*My Journey "Becoming a Body Builder" Part 1 by Angel'a M Jones
....just to give you some insight into my life and a little history or my past. I've been in fitness, as a Personal Trainer, Physical Exercise Therapist and Nutritionist for about 10 years. I've also been a certified Group Instructor since that time. Prior to going back to school, I travel around East Texas teaching on the importance of knowing the warning signs and risk factors associated with stroke. I really enjoyed the position. It really gave me a sense itself worth, knowing I was encouraging people that "their life matters". I was also encouraging news them to take charge of this health and be proactive in knowing what's going with their bodies. I do believe doctors and medicine is important, but we need to always pay attention to what's happening with us.
When my assignment changed, which totally caught me off guard, I knew exactly what I purposes to do with my life. I knew I was suppose to be in health and wellness. I was already pursuing my Bachelors of Administration at the time. So jumping in to complete my certification fell right in line. After getting started in fitness and training clients, teaching classes and workshops and doing nutritional consultations. I must say I knew I livinglifegolden. I began sculpting my own body, adding here, tweaking what I didn't like and improving what I did. I really got interested in nutrition when even though I was working out like crazy, my body was looking like I really wanted it to look. So I really got interested I nutrition and it was then I knew I had to make a lifestyle change.
I started to run and challenging my body in different ways. I taught lots of boot camps, (indoor and outdoors). The elements outside can be brutal. I did a few muddy buddy and quickly realized that wasn't for me. I then began to take up running. For the first race I ran a 5k, then another and another. After several of those I wanted more of a challenge so I then did several 10k's. I knew I was committed because I trained in the rain and he blazing hot sun. I even ran several raced while it was cold and rainy. I was thinking the whole time I was getting dressed, this is crazy. If I don't go know one would know. However, I would....and I'm not a quitter. Besides it was early and a friend came over really early in the morning to go with me. So, that wouldn't have been cool at all. For my last and final run I wanted to do something longer so I decided to run a 1/2 Marathon. So the beginning of 2013, I started training. I traveled to Las Vegas to run in the Rock and Roll Series. It was millions of people. No really there were so many people that as I was running I got distracted by watching them, I settled into my pace and ran it out. When I finally was done, I wasn't as sore as I thought I would be. My adrenaline was pumping and I was so dang proud of myself. All I wanted was something to eat and quick. Many of the things I've done were personal goals and though I didn't speak about them, I was pretty proud of myself.
Now I'm embarking upon a whole different garanimal. When I first started training as a bodybuilder I always thought I want this to be another journey that I do and be successful at doing. Now we all have our perspective on what we consider as successful. For me my success is to come Pro, then compete as Pro and perhaps pick up some endorsements along the way. It would also be wonderful to create a product/service that people in fitness and women bodybuilder and enjoy.
I'm entering my first Naturally Fit Bikini Bodybuilding Competition. Let talk first about "Positive Image." Competing can be a fantastic way to test your limits, build discipline, gain self control over eating and learn a lot about your body. There are lots of people who will be wondering what are you doing now to your body. However, becoming a bodybuilder is a commitment "not" to be taken lightly. I must tell you are now amongst an "Elite" group of women in the sports arena. Bodybuilding is "not" for everybody. There are lots of preconceived notions about becoming a woman bodybuilder. Though I'm a bodybuilder, first and foremost I'm still. "Classy Lady", who love weights and fitness. When you decide to start training for a competition, there are many things to take into consideration because many things in your life will change. This journey will challenge you to the core. You'll have to press thru, even when it's only you. As my story goes, you'll understand what I mean. It will be a challenging and require a longterm (possibly lifetime) commitment, and if you do it with total 100% commitment (by choosing the right people to mentor you), your life won’t ever be the same.
It could be a good, bad or even ugly experience you won't forget. Every person training for a bodybuilder, will have their own story. I'm only writing mine. I hoped, if this is a journey you choose to take, yours it won't be the latter. From dieting and eating on schedule, food preparation, choosing the right trainer, nutritionist (optional), posing mentor, acquiring show essentials, on to the day of the show. Let me walk you through my journey what are some important things you need to consider before competing.
