So last month I decided to enter first figure competition which will be held this fall (there are 4 in area between September and November and haven't yet figured out which one I'm going to do). Last weekend there was a figure/bodybuilding competition near where I live so I decided to go watch to get an idea of what I need to be working on. I got to the competition a little late (had to teach a class at the gym before going to the show) and ended up sitting off by myself. As I'm sitting there minding own business a HUGE guy (like one of the biggest men I have ever seen!) comes up and sits next to me and tells me that I should do a competition. So I told him that I'm planning on doing one in the fall and came to see what I could learn from this one. So I get to talking with this guy and find out that hes a professional body builder (google Quincy Taylor if you're curious) and is the guest poser for the show. After chatting for a while, he offers to take me to lunch and then to the gym to give me some pointers. I'm not one to pass up a free lunch... or a free training session with a professional bodybuilder so of course I took him up on the offer. I was also pretty impressed and flattered that this guy wanted to take time out of his busy schedule to help little ole me in the gym. Soooo long story short we go to lunch and then to the gym and after working with me for a few hours and going over diet and training schedule he comes right and tells me that I need to get on some "supplements"... and basically tells me that I'm not going to get to the "next level" without some supplemention. Sooo I'm pretty naive and I'm thinkin like glutamine or whey (which I'm already doing) and I ask what kind of supplements. He tells me the names of some (which I write down) then I ask where I should get these supplements and he informs me that they can't be purchased over the counter... they are ILLEGAL! Basically this guy is trying to tell me that I need to do steriods in order to reach goals. Now i'm not a stupid girl. I've got a minor in health and wellness and I am on way to be getting personal trainers certification. Obiviously I know that I am perfectly capable of meeting goals without the "supplements" that this guy is suggesting. I guess what bothers me about the situation is that this guy doesn't know me from anybody else. He doesn't know how knowledable or intelligent I am on this stuff. For him to come right out and say that I need to take illegal steriods in order to reach goals was honestly pretty $hitty in opinion. He also downplayed the whole steriod thing by telling me that pretty much all professional bodybuilders are on some kind of "supplements". It bothers me that I'm a complete novice at this figure/bodybuilding stuff and his first suggestion for me to reach goals is to put a bunch of drugs in body. I also wonder how many other people this guy has "trained" and how many others have actually believed that the only way they can meet their goals is through drugs.
I'm not sure why I decided to share this story... guess I just wanted to rant a little bit. :)
For all of you other beginners out there... remember success comes with HARD WORK and DETERMINATION!!! There are no short cuts in this game.
Cassie :)
An interesting encounter....
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cassiegose
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cassiegose
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Cassie,
What an experience to say the least! Thank God you have the training, experience, and knowledge to know that man was going to lead you in the wrong direction. Imagine how many others would take him up on his offer and not even blink and think of the side effects of steroid use. Now, I'm not one to pass judgement on those who use steroids, to each his own I guess. But the research I have read and side effects alone are enough to keep me and a host of others like you away from them. When I competed I saw Jay Cutler and Ronnie Coleman. All I have to say is those guys were absolutely massive and personal opinion is, it's just not thing nor do I find it attractive in any way. I also wondered since the competition I entered was drug tested and all natural, why would the people running the show allow a performance by one who uses steroids? A conflict of interest in book.
Anyway, so glad your gonna do figure! You will have a great time. I know you'll train hard, work hard, and get your goal! You go girl!
What an experience to say the least! Thank God you have the training, experience, and knowledge to know that man was going to lead you in the wrong direction. Imagine how many others would take him up on his offer and not even blink and think of the side effects of steroid use. Now, I'm not one to pass judgement on those who use steroids, to each his own I guess. But the research I have read and side effects alone are enough to keep me and a host of others like you away from them. When I competed I saw Jay Cutler and Ronnie Coleman. All I have to say is those guys were absolutely massive and personal opinion is, it's just not thing nor do I find it attractive in any way. I also wondered since the competition I entered was drug tested and all natural, why would the people running the show allow a performance by one who uses steroids? A conflict of interest in book.
Anyway, so glad your gonna do figure! You will have a great time. I know you'll train hard, work hard, and get your goal! You go girl!
1. Steroids don't always cause alteration to the female self.
Light ones, things like Anavar, Primobolan, Winstrol etc etc, can often exert few effects, other than oily skin, and maybe a bit of back pimpling.
The stronger things like Dianabol could potentially cause changes in the right doses, the main things being thicker jawline and hoarse voice, which can't be reversed. The possible Clitoral issues might be permanent too.
2. All the pros are on it. I don't believe that. It's entirely possible that someone weighing in at 130-135lb's, 10%bf isn't. However it could be like that for some.
Unless you're a pro BB, then you're on stuff. 160-170lbs+ for sure.
