Classic Physique – Presentation

As you follow both your nutrition and workout programs to a tee, you will be well on your way to developing a Classic Physique which highlights proportion, symmetry, pleasing lines, and a small waist. Aesthetics are as important as muscularity and in order to display your physique to its best advantage you’ll need to practice your presentation. If your goal is to compete in the “Classic Physique” division you’ll need to know the rules of competition. The prejudging will consist of semi-relaxed quarter turn comparisons and these five compulsory poses.

The Classic Physique Compulsory Poses

Front Double Biceps
Side Chest
Back Double Biceps
Abdominal and Thigh pose
Favorite Classic pose (most muscular is not permitted)

In the finals you’ll perform your posing routine (up to a maximum of 60 seconds) and if you win your class you’ll compete in a posedown for the overall title.

Here are some tips to get started on a structured posing practice regimen:

• Remember! “Classic Physique” competition is posing! No one will ask what you can bench press or squat. How you present yourself and look on stage is all that counts.

• Start posing practice two days per week at 12 weeks out.

• Start with 2 sets of each pose (quarter turns and mandatories) for 10 seconds. For the next four weeks hold each pose for an additional 5 seconds each week.

• Spend most of your time practicing on your front facing pose and finding which variations of your compulsory poses best highlight your physique.

• Start each pose from your feet up to make certain your legs are flexed.

• Work your way around in a circle hitting every pose.

• After completing all of the quarter turns and compulsory poses, that’s one set. Do 2 total sets.

Eight weeks posing practice schedule: Start at 2 sets of each pose for 20-30 seconds. For the next four weeks hold each pose for an additional 5 seconds each week.

Remember to start each pose from the feet up - make sure to keep your legs flexed, suck in your gut, lift your chest, and relax your facial muscles.

• Front stance

• Quarter turn to the right

• Quarter turn to the rear

• Quarter turn to the right

• Quarter turn to the front

• Front Double Biceps

• Side Chest

• Back Double Biceps

• Abdominal and Thigh pose

• Favorite Classic pose – this should be your best pose. Experiment until you find the exact variation of a pose that best highlights your symmetry, proportion, and muscularity. Then practice it to perfection.

10-minute Prejudging Drill:

Make a 10-minute recording where you call out quarter turns and poses just like the head judge at prejudging. This drill is tremendous for practicing quarter turns. No rest between poses; stay tight the entire drill.

For variation get a video of an actual prejudging off of You Tube and go through it just like you’re on stage.

The Individual Routine:

Six weeks out (or sooner) start working on your individual routine. Your posing routine should complement your strong points (e.g. symmetry, shape, conditioning, etc.) while at the same time expressing personality.

• You can develop your routine by starting with the mandatory poses, then add a few flattering optional poses. You’ll be able to find many classic physique photos on the web. Mimic each pose you see and determine which ones feel comfortable and flatter your strong points.

• Your routine should be based solely on your strongest poses. This is your opportunity to show the judges only what you want them to see.

• Select your music well in advance and make a professional quality CD. Often it is nearly impossible to create a posing routine based on your favorite song. It is usually better to choose your music to fit your routine, not vice versa. Record only the 60 seconds of music on which you will base your routine. Don't record the entire song. Make a “posing practice CD” with your 60-second selection recorded over and over with a 30 second delay between cuts. You can practice your routine over and over without restarting the CD.

Points to Remember:

• You will often be asked to hold the front facing pose on stage much longer than the others. You should continue to hold this stance anytime you are on stage throughout the show when you are not being directly judged or as others are "called out". Never completely relax and always keep your leg tensed.

• Practice hitting the poses with your eyes closed and then opening them to see if you are hitting each pose correctly. Remember, on stage you have no mirror.

• It is not necessary to complete all of your posing "sets" at one session, but be sure to complete all scheduled "sets" of each posing round - facings, mandatories, and individual routine with music - by the end of each day.

• Posing sessions are one of the key factors in developing hardness and muscle separation - you can overdo training or cardio but you can’t pose too much

Remember, these are maximum symmetrical measurements, and it is your proportions that count. In other words they are the maximum measurements for a body part without getting out of proportion. A good goal is to aspire to reach 90% of the maximum. For example, if your wrist measures 7”, the maximum symmetrical arm measurement would be 18”. 90% of 18” is 16.2” which would be very commendable. If you’d like a website to do the math for you go to: www.muscleandstrength.com/tools/ideal-measurements

Steve Reeves also devised a chart that determines the maximum ideal weight for a person’s height en route to building a classic physique. A 6’ male’s ideal weight is 200 lbs. At 5’11” it goes to 190 lbs and at 6’1 to 210 lbs. After that every inch below 5’11” results in a reduction 5 lbs per inch. Every inch above 6’ results in an addition of 10 lbs. At 5’8” the ideal weight is 175 lbs and at 6’3”, it is 230 pounds. Again, the 90% of maximum criteria is a worthy goal for Classic Physique competition.

The NPC has developed their own chart of acceptable heights and weights which you can find on their website at www.npcnewsonline. com. They are a little more lenient and go above Reeves’ maximum weights. For example, a competitor 5’11”- 6’ may weigh up to 207 lbs. One who is 5’7 up to 5’8” may weigh 177 lbs. In Classic Physique there is no advantage to weighing in at the top of your class, symmetry and proportion are what counts, not size.

In this article we have laid out a comprehensive program to help you achieve a “Classic Physique”. If you are training for a specific contest we’ve given you a step-by-step guide to follow. If you follow it to the letter – nutrition, supplements, training, and posing practice – whether you compete or not, you’ll be in the best shape of your life.

Classic Physique – Training

There are three parameters of progress that you should be concerned with during both Phase 1 and Phase 2 training:

• Increase reps with same weight

• Increase weight for the same rep range

• Decrease rest intervals between sets – if your strength seems to have plateaued as you get closer to your contest, performing the same number of sets in less time becomes a very valuable form of progress.

It is very important to work each muscle through its fullest range of motion using complete extension and contraction on each exercise.

Use a workout journal to keep your progress on track. It can be a spiral notebook or as fancy as you like. Keep track of every training session. Use the “star method” to track your progress. Every time you use a heavier weight than before on a set, get more reps with a particular weight, or complete a series of sets in less time give yourself a star in your journal. A 10 Star workout means you did an extra rep or used more weight on at least ten sets during your workout. Finish a bodypart in record time and you get another star.

1. Pyramid Training:

Add weight lower the reps each set.

Set 1: 12 reps with a very easy warm-up weight – not all you can do for 12 reps

Set 2: 10 reps still pretty easy

Set 3: 8 reps – use a weight you could get for 9 – 12 here but stop at 8

Set 4: 6 reps – use a weight you could get 6 – 8 reps with but stop at 6

Set 5: 4 – 6 reps - a max set. Here’s where you can earn stars in your training journal. Once you reach 6 reps add weight to the final 3 sets (which will earn a star on each of these sets next time) and start back at 4 reps on set #5. Exercises using the Pyramid system are marked with *.

2. Double Progressive System:

Use the same weight for all sets. Start at the low end of the suggested rep range. Gradually increase the repetitions, usually adding one rep each week until you reach the top number of suggested reps for each set of a particular exercise. Then add weight and start over at the lower end of the rep scheme. Exercises where you should use the Double Progressive System are marked **.

3. Feeder Workouts:

A feeder workout is performed two days after your primary workout for a specific bodypart. We have included feeder workouts for the shoulders, lats, and calves – full development of these body parts are essential in developing a classic physique. The feeder workout is a single all out rest-pause set where you complete a set of 6-10 reps taken to failure, followed by a short break (just long enough for you to take three to four slow, deep breaths), and immediately continue on to failure a second time (you should get somewhere between three and six additional reps, depending on the level of muscular endurance and the muscle fiber composition of the particular bodypart). At this point, take another short pause before going for one to four more (as many as you can get) reps. This will not only provide a nutrient-rich flush of fresh blood but will provide maximal muscle cell activation in minimum time.

DB or BB Bench Press* (pyramid) 5x12/10/8/6/4-6 - Dumbbells are preferred if you can give up the barbell bench press in developing squared off “gladiator pecs” preferred in the classic physique

Incline DB Press (double progressive) ** 3x6–8 reps constant weight. First session do 6 – 6 – 6 and gradually add reps and earn stars until you get to 8 – 8 – 8 then add weight and start back at 6. If you get bored adding reps, reduce rest time between sets to earn additional “stars.”

DB Flyes** 3x8–12

DB Pullovers** 3x8–12 (These work the serratus muscles. “The serratus magnus muscles are the ‘jewel-like’ muscles of your chest … they add width to the chest, shape, muscular definition – as well as classic beauty.” ~ Vince Gironda)

Close Grip Bench Press* (pyramid) 4x12/10/8/5–7

Start your Phase 2 training program eight weeks out from your contest. During Phase 2 training you’ll be doing a lot of supersets. Supersets allow you to get more work done in less time. Remember, less rest between sets is one of the parameters of progress. Your Phase 2 training will be more focused on improving your proportions and increasing your chest to waist ratio. Note: Steve Reeves, one of the all-time best examples of the “classic physique”, is reported to have attained a 23” differential between his chest and waist measurement. A good goal for you is 15” or more. If your expanded chest measures 45”, your waist would measure 30” or less. As your diet becomes stricter during phase 2, it will become harder and harder to increase reps or poundage, so reducing the time between sets becomes more and more important. You’ll be supersetting antagonistic muscle groups to improve balance and proportion as well as to add a fat burning aspect to your training.

It’s not necessary to “run” from one exercise to the next when supersetting. After you complete a superset rest 60-90 seconds and then start your next set. Since you will be working each bodypart twice every eight days, we will no longer be performing feeder workouts.

Train three days on – one day off:

Day 1: Chest and Back

Day 2: Legs

Day 3: Shoulders and Arms

Day 4: Off; Repeat

Classic Physique – Nutrition

Have you been itching to compete but don’t feel you are quite big enough for Bodybuilding and also aren’t crazy about competing in Men’s Physique? A new division called “Classic Physique” could be just the thing for you. It’s planted firmly between the extremes of the massive, ripped muscle prioritized in Bodybuilding and the smaller, cover model look of Physique divisions. Many of you will naturally fall into this category based on your structure and genetics. Plus, if you’re goal is to look more like Frank Zane, or even closer to Arnold, than Kai Greene, you now have a competitive outlet.

As regular readers of No Nonsense already know, BI users and followers of our diet methods have been achieving this type of look for years. A physique where shape, symmetry and a pleasing athletic, muscular look is rewarded. It’s the type of overall physique that the majority of men will see and say, “That’s what I would like to look like”. And most women will prefer looking at!

