Setting Up My Master’s Figure Game Plan

Julie also introduced me to Beverly International supplements. I had pre-ordered my “bikini package” of supplements and happily went home with a box of UMP Chocolate, 7-Keto, Lean Out and Fit Tabs. I had tasted many other protein powders, but clearly UMP was like no other. The quality of every item was far superior to anything I had ever taken.

The contest came and I placed lower middle of the pack. I decided to make another go at it, but would switch from Bikini to the Figure division instead.

Now, I had to learn a whole new division and its requirements. Luckily, I knew exactly where to get help. I contacted Julie once again and signed up to be a client. The first thing I learned was that to compete in figure, I definitely had to put on some muscle size.

Training without proper nutrition and supplements would not put on size - it just kept me in shape. I couldn’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results. Julie’s first suggestion was a comprehensive supplement program to build muscle. Within weeks of starting my new supplement program, I started to notice a difference. My body fat began to drop and in my weekly photos I began to see more and more muscle definition and size.

Nothing motivates me more than a plan that works. I started lifting heavier and was continually setting new PR’s. I recovered quickly from these heavy workouts and was even seeing better hair and nail growth (thank you EFA Gold)!!!

In my first figure show, just 2 months later, I placed 2nd in Masters and 2nd in Open Tall at the Mike Francois Classic! Wow! Did that really just happen???? I signed up for the NPC Ohio last summer and placed 5th in Open Tall and 6th in Masters.

But, by far my biggest hope, dream and goal came true at the 2013 Arnold Amateur Master’s Figure Competition this year. I won my height division and 3rd over all Masters Amateur Figure. I know without a doubt this never would have been a reality without my family, my trainer, my amazing workout support group, Julie Lohre and the entire Beverly International family and community.

Diet Meal Plan

I’m not a fan of the word “diet”. To me it has a connotation of depravity, that was far from what I experienced. I prefer “meal plan”. Julie mapped out my “meal plan” strategy for the “Arnold” and it looked like this:

MEAL #1 (7:30):
1 egg + ½ cup egg whites; 1 cup mixed veggies

MEAL #2 (8:00):
2 scoops UMP (Pre Workout).

10 MIN PRIOR TO TRAINING:
2 scoops Muscle Synergy

TRAINING SESSION:
2 scoops Glutamine Select + 2 scoops Creatine Select

MEAL #3
(w/in 45 min of finishing training): 6 oz. potato, 1 tbsp. honey

MEAL #4 (1:00):
4 oz. lean protein; large salad w/mixed veggies and 1 tbsp. olive oil & vinegar dressing

MEAL #5 (4:00):
4 oz. lean protein; 1 cup rice

MEAL #6 (7:00):
4 oz. protein (I like fish for this meal); 1 small potato; 2 cups mixed veggies; ¼ cup almonds

MEAL #7 (9:00):
1 scoop UMP (mixed w/water); 1 cup berries

Julie Lohre gave me an immense food substitution list to help keep meals diverse with a variety of nutrients from different, healthy sources.

My two protein shakes, Meal #2 and Meal #7, were by far my favorite. Meal #2 is my pre-workout meal and it made me feel amazing!! I felt it gave me great strength and endurance for my training sessions. Even in off-season I still choose UMP pudding as my desert. To me, it is more satisfying than ice cream!

Contest Prep Supplement Schedule

GOALS: GAIN MUSCLE WHILE LOSING FAT TAKING IN CONSIDERATION MY AGE - 46

ULTRA 40: 3 w/5 meals

MASS AMINOS: 3 w/5 meals

7 KETO: 3 in am / 3 in pm

LEAN OUT: 2 w/5 meals

MUSCULARITY: 2 – 3 X a day

CREATINE SELECT: 2 scoops during training

FIT TABS: 2 – 2 X a day

JOINT CARE: 2 – 2 X a day

EFA GOLD: 2 – 2 X a day

QUADRACARN: 2 – 2 X a day

MUSCLE SYNERGY: 2 scoops pre workout

GLUTAMINE SELECT W/ BCAAs: 2 scoops during workout

UMP: Chocolate, Vanilla, and Cookies & Crème

What I have discovered about the Beverly family is that their Customer Service can’t be beat. I have called so many times with questions and each and every time hung up knowing I was given the best game plan possible. Each representative really cared and would go at great lengths to make sure each supplement and usage was explained. One of the first things they’d say to me was, “Do you have a pencil and paper ready?” That let me know they were serious and had my best interest at heart.

Cardio

I picked what I enjoyed most for cardio. My preference was interval running and the stair mill. I needed to concentrate on on my glute/ham tie-in and both of these exercises target this area. I did cardio 3 times a week for about 20-minutes per session.

Training

I have been with my trainer Brian Taylor for 7 years, ever since moving from San Diego to Columbus. It’s hard to put into words what he has done for my health and how this has shaped my life. I work in a group and this motivates me like nothing else. These amazing women help push me far beyond what I could do on my own. We see each other almost everyday, share our daily exercise and eating struggles, and push each other to be better than we were the day before. Brian has us doing HIIT sessions and always incorporates stretching throughout. The stretching and my Beverly Glutamine Select w/BCAA’s are absolutely paramount for recovery. I train hard 5 days in a row, take a day off, and go right back to another 5 days feeling 100% ready to go.

Presentation

So many months of prep and now comes the day to show off all of your hard work and dedication. It’s a showcase like nothing else. For me everything becomes a checklist: spray tan (check), competition suit (check), heels (check), jewelry (check), and the list goes on. It is beyond motivating and inspiring once you are backstage with your fellow competitors. You would think that it would be a fierce, non-friendly atmosphere, but it’s just the opposite. Competitors helping competitors - fix suits, pining numbers on, and calming each other’s nerves. EVERYONE has trained hard – we have all relatively done the same sort of prep to get to this spot on this day. Competition day is when reality hits – your time to shine and give it all you got. You walk out on stage, hold your head up high; show off all of your hard work, sweat and tears. I think it would be incredible to hand every participant an award, because every person there is a winner. They did it! They put in the time, the hard work, the strain on families, on themselves and they stuck it out until the end. They completed the journey, and for that there is no trophy that can replace their sense of accomplishment.

Conclusion

Once I began to see what my body would do and how I felt, I realized that this was becoming more of a lifestyle for me. I love how I feel when I eat clean, exercise regularly and get a good night sleep. It has definitely crossed over into my family life as my amazingly supportive husband, in solidarity, began to join me in my meal plan and supplement taking. He currently takes the Super Pak daily along with UMP and Glutamine Select. He, as well, has increased muscle mass, strength and overall health. In addition, it is really important to me to set an example for our two kids to incorporate clean eating and exercise for overall good health.

Every time I prep for a competition it becomes a new journey. I continue to learn more and more about how my body responds to the three key factors: train-ing, nutrition and supplements. Along with this, it is instrumental to “maintain balance”. I enjoy the discipline of eating healthy, training effectively, and staying grounded. I know that I cannot and shouldn’t maintain my competition body stats year-round. It’s just not realistic. I’m fine with that. When it is time to dial it all in, I have the game plan and am ready to get down to business.

I have to thank the entire Beverly International family for being a part of and helping me reach and go beyond all of my fitness and physique goals. At 46 years, old I feel better and I think look better than I ever have. I finally have the body I’ve always aspired to have. I think I’m developing the right mental outlook and I am gaining the knowledge to do it the right way. For me, this is priceless!