3. Getting to the next level, doesn't require Steroids at all. Especially if you're in the NANBF, (North American Natual Bodybuilding Federation), then almost certainly you're competing against people, many would call clean, and there is stringent testing I believe.
What would happen if you competed in a more common organisation, is you would be up against "some" people who might be using, as some Steroids can allow for shredding and mass preservation combined, but it's all ultimately a lot on things like finishing touches, hair, tan coverage etc etc, plus other stuff like posing quality, routine etc etc.
I'm really happy you're doing this. You can certainly count on support over your choice. Competing is a perfectly normal thing, just like running, swimming, throwing Javelins etc etc, that's one big thing to tell yourself. Just because muscle can have function, doesn't mean it needs to be competitively used in a functional way, to be a valid sporting use.
I can certainly find you some good on-line vids of people posing, I've got post on site, about the kind of things you might do, need to do, etc etc, I can certainly hold you accountable for things if you ever want to PM me, and get some kicking, or just need someone to yammer at, when it seems like you're ready to chuck it away, just let me know what little things I might be able do, I'll try and find time to do it
.
I know that you are someone in mind, who is now ready to emotionally, mentally and physically take something like this on. You certainly have the looks to go far if you want to, and if you have the belief, certainly people including me will believe in you too.
You've had a tough past with your and old relationship issue, but you should be incredibly proud to have moved on, and overcome those things.
You've certainly always kept, cared for and protected some very touching and important human qualities, and it makes you a young Lady of great "human" ability.
Your journey in life shows you now have a strength, mental capacity and emotional proveness to potentially handle a comp and the prep. If I didn't believe in what I thought could be possible, I'd be saying right now, it's very hard, I'm not 100% sure you're ready for this, but I'm saying all this because I believe you are capable and ready to make this step if you truly want it.
I'm aware it's a hard road for many, but I'm also aware it's a very rewarding one too, so GOOD LUCK, and don't let anyone make you feel bad, or feel wrong for this. You're doing a perfectly good thing, and if you get to stand on a stage showing people who amazing you feel, look and want to be, that's your right, and nobody can take that away from you.
You certainly put a lot of time into other people, certainly the time you will need to put into yourself is very possible, and certainly someone like me will be on hand if you need to let go, complain, rant, or want to bounce ideas.
GOOD LUCK again, and most importantly keep believing in your decision, your right to do this, and your ability to do this. If you can maintain those things even when it seems really hard to push on, that's more than half the battle won. You will always be a winner just to be stepping out after 3-4 months of hard slog, so you don't need a trophy and a few freebies to make you a winner, though they would make you potentially the champion.
Certtainly for what you'd need to do, in mind, finishing the show and placed would make you an athlete, any bit as much as someone who is a pro, or someone who wins Gold medals, in an Olympic games.
It's a case of how much it's worth to you, but if it's worth it to you, then I feel it's worth it to people like me.
P.S. do the one that's furthest ahead, if possible. Gives you plenty of time to get your shizzle in order, know more, research more, practice your moves more, etc etc. You might feel like you're itching to go right now, and do it soon as, but being at your best will take time, so I'd say use the time well, and go later rather than sooner, if possible, as the time frame involved between the first and last, would be a bit too tight perhaps to go for a second close after a first, even if you were still getting that first time buzz and wanted to do another, whilst you still had the comp head on.
Light ones, things like Anavar, Primobolan, Winstrol etc etc, can often exert few effects, other than oily skin, and maybe a bit of back pimpling.
The stronger things like Dianabol could potentially cause changes in the right doses, the main things being thicker jawline and hoarse voice, which can't be reversed. The possible Clitoral issues might be permanent too.
2. All the pros are on it. I don't believe that. It's entirely possible that someone weighing in at 130-135lb's, 10%bf isn't. However it could be like that for some.
Unless you're a pro BB, then you're on stuff. 160-170lbs+ for sure.
3. Getting to the next level, doesn't require Steroids at all. Especially if you're in the NANBF, (North American Natual Bodybuilding Federation), then almost certainly you're competing against people, many would call clean, and there is stringent testing I believe.
What would happen if you competed in a more common organisation, is you would be up against "some" people who might be using, as some Steroids can allow for shredding and mass preservation combined, but it's all ultimately a lot on things like finishing touches, hair, tan coverage etc etc, plus other stuff like posing quality, routine etc etc.
I'm really happy you're doing this. You can certainly count on support over your choice. Competing is a perfectly normal thing, just like running, swimming, throwing Javelins etc etc, that's one big thing to tell yourself. Just because muscle can have function, doesn't mean it needs to be competitively used in a functional way, to be a valid sporting use.
