15 Weeks.

[mleighp1]

So I've mentioned in a couple of other threads that I will be competing in a couple of body building competitions this coming spring. My first competition is 15 weeks away (actually 14 weeks and 5 days, but who is counting?!) I've been called crazy and told I am too old for this by some, but whatever...I'm doing it and nobody is going to stop me! Hell yeah I'm scared to get on stage in a bikini with a bunch of hot girls in their early 20s but I'm going to do it anyway! I love working hard for a goal that feels out of reach. nothing feels more rewarding than when you accomplish it!

The division that I will be competing in is called the "bikini" division. I will post some pics at the bottom of this to show you what the competitors in the bikini division typically look like physically.

I have a lot of work cut out for me. I need to lose about 10-12 pounds of fat and add 5 pounds of muscle. Losing the fat will not be the hard part. Adding the muscle will be the real challenge. It is not easy for women to put on muscle. 5 pounds of muscle in 15 weeks is definitely going to be a challenge, but it is a challenge I am up for.

My goal:
to place in the top four in my class for both competitions.




My workout plan:
Monday: 30 minutes cardio in the morning
Tuesday: Back/Shoulders
Wednesday: 30 minutes cardio in the evening
Thursday: 30 minutes cardio in the morning, Legs in the evening
Friday: 30 minutes cardio in the morning
Saturday: 30 minutes cardio in the morning
Sunday:* Biceps/triceps/chest

*Every other week I will skip the biceps/triceps/chest workout and do an additional back/shoulders or legs workout. My back and shoulders are very skinny and need extra work and my legs are not skinny, but are far less toned than my arms. So I will need to work those two areas more and make my arms a secondary focus to make my body more proportionate and balanced.

Here are some pics from previous competitions showing what the bikini division looks like:

[Scooter]

Shay looks pretty dang good from behind.
Reminds me I need to get tickets to the NutCracker. Tis the Season.

[mleighp1]

Originally Posted by Scooter

Shay looks pretty dang good from behind.
Reminds me I need to get tickets to the NutCracker. Tis the Season.

Shay looks pretty dang good from every angle! Back, front, sideways......

[Isaiah]

I'll just as I fall asleep now...those women are almost as beautiful as me! ^_~

[Awake at Last]

I LOVE your determination and resolve! It is a very ambitious goal, for sure. But I know you, and have no doubt that you will achieve your goal!!

[Scooter]

Something I have to ask.... If I may

I see the What and I see the How but I have to ask why?

Some of those women are OK looking and one is actually pretty fine but over all, I find men and women body builders quite unattractive. Toned is sexy but beefy, flat chested and manly women are a turnoff. I have seen many pictures of you Mer and frankly you aren't lacking in any of the required woman attributes so the why eludes me.

[mleighp1]

Originally Posted by Scooter

Something I have to ask.... If I may

I see the What and I see the How but I have to ask why?

Some of those women are OK looking and one is actually pretty fine but over all, I find men and women body builders quite unattractive. Toned is sexy but beefy, flat chested and manly women are a turnoff. I have seen many pictures of you Mer and frankly you aren't lacking in any of the required woman attributes so the why eludes me.

Its all subjective and you are certainly not the first to criticize my goals, but I love the way the women in this particular division of body building look. They are curvy but muscular and that to me is a great look. I am not seeking to be a heavy weight body builder. To me, bikini division is just right and its what I want for my body. Currently I do not feel that I have enough muscle definition and I would like to be more shapely and overall stronger and leaner. Its not for everyone, but its definitely what I want to achieve.

additionally, I get a rush from reaching a goal that requires a lot of perseverance and hard work. It boosts my confidence and the feeling you get when you reach your goal is indescribable.

[LaBellaVida]

Originally Posted by mleighp1

additionally, I get a rush from reaching a goal that requires a lot of perseverance and hard work. It boosts my confidence and the feeling you get when you reach your goal is indescribable.

YOU GO GIRL!!!! YOU EFFIN' GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my gosh I cannot wait to witness your journey.

You are an inspiration!!!

[Scooter]

Originally Posted by mleighp1

Its all subjective and you are certainly not the first to criticize my goals, but I love the way the women in this particular division of body building look.

Please don't feel that I am criticizing you or your goals, not my intension at all and I stand behind you and cheer you on. I have personal goals that others probably don't get, like running an ultra marathon barefoot, and I just was curious of the why and you answered that not that you needed to but I just asked.

I totally agree that the bikini division is appealing, at least for me, and I am sure that when not pumped up those girls would smoke anyone on the beach.

[GR8FL2BME]

GOOOOO MERRY!!

[Isaiah]

Crush the competition and finish like a champion!

[Corinne Friesen]

Meredith, when you win, we'll help you carry home that freeepin gigantic trophey!

