LAURA LEE'S THREAD

[Butterbean]

I support Laura's decision to switch back to figure.  She would have been a good addition to female bb though.  Female bb gets a bad rap but imo there are several beautiful female bbers - rip and The Beast included.

BTW, I have that tank top in pink, black, and gold. 

If that's from Express I have it in black and tan

[Laura Lee]

My decision was baased on my own thoughts and insecurities.  I also will admit that it was/is a lot tougher than I had imagined.  Working 40+ hours, getting up at 4:30-5:00am for cardio, eating 8 meals of just chicken or fish, bringing my carbs down to 25 grams every other day (50 on the opposite day), training after working 9 hours and then adding a second session of cardio to that was become grueling and I will admit (I don't care who says what) brought me to an emotional meltdown on Friday.  I know I'm not going anywhere with this (Pro or even Nationals), I was doing it for me and believe Figure at this time of my life is a better fit for me.  Maybe 10 years ago I could have gone the fbbing route but at 44...I'm just too old (and selfish) to invest my life or what is needed of my life into it. 

I do want to thank everyone that has supported me in either category.  I appeciate it so very much.

xoxo

Laura










and Stella...I got mine at Rainbow!   $10 

[michael arvilla]

There is more to life than bodybuilding! (altho it took me a long time to realize this)..........if your not careful life will pass you by

altho i (and Laura) both love it and will continue to pursue it (competing and training all out) we also want time to enjoy each other and all life has to offer!

i love you baby!


 

[Hedgehog]

The only difference is that you stay on the diet for a couple of more weeks.

Look at the best female bodybuilders today: Jodi Miller, Rhonda, BEAST.

And look at the size of the best bodybuilders of yesterday: Rachel Delish McLish, Kike.

The size isn't the problem. You need to work on your conditioning, and by not bulking up as much in the "off-season", you will get progressively harder.

Don't sweat it.

[ripitupbaby]

The only difference is that you stay on the diet for a couple of more weeks.

Look at the best female bodybuilders today: Jodi Miller, Rhonda, BEAST.

And look at the size of the best bodybuilders of yesterday: Rachel Delish McLish, Kike.

The size isn't the problem. You need to work on your conditioning, and by not bulking up as much in the "off-season", you will get progressively harder.

Don't sweat it.

Thank you, that was exactly the point I was trying to make!!!!!!! 

[Laura Lee]

The only difference is that you stay on the diet for a couple of more weeks.

Look at the best female bodybuilders today: Jodi Miller, Rhonda, BEAST.

And look at the size of the best bodybuilders of yesterday: Rachel Delish McLish, Kike.

The size isn't the problem. You need to work on your conditioning, and by not bulking up as much in the "off-season", you will get progressively harder.

Don't sweat it.

Thanks Hedge.  I totally appreciate what you are saying, but I'm not a spring chicken.  I'm not dirt ready yet either.  Over the last couple months I have been giving it my all and losing out on a lot of stuff that is important to me.  Like I said, I had no intention of going pro or taking it even to the National level.  I was doing it because I loved the figure aspect of it, but wanted a little more.  BBing is NOT a little more, it is a LOT more (and those who have done both know the difference).  I had no life outside of cardio, diet, training, working and sleeping.  I want more from my life and want to enjoy myself and what I do.  I also want to look in the mirror and like what I'm looking at and to be honest...I wasn't liking what I was seeing.  Everyone from Figure to Fitness to Bodybuilding (female and male) have my utmost respect for what they sacrifice.  I, at 44 years of age, have sacrificed enough (for me) and I want to enjoy this, not stress over it.

I am doing the show in March, but will do so as a Figure Competitior.  Who knows, maybe this time around I'll do better.   

[JediKnight]

Thank you, that was exactly the point I was trying to make!!!!!!! 