I can certainly find you some good on-line vids of people posing, I've got post on site, about the kind of things you might do, need to do, etc etc, I can certainly hold you accountable for things if you ever want to PM me, and get some kicking, or just need someone to yammer at, when it seems like you're ready to chuck it away, just let me know what little things I might be able do, I'll try and find time to do it
.I know that you are someone in mind, who is now ready to emotionally, mentally and physically take something like this on. You certainly have the looks to go far if you want to, and if you have the belief, certainly people including me will believe in you too.
You've had a tough past with your and old relationship issue, but you should be incredibly proud to have moved on, and overcome those things.
You've certainly always kept, cared for and protected some very touching and important human qualities, and it makes you a young Lady of great "human" ability.
Your journey in life shows you now have a strength, mental capacity and emotional proveness to potentially handle a comp and the prep. If I didn't believe in what I thought could be possible, I'd be saying right now, it's very hard, I'm not 100% sure you're ready for this, but I'm saying all this because I believe you are capable and ready to make this step if you truly want it.
I'm aware it's a hard road for many, but I'm also aware it's a very rewarding one too, so GOOD LUCK, and don't let anyone make you feel bad, or feel wrong for this. You're doing a perfectly good thing, and if you get to stand on a stage showing people who amazing you feel, look and want to be, that's your right, and nobody can take that away from you.
You certainly put a lot of time into other people, certainly the time you will need to put into yourself is very possible, and certainly someone like me will be on hand if you need to let go, complain, rant, or want to bounce ideas
.GOOD LUCK again, and most importantly keep believing in your decision, your right to do this, and your ability to do this. If you can maintain those things even when it seems really hard to push on, that's more than half the battle won. You will always be a winner just to be stepping out after 3-4 months of hard slog, so you don't need a trophy and a few freebies to make you a winner, though they would make you potentially the champion
. Certtainly for what you'd need to do, in mind, finishing the show and placed would make you an athlete, any bit as much as someone who is a pro, or someone who wins Gold medals, in an Olympic games.
It's a case of how much it's worth to you, but if it's worth it to you, then I feel it's worth it to people like me.
P.S. do the one that's furthest ahead, if possible. Gives you plenty of time to get your shizzle in order, know more, research more, practice your moves more, etc etc. You might feel like you're itching to go right now, and do it soon as, but being at your best will take time, so I'd say use the time well, and go later rather than sooner, if possible, as the time frame involved between the first and last, would be a bit too tight perhaps to go for a second close after a first, even if you were still getting that first time buzz and wanted to do another, whilst you still had the comp head on.
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cassiegose
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Awwee.. Bossman thank you for all of the nice compliments. You're sweet! :) Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated!... Especially on the posing. I'll be sending you a pm in the future to see about getting some help with this. :)
Boopster... Yeah that was an experience for sure! On one hand... I totally appreciated him taking the time to go to the gym with me and get me headed on the right direction. It meant alot that he spent his time helping me... however I was discouraged that he was so quick to recommend the drugs. I suppose hes been in the industry for so long (over 20 years), has used so many "supplements", and been around others doing the same that i'm sure steriods aren't as big of a deal to them as they are to us who haven't ever used them. As you said... to each his own.
On another note... Im SO excited also! I've been working BUTT off lately and am finally starting to see results. Just this morning boss at the gym (who I am very good friends with) told me that butt is shrinking... so I guess I've literallly been working it off. :)
Boopster... Yeah that was an experience for sure! On one hand... I totally appreciated him taking the time to go to the gym with me and get me headed on the right direction. It meant alot that he spent his time helping me... however I was discouraged that he was so quick to recommend the drugs. I suppose hes been in the industry for so long (over 20 years), has used so many "supplements", and been around others doing the same that i'm sure steriods aren't as big of a deal to them as they are to us who haven't ever used them. As you said... to each his own.
On another note... Im SO excited also! I've been working BUTT off lately and am finally starting to see results. Just this morning boss at the gym (who I am very good friends with) told me that butt is shrinking... so I guess I've literallly been working it off. :)
I repeat what I said to you privately:
"You will be a great personal trainer if that's what you decide to do, but more important I'm a firm believer that success is determined 85% by your human skills which you have in abundance - you will be great at whatever you do!."
Thanks for the info, it's concerning that someone may be peddling steroid use to our young people who may not know better.
Good luck on your new endeavor!
"You will be a great personal trainer if that's what you decide to do, but more important I'm a firm believer that success is determined 85% by your human skills which you have in abundance - you will be great at whatever you do!."
Thanks for the info, it's concerning that someone may be peddling steroid use to our young people who may not know better.
Good luck on your new endeavor!
Peddling doesn't cover it. There was a case about 15 years ago, of a young girl from Liverpool, being offered stuff. She was 15. She may have used it too whatever it was, but I'm not sure about that.
I think the guy got jailed. Although unlike America, it's legal to own, but not buy or sell. In America Steroid possesion is 0 tenths of the law. Not to mentioned the no selling and buying laws. So the law is a bit more lax here. Though I'm not saying that to make it sound like a good or bad thing.