Best of all it’s a look that’s realistically achievable for most aspiring natural competitors with hard work, dieting and proper supplementation. Going to “extremes” is not necessary and it can be balanced with your real life that includes jobs and families.

This is a brand new division and we’re going to get you way ahead of the curve by presenting a complete program to achieve the “Classic Physique”. Whether your goal is to compete, or to just do it for yourself, in the remainder of this article we’ll provide a 3-Phase Nutrition Program, a specialized 2-Phase Workout including “Feeder Workouts” to help you develop your “Classic Physique”, and if you wish to compete, we’ll also include a Presentation Section to help you better show off your “Classic Physique”. In closing we’ll include a Table of Classic Physique measurements to give you specific body part goals to shoot for.

“Classic Physique” Nutrition

Your Classic Physique nutrition plan is designed help you gain and retain muscle while you lean out. You should start your diet for the contest as early as possible. Don’t wait until the last minute. The earlier you start, the more time you will be able to spend in Phase 1 (the Musclebuilding phase). There are 3 diet phases in all. Each one emphasizes excellent food choices which will allow you to keep gaining muscle where you need it while you whittle away fat from your waist and other problem areas.

Start the Phase 1 nutrition plan at least 16-20 weeks out from your contest date. The first phase is designed to help you gain as much muscle as you can while increasing your muscularity. But even this early in your preparation, you should still focus on achieving that classic small waist, so losing fat is also a priority. Train as heavy and hard as possible, but use textbook form and concentrate mentally and physically on improving any weak points in your physique. The recommended high protein foods and quality supplements will allow you to continue to make improvements to your physique so make every training session count.

Note: In the meal plan below if you weigh less than 165 lbs reduce meat and carb portions listed by 2oz. (All meats are weighed prior to cooking.)

Meal 1: 2 whole eggs + 4 egg whites, 6oz lean meat, ½ cup oatmeal – (measured before mixing with water and cooking)

Meal 2: (Choose one option)
Option A: Protein Drink with two scoops Ultimate Muscle Protein, 1-2 tablespoons healthy fat source (olive oil, flax oil, almond butter) or heavy whipping cream.

Option B: 8oz lean beef or chicken or 10-12oz tuna, one small apple or orange

Meal 3: 8oz lean meat (chicken or other lean protein source), 6oz sweet potato or 2/3 cup cooked brown rice, 2 cups vegetables (broccoli, etc.) or green salad with 4 tbsp vinegar and oil dressing

Meal 4: (same options as meal #2)

Meal 5: 10oz very lean meat (chicken breast, fish, turkey breast, lean beef - sirloin, filet, etc.), 2 cups vegetables, salad with 2 tbsp vinegar and oil dressing

Meal 6:
Option A: Protein Shake or Pudding: 2 Scoops Ultimate Muscle Protein, add enough water to make a shake or pudding the consistency you desire

Option B: 8 egg whites + 2 whole eggs or 6oz beef, 1-2 cups vegetables

Glutamine Select – take 2-4 scoops during training to preserve muscle during precontest dieting.

Muscle Synergy – if you want to continue to add muscle, get a great pump every workout, and can afford it – then Muscle Synergy is for you. You have to take enough though, eight tablets or 1 scoop twice a day if you weigh less than 185; if you’re a light heavy or heavyweight you’ll benefit most from 24 tablets or 3 scoops per day. Muscle Synergy holds lean muscle tissue while dieting better than anything. We just don’t always recommend it to everyone because of the expense.

Creatine Select – will help you keep your strength up and train harder while dieting so that’s another product you should consider. Take 5 scoops per day with meals for the first 5 days, then 2 scoops daily on training days, and 1 scoop on non-training days.

Meal 1: 8oz lean beef or turkey, 3 egg whites, 1 yolk, 1 grapefruit

Meal 2: Protein Drink: 2 scoops UMP or Muscle Provider, 1 tbsp healthy fat (olive oil, flax oil, almond butter, etc.) or 1 tbsp heavy whipping cream

Meal 3: 8oz chicken or turkey breast (weighed prior to cooking), 2 cups vegetables

Meal 4:
Option A: Protein Drink: 2 scoops UMP or Muscle Provider, 1 tbsp healthy fat (olive oil, flax oil, almond butter) or 1 tbsp heavy whipping cream

Option B: 6oz can tuna or 5oz chicken, 3 egg whites, 1 whole egg, 1 tomato

Meal 5: 10oz lean meat (chicken, turkey, fish, 93% or leaner beef, etc.), 4 cups salad (lettuce, tomato, carrot, cucumber, green peppers, etc.), 2 tbsp cider vinegar and 1 tbsp olive oil for a dressing

Meal 6: 5oz chicken or turkey breast; 6 egg whites, 1 cup omelet vegetables

Monday and Thursday: In place of meal 6 (or as an added 7th meal if you weigh over 185 and your condition warrants it): 1.5 cups oatmeal (precooked) or cooked rice, 10oz sweet potato, 1 medium banana, 1 cup vegetables, 1 tbsp butter, almond butter or oil

Meal 1: 5oz lean beef or turkey, 6 egg whites + 1 whole egg, 1/2 grapefruit

Meal 2:
Option A: Protein Drink: 2 scoops Ultimate Muscle Protein or Muscle Provider, 1 tablespoon healthy fat or heavy whipping cream (optional), 4 strawberries (optional), 16oz water

Option B: 6oz tuna or chicken, 3 egg whites + 1 whole egg, 1 tomato

Meal 3: 8oz chicken (weighed prior to cooking), 4 cups salad (lettuce, tomato, carrot, cucumber, green peppers, etc.), 2 tbsp cider vinegar and 1 tbsp olive oil for a dressing

Meal 4:
Option A: 6oz tuna or chicken, 3 egg whites, 1 whole egg, and 1 tomato or a cup of vegetables

Option B: Protein Drink: 2 scoops Muscle Provider, 12oz water (if post training); or 2 scoops Ultimate Muscle Protein

Meal 5: 8oz lean meat (chicken, turkey, fish or 93% lean beef, etc.), 2 cups vegetables

Monday and Thursday: Add a 6th meal at the end of the day: 1.5 cups oatmeal (precooked) or cooked rice, 10oz sweet potato, 4oz banana, 1 cup vegetables, 1 tbsp butter, almond butter or oil

Women’s Physique: My Journey from Competitive Boxer to Women’s Physique Competitor

Age: 39 (will be 40 on July 3rd)

Occupation: Branch Manager for Mueller Roofing Distributors, I am 5th generation in our family-owned business.

Family: Curt (husband), sons Christian (age 22 and also a body builder), Tristan (19) and Trenton (19) (twins)

Current Residence: Liberty Township, Ohio

Years training: 3 years

Height: 5' 2"

Weight: 130 (Off-Season), 122 (Contest)

Favorite UMP recipe (off-season treat): Peanut Butter Protein Bites - 1/3 cup natural peanut butter, 1/4 cup honey, 1 scoop chocolate UMP, 3 tbsp ground flaxseed, 3 tbsp mini dark chocolate chips. Mix all ingredients together. Form dough into quarter size bites. Store in the refrigerator.

Favorite BI Supplement: Muscle Mass - This is an excellent BCAA! I used it throughout my prep to aid in muscle preservation and muscle recovery. Taking Muscle Mass during training is the secret to sustaining my intense training schedule.

Supplement Recommendation: Make it simple! Start small... more isn't always better. Follow the BI plan that best aligns with your goals.

Music: Anything from the 80s and 90s to current: Van Halen, White Snake, Prince, Journey, Eminem, Alter Bridge, Metallica and Anthrax

Most Inspiring Book: The Servant by James C. Hunter

Hobbies: Boating with my family, reading, and traveling

Words to live by: "You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win and expect to win." ~ Zig Ziglar

I have always been an avid fitness enthusiast. I was raised in a very active household and physical activity has always been a part of my life. In the ‘80’s it was aerobics and later, Tae Bo. But, deep down I always wanted to be like one of the “fit” girls on the magazine covers. Although I tried to stay active as I raised a family, I really couldn’t dedicate any significant time to fitness until my sons grew older. In 2012 I began taking cardio boxing classes at a local gym and fell in love with it. After a year of boxing for fun and fitness, I decided to take it to the next level and began training to box competitively. My first tournament was at the 2014 Arnold Classic. I came in second. What an amazing experience! Following that tournament I continued to train and looked forward to my next fight.

Then, in the fall of 2014, my oldest son, Christian competed in a bodybuilding competition. It was the Natural Ohio, hosted by Dave Lieberman. My husband and I made the trip to cheer him on. We really enjoyed the show and were proud and thrilled when Christian placed first in several classes. Another highlight of the show was the Women’s Physique competition. I was completely taken aback and in awe of those women. I loved their combination of femininity and muscle without the glitz and glam of those in the Figure or Bikini divisions. Right then and there I knew that I wanted to compete in Women’s Physique. I nudged my husband and said, “I can do that…I know I can do that!”

And so my “physique” journey began. Being an “all in or all out” girl, I knew I needed help if I was going to successfully make the switch from boxer to physique competitor. Training and diet changes would be a necessity. Instead of emphasizing quickness and conditioning alone, I needed to eat and train for muscle growth and development while minimizing bodyfat. Luckily, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with some amazing coaches. Coach Rob Quimby, former bodybuilding champion and owner of Fitness Lifestyle Personal Training, along with Coach Tina Triguero, IFBB Pro and owner of Tfit Training, gave me all of the tools that I needed to succeed.

I am a busy girl so I like to keep things simple. I do all of my meal planning and prep for the week on Sunday afternoons. It takes about 3 hours but saves me loads of time during the week and it keeps me on track. I cook 10 skinless chicken breasts at a time in the crock pot with salt and pepper, Flavor God seasoning, and 2 low sodium chicken bouillon cubes. I bake tilapia with lemon juice and a little pepper. I pre-cut all of my veggies, separate them into servings and I place them all into disposable steamer bags for easy storage and cooking. Meals #2 and #4 are UMP Strawberry shakes. I prepare them the night before by adding 2 scoops to a shaker bottle with about 10oz water. I then put it in the freezer overnight. I take the frozen shake with me to work and by the time I’m ready to drink it, it’s a slushy! I LOVE it.

During my meal planning sessions, I also prepare my supplements in daily dosages and store them in a pill organizer to expedite things during the week. Beverly products were instrumental to my success. When boxing I had used various supplements, but my contest prep trainer said that Beverly was the best and helped me design a supplement plan to gain lean muscle mass while losing fat. I noticed a huge difference in my ability to gain muscle and lose fat. Here’s the program I used to lose more than 12% of my bodyfat in 20 weeks while securing all of my muscle.

UMP: (Chocolate and Strawberry) Strawberry is my favorite... a treat that tastes like cake batter!