Todays female bodybuilders look nothing like "yesterdays bodybuilders". Those ladies would get smoked in todays REAL female bodybuilding shows. Rip, your beautiful, but in todays shows, you need quality muscle PLUS conditioning. Rip, your 110 pounds, cmon, you may think your a bodybuilder, but compete in a REAL show, and I am sure you will come back to the drawing board and think things over. Rip, you look like a fitness chick, not a bodybuilder. Remember , bodybuilding is about building muscle not just conditioning, I think your forgetting that. Facial changes occur when "females or males" start using products or gear and I wasnt saying they happened to Laura because I think she is natural, but I was giving her the heads up. Rip, again your 110 pounds, if you competed in a REAL bodybuilding show, not some local show, you would get smoked.

[JediKnight]

Thanks Hedge.  I totally appreciate what you are saying, but I'm not a spring chicken.  I'm not dirt ready yet either.  Over the last couple months I have been giving it my all and losing out on a lot of stuff that is important to me.  Like I said, I had no intention of going pro or taking it even to the National level.  I was doing it because I loved the figure aspect of it, but wanted a little more.  BBing is NOT a little more, it is a LOT more (and those who have done both know the difference).  I had no life outside of cardio, diet, training, working and sleeping.  I want more from my life and want to enjoy myself and what I do.  I also want to look in the mirror and like what I'm looking at and to be honest...I wasn't liking what I was seeing.  Everyone from Figure to Fitness to Bodybuilding (female and male) have my utmost respect for what they sacrifice.  I, at 44 years of age, have sacrificed enough (for me) and I want to enjoy this, not stress over it.

I am doing the show in March, but will do so as a Figure Competitior.  Who knows, maybe this time around I'll do better.   

Good luck Laura, You did so well at figure,,,remember that AWESOME trophy, you being in MD magazine, you go girl, you look so hot as a figure competitor also,  your "figure" is really sexy, glad your not going the bodybuilding route.

[ripitupbaby]

Todays female bodybuilders look nothing like "yesterdays bodybuilders". Those ladies would get smoked in todays REAL female bodybuilding shows. Rip, your beautiful, but in todays shows, you need quality muscle PLUS conditioning. Rip, your 110 pounds, cmon, you may think your a bodybuilder, but compete in a REAL show, and I am sure you will come back to the drawing board and think things over. Rip, you look like a fitness chick, not a bodybuilder. Remember , bodybuilding is about building muscle not just conditioning, I think your forgetting that. Facial changes occur when "females or males" start using products or gear and I wasnt saying they happened to Laura because I think she is natural, but I was giving her the heads up. Rip, again your 110 pounds, if you competed in a REAL bodybuilding show, not some local show, you would get smoked.

OUCH.  I won the Lightweights at Junior Nationals this year, sweetie.  
If not Junior Nats, then what do you consider a "real show"?  I'm competing in two Pro Qualifiers this year.  
110 pounds, that's right baby!!  My trainer went Pro at 108 pounds.  

[JediKnight]

Rip, you are a LIGHTWEIGHT BABY!   is that a muscle in your arm,,or u happy to see me,,ur legs are like toothpicks, you call that a bodybuilder? Your biceps are non existent.



Here is what your goals should be if you wanna stay a bodybuilder



to be a "bodybuilder" and rely just on conditioning is a joke. You gonna compete at 110 pounds forever? Your good enough to win local and maybe state shows, but a national show or pro level show in my opinion at 110 pounds isnt really a real bodybuilding show, you need to bring some size and quality muscle and conditioning.

[Laura Lee]

Jedi, you can't be serious.  Rip has made it to and won the Junior Nationals.  She is a National Level Competitor.

And, I can assure you (because I personally know Rip) that she is not taking the shit that girl you posted is.  So there is a big difference right there.  Not to mention that girl is in a different weight division.

I don't know what your beef is with Rip, but you gotta chill.  She is a fantastic person and a very dedicated bber.  And although you may not agree with her on different things, she is a beautiful girl both inside and out.

[JediKnight]

Jedi, you can't be serious.  Rip has made it to and won the Junior Nationals.  She is a National Level Competitor.

And, I can assure you (because I personally know Rip) that she is not taking the shit that girl you posted is.  So there is a big difference right there.  Not to mention that girl is in a different weight division.

