Hi Everyone
It has been a long time since I updated. I aim to write in my blog once per week, but lately I have had my focus on other thing such as family including my son who is now 7 years old, my husband, and of course my personal training business (online and in the gym). I am currently taking on new clients for the fall season, so if you are interested – online or in person – you may contact me by email at [email protected].
First let’s up date you on the competition front – I will be competing in October in the Arnold Europe which is held in Madrid Spain Oct 11-13th. I have been preparing for this show since my last show – the Arnold Brazil which was a few months ago near the end of April. I am hoping to improve on my physique in order to hit that top 5 or top 3. My physique continues to be my achilles heel in the judging rounds. It is not that I am out of shape but I definitely don’t bring the tightest package like the other girls do – especially from the behind. The competitor listing is stacked – all the big guns are out for the show – but that does not stop me from trying to achieve my very best.
I can only bring my best package, and let the placings fall where they may.
Here is a complete listing of IFBB Bodybuilding & Fitness competitors invited to the Arnold Classic Europe.
I knew I needed help so decided to reach out to various coaches, do my research, and inquiry about their methods, and training philsophy. After having seen the changes in the physiques a friend of mine – IFBB pro figure athlete Aleisha Hart, and fellow IFBB Fitness competitor Ryall Graber-Vansani, I decided to go with Tad Inune (tadthedietcoach.com). I have been doing my own thing for around 10 years before I even inquired about a coach. Online training was just not available back in 1998. Since becoming an IFBB Pro I had a coach to help guide me, however it was on and off. Sometimes I would have one, do a few shows, be on my own, etc. Having done it both ways, it is really much easier having someone in your corner, who is just telling me what to do, and all I have to do is implement the plan.
Having a coach takes the ‘thinking’ out of my training, and making the ‘doing’ much easier.
So here are a few pictures from the last couple of weeks. Mouse-over for the dates:
As you can see, lighting, the suit selection (just your skivvies), time of day, changes how you look and can skew your perception in progress, or lack thereof. If I take them after an especially hard workout, things look tighter, but if it is just after I ate or near that “TOM” things can be a bit off. I am not shy to share these photos, as this is basically my off season, and to look in shape 364 days per year is important to me. However to view my body through ‘stage ready eyes‘, I have work to do. I need to bring down my lower half and have those super hard glutes and good separation in the quads, glutes and hamstrings. I just hope not to lose my upper body – Tad says no, so I will put my faith in him and do the work required. YOU in real world land need to realize that a stage ready body never is a true indication of what someone looks like. It is diet and training for a specific purpose for a specific timeframe. I am training to look a certain way for one day.
I am working harder than ever to bring in a great package this time. Something different. I am once again using Tamee Marie for my suit designer, and Christine Marsh for my costume. Both produce amazing work. Routine practice is going really well and as usual I am trying to fit as many skills as I can into that 2 minute window of presentation. So many hours go into the preparation of the routine, and just in an instant it is all over. I am constantly picking at it to make it perfect, and present exactly what I want to say.
I have been getting ready for the Arnold Europe since I found out a few weeks after the Arnold in Brazil. So basically mid-May. I am not fond of dieting in the summer, but was able to survive the ‘diet’ within reason, and still enjoy my summer holidays. I choose not to compete in June or in August as I had a wedding to attend, and the funds just were not there to attend the shows. Competing can be expensive, and since I moved on from my main sponsor and now am looking for another one, I had to cut back on competing. If you are considering competing check out my budget estimator worksheet to see approximately what you would like to spend on a show.
I am also finding my priorities are changing. Spending time with my son this summer was a conscious choice as he is not going to be 7 years old forever, so I wanted to take as much time as I could with him. When I am in prep mode, there are times when I am not present in the moment. It is a work in progress, however, I have mentioned before in various posting that I am not the same as I am when I am not in prep mode. I did not want that for me or my family this summer, so I decided not to compete. This summer I cut back on my personal training a bit, and I have come to realize that the business I love is part time leaning towards full time. Since my son is young I realize how important spending this time with him is to his personal growth and development. I love taking him to his events, school, and doing homework with him. I look forward to it. Like I said before, my priorities are changing.
That does not mean I am leaving the industry – just cutting back a bit.
After Brazil I did a huge media tour for BIC Soleil Razors which was a lot of fun. I had many interviews, online, newspaper, and some televised. It was a great time and I met some truly incredible young people in their early 20s who seem to have their life much more in line, and in control than I did when I was 20. It was cool over those days, so I of course was sporting my Public Myth gear to keep me warm between venues.
Late, July I did a shoot for Fitness Quebec magazine, and cover article. Maxime St. Onge, editor in chief, Cathy Chatteron, photographer, Josianne, hair and makeup, and of course Pierre Martineau, editor, and president, were all amazing! I had the luxury of shooting my own gym – Excellence Fitness here in Sherbrooke. They were so kind to come to Sherbrooke, and set up the entire shoot for the day. I am very appreciative of all their hard work in putting this together. Thank you.
It was an interesting experience as those who attend the gym are used to seeing me with no makeup, hair in a #gowiththepoe hairstyle (bun), and plain workout gear. Now I had on makeup, was posing, and my gym clothes were loud! The shoot when really well, and my son was very interested in all the gym equipment. He seems to love to hang from the TRX. And he used the battle ropes without any prompting on what to do.
The cover should be on stands by August 31st. So I will post when it is available.
In August, I took some time for the business side of me and attended the CanFitPro conference. I always enjoy being around others who share in the same passion. I am always trying to improve, and I never stop learning the craft of training others, program design, nutrition, and coaching my clients to their personal goals. I was a great weekend hanging with my ‘soul sista’ Kary Odiatu – and for you newbies out there you need to learn your history – she is a trailblazer and continues to do amazing work.
I wonder where the summer has gone? It has been a fabulous time, and I am excited for what is next this fall.
It is 46 days to Arnold Europe – less than 6 weeks away, my Full Body Interval Training will be starting up again – you can register here online. It is time for school to start again, with my son off to school, full hockey schedule, and probably a host of other activities.
Until then I will try to update weekly, as to give an update on my quest for the hardest butt ever – for at least one show.
Talk soon,
A.