First you want this to be an enjoyable journey experience. It doesn't mean you will not work hard, but it does mean that if you're going to do it, then why not have fun doing it. You can't get into this and say you'll do the workouts but the lifestyle change of eating, you can't do. I've been training now for 8 months (not because I needed to), but I had to decide which organization I wanted to compete in, which delayed my decision to enter after the beginning of the year. It was a business decision, not personal.
Make sure you’re in the right place before you take on competition preparation. You want to take in the necessary time needed to take of things in advance oppose to waking up rushing to get things done. Time management, healthy emotional and stable home environment is crucial. Though I'm a optimist info have to be real, there will obstacles you will have to overcome to reach your goals. But that's just comes with any endeavor you decide to do. For me this wasn't any different. I have to work extremely hard from the beginning. I found myself really reminding myself "my why" I decided to do this. As time went on, I learned a lot about myself. I can remember hearing a line from a sermon, weeks earlier, "don't discount the partial victories." So ladies (and gentlemen) whatever you set out to do, reward yourself along the way!
The first and most important thing to consider when deciding whether to take on the long, rigorous process is whether you’re in the right place emotionally and physically to prepare for a competition. Competition diets can range from 12 weeks (if you are already very lean and stage-ready all the time) to 20+ weeks. 20 weeks may not be not enough time to lose body fat in excess of 28%. During training you will gradually lose 3-5% a week, (depending upon your diet and the number of days you train). You want to monitor the amount of cardio you're doing in a daily basis, so that you don’t lose muscle mass along with it. You're working hard to put on muscle, you certain don't want to lose it by over training. I don't want you to think that you can't compete if you have an excess of 28% body-fat, because that's not true. You can compete. You also need to hire a trainer whose patient, knows how to train your body to prepare you for competition, safely. You also want to be patient with yourself to know it won't happen overnight. It could even be a year before you make it to the stage, just keep working. If it's your desire to become a Bodybuilder or a Fitness Athlete of any kind, I encourage you to work and work hard, to achieve your dream. Don't quit.
Also your trainer needs to be able to "not" impose what he/she think you should look like, but use his/her knowledge from experience or valuable wisdoms he learned along the way. It's your dream, he's a valuable resource to help you get there. Unless you're in pretty good shape, you really won't know what you will look like as far as what category to compete in until you're about 15% body-fat or when you start to see your body taking shape. At that point you can decide, with the guidance of your Trainer and/or Mentor(s) which category you should compete in.
Sidebar: I wasn't going to share this, but I'm being very venerable to tell about my full experience. The first 16 weeks into my training I noticed my Trainer wasn't as attentive as I thought he should be. Meaning, when I arrived for training he sent me to do warm up cardio, which was fine, but then when i came downstairs he was with a group of other trainer that work at the gym, "working out". There were other times I'd come in and "he was over in a corner asleep". I didn't wake him and began my workout or what I thought we would be training that day. He would wake up when I'm 30 minutes into and say "why didn't you wake me". I expressed that wasn't my responsibility. I could believe he audacity to be upset with me because I'm paying him and he was sleep. There were also derogatory comments he'd make that I didn't appreciate and didn't want to be around.
Yeah, you're probably saying why did you need a trainer. Bodybuilding wasn't my expertise, however I've learned a lot about the industry. I'm not saying I know it all, but I do know more. I was beginning to "not" enjoy the experience of "becoming a body builder". So I had pray about it and make a decision on what to do next. I went to a local nutrition store and got a recommendation. I called my current trainer (who happens to train at the same gym), we spoke, agreed upon what I wanted to do. Two days later I walked back into the same gym and we've been training every since. I wasn't upset, however I knew within my heart I could not continue that way. I realized also, it was better for me to develop a team of experts in order for me to achieve my goals.
Sidebar: "Its good to choose a Trainer who has trained Competitors or have competed his/herself. However if you choose a male, be sure he has proprietary information about what the judges are looking for."
The other side of “preparation" is slightly more complicated and less concrete. Competing can really a toll on you emotionally, mentally and spiritually, between the constant critiquing of your physique. As the weeks ahead approaches you're constantly monitory your body, watching to see if you're retaining water weight, making sure you're eating just enough protein and not too much carbohydrates. Then preparing to be judged on your physical attributes (you've chiseled on for months) that you think is flawless and beautiful. Now mentioning the exclusion of (almost) everything else, from social gatherings, desserts, fried foods, junk foods, office parties....you name it. Then the rigid diet you've been on has real effects on energy levels and mood at times. So I say it again, If you are not in a good place emotionally, mentally and spiritually and don’t have a very positive, self esteemed outlook on your life then you may want to work in you inwardly. Mature a bit more to build a happy place, comfortable relationship with your body and your own self image.
