Figure Competing

SirenSongWoman

SirenSongWoman

Cathlete
As I was watching the Figure class competition at The Arnold the other night I was so jazzed. Driving home, I thought 'I want to try this...'

One catch: I'll be 48 on the last day of this month.

As far as I know there's no age limit and it's not like you can just compete in the really big competitions from the get-go. But I'd like to try competing in local and smaller shows, seeing how hard I can push myself, and trying to get a pro card. After having been fat for many years and coming so far I keep thinking how a trainer could totally transform me, getting me from point b to c so much faster. I've been spending much of the last few days looking at the "Before" and "After" photos of competitors and would-be competitors over at FigureAthlete.com. It blows my mind how fast those women pulled off complete and profound transformations when working with a trainer to prep for a contest. I think it would be fun as H*ll, powerfully motivating, and I feel I would really regret it if I didn't at least try. I would just love to get a body Like That!

Do you all think I'm nuts?
 
Nope. I am once again embarking on a journey with Kim Oddo...www.bodybyo.com

As you can see he trains Monica Brant, etc....he was at the Arnold this year, he trains everyone, I start with him for the next 16 weeks this Tuesday...said while drinking my wine which is NOT allowed of course.

I am seriously considering doing a local figure contest, I did the Emerald Cup in the late 90's...I have been through much since then including a hip replacement...stopped smoking, etc...I am 43 this May. You can do it girlfriend, look Kim up and told I sent ya, if anyone can take you there he can. Good luck. Wish me luck too.:)
 
There is no age limit---only in your mind! Go for it! Definitely start with local/smaller shows. You are not at all nuts. Diet is key. Keep with the lifting and cardio and consult with a professional (like Tneah said).

SirenSongWoman said:
As I was watching the Figure class competition at The Arnold the other night I was so jazzed. Driving home, I thought 'I want to try this...'

One catch: I'll be 48 on the last day of this month.

As far as I know there's no age limit and it's not like you can just compete in the really big competitions from the get-go. But I'd like to try competing in local and smaller shows, seeing how hard I can push myself, and trying to get a pro card. After having been fat for many years and coming so far I keep thinking how a trainer could totally transform me, getting me from point b to c so much faster. I've been spending much of the last few days looking at the "Before" and "After" photos of competitors and would-be competitors over at FigureAthlete.com. It blows my mind how fast those women pulled off complete and profound transformations when working with a trainer to prep for a contest. I think it would be fun as H*ll, powerfully motivating, and I feel I would really regret it if I didn't at least try. I would just love to get a body Like That!

Do you all think I'm nuts?
Click to expand...
 
Stacey: I don't think you're nuts at all! I think it's a great idea and you should go for it! Keep us posted on what you find out and what you are doing.
 
Go for it Stacey!! You're never too old to try anything. And what an inspiration you'd be to so many people! I wish I could afford to compete at least once-maybe one day.

Oh, by the way, Lorrie (LSass) is going to do a figure comp, too, I think. How awesome to have 3 Catheites competing!
 
Crazy right there with you Stacey!!!! We oldies are rockin' it huh?! I'll be 46 at comp time in Oct - it is a local show. Thanks Tneah and Laura - great tips. Maybe would could all p.m. one another as we embark on our training. Let's rock it ladies!

ETA: one of my biggest motivators was when my trainer said she had been marking my progress after 4 mos and my muscles were responding amazingly to heavy training. She is the one who urged me to consider the competition and I thought -- how many people even get the CHANCE to consider this? I don't want to grow up and turn 60 or older only to think "I had the chance and didn't take it."
 
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This is why I come HERE when I want people I know to give me support while giving it to me straight. Also nice to know people don't think I'm nuts and that I'm not the only one really wanting to do this.

You know, those 18 years I was really fat I sort of put myself on a shelf, and became something I call time-stuck. By that I mean, when I hear someone else is 47 it doesn't register that that person is like me. I don't FEEL 47 (though my joints do), I don't LOOK 47, when it comes up nobody believes I'm 47, but I am, in fact, closing in fast on 50. And because of AGEism (term stolen from Patty on The Millionaire Matchmaker), I'm learning to NOT bring it up, particularly online where, without face-to-face communication, the stigma really sticks. When I think about it I have a hard time dealing with the way I wasted decades of my life, hiding out, and eating. I always worked hard, too many hours, too many jobs, then went home and ate ice cream in front of the tv. Every now and then it would cross my mind that I was missing out and not really living. I'd feel sad but the feeling would pass and I'd just keep on keeping on, munching on ice cream, only dimly aware I wasn't happy - until that dim awareness was like a bright light in my eyes and I knew I was in real trouble.

I can't attribute my physical change over the past 18 months to any one event. I really couldn't tell you why I finally got off my butt... I just did one thing (TheFirm), which led to another (Cathe/Cardio Coach), then another (Addressing my diet/Precision Nutrition). And now, I want MORE. I still have a hard time dealing with the attention from co-workers, who remember what I used to look like and kind of can't leave me alone about it. Some attention is good but too much actually gets in the way of me doing my job... But, in public, it's nice to not be ignored anymore and to be treated with respect in day-to-day dealings. I often think 'So this is how the other half live....' I know how this sounds but the fact is, as I close in fast on 50, there's a real sense of urgency, a NEED to move as quickly as I can to try to get the body I want, the LIFE I want. I am literally trying to salvage the rest of my life now, to fix what was broken. At The Arnold I was mesmerized by Latisha Wilder (who scored 12th in Figure but whose body is 1st with me!) the second she stepped on stage I paid very close attention when they said she lives in Columbus and is a trainer. She is AMAZING, her website is full of positive energy and, unlike most trainers, she's very well-rounded in her approach to fitness: she teaches yoga (I have... flexibility issues) AND she's a track coach (I have legs like tree stubs). If a sprinter can't help me finally get my legs leaned-out I don't know who can.

