to save my relationship and because he, in short asked me to. Through the rig-a-ma roll of life, family death, relationship ending and so life goes that it all hits you at once I hit an emotional rock bottom. I tried and tried to get the wheels back on to compete and floundered over and over. I came to realize that I needed to deal with my internal issued before I could use the tools i already had to bodybuild and so I did and here I am. It has taken me a while to get consistent but with consistent input and guidance from my trainers I am nailing it and my body is responding, each day I see the response I want more and push harder, diet cleaner and stay on track with an ease that didn't exist before. Mentally I am there and I will have the achievement of the goals I have set with a tenacity that is now ingrained within my drive. I am excited to do this again with such a different perspective and healthy outlook.
Why I Love It:
It keeps me centered, feeling good about myself and healthy. I love lifting heavy.
How I Stay Motivated:
I remember the above and I have the drive and determination to achieve the goals I have set for myself.
Competition November 1, 2008 and all the opportunities thereafter!!
weights 6x week
cardio 1 hour a day - started running a little bit, step mill for 30 mins with interval work & glute work
starting to do some plyometrics
Just stop by to see how your train gis going? Power lifting that is great you dont see alot of good looking women doing that! How much is your max for bench and squats?
Good for you! Retain all that hard earned muscle a lot better if you're not rushing. I don't know if I'd be stepping on stage for a while, at least not until I'm done school. I don't know if I could balance contest prep and school you know? Haha besides, I need like 50 more lbs!
Good idea I think I will take the morning off!!!! I get carried away sometimes as I think, there are people who workout twice a day so I should be ale to workout every day at a minimum. My cardio is pretty intense though
Happy 4th to ya Tara, I killed the bike today with 9 miles in 30 minutes!! I think I better take a day off so that I can see what it feels like when my legs don't hurt, but, will they hurt twice as bad two days from now when I do it again? ha ha, I lvoe this sh!t!!