Ultra 40: (3 with each meal)

Mass Aminos: (3 with each meal)...switched to Muscle Mass around 8 weeks out (3 with each meal and 10-15 total taken before, during and after training)

Lean Out: (2 upon rising and 2 with each meal)

7-Keto MuscLean: (3 upon rising and 3 mid-afternoon)

Joint Care: (3 capsules twice daily) I swear by this supplement...I have bad tennis elbow and as long as I keep this on board I am in good shape.

EFA Gold: (3 softgels twice daily)

Glutamine Select (2 scoops while training and 1-2 scoops throughout the day to curb hunger)

Kudos to Beverly and excellent customer service! The online ordering page is fantastic and repeat user friendly. My order is always spot-on and arrives at my doorstep within a day or two at the most!

Weight Training

I work a sedentary job from 7:30-4:30 daily, and then go right to the gym where I meet my husband. We train together for 1.5 – 2 hours, six days a week. We work with one of my coaches, Rob Quimby, on two of those days.

Rob and I focused on leaning out my legs while also improving shoulder and chest mass. Although I have a decent amount of muscle in my legs, I tend to carry some excess "baggage" there too. I trained them twice a week in completely different ways to lean them out and expose those detailed lines. My favorite leg exercises are squats alternating with 150# sled pushes. Here are the basic parameters for my training:

• Trained each body part twice weekly

• Focused on weight for reps (12-15 reps per set/4-5 sets each exercise/Increased weight with each set/Enough weight that the final few reps of the final set are very challenging and near failure)

• Use a lot of supersets

MONDAY: LEGS (MY FAVORITE)
Deep heavy Barbell Squats superset with 30-yard 150# Sled Pushes
Leg Extensions and Sissy Squats superset with 20-yard steep Hill Runs
Heavy barbell Walking Lunges superset with 40-yard Sprints
Weighted Jump Squats

TUESDAY: CHEST
Dips superset with Incline Dumbbell Press
Flat Dumbbell Press superset with Chest Flyes
Barbell Bench Press
Incline Barbell Bench Press
Dumbbell Pullovers superset with Push-ups

TUESDAY: BACK
Heavy Deadlifts superset with Seated Cable Rows
Chin-ups superset with One Arm Dumbbell Rows
Wide Grip Pulldowns superset with Bent-over Barbell Rows
Inverted Chin-ups using the TRX suspension trainer

WEDNESDAY: SHOULDERS
Seated Arnold Press superset with Behind the Head Pulldowns
Standing Dumbbell Press superset with Side Lateral Raises
Barbell Press in front of head and behind
Bent Over Rear Delt Raises superset with Barbell Upright Rows
Shrugs superset with Cable Face Pulls

WEDNESDAY: BICEPS / TRICEPS
Close Grip Pullover & Press superset with weighted Bench Dips
Skull Crushers superset with Tricep Pushdowns
Overhead Tricep Extensions using the rope/cable
Barbell Curls superset with Reverse Curls
Standing Dumbbell Curls superset with Hammer Curls
Preacher Curls or Concentration Curls over a bench

FRIDAY: LEGS (HEAVY)
Heavy Squats
Leg Press superset with Leg Curls
Romanian Deadlifts superset with Swing Squat Machine
Donkey Calf Raises superset with weighted Reverse Hyperextensions

Cardio

20-30 minutes of fasted HIIT cardio first thing in the morning on the treadmill, 6-7 days per week- incline jog/sprint.

Evening cardio following weight training: 20-30 minutes on the stationary bike 5-6 evenings per week.

The Results

I competed in my first show in March of 2015, the NPC Natural Ohio. I was thrilled to garner second place in the Women’s Physique Open “A” Class and win the overall in the Master’s Women’s Physique division. Four weeks later, I competed in the NPC Kentucky Derby and placed third in both the Women’s Physique Open Class “A” and Master’s Women’s Physique Class. It was a great start to what I know will be a challenging but rewarding experience in Women’s Physique. A big thank you to my awesome coaches, my amazingly supportive husband and family for helping me battle through this huge accomplishment.

Don’t Call It A Comeback!

For natural bodybuilders like Frank LaGarde, the situation can be different. Taking almost a decade away from the posing platform, did not remove him from the gym. Bodybuilding is a sport in which 99% of the athletic performance takes place before the day of competition. LaGarde's nine-year break was not a retirement.

“In addition to getting married and moving, doing too many shows in a three-year period burned me out,” LaGarde says. “I also knew I needed time to put on some muscle since I was squeezing into the middleweight class (at six-feet tall).”

Natural bodybuilding requires time, even for those possessing good genetics. Frank LaGarde definitely has some genetic advantages, including broad shoulders and a small waist. His V-taper exaggerates itself when he diets for a contest. “It's a gift and a curse. It helps you in bodybuilding but it is hard to buy clothes that fit you.” This is NOT a terrible burden.

Frank began lifting for basic recreational exercise after high school but he got serious in 1999, which led to him competing in 2000. “I went to a contest that one of my wife's college friends competed in and said, 'I can do that'”. Since Frank placed well in his early contests (and went on to win in the most of the ones he entered) he became hooked on competing. Here is a listing of his three hectic early years in the sport:

2004 NPC Natural Ohio
(Middleweight: 1st place)

2004 NPC Upper Ohio Valley
(Middleweight: 1st place)

2004 NABBA Canton Open
(Middleweight: 1st place)

2005 NPC Natural Ohio
(Middleweight: 1st place)

2005 NPC Upper Ohio Valley
(Middleweight: 1st place / Overall Champion)

2005 NABBA Canton Open
(Middleweight: 1st place / Overall Champion)

2005 NPC Mike Francois Classic
(Middleweight: 1st place)

2006 Team Universe (National Contest)
(Middleweight: 5th place)

2006 NPC Motor City Classic
(Middleweight: 1st place)

2006 NPC Ohio State Championships
(Middleweight: 1st place)

Resurgence

During his nine-year break from competitive bodybuilding, Frank's focus outside of the gym had been on marriage and career. In the gym, he slowly added muscle onto his new light-heavyweight build. He now plans to bring up his calves and traps before looking for the next areas required for ongoing construction.

Frank works from 8:30 until 5:00pm as a Sales Rep for AT&T-Midwest in the Small Business Sales department. His co-workers respect his bodybuilding goals and the job fits in well with his needs.

After work, he returns home, gets something to eat or drinks a shake, and makes it to the gym around 7:15. After work, Frank trains at Pep Wahl's Body Builders Inc in Akron, Ohio. Body Builders Inc is one of the country's best (and most under-rated) gyms. Need to chalk your hands? No worry about having to clean up after yourself. Chalk boxes are positioned throughout the gym. Body Builders' has an uncommon “men only” rule. What might seem like an outdated rule insisted upon by the landlord 35 years ago, does have its benefit for those that train there. Lack of the fairer sex removes the need for gym clothes that match. You don't see men in custom-designed athletic footwear, $60 gym hoodies, or matching lifting belt-and-shoe combos. Heck, even a hairstyle flattened by the pillow is not uncommon here. The vomit buckets get used and hard work is typical, with powerlifters, bodybuilders and non-competition gym meatheads all training hard and driven by their own purpose...whatever it might be.

Frank trains solo and likes to hit each body part twice a week. His training takes between 90 minutes to two hours, so he is home by around 9:00. This gives him just an hour to relax with his wife, Jennifer, before wrapping up his day.

Frank's approach in the gym doesn't change much pre- or post-contest. As the contest approaches, he does go a bit lighter, slightly reduces the rest periods, and does high rep burnout sets (with maybe 15-20 reps). For example, his chest training may involve a heavy pressing movement followed by higher reps pec deck or flyes.

Why does Frank not make big changes to his training as a contest approaches? “I don't let my body composition get out of control.” Like other smart and dedicated lifters, his off-season condition does not become sloppy with some type of “bulking” strategy. “At the recent NPC Natural Northern USA, I came down from around 212-213 and competed around 180.” This contest (promoted by Dave Liberman) is one of the largest regional drug-free contests in the country so Frank's overall wins in both the Open Class and Masters Class show that he properly filled out his now light-heavy frame. This made his return to the stage a success:

Maximum Potential

So why did Frank LaGarde make the decision to contact Beverly International? “My initial goal was to maximize my potential in order to get the very best results when competing,” Frank says. He started reading the No Nonsense Newsletter around 2000, but didn't try the products until 2003.

“When I first started bodybuilding, I was not using Beverly. But I decided to give Beverly a try. I noticed that the people winning at the shows were being featured in the No Nonsense Newsletters as loyal Beverly supplement users. That was proof enough for me!”

“I've been using BI supplements for so long, I do not have anything to compare it to. I guess that's pretty good.”

“I first met Steven Wade at the Beverly booth at the Arnold Classic, I believe it was 2002. We talked about the different products, mostly the protein powders.” When Frank decided to begin using Beverly he sent an email detailing his goals, and Steven was the Beverly Advisor Team member who replied. The two men crafted a contest diet that he has been using to this day. “Why change, if it's working?”

Frank's use of Beverly supplements is very diverse. His favorite products include Ultimate Muscle Protein (UMP), Provosyn, and Quadracarn.

In his off-season, Frank takes one scoop of UMP and one scoop of Provosyn, two to three times daily. He also adds in four Ultra 40 tablets and four Mass Aminos twice daily, first thing in the morning and in the evening post-workout. For overall vitamin/mineral support, he has a Super Pak in the morning. To fuel his training, he has two scoops of Glutamine Select post-workout or three scoops sipped during training. He wraps his intake up with Quadracarn, three tablets, three times a day.

Like many successful bodybuilders, Frank's supplement intake makes minor increases as the competition approaches. This is to protect against muscle loss when calorie intake and metabolism are more strictly controlled. He increases his intake of Ultra 40 and Mass Aminos to four of each with every meal (five times a day). He increases this to a sixth dose of the two products as the diet continues. Beverly’s Creatine Select is added in to keep his muscles full of creatine when glycogen may be a bit low. The contest prep period also includes two Lean Out and four Muscularity with each meal. GH Factor is also included with six capsules in the morning and another six before bed. As a final support, Frank includes three 7-Keto MuscLean capsules in the morning, followed by a second similar dose in the afternoon.

“I didn't want to waste time with a lot of guess work and experimentation. Beverly has definitely helped me with that. They’ve helped me meet my goals...from the very beginning up until current day. Their input has always been on the money. Even after I took nine years from competing, Steven was still there to help me get back into contest shape."

Frank's praise of Beverly International goes beyond his own contest victories and reflects his early views of the newsletter (which has now transformed into the No Nonsense magazine). He likes BI “mainly because they use "real world" people such as myself, not just professional bodybuilders and fitness models, but regular people who have to be at work every day. I think that goes a lot further, when discussing real world results."