I think getting a trainer who'll train me to compete will help me to get where I want to be fastest because so many women profiled at FigureAthlete and BodyBuilding.com have done it. The before/after transformation photos are just shocking (very inspirational). You wouldn't believe it possible except that so many women HAVE done it. I'm not talking about just losing weight like the people in NutriSystem ads. Most of these women have gone from Shamu to buff-to-the-max in 3-6 months. I've been at this for 18 months on my own and have had respectable results, but nothing like what these women are getting. And most did it because they were trying to get ready for a show so they had a deadline and a trainer with a comprehensive plan to reach their goal. That's what I need. Heck, I think that's what MOST women need if only to get a jump start towards getting it done more efficiently.

So thanks, everyone, for your support. I'm hanging on until the end of the month, seeing how my finances play out, then I'm calling Latisha.
 
I am so excited for you! I've only competed once and loved it! I would do it again, but I'm 8 months preggo today. I'll live vicariously through you and know that one day I will be on stage again. I can't wait to hear all about your training...and graduation day--when you stand proudly on that stage.

You go girl!!! :D
 
SirenSongWoman said:
This is why I come HERE when I want people I know to give me support while giving it to me straight. Also nice to know people don't think I'm nuts and that I'm not the only one really wanting to do this.

You know, those 18 years I was really fat I sort of put myself on a shelf, and became something I call time-stuck. By that I mean, when I hear someone else is 47 it doesn't register that that person is like me. I don't FEEL 47 (though my joints do), I don't LOOK 47, when it comes up nobody believes I'm 47, but I am, in fact, closing in fast on 50. And because of AGEism (term stolen from Patty on The Millionaire Matchmaker), I'm learning to NOT bring it up, particularly online where, without face-to-face communication, the stigma really sticks. When I think about it I have a hard time dealing with the way I wasted decades of my life, hiding out, and eating. I always worked hard, too many hours, too many jobs, then went home and ate ice cream in front of the tv. Every now and then it would cross my mind that I was missing out and not really living. I'd feel sad but the feeling would pass and I'd just keep on keeping on, munching on ice cream, only dimly aware I wasn't happy - until that dim awareness was like a bright light in my eyes and I knew I was in real trouble.

I can't attribute my physical change over the past 18 months to any one event. I really couldn't tell you why I finally got off my butt... I just did one thing (TheFirm), which led to another (Cathe/Cardio Coach), then another (Addressing my diet/Precision Nutrition). And now, I want MORE. I still have a hard time dealing with the attention from co-workers, who remember what I used to look like and kind of can't leave me alone about it. Some attention is good but too much actually gets in the way of me doing my job... But, in public, it's nice to not be ignored anymore and to be treated with respect in day-to-day dealings. I often think 'So this is how the other half live....' I know how this sounds but the fact is, as I close in fast on 50, there's a real sense of urgency, a NEED to move as quickly as I can to try to get the body I want, the LIFE I want. I am literally trying to salvage the rest of my life now, to fix what was broken. At The Arnold I was mesmerized by Latisha Wilder (who scored 12th in Figure but whose body is 1st with me!) the second she stepped on stage I paid very close attention when they said she lives in Columbus and is a trainer. She is AMAZING, her website is full of positive energy and, unlike most trainers, she's very well-rounded in her approach to fitness: she teaches yoga (I have... flexibility issues) AND she's a track coach (I have legs like tree stubs). If a sprinter can't help me finally get my legs leaned-out I don't know who can.

I think getting a trainer who'll train me to compete will help me to get where I want to be fastest because so many women profiled at FigureAthlete and BodyBuilding.com have done it. The before/after transformation photos are just shocking (very inspirational). You wouldn't believe it possible except that so many women HAVE done it. I'm not talking about just losing weight like the people in NutriSystem ads. Most of these women have gone from Shamu to buff-to-the-max in 3-6 months. I've been at this for 18 months on my own and have had respectable results, but nothing like what these women are getting. And most did it because they were trying to get ready for a show so they had a deadline and a trainer with a comprehensive plan to reach their goal. That's what I need. Heck, I think that's what MOST women need if only to get a jump start towards getting it done more efficiently.

So thanks, everyone, for your support. I'm hanging on until the end of the month, seeing how my finances play out, then I'm calling Latisha.
Click to expand...


Very inspiring! You give me hope. I know exactly where you are coming from. Definitely go for it!!
chrissy
 
I think you should go for it!!!! What a great thing to put on your list of things accomplished.

Please keep us posted on how your training, diet, wardrobe stuff goes.. it will be fun to hear about your transformation!!!

Take care, Lynn M.
 
I'm still considering it but I'm really turned off by the whole steroid thing. Mainly, I'm focusing on continuing with my weight loss/body comp change. I want to be healthy and worry about anything getting in the way of that. But if you're pretty darn close I say GO for it!
 
What a great post! So curious what it is, the light bulb that just goes off in a person's head to change, I love your attitude and drive. Please keep us posted on what you decide, and how it is going along the way.
 
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