25. What to expect after the show
CHAPTER 25 – What to expect after the show
You did it!
You trained your butt off and reaped the rewards of a great show.
No matter how you placed or what happened at the show, send the federation a thank you note specifying what you liked about the show.
Contact and thank anyone else that you met and deserved your gratitude along the way. This is a very small industry and it is time to start networking.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
After the show, regardless of your placing, you will likely feel great about your new body and will feel that you deserve to indulge in all the foods that have been cut out of your life for the last few months. You will likely all of a sudden want to eat things that you are not even hungry for, but will eat them because you can… this will only cause discomfort, bloating, gas, and rapid fast weight gain!
Here is a better idea. Allow yourself a cheat meal on foods that you enjoy. Don’t eat past fullness as your stomach has shrunk which is not necessarily a bad thing. It means that you will be less hungry and more able to maintain something close to your one month out shape. If you go crazy and re-stretch your stomach for even a week, it could cause you to go into a mildly depressed state and begin a yo-yo diet effect. It is best to adopt a new way of eat- ing and not go crazy after the show. Instead try to maintain what you look liked one month out of the show. Please know that it is close to impossible to maintain the shape that you achieved for show day. Please do not beat yourself up for not being able to maintain this shape, be happy with your one month out shape. This is an achievable goal with hard work and discipline that will allow you to stay in shape for photo shoot, to feel good about your body, and to become the fitness role model that every fitness competitor truly is.
A great way to maintain your shape is to go back to the three-month out of the show eating plan provided in the book and continue to train five times a week once a day. Keep your wa- ter high and ensure rest is included in your training plan. Enjoy what you’re doing, feel good and give thanks. This is a great way to ensure good body, mind and soul connection.
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Fitness Competition Preparation Au NaturalCHAPTER 26 - How to use the off-season to get better for your next show
Many athletes use the off-season as an excuse to eat, drink and be merry until competition season comes along once again. This type of thinking can be very dangerous to your health. The reason for this is it causes yo-yo dieting causing your body to go up and down the scale a few times a year. This is known to actually be harder on your heart than being obese! This is just one of many reasons that this is not a good idea. Some other issues with this line of thinking include the fact that you will not be ready for photo shoot opportunities should they come along and you will not be acting as the positive fitness role model that you have become by stepping on stage.
I remember back in 1998 when I first started competing, I watched a show on television and was in awe of the beautiful bodies that I saw. Later that year, I went to a show to watch an event and the winner of the show that I had watched on television was there handing out awards. She had gained what looked like 30-40 lbs and was not only not in shape, but looked obese! I was in shock that one of the girls I had been so impressed with did not really look that way… I saw her compete again on television later that year, and once again, she looked remarkable. At that time I made a promise to myself to figure out a way to train and to always stay within 10 lbs of my stage shape not only for my health, but for people who may be following my training. I would never want someone to be let down by me the way that this athlete let me down. Here is what I came up with:
The off-season is a great time re-evaluate your physique, training and goals and to create a plan to come back even better.
Here’s how to do it:
1. For one week after the show, have a maximum of one cheat-meal (not cheat day) per day. At the end of the week, you go right back to your healthy eating schedule. The eating plan included in this book with work nicely. You can continue to have one cheat meal per week if you like, but don’t force it if you don’t really need it. Your goal is to make this new style of eating a new way of life that you enjoy and feel good about. Don’t think about what you are not having, but rather, how good you look and feel!
2. Evaluate your physique: You may want to order a judges report or show some of your stage photos to a few different people in the fitness industry that you trust to help you to evaluate which areas need more work. For example – bringing more size to the shoulders to balance off the hips, etc. You are looking for optimal symmetry and a healthy leanness. 3. Chose your future shows and physically write out a plan of attack to come to this show at
your best. Get excited about it. Choose your costumes, training schedule, trainers, team etc. Make it something fun and achievable.
4. Put your plan into action. An achievable well thought-out plan will make the second show that much more fun. You will have the knowledge and practice behind you, now it will be your time to go after and achieve your goals. Remember, “The only limitations we have, are the ones we put on ourselves”. Now go get it!
Final Note
This book was written with the intention of helping athletes realize that with a little time, determination and dedication, that they can compete naturally and showcase a physique that they can be proud of. This is not only because they did it naturally, but because they are putting the ‘health aspect’ back into fitness competitions, and acting as ‘true fitness role models’.
All the best with your training and fitness competitions.
Lyzabeth Lopez xoxo
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Fitness Competition Preparation Au NaturalChoose a federation.
Choose your category/categories.
Assess how long it will take you to get ready (Chapter 3). Choose a target show.
Read and understand the rules of your Federation/show.
Sign up for the Federation’s newsletter/ website/ FaceBook group/ forum, or other affiliated social networks.
Decide if you will hire a trainer or go it alone (Chapter 5). If hiring a trainer, find the right one.
Decide on a costume designer (Fitness Model or Fitness Categories). Have your first meeting with the costume designer.
Determine if you will create your own nutrition plan or hire a nutritionist (Chapter 7). If hiring a nutritionist, find the right one.
Decide on a costume designer.
Have your first meeting with the costume designer. Attend the first fitting with your costume designer. Pick up all costumes you’re set to wear.
Hire a makeup artist or pay for a ‘How-To’ self-application session with a professional. Conduct a trial makeup application (if you feel it’s necessary).
Decide on hair styles and hair accessories, or hire a hair stylist and book your appointment. Order your tanning lotion as soon as you decide to compete. (I have seen it take months for the product to arrive, particularly if it’s out of stock.
Buy shoes right away and begin practicing your walk in them.
Register to compete in the show (try to catch the early bird registration if the federation offers it).
Book a photo shoot for the same week as your show. Pack your bag for the show.
Find out all registration details, meetings, etc.