In life, real world results are the barometer of success. This involves goals taken beyond wishful dreams to becoming accomplished objectives. Frank LaGarde's impressive extensive list of contest victories demonstrate real world results. And now his profile in a Beverly article may serve to inspire more future champions to accomplish their own real world results!

Meal Plan

Meal 1: 1 whole egg, 6 egg whites, 1 can tuna , 1 scoop Muscle Provider , ½ grapefruit

Meal 2: 1 can tuna mixed with 4 boiled egg whites

Meal 3: 8oz grilled chicken breast, 2 ½ cups green beans

Meal 4: 2 scoops Muscle Provider, 1 tomato or ½ grapefruit

Meal 5 (pre-workout): 1 can of tuna or 10 egg whites

Meal 6: 7oz turkey breast or 8oz white fish, 2 cups of steamed vegetables (usually broccoli)

On Mondays and Thursdays, I ate the following in place of my normal 6th meal:
1 ½ cups of oatmeal (measured before cooking) or 1.5 cups cooked brown rice, 10oz sweet potato, 1 banana, 1 cup vegetables, and 1 tablespoon butter

MONDAY: ABS, HAMSTRINGS, CHEST, BICEPS	Amount
Ab Crunches or Declined Sit Ups	4x25
Leg Curls	5x10
Straight-Leg Deadlifts	5x10
Chest Press Machine	5x10
Pec Deck Flyes	5x10 (sometimes superset with Dips 5 x10)
Standing Bicep Curls	5x10
Dumbbell Hammer Curls	5x10

TUESDAY: ABS, BACK, SHOULDERS, TRICEPS	Amount
Weighted or Machine Crunches	3x25
Lat Pull Down	5x10
Seated Rows	(sometimes superset with Shrugs 5x10)
Machine Shoulder Press	5x10
Lateral Raises or Upright Rows	5x10
Triceps Pressdowns	5x10
Overhead Triceps Rope Extensions	5x10

THURSDAY: ABS, CALVES, HAMSTRINGS, CHEST, BICEPS	Amount
Hanging Ab Crunches	4x25
Seated Calf Raises	5x10
Leg Press	5x10
Standing Ham Curls	5x10
Incline Chest Press	5x10
Wide Chest Press	5x10
Preacher Curls	5x10
Rope Curls	5x10

SATURDAY: BACK, QUADS, SHOULDERS, TRICEPS	Amount
Romanian Deadlifts	5x10
Front Squats	5x10
Reverse Grip Lat Pulldowns	5x10
T-Bar Rows	5x10
Machine Shoulder Press	5x10
Rear Delt Flyes	5x10
Single Arm Triceps Pressdowns	5x10
Overhead Triceps Extensions	5x10

Bodybuilding as a Lifestyle

Age: 38

Occupation: Owner, Body by Khoshal Personal Training; co-owner Lifestyle Fitness, Wilmette, IL

Family: Sophia, wife. We have a 3.5 year old daughter.

Years training (total): 16 years

Height: 5’8”

Weight: 210 (Off Season); 176 (Contest)

Favorite Bodybuilding Meal: Protein Pancakes made with sweet potato and two scoops of Muscle Provider.

Favorite Supplements: My favorite supplement is Muscle Provider Vanilla because I love the taste! I incorporated it in my morning pancakes, snacks, and shakes! I love the flexibility it has—I can mix it into anything! I also love Creatine Select. It not only gives me energy but most importantly, makes my pre-workout shakes delicious!

What would you recommend to someone who has never used Beverly supplements before? For somebody who has never used any Beverly supplements, I would definitely recommend Muscle Provider because it can be mixed into anything! It is honestly the best tasting protein that I have ever come across.

In your CD player: Nothing! I love my Sirius XM radio!

Most Inspiring Book: The Kite Runner

Hobby or interests outside bodybuilding: Going to the movies!

Words to live by: “All things are difficult before they are easy. It’s not about falling, it’s about getting back up. Success is not a skill, it is a persistent attitude.” - Marc

I always wanted to look “BIG” and fit. Growing up as a teenager in the 90’s, I was under the impression that lifting was all there was to “getting big”. Then, when I began training for my first competition I quickly learned that there was a lot more to it than just pumping iron. I had no idea that training went hand-in–hand with the right diet, the right supplements, and the right amount of cardio. Looking back, I did everything wrong. I dieted wrong, I trained wrong, I dehydrated trying to get the “dry look”, any mistake you could make, I made it. But, in the long run it was a valuable lesson. You progress in bodybuilding, as in life, by learning from your mistakes. After that first contest I knew I had a lot to learn and I applied myself to learning it. I continued to refine my training and cardio. And I even studied for and passed my personal training certification. Last year I also become a Certified Nutrition consultant.

The training aspect came easier for me than the nutritional one. My workouts were spot on but the results just weren’t there. I tried everything from calorie counting to intermittent fasting without any progress or results. The more I studied and the more nutritional techniques I experimented with, the more confused I became. Real results finally came when I started receiving the No Nonsense magazine! There were finally people I could relate to in this mag, not Mr Olympia or Mr Universe, but regular people who had attained the results that I was working so hard to achieve. Reading and analyzing their nutrition and supplement programs showed me how to fix my problem. I needed to speed up my metabolism. The solution was simple - eat small meals, many times throughout the day, and supplement with Lean Out and 7-Keto MuscLean. I dropped the fat that wouldn’t leave in almost no time at all! I added muscle building shakes, puddings, and brownies infused with delicious Muscle Provider at least twice each day. This made sticking to my muscle building, fat-busting nutrition plan so much easier. It didn’t feel like I was dieting at all! The Muscle Provider protein pudding and brownies killed all my cravings for sweets.

Now that I finally have a handle on all of the aspects of looking big and fit – training, cardio, nutrition, and supplements, I’d like to share it with you. I hope it will help you as earlier No Nonsense magazine articles helped me.

MONDAY: CHEST DAY	Amount
Barbell Bench Press	4x10, 8, 6, 4
Barbell Incline Bench Press	4x10, 8, 6, 4
Dumbbell Flyes	3x10, 8, 6
Parallel Bar Dips	3x15, 10, 8
Pullovers	3x15

TUESDAY: BACK DAY	Amount
Chin-Ups	4x10 minimum
Close-Grip Chins	4x10 minimum
T-Bar Rows	4x15, 12, 8, 6
Bent-Over Barbell Rows	4x8-12
Deadlifts	4x20, 15, 10, 6
Lat Pulldown	4x25, 20, 15, 10
Dumbbell Pull-Overs	4x20, 15, 10, 6

WEDNESDAY: LEG & ABS DAY	Amount
Squat	1x20 warmup, then 4x10, 8, 6, 4
Front Squats	4x10, 8, 8, 6
Hack Squats	3x10
Leg Curls	4x20, 10, 8, 6
Standing Leg Curls	4x10
Straight-Leg Deadlifts	3x10

WEDNESDAY: CALVES	Amount
Donkey Calf Raises	4x10
Standing Calf Raises	4x15, 10, 8, 8

WEDNESDAY: ABDOMINALS	Amount
Crunches	3x25
Bent-Over Twists	100 reps each side
Machine Crunches	3x25
Crunches	50 reps

THURSDAY: SHOULDERS	Amount
Behind-Neck Barbell Press	1x15 warmup, then 4x10, 8, 8, 6
Lateral Raises	4x8
Bent-Over Dumbbell Laterals	4x8
Dumbbell Shrugs	3x10
Barbell Shrugs	4x20
Upright Row	4x20

FRIDAY: ARMS	Amount
Standing Barbell Curls	5x15, 10, 8, 6, 4
Incline Dumbbell Curls	4x8
Concentration Curls	3x8
One-Arm Triceps Extensions	3x10
EZ Bar Curls	4x10-20

FRIDAY: FOREARMS	Amount
Barbell Wrist Curls	4x10
Reverse Wrist Curls	3x10

Nutrition

Preparation for a competition takes weeks, months or even years! I have to stay on a strict diet for at least 16 weeks, which used to be difficult because my mom is such an amazing cook. Coming from a large family and such a rich culture, dieting was hard in my household. Being persistent and proactive is what helped me cope and over the past couple years I have implemented my bodybuilding diet into my daily life, making it part of my lifestyle. I taught my family the importance of healthy eating. My mother even started implementing healthy substitutions into her cooking. Eating healthy, in my household, is now a part of our life. One tip I can give you is to always try to eat with someone, because eating in front of the TV or
the computer can lead to mindless over-eating.

Lean Out: (6 capsules per day) I consider Lean Out a must-have to keep my bodyfat in check.

7-Keto MuscLean: (3 capsules, twice a day) stimulates my metabolism to burn fat more quickly.

FitTabs: (2 tablets, twice daily) I can feel the difference in my energy and well-being when I take FitTabs.

Glutamine Select: (1-2 scoops before and/or after workouts) for muscle recovery.

Creatine Select: (1 scoop prior to workouts) builds size and strength.

Density: (5 tablets, twice a day) supplies the essential amino acids necessary to build muscle.

Muscle Synergy: (1 scoop in water during my workout) for pumps, strength, and muscle development.

Multiple Enzyme Complex: (1 or more tablets daily as needed) to help in digestion and assimilation of nutrients.

Cardio

My favorite type of cardio is the stair master. I usually have to be at work by 5am, so I wake up an hour early to do cardio. It’s such a great feeling and perfect for weight-loss because I do it on an empty stomach. My aim is always 45 minutes but going an extra 15 is never a problem, if I have time.

In Closing

Preparing for a competition is only a hobby but it is the #1 factor in helping me get in shape fast. Knowing a contest is approaching motivates me to become much more disciplined in my training and especially in my nutrition plan. And I love the outcome, especially if it’s a late spring or early summer show – just in time for my summer beach body. Since my first competition in 2009, I have done five more competitions. On November 22nd, 2014 I won the overall at the NPC Natural Muscle Classic in Rockford, IL. So whether you want to look “BIG” and fit like me, or just want to live a healthier lifestyle, I hope that this article inspires you the way past No Nonsense articles have motivated me.

Cydney Gillon – Second Generation Fitness Leader

Age: 23

Occupation: IFBB Pro Figure Competitor, Personal Trainer and Posing Coach

Education: University of Pennsylvania (Bachelor of Arts)

Current Residence: Douglasville, GA

Years Training: 8

Height: 5'3 3/4”

Weight: ~142 pounds in the off-season; contest weight varies

Favorite Fitness Meal: Protein Pancakes!

Favorite Supplements: UMP and Density - I used both primarily while I was in track season to make sure I was able to recover and make sure I did not burn off muscle since my cardio level was so high. Density allowed me to maintain my lean muscle tissue.

