Brand New Competitor

[april]

I have just started training for the Ms. Fitness competition in Pittsburgh on September 6th. I am really excited and nervous all rolled into one. I have never competed before and don't really know what I am getting into. I used to watch these competitions on t.v. with my Dad. I always thought how amazing the women were and I hoped to do that some day.

I have started a diet plan with a trainer and I am going to begin training with him next week. He has never trained anyone for this type of competition. He talked about dehydration and I was reading on here that it should NOT be done for the fitness competition. Should I just come right out and tell him that? I don't want to step on his toes, but I do want to get my money's worth.

I don't have a lot of technical dance experience, though I do love to dance! I was going to recruit my friend who was a cheerleader in college to help me with a routine as well as another friend of mine who has been dancing for 10 years.

Do you think this is doable in September? I am very competitive and I want to do a good job and definitely not make a fool of myself.
Thank you in advance for any words of encouragement and/or advice.

[lindalu]

Hi April,
I would never dehydrate yourself for a fitness competition. Your peformance will suffer, your risk for injury will increase as well as it really isn't all that safe. If you are going to stick with your trainer, I would request that he gets out there and does his homework. Training for fitness is entirely different then that used for bodybuilding. This is very doable for you. Don't be afaid to be up front with your trainer you are paying him for a service. A lot of your success will depend on what he brings to the table.

[april]

I had another question about diet. Currently he is having me eat 5 small meals a day that look like this: breakfast - 1 egg, 1/2 c. egg beaters, 1/2 c. oats, lunch - chicken, broccoli, rice, snack - protein shake and apple, pre work out snack - handful of almonds and apple, post workout - protein shake and egg whites.

I think this is a good start, but I am wondering if I could or should be eating a little bit more or have a little bit more free range than that. He said I am very lean (I am about 5'5" and 124lbs), but he hasn't take my body fat percentage yet. I know I have a good amount of toning in the hips, glutes and thighs, but the rest is pretty toned. I was thinking about working with him until I got the muscle I was looking for and then doing it on my own (money is always a factor).
Thank you so much for your help! This website is giving me a lot of much needed information.

[april]

Linda,

I've decided that this trainer probably isn't my best bet for this competition. He knows a lot about body building, but not a whole lot about fitness competitions. I am going to start the online program through Cathy Savage Fitness. It seems like the best and most cost efficient way to get started. Thank you so much for your help!

[lindalu]

Is that your list of approved foods? mmmm!? I wouldn't worry about that too much since you said your signing up for Cathy Savage's online training. I know they provide excellent eating guidelines and overall tips for competing. The bottom line is you have to find out what works for you.