Calling all ladies who have competed in anything, ever!

[alice29]

Hi everyone,

For starters, I'm 18 years old. I recently lost 10kg because I found out I have PCOS, so I've had a complete lifestyle change. By body fat percentage was 14% in the summer, and is still around that range now, maybe a bit less.. I'm really into the gym and clean eating now, as is my boyfriend, who's rather large and ripped! He's starting to think about competing in the whole bodybuilding/physique/whatever you call it thing. And lately I've kind of been thinking about it too - I'm in need of something to work towards!

I'm on a program with a good balance of weights and cardio - written by my boyfriend, who has trained his whole life and is currently working towards a PT qualification.

My question for you is, what's the best way to go about getting into this, here in NZ? I live in Hawke's Bay but am at uni in Wellington for most of the year. Can someone explain to me how it all works - what each of the classes mean, etc.

Basically, what's the lowest level stuff I could start out with, and what sort of standard should I expect? Photos of what level I should be aiming for would be really helpful. And basic info on where/when competitions are. I don't necessarily want to launch straight into them, but I'd love to maybe go along and watch a few to get an idea of what it's all about Thanks!

[fish]

Hi Alice29

Im in my third year of competing and believe me even in my late thirties it was just as daunting...

I kinda had crappy advice to start with and thought competing was just about eating clean and looking healthy...So I did my first couple of competitions with pretty much zero guidance... and looking back at the pics I can see just how badly I needed the help *wacko*

If your guy is going to compete I think going with him to a show for support is an awesome idea...You'll get a good feel for what goes on back stage as well as get to spectate and look at all the classes, what each one consists of and what is expected. Either way, going to a show for a look see will help you decide whether you caught the bug or not. There are several body building federations and each have different classes and rules from the other. Check out the Nabba/wff or Nabbanz or NZIFBB or INBA websites.... They all have a calender of events for the year. The tickets are all pretty much the same (around $15 for afternoon shows and $25 for evening shows)

What about your local gym??

Do they have posing classes? If not, find a gym where they hold regular posing classes. There you will meet other girls (and guys) of all classes who can share their knowledge and experience in person.... right down to helping you find competition shoes and bikinis etc... They can also be great friends and support when you're getting close to competition and dieting may be taking its toll on you mentally and physically.

Dependent on how competitive you might be and without wanting to dis your boyfriend... I would really strongly advise finding yourself a personal trainer and definitely a nutritionist. Personal trainers don't just give you a training program and expect you to do the rest. If you find a good one with knowledge and experience in bodybuilding then they are gold dust. They will be your backbone throughout the whole process (and I dont mean to scare you but it is a long hard grind - you cant just jump on a stage and expect to win prizes without months of gruelling weights and cardio workouts and weeks of intense dieting) Your personal trainer will monitor your progress regularly and thoroughly, until they know you better than you know you, making last minute alterations to your schedule if needed and will only allow you to get on a stage if both them and you are happy with the finished product. Your personal trainer will have you weighing yourself and measuring BF every hour in the last few days before a comp.... Needless to say, as wonderfully knowledgable as your boyfriend may be, if he intends to compete himself, he will barely be able to concentrate on getting himself stage ready..... Bodybuilding is a very self indulgent sport..... "ITS ALL ABOUT ME" ..... and even with the best will in the world, his last weeks in the run up to show will be solely focused on him.

I admire couples who compete together.... I personally would probably seriously injure my guy if I had to put up with what he puts up with from me..... When your energy and BF are at an all time low your head plays crazy games and only after a show do you say, 'Holy crap, did I really behave like that?' In my opinion couples who survive a year of competing together would survive a lifetime of marriage...unbreakable..

Enough of the negative, bodybuilding is an awesome sport!! Get along to a show and see for yourself.... You'll love the atmosphere...it's unique!

If you decide it's for you Id love to support you through to your first show.

[atrollappears]

Hi There.. I found this study a while back that seems to relate to PCOS you mentioned, wondered if it might be helpful..?

Clinical, endocrine and metabolic effects of metformin vs N-acetyl-cysteine in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
To evaluate the clinical, endocrine and metabolic effects of metformin and N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this prospective trial, 100 women with PCOS were randomly divided to receive metformin (500 mg p.o. three times daily) or NAC (600 mg p.o. three times daily) for 24 weeks. Hyperandrogenism, lipid profiles, hirsutism scores, menstrual irregularity, insulin sensitivity and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were measured at baseline and after the treatment period. Both treatments resulted in a significant decrease in fasting insulin, body mass index, hirsutism score, HOMA index, free testosterone and menstrual irregularity compared with baseline values, and both treatments had equal efficacy. NAC led to a significant decrease in both total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels, whereas metformin only led to a decrease in total cholesterol level. Although TNF-α levels increased following treatment for both groups, the difference from baseline was not significant.Metformin and NAC appear to have comparable effects on hyperinsulinaemia, hyperandrogenismand menstrual irregularity in women with PCOS. The effects of metformin and NAC on insulin sensitivity are not associated with TNF-α.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common female endocrine disorders with insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia for symptoms. 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21831508