For someone who has never used Beverly before: I would say prepare to have your physique change; the better your supplementation, the better your physique. I always recommend starting with the Ultimate Muscle Protein (chocolate) because it is my favorite protein.

Hobbies: Yoga!

Words to live by: "If you want to succeed as much as you want to breathe... then, and only then, will you be successful."

“I started planning to get my junk food elsewhere, at school or at friend's houses,” says Cydney. “I had little restraint on what I would eat. So much so, I developed high cholesterol by the age of twelve. My cholesterol was so high that I would get sodium migraines and my doctor suggested I started taking medication.” Cydney's mother, who was already established as a daily user of Beverly products, decided against that. Besides her high cholesterol, Cydney consumed so much sugar that she developed very bad cavities. She knew it was time to change her lifestyle.

Cydney's childhood involved visits to the gym, an appreciation for discipline and hard effort, access to Beverly International products, and now an understanding that what you eat brings about ramifications. Much like her parents, her change was not a gradual one. She wanted to compete!

Cydney wanted to do fitness but did not have the gymnastic-based tumbling skills so decided to do figure. “The sparkle and the heels are what drew me to figure,” says Cydney. She wanted to compete at 13, but was discouraged by promoters. Since they had no teen classes she was directed towards novice, but insisted on the open class. One of the promoters told Cydney that she could do a show when she was 14, making sure she had some time to reconsider. Unlike most children, she had her mind set.

“When I was fourteen, I did my first show,” says Cydney.” “And that was all she wrote from there!” Eight years later, Cydney has competed in more than a dozen shows and earned her IFBB pro card. In addition to the support of her parents, she also inherited great genetics, including a narrow hip structure and broad shoulders. “Just add muscle to it and it gives me a V-taper.”

Through her scholastic career, Cydney also excelled at sports, particularly track. Her powerful legs made her a natural sprinter, which led to her becoming a varsity track athlete at the University of Pennsylvania. She graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor's degree in psychology.

Shortly after turning twenty, Cydney won the 2012 NPC Nationals. She has also placed in the top ten of all eight pro shows that she has competed in. This includes the Figure Olympia, where she placed ninth and eighth (2014 and 2015) and a ninth-place finish at the Arnold Classic-Figure International. Most impressively, she is the two-time Chicago Pro IFBB Wings of Strength Pro Figure champion.

She earns her living as a personal trainer, posing coach, and choreographer. Although young, her accomplishments allow her to motivate clients and pass on the knowledge for them to succeed.

Training

Training is one of Cydney’s favorite ways to spend her time. She enjoys the struggle for improvement and overcoming the challenge of the weights. Pushing herself is what relaxes her. “The main thing I have learned in my years of training,” says Cydney, “is to pay attention to your body and know what works for you.”

Cydney lifts at least three times a week. She splits her body into three parts: 1) chest and back, 2) shoulders, and 3) hamstrings and quadriceps. She does not train her arms at all.

In the off-season, she spends about two hours in the gym in a typical session. As a contest approaches, she speeds things up and tries to finish within an hour. Her training varies, but here is one of her favorite intense workouts as follows:

BICEPS	Amount
E-Z bar Bicep Curls	3x15 (Rest 1 min)
Hammer Curls	3x15 (Rest 1 min)
Concentration Curls	3x15 (Rest 2 min)

TRICEPS	Amount
Tricep Pushdowns	3x15 (Rest 1 min)
Tricep Dumbbell Kickbacks	3x15 (Rest 1 min)
Reverse Tricep Cable Extensions	3x15 (Rest 2 min)
Standard push-ups	2x10
Diamond Push-ups	2x10 (All final sets 30 seconds rest)
Cool down and static stretch

If you are not able to do body weight pushups, push yourself to not drop to your knees. You want to give each rep a try, so do one and if you do not complete the rep, reset mentally and try again until you get to 10.

If you have absolutely no upper body strength in the beginning, complete a straight arm plank, with legs slightly separated. Hold your abs tightly, and relax into the plank with no arch in your back, for a count of 20 slow counts.

Eventually you can work your way up to a full push-up.

Cydney changes her diet depending on her condition and goals. Some of the basic principles of her current eating protocol include:

• She generally likes to eat six meals a day.

• To keep her metabolism up, she eats every two-and-a-half to three hours a day.

• Hydration is important. She drinks at least a gallon of water a day.

• Her diet is super high protein, moderate carbs, low fat, with lots of veggies for roughage.

For Cydney, a typical day's eating would be like the following:

Meal 1: ½ cup oatmeal, 6 egg whites, ½ grapefruit

Meal 2: Protein Pudding! (Ultimate Muscle Protein), 1 tbsp almond butter

Meal 3: 5 oz. lean protein , 2 cups veggies, 3 oz. sweet potato

Meal 4: UMP protein pudding or shake

Meal 5: 4-5 oz. lean protein , 2 cups veggies

Meal 6: 4 oz. lean protein or UMP shake

“This year I worked on keeping more of a balance,” says Cydney. Even after a contest diet, her childhood junk food binges cannot be a part of a pro figure competitor's life. This is not acceptable if she wants to advance in the rankings. “I put together a plan in advance on what I was going to eat after the show, so I wasn't going to go crazy. I also chose a date in which I was going to get back on a stricter plan so that things didn't get out of control.” That is a realistic and wise strategy.

Due to her parents' influence, Cydney grew up with Beverly products. “Beverly is the only supplement line I have taken since day one. It has been a staple for my entire career. I will never go without it the rest of my life. It is going to be here to stay.”

Here are some of her favorite products:

Ultimate Muscle Protein: Cydney regularly consumes Beverly protein. “I used to be a protein shake lover, but I read in one of the Beverly magazines people talking about the pudding. So I had to try it out in pudding form, and I haven't had a shake since. I'm addicted to them! You have got to try mixing a scoop of chocolate with a scoop of strawberry!”

Density: Cydney uses Density three times a day to keep her body charged with high quality amino acids. “I take Density to make sure I maintain my muscle during hard workouts.”

Super Pak: She covers all her bases with a quality multi-vitamin and mineral combo. “After breakfast, Super Pak keeps my immune system on track. Without it, I don't feel as energized.”

Fast-Up: Cydney takes this to sharpen her focus, boost her energy and get the most from her training (without jitters). She recommends, “Take it pre-workout if you need a little more energy.”

Conclusion

As Cydney approaches a new competition season, her goal is to compete at the Arnold Classic and qualify again for the Olympia. Her long-term goal is to win both contests (and not just once).

"Having made it to the Arnold and the Olympia were big stepping stones for me," says Cydney. "The best of the best are there. It is an honor to be among them."

She has a unique situation as a top pro competitor. Although she is always the youngest in the show, she often has more experience than most in the lineup. Her future is bright as Cydney’s body continues to mature and she gets more experience in IFBB competition.

Success requires more than just training, nutrition, and supplements. A proper mental state is also important. To succeed, Cydney feels that you need to be secure in yourself and remain steadfast. “You can't let anyone's opinion let you falter from your goals. You need to press on. Life doesn't stop for your shows so you need to be resilient and bounce back from whatever is going on.” Success requires both strength and passion. Cydney Gillon has shown that she has both in quantity!

Becoming the Best Version of Me… is more Important than any Contest Placing

Age: 21

Occupation: Student, University of Kentucky Graduate School (Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a Focus on Exercise Physiology and Human Nutrition), future Physician’s Assistant.

Family: Mother, Father, and one older sister.

Current Residence: Lexington, KY

Years training (total): 4 years total. October 2014 started training for my first competition with my coaches, Gene and Tina Goode.

Height: 5’2”

Weight: 125 lbs (off-season), 118 lbs (competition)

Favorite Fitness Meal: 4 pan-cooked egg whites mixed with 1/3 cup oats (I use Simple Truth instant Oatmeal) and 2 packets of Truvia, 1/2 grapefruit, and one large cup of Stash Moroccan Mint green tea sweetened with Truvia.

Favorite supplements: My favorite supplements are Lean Out and 7-Keto MuscLean. I started taking both supplements 10-12 weeks out from a competition to help me burn fat more efficiently. My all-time favorite supplement is Fit Tabs. I take them year-round for immune system support and they work better than any over-the-counter vitamin I have tried!

What would you recommend to someone who has never used Beverly supplements before? Before you even consider taking a supplement, determine what your goal is and do your research to familiarize yourself with the supplements... Are you overweight? Underweight? Based on where you are and your goal(s), decide which supplements will get you from where you are to where we want to be. I did this with the help of my coaches, but if you don't have a coach or someone to help you select the right supplement(s), Beverly International has an expert team standing by the phones to help walk you through your selection process. I started with UMP. Later, they added Lean out, then 7-Keto MuscLean, and so on. Slowly, but surely, we developed a supplement regimen that was just right for my body and my goals.

Music: My music selection goes from one extreme to another. One minute I’m blaring rap and the next I am screaming my lungs out to some old school Shania Twain.

Most Inspiring Book: A Penny’s Worth of Character by Jesse Stuart, because you’re never too old to learn the value honesty from children’s literature.

Hobby or interests outside bodybuilding: I have a passion for motorcycles. I started riding dirt bikes when I was twelve and I bought my first street bike, a Yamaha YZF-R6, a few years ago. I also really enjoy traveling. I hope to see as much of the world as I possibly can in my lifetime.

Words to live by: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.”

A year ago, I would have laughed at the thought of joining the bodybuilding world and getting on stage, especially as a bikini competitor. Before I met my coaches, I struggled a lot on my diet and exercise regimen. I hated my body and my eating habits reflected this. I went through periods from eating poorly, to not eating at all, to binge eating. I stressed all the time about food. I was doing multiple workouts a day and ridiculous amounts of cardio just trying to burn as many calories as I possibly could. I wasn’t making any progress and my health had begun to suffer, not to mention my mental outlook. That is when a friend recommended I get a coach and things began to turn around for me.

After training with my coaches, Gene and Tina Goode, for a few months they encouraged me to compete. I decided to go for it, but I continued to struggle mentally. I’d look at other women and I wished I looked like them. No matter how many exhausting workouts I put myself through, or how much I dieted, I still didn’t look like the women I idolized. It wasn’t until a few weeks out from my first show that I realized the woman I wanted to look like was myself, at my best, and I am a work in progress. I am my own motivation and my only competition.

My first show was the Kentucky Derby Festival, in which I placed 6th in Bikini Open B, 9th in Bikini Novice B, and 3rd in Bikini Collegiate B. My second show was the KY Open State Championship, where I placed 3rd in Bikini Open B, 3rd in Bikini Novice B, and was Collegiate Bikini Overall Champion.

