Contest Recap: Inside Fitness Magazine Cover Model Search

Last night I competed in the Inside Fitness Magazine Cover Model Search in Vancouver. In the beginning of 2013, I said that I was going to do a few things this year that will challenge me and that will push my boundaries when it comes to fitness. I’m one of those people who always needs something to work towards. Although I was in good shape prior to beginning contest preparation, I was always seeking to improve.

Above: Image by David Aboody (as are all the other stage shots where you see in the lower right corner-Photography: David Aboody)

I’m passionate about learning new training methods, trying out new exercises and really getting to know more and more about fitness. I also wanted to experience what it’s like to prepare for a fitness contest and a marathon within the span of less than 6 months. I really wanted to know what it’s like to be on stage.

Training for a fitness contest is completely different from training for a marathon. Many people have told me that I can’t do both. I’m doing this to see that I can. After all, when I trained for a marathon before, I didn’t lose much muscle mass. I lost fat and increased the rate at which my body burns calories, both of which, I would think, are beneficial for contest prep.

I went over to Vancouver on Friday night, visited the Public Myth headquarters before checking into the hotel and going to the athlete’s meeting. I was relieved to hear that we were allowed to choose what poses to do while on stage since I was a little nervous about posing and walking in the high heel shoes while making it look like I’m comfortable in front of all these people who were watching the show.

My biggest fear was looking like I had a big fear of being on stage, so I’m glad that it didn’t show up in the photos and that I didn’t project that feeling into the audience.

Above: In the midst of hair and make-up

I got my tan, hair and make-up done by Cherry Dolls. I think these ladies did a phenomenal job! It’s amazing what hair, make-up and a tan can do to change one’s appearance! When I first saw myself all made up, I was like “Wow! I had no idea I could look like this.”

It was my very first time competing on stage and it was definitely a memorable day! I met some awesome people, including many girls who inspired me. Everyone was super encouraging, which is great! Even though we were “competing against each other”, the attitudes that everyone displayed towards each other were those of friendship. This is one of those things that I like about both competitions and races-everyone is friendly and supportive even though we are technically competing against each other.

I believe one of the reasons why the girls who compete in these types of fitness shows are supportive of each other is because we all understand how hard we all worked to get into contest shape. Preparing for a show is a big commitment and it’s something that we have to want to do. We also understand the dieting and the challenging gym sessions that go into preparing for these shows.

Contest prep is so much more than just working out a few times a week, eating right and then stepping on stage. It’s also a mental game almost as much as it is physical. You have to really overcome that inner fear of people looking at you while you’re on stage and you also have to overcome any excuses that may prevent you from working out and eating properly.

Looking back at the time (4 years ago) when I used to think that doing a business presentation fully dressed in a suit in front of a class of 60 people was hard, I believe I’ve come a long way given that I signed up to walk out onto the stage in a tiny bikini in front of 400 (or so) people. Four years ago, I could not have done that.

I think that the most challenging aspect of competing is the diet. It was very difficult for me to not eat carbs for 7 weeks prior to the contest. In addition to not eating complex carbs, such as bread and pasta, I was also racing 12k, 8k and 5k. What really surprised me throughout the entire process was the fact that even though I wasn’t eating carbs, I was still posting some of my better times in races. The contest prep did not interfere with my running in a negative way.

About an hour before the start of the show, I was so happy to have amazing girls to talk to while waiting to start. Talking to them helped me feel less nervous about being on stage for the first time, especially since I found out that some of them were also in the same boat. I am very glad to have gotten to know them because I love meeting people who also love fitness.

I ate plain rice cakes and natural, unsalted peanut butter the day of the show.

When I first got on the stage, adrenaline took over. I felt like I was no longer afraid. I felt a huge rush of energy. My fatigue and anxiety disappeared. All of a sudden, all my fears of being on stage disappeared and I was able to focus on my poses and walking properly. I thought to myself: “Just smile, relax and have fun.” That’s what I did.

By the time the evening gown round came about, I felt totally comfortable with the entire process. The shoes became much easier to walk in. Also, I was a lot more at ease on stage.

Although I did not place in the top 5, I still had a great weekend and learned a lot. Additionally, I won a photoshoot with David Aboody. Most importantly though, I learned how to push my own boundaries beyond what I felt was possible. I also got into the best shape I’ve ever been in since my foot injury a few years ago.

I did the very best that I could given the circumstances and stepped onto the stage at 10.9% body fat. I’ve also put on quite a bit of muscle, developed core strength and learned many awesome new exercises from my trainer, Tamara. Learning these new exercises will help me improve my own training techniques when I train my clients. It’s amazing how much a trainer could learn from another trainer.

I wanted to say a big congratulations to the following amazing ladies who placed top 5 in my category (Fitness Model) at the Inside Fitness Magazine Cover Model Search:
1st place – Karen Makowsky
2nd place – Jean Yu
3rd Place – Annette Milbers
4th Place – Carmen Telford
5th Place – Jaime Smart

Congratulations to the following gentlemen who placed Top 5 in “Men’s Physique”:
1st Place – Dease Watson
2nd Place – Darwin Clancy
3rd Place – Dale Larsen
4th Place – Michael Brascia
5th Place – Brody Robertson

Also, congratulations to the Top 5 Bikini Models:
1st Place – Bree Lind
2nd Place – Rachel Timothy
3rd Place – Darci Lee
4th Place – Venessa Leianne
5th Place – Courtney Mary

Lastly, congratulations to the following people who won the other awesome awards at the show:
Best Bikini – Annette Milbers
Best Gown – Carmen Telford
Best Abs – Tim Roberts

After the show, myself and some of the amazing people that I met backstage went to Moxie’s. I had a nice, big burger with fries and a glass of water. Yay! Carbs and water! Finally 🙂

Given that I had no idea what to do to prepare for a contest, I hired a trainer, Tamara Hambly, who has done quite a few fitness competitions and placed in all of them. She has been an amazing resource for me. I definitely want to thank Tamara for being a part of my journey to the stage.

To anyone who has ever considered competing: it is a big commitment, but if you want to challenge yourself it’s totally worth it. If you’re doing your first show-don’t worry about placing in the Top 5, just do your best and put your heart into your training.

Keep on working hard and striving to improve yourself regardless of what place you get. Whether you race, compete on stage or both, always strive for excellence.

Happy Training! 🙂