Hey Jen! First off, compliments on your physique. Looking great! Wanted to ask you though...How many comps have you done/attended? Or did I understand you correct that you are only thinking about entering your 1st show this year? I understand your passion about defending to stay natural as I am on the same path. However, I've competed with other girls and unfortunately even the Figure girls are on some sort of "supps". On top of that, I hear that there is no such thing anymore as being natural even when it comes to the Naturals. It is unfortunate but that's what BB has turned into. It is very discouraging to those of us who are so motivated and disciplined busting their ass in the gym to achieve something on our own...So I just hope that you look at it realistically because you will be most likely competing in very unfair shows. Make sure you understand that you are entering into something where your naturally beautiful physique will be overshadowed by those girls who are on gear. That's all politics which is so pathetic in this sport...
Best of luck to you in all of your future endeavors!
~FitChic78
Thanks for the compliments!
Well, last year I competed in 4 shows (3 local, 1 national level) and even on the local level I heard rumors about what some of the girls were on. At first it really bothered me but if that is what these girls choose to do then who am I to be upset...I'm competing in the NPC where most of the shows are not tested, I suppose it is to be expected. Also, I think I am lucky because I have always been muscular and making gains hasn't been a problem. All the pics are from last year, I have always trained for something but never just focused on lifting. Going into my shows last year I only seriously trained 2 months before dieting, I knew I would be too small to compete Nationally but I wanted the experience. I took off 7 months and gained 25 pounds and lifted. If I go into my shows and am still not big enough this year I will give it another try.
When you say even the "naturals" aren't natural I wonder if you are talking about legal supplementation or hiding usage of illegal drugs. Last year I didn't take any supplements and dieting really stripped me of some of my muscle. When I realized how big the top girls were I knew I would need to supplement to compete. Now I take quite a few things (all legal) that I think have helped me put on some size, and hopefully will help me maintain it throughout my dieting.
Although it may be easier for girls on drugs to get bigger or leaner more easily, I think Figure is special because you don't have to take something to be competitive. In everything I do I always try to work harder then everyone else, this is no different, so if I can do it naturally it will make it that much sweeter for me. Don't get too discouraged about your competitors, do it for you and the rest will fall into place. Even if I never earn my pro card, the people I have meet and the knowledge I have gained through this journey have made it worthwhile.
