Well we have all had our fair share of competitions these last few months. With the most recent federation the NABBA/WFF adding hugely to the 2011 contest calendar year,  the opportunity for athletes to shake their little tushes on stage has increased and with so many options of competitions, there doesnt seem to be a decrease in numbers competing either. the Nabba nationals had over 150 competitors in it..  Now thats huge.  That takes me back to the early days of the NZFBB when we used to wind up a show at 1am..   NABBA/WFF had their nationals last week with around 50 competitors  but they were very high quality and the physiques on show that days were impressive.  Alot of the competitors have supported all federations and I did hear of somebody who was going to try to do the NABBA/WFF nationals and the NZFBB show both in one day, by commuting quickly as possible from Takapuna to Hamilton.   It could of been possible maybe cos it is only 1.5 hours to Hamilton,  but the way the two comps were ran he didnt have the time to jump off stage, into the car and on stage to the next.   Would of been a laugh if he pulled that off. 

As you all know, Bee and I both competed together and love it together, then I had two weeks to continue dieting for to do my guest pose in Nelson.  During that time Bee was still dieting but I have to say that selfishly  - I really wanted him to stop.  I was dying for us to get back to normal to have  meals out, party some, relax at night instead of cardioing till the small hours, then waking up again in the small hours to do so again.  I just wanted my lovely times with my man back, and he did too so Bee pulled out of his competiton and we havent been happier knowing that next year is another year, and we can use this time to grow and improve.   

For  the supporters of the  athletes, the husbands, wifes, besties, training partners, work mates, bosses etc,   I can see them sighing a long drawn out sigh  when being told " Hell its only another 3 weeks away, I may as well do another show". 
Well we all know that that 3 little weeks really is more like 21 more days of constant hunger, blank minds,  mood swings,   vague stares, sunken eyes, dropped lips, slow motion movements, constant grazing, constant cravings, early mornings, late nights, sleepless nights, smelly containers,  tuna cans galore, sweaty washing,  lingering fish scents, enough eggs shells to create a shell garden, kitchen decorated with supplement jars... and thats just a few things I can draw to mind. 

But in the competitors defence,  there is also all of the above  to contend with,  plus some of these stupid personal feelings that competitors get and must get their heads around, which I must say can change minute by minute  - personal appreciation (love oneself) ,  personal depreciation (hates oneself) ,  fatorexia (feeling too fat), scraggyrexia ( feeling too skinny)  determined to succeed , deemed to fail,  high libido ( hands up for the high),  low libido  (frustrating for all!!) , energetic and high spirited, low in energy and wants nobody in their face.  So basically it is a very very challenging time for all, overall.    But once the day arrives, damn it is good.  I love to watch the look on the competitors faces at the competitions. Not on stage cos most are pretty damn scared, but after they have been on stage, and they are relaxed, its awesome to see their buzzing bodies floating around the venues and the way their supporters just brim with excitement for them.  Nothing feels better than contest day.   

But the day after new feelings begin to emerge that both the competitor and the ones closest to them have to bear or witness. Like accepting their placing.  Its alot of hard work competing, with preparation normally being 3-4 months so not placing can be pretty gut wreching.   So my advice for them is to sit back and relax for a couple of weeks,  purchase the video and sit down and really access where they felt they placed and why. Its not always easy to accept it at the time of the comp and supporters will always saysay that the competitor should of won or placed higher, thats only natural of course but take a look at oneself  as you if you were another person and really access your own physique and work out where you need to improve next time. Then get over it!!

Next lot of yuk feelings, Feeling full and bloated after eating normally and not being used to it,  not knowing whatvcompetition to do next, getting used to a paler body and most likely softer body, and despising some  pics floating around around the internet.  The eating part is easy.. Have some treats but keep the carbs down and keep the protien up.  Work a few treats around that rule.  Contests are on all year apart from december thru to March so select a month of the year, aim for a regional and a nationals an d plan your training.. Dont go for too many. You will only end up looking overtrained, tired and you cannot come into good condition for all of them.  As for the body part, I dont always like my body off season but I have accepted it as ME.  As a matter of fact alot of the time I really dont like it,  but I have accepted the fact that my body is only cut and lean for a couple of months leading to a competition.. and Ill never be a skinny person cos I love my food toooo much,  but I now try to make the most of the body I have and i am reasonably confident with it. 

Now with only a handful of contests to come for the remainder of the year, Im pretty happy. Last weekend   we went over to the NABBA/WFF nationals till 4.30pm then drove to hamilton for the NZFBB event.  we got home at a reasonable time but two comps....  phrew!! Anyway that about wraps it up for now.  We have a NABBA competition this coming weekend and the NZFBB nationals in a couple of weeks time.  Hope to see you all there.  xxx P.s  be supportive and if you are the competitor, be supportive of your closest and dearest.