I think the guy got jailed. Although unlike America, it's legal to own, but not buy or sell. In America Steroid possesion is 0 tenths of the law. Not to mentioned the no selling and buying laws. So the law is a bit more lax here. Though I'm not saying that to make it sound like a good or bad thing.
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cassiegose
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Hi Katie,
Thanks for the encouragement! I haven't decided which one (or two) I'm going to do yet. The one in September is in Spokane WA, the two in October are somewhere on the Oregon coast, and the one in November is over in Idaho. I live in Oregon so these are all within a 5 hour drive. Right now I'm playing with diet to figure out what is going to work best for me.
Just to clear up post.... he wasn't trying to sell me any drugs. He just told me that I would need to get on some steriods if I was going to get to the next level. :)
Thanks for the encouragement! I haven't decided which one (or two) I'm going to do yet. The one in September is in Spokane WA, the two in October are somewhere on the Oregon coast, and the one in November is over in Idaho. I live in Oregon so these are all within a 5 hour drive. Right now I'm playing with diet to figure out what is going to work best for me.
Just to clear up post.... he wasn't trying to sell me any drugs. He just told me that I would need to get on some steriods if I was going to get to the next level. :)
One thing I might suggest, is if you're going to play with the diet, it might be good to severely limit the choices of Carbohydrate, so you're keeping things a little easier, as opoosed to cutting two or three types.
The main thing would be something like Cereal at Breakfast. An obvious choice being Broccoli for other meals, because it's Carb rich, and good for Iron as well.
You might also find things like Beans offer a good way to get your Protein and Aminos, then just slightly reduce the Protein in your diet accordingly, so you don't get too much. Although Soybeans would be pointless as they're fat packed and you don't want too much of that Fat in you diet.
Then maybe do the same with either Peas and / or Lentils, and possibly a wildcard veggie like say Onion, as the Quercetin content is a good anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine, so it's got merit, or possibly another wildcard would be Parsley, as it's a B Vitamin carrier. Bvitamins being good in part for assisting with Breakdown of Macronutrients.
So in that instance you're restricting to 4 or 5 Carb sources to simplify things.
You could possibly even mix them, as if you had a bit of Parsley, Beans and Onion, you've got enough variety for something like a Chicken Stirfry.
I'm sure you'll work things out. Good luck.
The main thing would be something like Cereal at Breakfast. An obvious choice being Broccoli for other meals, because it's Carb rich, and good for Iron as well.
You might also find things like Beans offer a good way to get your Protein and Aminos, then just slightly reduce the Protein in your diet accordingly, so you don't get too much. Although Soybeans would be pointless as they're fat packed and you don't want too much of that Fat in you diet.
Then maybe do the same with either Peas and / or Lentils, and possibly a wildcard veggie like say Onion, as the Quercetin content is a good anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine, so it's got merit, or possibly another wildcard would be Parsley, as it's a B Vitamin carrier. Bvitamins being good in part for assisting with Breakdown of Macronutrients.
So in that instance you're restricting to 4 or 5 Carb sources to simplify things.
You could possibly even mix them, as if you had a bit of Parsley, Beans and Onion, you've got enough variety for something like a Chicken Stirfry.
I'm sure you'll work things out. Good luck
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cassiegose
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Bossman,
carb choices are actually VERY limited right now. I recently cut gluten out of diet (found out i have an intolerance to it) sooo pretty much sticking to oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and some brown rice and quinoa... with 1 grapefruit and veggies throughout the day. This helps as I don't have to guess on the carbs/protein/cals/fat. Right now diet is 40/30/30 at about 2100 cals. Seems to be working... slowly but surely. We'll see.
Soybeans are packed in fat? Really? Didn't know that.
carb choices are actually VERY limited right now. I recently cut gluten out of diet (found out i have an intolerance to it) sooo pretty much sticking to oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and some brown rice and quinoa... with 1 grapefruit and veggies throughout the day. This helps as I don't have to guess on the carbs/protein/cals/fat. Right now diet is 40/30/30 at about 2100 cals. Seems to be working... slowly but surely. We'll see.
Soybeans are packed in fat? Really? Didn't know that.
Maybe try Pink Grapefruit then. Same nutrient profile, slightly lower on Vit C, higher in other things, but has Lycopene which normal don't. About 1/2 a small is equivalent to half a medium normal one, but being about 15-20 grams lighter, has slightly less sugar than a normal one.
Yes on the Soybean Fats, they are containers of ALA, Alpha Linolenic Acid, an Omega 3 type of Fat, that converts to EPA and DHA in the body.
Yes on the Soybean Fats, they are containers of ALA, Alpha Linolenic Acid, an Omega 3 type of Fat, that converts to EPA and DHA in the body.