RE: Would you ever consider entering a Fitness/ Bodybu...
Hey Denise,
Actually I was a natural (no steroids) bodybuilder from ages 22-26. I am now 34. I competed in 5 shows. placed in top 3, 4 times and won a State Championship title in my last show. Back then fitness didn't really exist so natural bodybuilding was the only way to go. Just fell into it, I tend to go to extremes on everything I do and just getting fit wasn't enough. The diet was the hardest but I was good at it, maybe I was masochistic in my younger years, LOL. My best was 5.9% body fat at 121 lbs ( I am 5'4"). It was a time in my life I will always be proud of and sometimes when I look back at videos and pictures I freak myself out, I was pretty big but still feminine since I have a nice shape. After my last show though I was kinda worn out physically and never quite fit into the egocentric world of bodybuilding. I am quit shy and was very modest with my body and how I showed it off. I am an artist so sculpting my body became more a work of art then a sport. I didn't have any friends in "that world", all my friends were just normal everyday regular people. I decided that I had achieved all I needed and my career was taking over so it was time to leave the competitive world. It was possible to fit it all in but it was tough. This prepared me for life in lots of ways. I always say if I could endure all that I could endure anything, and it is true today. Training and diet took 4 months preperation. Mornings began at 4:30, then off to work, then posing or routine practice, tanning, cooking meals, constantly eating, and all these things day in and day out takes a toll on others as well. Your employers and co-workers watching you get ripped wondering what the heck you are doing ot yourself never "getting" it. And family.... whoa my mother and father had their fits, and of course your social life. Yah you looked great but you wanted to go to bed by 10PM on a fri night. I had no problem drinking water or seltzer but people have issues with you if you aren't getting loaded like they are especially in your 20's. Anyway... I am long winded, I apologize. Those days are over but the good thing is I still retain a lot of muscle and I can stop training for long periods without losing it and it also comes back very quickly. I am thankful I busted my butt then so I don't have to as much now. But I must say after reading all these posts from you girls I am truly impressed at the level of your intensity and frequency of your workouts!!!!!
Shonie.. I saw your post on the teeny weeny bikinis, you are right, they are exactly that! LOL. I have to say if you want to ever break out of your shell thats the way to do it. One of my friends was sitting in the front row of my very first show, he said I was shaking like a leaf. Too funny. The most terrifiying thing I have yet to do in my life, it never really got much easier, but talk about facing your fears. And that culture you are talking about was one of the reasons I chose to stop, I didn't like the people, very catty, egotistical. I never wanted to be a part of it. I'm just a regular girl. I think its fun when you are very young, very carefree, not much responsibility. After that life takes over. The only time I would consider doing it ever again is in my late 40's and up in the masters class, that would be a hoot!
As far as favorite girls, I have always like Monica Brandt, she was one of the originals in fitness. The newer girls like Jenny Lynn are fanatstic as well. Love Elaine Goodlad she is gorgeous!!! and at 40, WOW. Cory Everson and Anja Shriner are probably my favorite bobybuilding girls. The newer ones who are all jacked up on steroids are waaaaaaay too big.
Thanks for listening,
Skye
;-) 