With that said I challenge you to continue workout and train, perhaps with a trainer/bodybuilding coach. There are so many benefits to exercising. I believe that the more you train, the more you like what you see, the better you will feel about your self...now you are well on your way. Competing may do you more harm than good, if you go into this looking for validation from others. So train, exercise, just do it. Give yourself time and body time. Remember while your training you're building muscle maturity, muscle conditioning, you're looking for assembly and you want to begin developing good muscle tone while going through the process. I said process because it's not going to happen over night. Competing can be an exhilarating, gratifying, and a rewarding experience.
My Life, of shopping, preparing and prepackaging my breakfast, lunch and dinner for 3-4 days at a time. Before I started preparing for my first competition, I had been eating pretty clean for years. I made a vow to myself when I became a Trainer that I didn't want to be a unhealthy over weight Trainer. I've challenged my body in many ways, now I'm embarking upon the journey of becoming a Pro-Builder. I figured I approaching the wonderful more adventurous "Fabulous Fun Fit Fifty." So why not challenge my body another way. Little did I know, it's not just a physical challenge. With everything in you, emotions, mental, social, physically and spiritually.
Sidebar: Emotionally you have to view eating differently. See it as a means of living, not living to eat and drink. Working with a good Nutritionist will help understand the dynamics of food and the anatomy of the body. You can't have an emotional relationship with food and alcohol. If you donut "could" present a problem when really working to get the core down. Mental fortitude is what it's takes to press on, even when you feel ostracized from family and friends. When you know you can't go out with friends because you have to be up at 5am for training and its legs day. That when you remember "my why". Socially, well you will gain new friends and perhaps some influential people who will help you to aspire to reach your goals and live your dream. Physically you will work out harder than you've ever worked out before. The process is putting on muscles and reducing your body fat. You can see this transformation as way of stripping all things, people, behaviors, set ways and situations that are not "critical" for your destiny in life. I can remember when I first started in he process, as I trained I first got a little thicker. I can remember people in my classes asking me "Angel", you're looking a little different in your body. It's was there way of saying "they see, what I see." So my response is the same today at 9.5% body-fat, as it was when I originally started my journey....."I'm reducing my body-fat and putting on muscle". There response was "are you doing it on purpose"? With that said you will be constantly explaining to people, as you learn, the dynamics of bodybuilding (and fitness) about the many changes (seen and unseen, during your transformations. Then Spiritually, you'll do a lot of soul searching. Things will happen, obstacles will challenge you, hurdles you'll jump and life will not, I repeat, will not always work out the way you plan. I'm being as open and the authentic me as I can be right now to let you know my journey. But, I had to spiritually dig deep to continue my journey. I mean really did deep within myself to gain some vertical spiritual footing for my life. Before even beginning my bodybuilding journey I found myself having to make a major adjustment in my living arrangement that ultimately affected my whole lifestyle. I thought it was something that would blow over in a matter of weeks, however it didn't. Weeks turned to months. I lived with a friend that put a huge damper on me staying on target to meet my goals. It was not always easy for me to financially meet all my obligations on a monthly basis, including paying for my much needed training, coaching and nutritional counseling. I understand that's it's a part of "my personal journey process." Achieving success for me means deep meditations and focus concentrations. Quitting wasn't an option. I can remember saying to another good friend that I have a lot on my plate. He said "maybe you should take some things off your plate." Wrong Response! I can hear my gut saying "maybe I should get a bigger plate". So I did. Doesn't means things got easier, I learned to prayerfully manage everything I have on my plate with Heavenly wisdom, guidance and strength. I learned through my walk with Christ, that people, situations, or circumstances can't dictate my destiny..."for I'm predestined for greatness"! You can be your "own" best friend or your "own" worse enemy.
Meeting with my Nutritionist/Coach to go over the logistics of what it would take for me to compete, create my meal plan and schedule our weigh-ins and body-fat measurements regimen. However, when meeting with him, I felt free. I could talk very candid with him about personal things I was dealing with emotionally. Though I was in a good place spiritually, physically, mentally and socially, there were times I was emotional in our sessions. He steered me and supported me, without judgement. It made it easier for me mentally. He went over what I could expect throughout the whole process which gave me some insight on what I could expect from my body as the journey progressed. It's an important decision to make as to whether or not to have a Nutritionist/Coach on your team.