Sure, everyone on stage wants to win, but what I’ve learned is that beating my previous best self is more gratifying than any placing. Don’t get me wrong, bringing home hardware is awesome, but looking back and noticing all the progress you’ve made is what keeps me going. That brings me to my first piece of advice – take lots of photos throughout your journey to track your progress.

My second piece of advice is to make sure you understand that preparing for a competition and dedicating yourself to a fitness lifestyle are very different. Competing requires a whole other level of dedication and mental toughness.

Twelve months ago, the women who once I idolized to become, now is the woman I look at in the mirror. Through sacrifice, self-discipline and dedication, I now have two shows under my belt and my third competition prep is in full swing. My goal is to compete at Nationals and my dream is to one day be an IFBB Pro Bikini Competitor.

The following diet and exercise tips are how I approached my first two competition preps and how I’ve started on my third. My diet changes the closer I get to the day of the competition. The way my diet changes depends on my physique and how close I am to being stage-ready.

Meal 1 (8:00 AM): 4 egg whites; 1/3 c plain instant oatmeal, 1/2 grapefruit

Meal 2 (11:00 AM): 1 large UMP Rocky Road protein pancake; 1 tsp plain almond butter

In a bowl, mix 1 scoop of UMP Rocky Road, 3oz water, and 2 tbsp liquid egg whites. Spray a small pan with non-stick spray and pour protein batter in pan. The batter should be thick, but still able to spread across a small pan with the help of a spatula. Cook on one side until the top starts to bubble, then, flip. Cook the other side for 1-2 minutes, lightly pressing the top with a flat spatula. Check to make sure both sides are cooked as desired and serve. Goes great with a large cup of black coffee sweetened with Truvia!

Meal 3 (2:00 PM): 5oz chicken breast, turkey breast, tilapia, or tuna; 2 c spinach or salad of choice; 2 tbsp Newman’s Own Lite Balsamic Dressing

Meal 4 (5:00 PM): 1 scoop UMP Cookies & Crème protein pudding

In a small bowl, add 1 scoop of UMP Cookies & Crème and a little water. Mix. Add a little more water and mix again. Do this until the pudding is the desired consistency.

Meal 5 (8:00 PM): 5oz chicken breast, turkey breast, tilapia, or tuna; 2 c low-carb vegetables (broccoli, asparagus, or green peppers)

Meal 6 (11:00 PM): 4 egg whites with 1 c omelet vegetables, such as red pepper, mushrooms, or spinach (my three personal favorites)

Carb Loading (Monday & Thursday): This meal should be consumed within the hour right before bedtime. On Monday and Thursday evenings, carb loading replaces meal 6. If you start to feel extremely full during this meal do not force yourself to finish it all at once. Never make yourself sick trying to finish any of your meals in one sitting.

Water Intake: 1 gallon of water throughout the day. Water intake is important to stay hydrated and, as crazy as it sounds, avoids bloating. Competitors, I advise you to drink more than a gallon the closer you get to peak-week and throughout the final week itself. It will help you water deplete the day of the show.

Meal Prep Tips

As far as seasoning goes, I use Mrs. Dash seasonings on my meats and vegetables because they have no sodium. For my salads, I sometimes just use plain vinegar rather than dressing (I promise it’s not as bad as it sounds!). I cook all of my meats in a pan on medium to high heat and I steam all of my vegetables, except for the asparagus, which I generally bake for 15 minutes at about 350 degrees F. I suggest keeping a few cans of canned chicken and/or tuna as a back-up plan for days where you are short on time or just don’t feel like cooking. It will keep you from skipping a meal or eating something you normally wouldn’t on those hectic days.

I believe in flexible dieting, which is why the majority of the meals provide options. The times listed are based on a typical school/work day for me. Do I eat at exactly those times every single day? No. I do, however, always eat breakfast 30 minutes within waking, eat about every 3 hours, and eat my last meal as close to bedtime as possible. The point of a meal plan is to provide your body with essential nutrients throughout course of the day.

Cardio Schedule

HIIT TRAINING BEFORE WEIGHT TRAINING

Each weight training session begins with HIIT training. HIIT is not my favorite cardio type of cardio, but it definitely yields the best results. I think it is the most effective way to burn fat and preserve muscle. I stick to three forms of HIIT.

Treadmill: Warm-up by walking at a 2-3% incline for 2-5 minutes. Then, step to the sides and set the speed at a sprint. For me, that is about 8.4 mph. Hold onto the side panels and place yourself on the belt. Sprint for 20 seconds and then, holding onto the side panels, step to the sides. Rest for 10 seconds. Repeat. Do this for 10 minutes making your warm-up and sprint total 12-15 minutes.

Bike or Elliptical: Warm up by pedaling slowly for 2 minutes, gradually increasing the resistance to a relatively difficult setting. On a scale of 1-10, for me, that is about a 7. Once warmed up, sprint for 20 seconds and rest (pedal slowly) for 10 seconds. Repeat for a total of 10 minutes. Again, your warm-up and sprint total should be 12-15 minutes.

Stair Stepper: Warm up for about 2 minutes. I use the interval program and set it on intervals of 20 seconds at a high-speed climb and 20 seconds at a low-speed climb. Again, do 10 minutes of intervals, total of a 12 minute cardio session.

ADDITIONAL CARDIO AFTER WEIGHT TRAINING

Each weight training session is followed by 20-30 minutes of cardio Monday – Friday. No cardio is performed on Saturday or Sunday. My favorite machines for this additional cardio workout are the stair stepper or the elliptical. On the stair stepper I set it on intervals of 20 seconds highspeed climb and 20 second low-speed climb. This is the same as my stair stepper HIIT workout, but the duration of the exercise is longer. On the elliptical I also do intervals. The intervals are 4 minutes at low to moderate resistance and 4 minutes at high resistance. I generally split each resistance interval and pedal forward for the first two minutes and backward for the last two minutes. Sometimes, when I am in a time crunch, I will perform my cardio at another time of the day rather than after my weight session. On those days I generally perform cardio at my apartment, where I will jump rope, go for a jog, or do another round of HIIT on the treadmill.

MONDAY: ARMS	Amount
Superset: Close-Grip Press & Barbell Curls	(3x12 each)
Superset: Tricep Pushdown & Lying Cable Curls	(3x12 each)
Superset: Skull Crushers & Preacher Curls	(3x12 each)

TUESDAY: BACK	Amount
Chin-Ups	3x12
Dead Lift	3x12
Superset: One Arm Dumbbell Row & Cable Row	(3x12 each)
Tri-set: Close-grip Pulldown, Machine Row & Straight Arm Pulldown	(3x12 each)

WEDNESDAY: LEGS	Amount
Squats	4x12-15
Leg Press	2x50
Superset: Leg Extension & Leg Curl	(3x12 each)
Superset: Stiff Leg Dead Lift	(3x12)
Superset: Calf Raise	(3x20)

THURSDAY: SHOULDERS & TRAPS	Amount
Shoulder Press	3x12
Tri-Set: Side Raises, Front Raises & Bent-Over Raises	(3x12 each)
Super Set: High-Pulls & Reverse Pec Deck	(3x12 each)

FRIDAY: CHEST	Amount
Superset: Bench Press & Dumbbell Flyes	(3x12 each)
Superset: Incline Press & Decline Press	(3x12 each)
Superset: Raised Feet Push-ups & Pec Deck	(3x12 each)

SUNDAY: ABS
60 second Plank
50 Crunches
50 Reverse Crunches
60 second Plank
50 Mountain Climbers
25 Hanging Leg-raises
60 second Plank

Presentation Tips

Presentation will either make or break you on stage. Unfortunately, the judges don’t see how hard we work or how much time we dedicate to diet and exercise. What they see is just the few minutes you are on stage. Posing is everything. Your poses and your routine should complement your physique. No two competitors have the same presentation because no two competitors have the same physique. My coaches and I worked on my routine one day each week. If you are a bikini or figure competitor I suggest buying your competition shoes early and practicing in them. Practice your routine as if you are on stage every single time - from your smile to the way you flip your hair. It’s all about feeling comfortable and natural. The way you practice is the way you will execute your routine come competition day.

As far as beauty tips go, mine are quite simple – go with what you know. Your spray tan will cover the majority of your flaws. I get my face sprayed each time and I never wash it. You should wash your face if you plan to use an all-over face make-up. I leave the spray on to develop overnight and I use that as my all-over face color. I highlight my cheekbones with some bronzer and glam up my eyes with some eye shadow and liner. Then, layer on the mascara for dramatic effect. Lastly, I use a lip rosy lip color to add a little sass and make my teeth look a little brighter. I keep my jewelry flashy, yet subtle, and I do my own my hair in some simple style I am comfortable with. Basically, overall, I just stick to what I know and am used to.

My final piece of advice is that which I consider most important – stay true to yourself. You should pursue your fitness journey for no one other than yourself. Committing to competing is tough, but it is also inspiring. Some people will appreciate your hard work and dedication and others will not. Not everyone will understand what you do or why you do it and I’ve learned to be okay with that. What matters most is that you make yourself proud. Overall, just be honest, stay humble, and never settle.

Here’s How I Trained for 2 Half-Marathons and a Professional Bodybuilding Show …at the Same Time!

I am always up for a challenge. My wife runs marathons and I’m a natural pro bodybuilder. That made it hard for us to train together in the past. But, now that our daughters are no longer babies, I decided to train alongside her for a couple of half marathons, and then immediately transition into contest prep for a bodybuilding show. Now I know this goes against "traditional" bodybuilding wisdom. You’re supposed to add size during the off-season, not train for half-marathons. It was definitely going to be a challenge. My goals were to have a respectable time in the half marathons, yet come in full and conditioned a few weeks later for a professional bodybuilding contest. All four aspects of my traditional training would need an overhaul.