I don't know what your beef is with Rip, but you gotta chill.  She is a fantastic person and a very dedicated bber.  And although you may not agree with her on different things, she is a beautiful girl both inside and out.

If she is going to compete in REAL shows, she needs alot of work. I think she will be really humbled when she competes in a real show and gets beat becaue the cocky attitude only goes so far.

[ripitupbaby]

Rip, you are a LIGHTWEIGHT BABY!   is that a muscle in your arm,,or u happy to see me,,ur legs are like toothpicks, you call that a bodybuilder? Your biceps are non existent.



Here is what your goals should be if you wanna stay a bodybuilder



to be a "bodybuilder" and rely just on conditioning is a joke. You gonna compete at 110 pounds forever? Your good enough to win local and maybe state shows, but a national show or pro level show in my opinion at 110 pounds isnt really a real bodybuilding show, you need to bring some size and quality muscle and conditioning.

I have pretty decent legs, and my biceps are one of my best muscles.   

National level shows have weight classes.  Junior Nationals is a National level show, and it's a REAL show.  What show would I have to win in order to qualify as a "real" bodybuilder to you?  Or is it just about SIZE from your perspective?  Do I have to be ENORMOUS to be a "real" bodybuilder? 
I do NOT want to be that big, nor do I have to in order to be successful as a bodybuilder.  You are just prolonging the notion that FBBs have to be mass monsters.

And NO, I am not going to compete at 110 pounds forever...the LW class goes up to 115, so I have room to grow as a LW.  I can still add about 3-4 pounds of muscle and remain a LW.

Talk to me about this again later this year after the North Americans and Nationals.   

[ripitupbaby]

If she is going to compete in REAL shows, she needs alot of work. I think she will be really humbled when she competes in a real show and gets beat becaue the cocky attitude only goes so far.

I'm not being cocky...I am defending myself against your suggestion that I am not a "real" bodybuilder because I am small and haven't done any "real" shows.  I'll be the first to admit that I need more work...in fact, I've always said that.  Bodybuilding is an ongoing process....there is always work to be done.

You're out to lunch on this one.

[Laura Lee]

If she is going to compete in REAL shows, she needs alot of work. I think she will be really humbled when she competes in a real show and gets beat becaue the cocky attitude only goes so far.

What do you consider a REAL show?

Also, its "quality" of muscle, not "quantity".  Lori is IMO better "conditioned" in that picture than the other.


Let's just stop ganging up on her please.  She works damn hard and should be given the respect.

[ripitupbaby]

It's OK, Jedi's entitled to his opinion, even if it's wrong.   

[JediKnight]

Look, there is always room for improvement, especially when your a lightweight. So you say you could move up to 115 pounds, ok well now u gotta add some size, then what, say you move up in bodyweight again, again you add size , so my point being, if Laura was gonna pick the "bodybuilding side" she would need to need add size to keep "improving", if she goes the "figure" way it is not so much about bulking and gaining muscle but more about conditioning and muscle which in my opinion is the best look for her. Rip, you look great, dont get me wrong, but my point being, compete with the top in the world, then lets talk before bashing my advice. But Rip, you are a very sexy, attractive, awesome bodybuilder. Just dont move up to much in weight, or u may ruin it..love ya ladies,,,,

[michael arvilla]

Laura version 2.0

[Laura Lee]

Look, there is always room for improvement, especially when your a lightweight. So you say you could move up to 115 pounds, ok well now u gotta add some size, then what, say you move up in bodyweight again, again you add size , so my point being, if Laura was gonna pick the "bodybuilding side" she would need to need add size to keep "improving", if she goes the "figure" way it is not so much about bulking and gaining muscle but more about conditioning and muscle which in my opinion is the best look for her. Rip, you look great, dont get me wrong, but my point being, compete with the top in the world, then lets talk before bashing my advice. But Rip, you are a very sexy, attractive, awesome bodybuilder. Just dont move up to much in weight, or u may ruin it..love ya ladies,,,,

Good gawd, I hope I don't ever gain more weight.  I'm 150 lbs now.  lol






Wooohooo, new pic of me eating lunch at work.  (yes, it was chicken breast, brown rice and broccoli).     MWAH Michael!!!