If you want any work out tips for maximum results ASAP, I'm happy to be there for you!

[PhilipOnFire]

great challenge and I wish you well.


I suggest that as you want to gain muscle that you need to do significantly more load bearing exercise. I.E. weights.

justy eating a high protein diet is not a logical solution as the body only builds the muscles it needs and converts the remaining protein directly to fat.

[mleighp1]

Originally Posted by PhilipOnFire

great challenge and I wish you well.


I suggest that as you want to gain muscle that you need to do significantly more load bearing exercise. I.E. weights.

justy eating a high protein diet is not a logical solution as the body only builds the muscles it needs and converts the remaining protein directly to fat.

See plan above. I lift three times a week. The muscles need time to recover. That is when the mucsle develops.

[Corinne Friesen]

You'll also need to be sure to do about 15 minutes of stretching of those muscle groups after each of those load bearing work outs in order for the muscles to be able to fully respond to the request to tone & strengthen.

On the 'off days' non-load bearing (lighter) stretching is important to help the muscles recoup and respond to the next load bearing day better.

And as a final tip that you haven't asked for but I'm giving anyway (cause I'm too caught up in this and too keen to shut up):

I can see that you've alternating your load bearing workouts with 'off' days, but the load bearing work outs are for different parts of the body. So you're really only doing the load bearing work outs once a week for any given muscle groups. I don't believe this is going to give you the results you're hoping for. I think to bulk and / or tone as quickly as possible each muscle group needs to be included in that every-other-day scenario.

Dietarily, Arginine and Ornithine are great protein supplments that specifically cue muscle building. I know some body builders who take as much as 3 grams of Arginine and 1.5 grams a day of Ornthithine at bedtime. Bedtime consumption (separate from taking any other proteins) promotes Growth Hormone release which, in adults, promotes immunity and helps you build those muscles!

[Omega]

Hi Meredith,
Fantastic challenge.

You're never too old to get the body you desire and compete. My dad took up powerlifting when he retired aged 64, set a goal to become a world powerlifting champion (drug free) age 65. I went to Belgium and cheered as he achieved his goal and got also 2 British records. He also raised a lot of money for a local hospice (got people to sponser him to finish in the top 3 - added motivation to train hard!)

A lot of people ridiculed him or thought it would be bad for his health - but he has now featured in national magazines as an inspiration that it's never too late to set goals and acheive your dreams.

I am so proud of him.

Wishing you all the best.

[Awake at Last]

Originally Posted by Omega

Hi Meredith,
Fantastic challenge.

You're never too old to get the body you desire and compete. My dad took up powerlifting when he retired aged 64, set a goal to become a world powerlifting champion (drug free) age 65. I went to Belgium and cheered as he achieved his goal and got also 2 British records. He also raised a lot of money for a local hospice (got people to sponser him to finish in the top 3 - added motivation to train hard!)

A lot of people ridiculed him or thought it would be bad for his health - but he has now featured in national magazines as an inspiration that it's never too late to set goals and acheive your dreams.

I am so proud of him.

Wishing you all the best.

What a FANTASTIC story and so very appropriate for Meredith's situation.

Thing is, Meredith isn't really very old...just in her early to mid thirties. But I suppose if most of the competitors are in their early or mid twenties it may seem old.

[mleighp1]

Thanks everyone for the support and encouragement!! I'm so fortunate to have such supportive friends!

The workout plan and diet that I posted was put together for me by my coaches that I hired for this. They've trained a lot of competitors for these types of competitions, have competed in these types of events, and have judged these types of events as well, so I am going to trust their judgement. They will modify my plan as needed when they see me every few weeks and assess my body and determine what changes, if any, need to be made to my plan.

Corinne, I love your suggestion to stretch before and after my strength training. I hardly ever do that but I know I need to. Know any good stretches?

[mleighp1]

Originally Posted by Awake at Last

Thing is, Meredith isn't really very old...just in her early to mid thirties. But I suppose if most of the competitors are in their early or mid twenties it may seem old.

They do have a 35 and over category but I am just shy of that, so I will be competing against much younger girls, but hey...I will just have to work harder.

[Isaiah]

Originally Posted by Omega

Hi Meredith,
Fantastic challenge.

You're never too old to get the body you desire and compete. My dad took up powerlifting when he retired aged 64, set a goal to become a world powerlifting champion (drug free) age 65. I went to Belgium and cheered as he achieved his goal and got also 2 British records. He also raised a lot of money for a local hospice (got people to sponser him to finish in the top 3 - added motivation to train hard!)

A lot of people ridiculed him or thought it would be bad for his health - but he has now featured in national magazines as an inspiration that it's never too late to set goals and acheive your dreams.

I am so proud of him.

Wishing you all the best.

Exactly--the moral is it's NEVER too late to start and you're never too young or too old to do great things.