CHEST	Amount
Pushups	(2 sets wide, 2 sets shoulder width)
Smith Machine Bench Press (on floor)
Flat Dumbbell Flyes
Pec Dips (elbows out, leaning toward the floor)
Cybex Incline Press
Incline Dumbbell Press (palms facing in)	3 sets

BACK
2-Arm Bent-over Dumbbell Rows (lower DB all way to ground)
Smith Machine Deadlifts
Standing 2 Handle Rows in Cable Crossover (cable at chest height)
D-Handle Pulldowns
Reverse Grip Pulldowns
1-Arm, 1-Handle Pulldowns (sit sideways on pulldown machine)
Seated Cable Rows (reverse grip)

ARMS - Triceps	Amount
Overhead Rope Tricep Extension
Dumbbell Kickbacks
Dips (Elbows tucked, keep upright positioning)
Superset: 1-Arm Dumbbell Extension and 1-Arm Concentration Curl	3 sets

LEGS
Barbell Squats (wide stance)
Seated Machine Leg Press (narrow stance)
Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlift
Smith Machine Front Squat (narrow stance)
Bench Step-Ups
1 Mile on Elliptical at highest resistance and highest incline (forward motion only)

ARMS - Biceps	Amount
Barbell Curls	(2 sets regular grip, 2 sets wide)
EZ-Bar Cable Curls
Standing Dumbbell Curls (for the first half of each set, curl inward and touch dumbbells together; for the second half, keep elbows tucked and DBs out wide)

SHOULDERS
Dumbbell Lateral Raises (arms straight, bring weight directly off the side of the hips)
Front Raises on High Incline Bench
Dumbbell Upright Row
Seated Short Range Shoulder Press (keep elbows bent throughout movement, touch DBs just above your head)
Bent-over Lateral Raise

Cardio and Running Program

The next step was to incorporate fat burning/muscle sparing cardio along with endurance training. I believe cross training is the key to being injury free and protecting the joints. Even though running 13.1 miles in a decent time was the end goal, I felt that I needed to incorporate different angles, inclines and types of cardio to keep the muscles fresh and avoid repetitive joint injuries. Let me show you how I did it:

Phase One: 4 days/week of HIIT on the elliptical or treadmill for 15 minutes. On the treadmill, I alternated one minute of fast jogging at various inclines, with one minute of walking. I varied the resistance on the elliptical while going fast in the forward motion for a minute and then slow in the reverse direction for a minute.

Phase Two: 3 days/week of HIIT on the elliptical or treadmill for 20 minutes. And 1 day/week a distance run on Saturday in place of one of the HIIT sessions. I started with a 3-mile run on Saturday and gradually increased the distance.

Phase Three: 2 days/week of HIIT on the elliptical for 20-30 minutes. And 2 days/ week of running. In the weeks leading up to the race, I substituted a 2nd day of running for one of the HIIT sessions. On Wednesdays, I would run 3 miles for time, trying to decrease my time a little each week. On Saturdays, I continued my longer run, successively adding mileage as the weeks grew closer to the race. I did two days of HIIT intervals on the elliptical, 1 minute fast in the forward rotation and 1 minute slow in the reverse rotation for 20-30 minutes.

Nutrition

The next piece of the puzzle was diet. I knew I was going to need more carbohydrates than usual to fuel my long runs, but would need to manipulate some variables for continued fat loss. I began with my usual diet of 250g of protein, 400g of carbs and 50g of fat. When I started the long runs on Saturdays, I bumped my carbs to 475g two days prior and 450 the day before the run for added glycogen. This was important since I was still working out hard in the gym. At 11 weeks out from the bodybuilding contest I ran my first half marathon. My average macro count at that point was 260g of protein, 370g carbs and around 35g fat.

To get my numbers to where they needed to be, I varied the portion sizes and added or subtracted grams of fats, carbs and proteins. To bump my carbs before the races I added in Ezekiel bread or muffins.

Two days before the race I bumped my carbs up to 500g and the day before I consumed 450g. Given that my upcoming bodybuilding competition was the end goal, I paid close attention to how my body looked after these carb up meals during my morning posing practice sessions. I noticed that I looked best two days after the carb up meal. This helped me develop my final peak week as the contest approached.

The final piece of the puzzle was my supplement program. In addition to the Beverly proteins, which are always a part of my diet, I relied on three “specialty” supplements.

1. Muscle Synergy was “number 1” on my list to maintain muscle mass. I took 8 tablets upon arising, 8 prior to workouts, and 8 more tablets after workouts. I also took a scoop of Muscle Synergy powder at night. I would heat it up in a coffee mug and sip it like tea. This was especially helpful as a nice nighttime treat. As the show approached I would also heat it up and sip on it during posing practice.

2. The next supplement I added was Joint Care to help me remain injury and pain free while pounding my legs in the gym and on the pavement. I took three capsules upon arising and then again 3 capsules before bed.

3. Quadracarn was my third key supplement. I rely heavily on Quadracarn year round for improved pumps, vascularity, fat loss, definition, and recovery. I took 3 tablets, 3 times per day.

Upon awakening: (8 Muscle Synergy tablets, 30 minutes prior to meal 1)

Meal 1: 8 egg whites, 3oz cooked grits, 3 Quadracarn

Meal 2: 6oz chicken breast, 12oz sweet potato, 5oz baby carrots

Meal 3: 1 scoop Muscle Provider, 1 small apple (8 tablets Muscle Synergy and 3 tablets Quadracarn prior to workout)

Meal 4: 1 scoop Muscle Provider, 5 rice cakes (8 tablets Muscle Synergy between meals 4 and 5)

Meal 5: 7 egg whites, 1 whole egg, 7oz sweet potato, 3 Quadracarn

Meal 6: 5 egg whites, 7oz onion, (1 scoop Muscle Synergy Powder sipped as tea between meals 6 and 7)

Meal 7: 1.5 scoops UMP, 24grams natural peanut butter

Final Preparations

The first race went very well and I established a personal best for the half marathon. My next race, the Cincinnati Flying Pig Half Marathon, would be just 4 weeks out from the bodybuilding show. I would have to start tightening things up even as I was preparing for another half marathon. My training and nutrition schedules now looked like this:

Monday: 30 minutes of posing and stretching in the morning; Chest and 25 minutes of HIIT on the elliptical in the evening

Tuesday: Legs – no cardio or running on leg day!

Wednesday: 30 minutes of posing and stretching in the morning; 3 mile timed run in the afternoon

Thursday: 20 minutes posing in the morning; Back and abs in the evening

Friday: 20 minutes of posing in the morning; Arms and 30 minutes of HIIT on the elliptical in the evening

Saturday: Long run

Sunday: Shoulders, 20 minutes of posing, and 20 minutes of HIIT all in the morning

At this point my carbs were down to about 300g/day. For the race, I bumped them to 400g two days before and 350g the day before. Although being somewhat depleted, my time was even better than it had been in my first race 7 weeks prior and I set a new PR!

Now it was time to switch to straight bodybuilding mode for the final four weeks. I didn’t want to change a lot. I continued to run, but cut the distance for my long run on Saturday to 5 miles at maximum. I no longer added extra carbs before the run and basically just kept things steady.

I used this basic format all the way to the show, with some minor adjustments in my ratios depending on my look. I always am instinctive with my diets, so I would tweak things as necessary depending on how I was looking. Given that I had been observing from this whole time how my body responded to the carb up meals for the runs, I knew how much to bump my carbs to peak for the show.

Since bodybuilding is normally a 24/7 sport, it was definitely a mental and physical challenge this year to train for a race while preparing for a professional bodybuilding show at the same time. I have to admit though, it was fun! I came into the show at my heaviest weight to date and placed second in the IFPA Pro Galaxy Elite amongst very tough competition.

My 9 Year Journey to an IFBB FIGURE PRO CARD

Age: 46

Occupation or Education: Owner/Operator of BodyWorx by Karina - massage/bodywork therapist

Family: Husband-Tony, Fur baby (sheltie)-Zephyr

Current Residence: Noblesville, IN

Years training (total): 9

Height: 5’5”

Weight: 130 (Off Season), 125 (Contest)

Favorite Fitness Meal: If I’m in a savory mood, beef cubes with roasted asparagus & roasted onions. If I’m in a mood for something sweet, Chocolate Muscle Provider Sweet Potato Cake (see Sweet Potato Cake recipe below)

Favorite supplements: By far my favorite supplements are the Muscle Provider & UMP protein powders. They not only satisfy my need for sweets but they incorporate into numerous recipes so you don’t feel like you’re missing out! The added bonus is you’re supporting your gains and recovery while you’re treating yourself to something delicious!

What would you recommend to someone who has never used Beverly supplements before? Start with the protein powders. They’re the best tasting protein you’ll ever encounter and you’ll see the results you want for your investment in the product. The proof is in the pudding (or cake, or ice cream, or pancakes, or whatever you want to make with them)!

Music: I listen to classical and new age music all day so when I hit the gym or I’m in my car, it’s heavy metal for this girl!

Most Inspiring Book: “The Power of Right Believing” and “Unmerited Favor” both by Joseph Prince

Hobby or interests outside bodybuilding: Gardening and cooking

Words to live by: “Life is the proper binge.” ~ Julia Child

That’s how it felt winning my IFBB Pro Card at this season’s Masters Nationals and then launching right into prepping for my first show as a Pro at the Pittsburgh Pro Masters. Well let’s just say that if I have nothing else packed, the first thing on my list is going to be my Beverly International supplements! I started this journey back in 2007 and many things have changed over the years. The one that hasn’t changed is that Beverly International has been with me ever since I began and I’m not going anywhere without them!

I’ve always been very active and never had any real weight issues until I got married. The reality of getting a desk job coupled with matching eating habits with a husband who is blessed with a lightning fast metabolism scored me a weight gain I’d never experienced before. It happened slowly and I didn’t really notice it since I gained it symmetrically pretty much everywhere. So as a result, I didn’t think much about it until one day I nearly fell on one of my clients while doing a Thai massage. I was horrified. It was at that moment I realized how weak my core had become and how unaccustomed my body was to all the additional weight. My peripheral awareness for balance with these two factors in play had become seriously compromised! The next day I hired a trainer and haven’t looked back.

I had no intentions to become a bodybuilder. When I started, I simply wanted to get back to a weight where I was comfortable in my body again. Along with the weight gain, I was also noticing premenopausal type symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings. I was only in my early to mid 30’s so I knew this was wrong. My first trainer worked with me on balance and beginning strength maneuvers and prescribed cardio. I started tracking calories and serving sizes and getting a better handle on what to eat for myself rather than blindly matching portion sizes with my husband.

It didn’t take long to master the basics and soon I was on to trainer #2 who coached me in developing strength through heavier lifting and kettlebell training. I was fascinated by the connection between muscle function, development, and metabolic activity. I got hooked on Oxygen magazine and admired the physiques of the gals on the pages. They looked strong and healthy. When I realized that these ladies were Figure competitors, I had to know for myself how it felt to train like that. Enter trainer #3, an old school classic women’s bodybuilder. I told her I just wanted the experience of training “LIKE” a bodybuilder but had no interest in competing. Well that was enough to open the door for her. Before long, she was hounding me to compete. She said I had the symmetry and the drive and encouraged me to consider it.

I still remember the phone call I made to her one day while standing at the gas station filling up the car. “Are you just blowing sunshine up my skirt about me being right for competition or are you really serious?” After she stopped laughing over the choice of words I had just used, she swore she meant every word so I gave in and we picked my first show.