[JediKnight]

Good gawd, I hope I don't ever gain more weight.  I'm 150 lbs now.  lol






Wooohooo, new pic of me eating lunch at work.  (yes, it was chicken breast, brown rice and broccoli).     MWAH Michael!!!

Laura, I couldn't imagine you with some "bodybuilder" body, your just way to sexy, u look so good when u were competing as a figure competitor, it really brings out ur curves and ur smokin hott body. You did so well also, your first show u got a trophy, and u looked like someone who was meant to be there,,u looked like a professional.

[Laura Lee]

Laura, I couldn't imagine you with some "bodybuilder" body, your just way to sexy, u look so good when u were competing as a figure competitor, it really brings out ur curves and ur smokin hott body. You did so well also, your first show u got a trophy, and u looked like someone who was meant to be there,,u looked like a professional.

You're very sweet Jedi.  Thank you.  But like you said......there is always room for improvement.  Hopefully I can dial in a little better this time around.  I am in the same condition right now, as I was when I steppedon that stage last year.  With a little over 6 weeks left...hopefully I can bring up the sagging, errrrr I mean lagging parts (my ass, lol). 

[MindSpin]

Rip, you are a LIGHTWEIGHT BABY!   is that a muscle in your arm,,or u happy to see me,,ur legs are like toothpicks, you call that a bodybuilder? Your biceps are non existent.



Here is what your goals should be if you wanna stay a bodybuilder



to be a "bodybuilder" and rely just on conditioning is a joke. You gonna compete at 110 pounds forever? Your good enough to win local and maybe state shows, but a national show or pro level show in my opinion at 110 pounds isnt really a real bodybuilding show, you need to bring some size and quality muscle and conditioning.

WRONG!!!  Bodybuilding is not about big muscles...specially for women.  Bodybuilding is about BUILDING the ideal physique.  Obviously, "ideal" is a very subjective notion.  But, for most people, ideal is a lot closer to Rip, than it is to the BB whose pic you posted.

[JediKnight]

WRONG!!!  Bodybuilding is not about big muscles...specially for women.  Bodybuilding is about BUILDING the ideal physique.  Obviously, "ideal" is a very subjective notion.  But, for most people, ideal is a lot closer to Rip, than it is to the BB whose pic you posted.

Actually, that is what "bodybuilding" is all about. We all have a point where improvement is needed. Rip looks good but she over time needs to make improvements. Speaking of improvements, MindSpin, it's about time you make some, you have made no progress in the last few years. Your tiny. This is bodybuilding, not lazybuilding.

[ripitupbaby]

Actually, that is what "bodybuilding" is all about. We all have a point where improvement is needed. Rip looks good but she over time needs to make improvements. Speaking of improvements, MindSpin, it's about time you make some, you have made no progress in the last few years. Your tiny. This is bodybuilding, not lazybuilding.

I agree, I need to make some improvements.  I could use a little more thickness in my back and some more depth to my abs....nothing that can't be accomplished with 3-4 pounds over time.   

[JediKnight]

I agree, I need to make some improvements.  I could use a little more thickness in my back and some more depth to my abs....nothing that can't be accomplished with 3-4 pounds over time.   

I am not bashing u at all,,i want u to know that,,u look better than 99% of chicks out there,,i am jut saying in terms of bodybuilding,,and just kinda using u as an example,,but in general,,anyone who is bodybuilding , will in time, always want to improve to a certain extent, and IN MY OPINION i think that Laura was better suited for the figure, because there are alot of dirty politics in bodybuilding, and I didnt want to see her mess up her incredible body to get bigger and muscular..most female bodybuilders ideal weight is over 110 pounds. So your the best at 110 pounds,,ok,,but if u start improving,,u put on more muscle,,u compete at higher weight levels,,the competiton rises,,cmon,,what happens next,,u wanna get bigger..