However, though I was approaching 50, my body responded better than we'd anticipated, for the most parts. He also gave me lots of wisdom and vital information as time went to keep me focus. Some of the lessons really resonated with me and I still apply them today. Then we also discuss the organizations available for me to maximize my opportunities for competing to accelerate the process of me obtaining my personal fitness goals. I'm not competing just to show off my body for the sake of competing. I have major purpose and representation for many women who can "see" themselves in me as they read my story.
So, leaving, i'm now on my way to begin weighed and measuring all of my food. I'd begin preparing my food for 3-4 days on Saturday afternoons and Tuesday's or Wednesday's for the rest of the week. Yes, lots of sacrifices must be made. I starting prepping and pre-packaging my meals to carry several with me for eating at the allotted times. I'd trained my body to be a "fat burning machine", so if I was delayed eating any of my meal, my stomach would instantly start burning, within about 15 minutes, to let me know it was time to eat. So I did.
Because I choose to compete with the Naturally Fit Organization competition in 2016, I trained and prepared longer than most. Which was good for me. This is the benefit of learning about muscle maturity, muscle conditioning and equal muscle development. I learned more about the different organizations and was able to decide which one "I" wanted to do. I'd had the small liberty of eating some of the Holiday indulgences like sweet potato pie, cornbread dressing, lots of turkey breast, cranberry sauce etc., and on occasions a few walnuts. Though I didn't overly do it, my body didn't respond to it very well. So once was good enough for me. I was also able to have my cheat meals which was two beef fajita tacos, lots of fixing (except cheese) and chips and salsa. Yummy! I can remember when I learned I can now have cheat meals. Cheat meals are when you choose "a meal", usually at the end of the week, and indulge in a bit more than normal amount of carbs and a different type of protein. One you can have once a week, not the whole weekend. I remember my first cheat meal, though I was no longer bothered by not eating sugar, I'd began to look forward to those weekend meals. I didn't want to go over board and reverse all the work I'd done. But after the Holidays come and gone, January it's all business as usual. I have to be honest there are times when bored, I was anxious, I thought and felt like the processes I was "growing thru", seemed never ending. I must confess, it was moments like this, I wanted to snack. Not because I was hungry or wasn't enjoying my new lifestyle....just felt like I wanted something different or needed to do something different.
Sidebar: One thing for sure, this was something I was destined to do. Not just become a bodybuilder, but develop better eating habits that I could enjoy for the rest of my life. I've been eating this way now for at 9 months now. The same plan my Nutritionist/Coach gave me for the beginning. So it's definitely a habit I've conformed to and I have "no regrets". It works for me. I feel that if I'm eating this way, I'm 50 years of age, still burning body-fat, still putting on muscle and dripping pounds....to top it off, "my body is still functioning as God as ordained it to function" (meaning I still have my monthly cycle...every 28 days), yea it works for me. I'm healthy. Perhaps in the best shape of my life.
Upon starting to preparing for a competition (and especially toward the end of your time preparing) you will have to either reign in on those occasional indulgences that make Bodybuilding eating fit in with a robust social life. I'm pretty discipline so it wasn't hard for me to do. Many competitors begin feeling isolated from their non-athletic friends and family members
when they start avoiding birthday parties, office parties and the socials, restaurants and bars. That's was never a "must do" habit of mine. Nor did I "must have" a daily/nightly cocktail. I'm not knocking anyone who has those desire, it just wasn't mine.
Competition preparation can be very lonely, depending on the interests of your friends and loved ones. The hours you used to spend relaxing after work, or drinking a cup of coffee in the morning before heading out the door will be filled instead with hours in the gym. I still have my morning meditations, I just had to get up earlier. I trained most afternoon, so by the time I'm done, my body is fatigued. I'm thinking its 3:00pm and I certainly (sometimes) don't have time to take a nap. However, the results are fantastic. I feel amazing. I can wear anything I desire and don't have to be concerned about my physique. I can encourage you that your hard work will pay off, but there are sacrifices to be made. Whatever your fitness goals are....Don't Quit!!!!