I quickly realized I was going to need help. Preparing for a contest wasn’t your everyday style of eating and training. I was going to need help in metabolism and recovery (especially at 37 years old). I had a good trainer but I needed a nutrition plan. Suddenly I was facing uncharted territory: an ocean filled with protein powders, BCAA’S, pre-workouts, and fat burners. I knew enough about the human body to know that most of this at the local sport supplement store was pretty much flotsam and jetsam. I needed a company that actually cared about the people who used their product. Enter Beverly International.

I had been introduced to UMP by trainer #1. To this day, it’s still one of my favorites! Between the taste and the fact I actually could see changes as a direct result of having it as part of my diet, I contacted Beverly International directly. I was able to speak to a real human being who actually sounded passionate about the product from more than a commission standpoint. We spoke at length about what my goals were and by the time I was done, I had my first stack of supplements geared towards my specific training program!

Two years after this conversation, I won my IFPA card. If I wasn’t hooked before, I certainly was now! I did one show as an IFPA Pro and pretty much got my booty handed to me. Up until now, I’d been writing my own diets and had gone as far as I knew how to go. It was time to get serious and hire a diet coach. In addition, since I’d scaled the mountain of that particular competing club, I figured, while I was at it and changing stuff up, I might as well go for what I considered to be Mount Everest (a.k.a. NPC/IFBB). Now I was on to trainer (& diet coach) #4. I was a little concerned when I first hired him because I had a comfort zone with Beverly International. I knew it worked for me and I was a little apprehensive the diet would come back with a bunch of supplement garbage on it. To my surprise and relief, when I opened my diet document, there were a host of Beverly International supplements (including my beloved UMP)! Well, that made me feel really good about hiring my coach! Obviously this man knew quality when he saw it!

Four years after signing on with him (also my last and still my present coach), I finally claimed my IFBB Pro Card! Like I said, a lot of things changed over the years but one thing has stayed the same. Four coaches and two pro cards later, the core of my supplement program has always been Beverly International. Consistent and faithful. And we’re just getting started!

Spray foil with cooking spray. Seal sweet potatoes & one ice cube in foil packet & bake at 400 degrees for 55 minutes (yes, they'll burn a little but that's ok - you want them to caramelize). Leave sweet potatoes sealed in foil pack until they cool (keeping the moisture in the packet will help release the caramelized potatoes from the foil).

Mix together baked sweet potatoes, Muscle Provider, baking powder, stevia, cocoa powder, & vanilla until blended well & no chunks of sweet potato remain. Add in enough coffee to make a pourable batter. Pour mixture into a baking dish sprayed with cooking oil. Put dish in a cold oven & set temperature for 375. Bake for approximately 25 minutes.

Eat the whole thing! It's one serving for your meal! If you want to share or save some for later, just split the macros below. You can make this with as little as 125g of sweet potatoes or as much as 175g. More or less than that and it tastes a little starchy or the consistency is a little lacking.

Diet

I stick to the basic meats and starches. For variety, I swap out my veggies. I use onions, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, and celery all for good crunch and satisfaction. Another trick for changing up my menu is the vast variety of spice mixes I have on hand. Broccoli, rice, and chicken can go Mexican, Cajun, or Asian quickly with just the shake of a spice! I also love quantity, which is why I limit carbs during the day so that I can have popcorn at night. I love eating it one piece at a time and I split a bowl of it almost every night with my husband. It gives us both the feeling of something normal when we can share a treat in my contest prep! And as for sweets, thanks to Beverly International’s protein powders, I’m never at a deficit!

All values are pre-cooked with the exception of the rice.

You’ll need a beast of a blender to pull this off. I have a VitaMix so if you haven’t invested in one yet, you might want to consider it.

Put all ingredients in the blender. Start blending speed on medium-high and use plunger to keep pushing ingredients towards the blades. Use more water if you need but this mix should be VERY thick and will take a little time to work into the blades. Keep mixing until smooth and a steady vortex forms. You will also notice the mix doubles in size (let’s hear it for increased volume – HOORAY!).

Using spatula, scoop out ice cream. Eat right away or freeze for up to 2 hours for a firmer set.

No blender? Skip the ice and cauliflower and add just enough water to get the mix to a pudding-like consistency. Blend all ingredients using a whisk and freeze for 2 hours.

Cardio

During off-season, I try to build and spare muscle as much as possible so my cardio is relatively short consisting of four 20-minute sessions per week. 2 HIIT & 2 LISS.

In prep, I’ll do as many as 6 sessions per week alternating HIIT & LISS. 3 HIIT sessions at 15 minutes (including 5 minutes each warm up and cool down for a grand total of 25 minutes) and 3 LISS sessions for 40 minutes (where I’ll feed my spiritual, self inspirational literature while reading on my recumbent bike!)

Training

As a Figure competitor with short collarbones, my biggest challenge has been to create a great v-taper. Doing my best to widen my chest, back, and shoulders while tightening and narrowing my midsection has been a quest akin to hunting for the Holy Grail!

For me, every upper body workout begins with 30 wide grip 1-1/2 pull-ups. Begin with hands set wide and overhand grip on the bar. Start in full extension and pull up above the bar. Lower your body so your head is just below the bar and then pull back up. This is one rep. Return to full extension and repeat the sequence as many times as you can (no kipping!). Rest when you need to but get in 30 total.

As for the waist, I’ve stopped using weighted abdominal exercises. Instead, I’ve implemented two kinds of abdominal work that have made big changes for me in less than 10 weeks!

“Shhhh… she’s had a hard workout. She’s probably sleeping.” Ha! Nope. I am doing my abdominal exercises! The beginning of this prep season I found an article about how the old school bodybuilders such as Frank Zane and Arnold Schwarzenegger trained to get tiny waists. The technique is referred to as “vacuum training” and may be done lying down, standing up, sitting, or even on all fours. The muscle trained here is the transverse abdominus. It’s the body’s deepest of the abdominal muscles and its function is to hold in and support the abdominal contents. By pulling the belly button in towards the spine as hard as you can and holding it there for a duration of time, you’re training the transverse abdominus to become tighter and better conditioned. The result is a smaller waistline and it’s easier to hold your tummy in while you’re on stage.

Sequence:
• 25 basic crunches concentrating on keeping belly button pulled in tight towards the spine
• 1-minute vacuum hold
• Repeat sequence 3x’s without rest

Great thing about vacuum training is you can do it anytime and anywhere without folks knowing you’re doing it! I like to do it in the car on my drive home from work. I try to hold the vacuum for as long as I can or between certain major intersections just to make the drive home more entertaining.

Another exercise I’ve found beneficial is the seated twist. This helps on two fronts: 1) it tightens the oblique muscles, and 2) it helps you get a better range of motion when you twist in your posing on stage which, in turn, contributes to the illusion of a smaller waist.

Sit on an exercise ball that allows your knees and hips to be at 90-degree angles. You may do this with a broomstick or dowel rod across your shoulders or just holding your arms out. Keeping both feet on the floor and hips level, twist using only the oblique muscles. Twist as far as you can and look behind you. Your body will follow your eyes so the further you attempt to look behind you as you twist, the more range you will gradually achieve. Hold and squeeze at maximum range and then rotate to the opposite side and repeat. I do 100 of these (50 per side). I also employ vacuum holding while I do so for the added benefit!

Presentation

SMOKE AND MIRRORS:
How you pose and your suit can make or break you in a second! Here are two of my secrets:

1. Stand up straight and hold your chest high. Imagine that there’s a string attached to your sternum pulling your chest up. This results in stretching out (and up) the abdominal area, which in turn lends to the illusion of a narrower waist.

2. Make sure that your suit bottom is pulled up high on the sides. Many competitors allow the sides of their suit bottoms to be below their belly button. This makes the legs look short and the waist look thicker. Wearing them parallel in line with the belly button adds to the illusion of an accentuated v-taper, longer legs, and smaller waist! And be sure to glue those suckers so they stay where you put them!

In Closing

I got into competing to see what my body could do and man, have I learned a lot! After every contest, I love going over the elements of the journey. I learn something new about myself every time and I’ve grown not just as a competitor but also as a person. Win, place, or show, I encourage you to enjoy the ride. Take the time to look at where you’ve been and what you’ve accomplished regardless if you have hardware in your hands for the effort. My ultimate goal every time has been to learn something about myself that helped me to grow stronger in life. If you can do that, you’ve won!

Classic Physique - Presentation

No Nonsense Magazine Collectors Edition 2016

The Classic Physique Compulsory Poses

PHASE 1 POSING PRACTICE

PHASE 2 POSING PRACTICE

10-minute Prejudging Drill:

The Individual Routine:

Points to Remember:

Closing Thoughts

Classic Physique - Training

No Nonsense Magazine Collectors Edition 2016

Phase 1 “Classic Physique” Training Program

1. Pyramid Training:

2. Double Progressive System:

3. Feeder Workouts:

Phase 2 “Classic Physique” Training Program

Classic Physique - Nutrition

No Nonsense Magazine Collectors Edition 2016

“Classic Physique” Nutrition

Phase 1 “Classic Physique” Nutrition Plan

Phase 2 “Classic Physique” Nutrition Plan

Phase 3 “Classic Physique” Contest Peaking Nutrition Plan

Women's Physique: My Journey from Competitive Boxer to Women's Physique Competitor

No Nonsense Magazine Collectors Edition 2016

20% Bodyfat to 7.7% Nutrition and Supplement Plan

Supplements

Weight Training

Training

Cardio

The Results

Don't Call It A Comeback! Frank LaGarde's Nine-Year Competitive Pause Leads to BIGGER Wins

No Nonsense Magazine Collectors Edition 2016

Maximum Potential

Training

Bodybuilding as a LIFESTYLE

No Nonsense Magazine Collectors Edition 2016

Training

Nutrition

Here's My 16-Week Pre-contest Diet Plan

Supplement Schedule

Cardio

In Closing

Cydney Gillon - Second Generation Fitness Leader

No Nonsense Magazine Collectors Edition 2016

Training

Arms By Gillon

Nutrition

Supplements

Conclusion

Becoming the Best Version of Me... is more Important than any Contest Placing

No Nonsense Magazine Collectors Edition 2016

Diet

Meal Prep Tips

Supplement Schedule

Cardio Schedule

Weight Training Schedule

Presentation Tips

Here’s How I Trained for 2 Half-Marathons and a Professional Bodybuilding Show ...at the Same Time!

No Nonsense Magazine Collectors Edition 2016

Training

Cardio and Running Program

Nutrition

Final Preparations

My 9 Year Journey to an IFBB FIGURE PRO CARD

No Nonsense Magazine Collectors Edition 2016

Chocolate Muscle Provider Sweet Potato Cake

Diet

UMP Soft Serve Ice Cream

Cardio

Training

Presentation

In Closing