All figure competitors out there....

[kimi7986]

What's one peice of advice that you would give to a newbie that you wish you had known before you got to the day of competition?

There is so much info out there it's hard to know what really matters! Thanks!

[sixzebra]

Pose, pose, pose. I wish i would have practiced more before my first figure comp.

[Weezy215]

Oh! Any advice would be great! Plan to compete in May-It'll be my first....

Any good recommendations for posing? (i.e articles to read/from first hand experience)

Thanks!

[ALLISONETHIER]

Don't cut your water out completely.

And just because you compete does not mean you will 1. get famous, 2. get sponsored, or 3. be featured in a magazine.

And...evaluate why you want to compete, if it is for the reasons above, it is for the wrong reasons.

Do it for yourself only.

A.

[kimm4]

Originally Posted by kimi7986

What's one peice of advice that you would give to a newbie that you wish you had known before you got to the day of competition?

There is so much info out there it's hard to know what really matters! Thanks!

Practice your posing and smile!! Honestly, this is your 1st show so work hard but have fun with it!! Use this as a learning experience...that's what we all do the 1st time

Best of luck!!

[dbroncofan]

I agree...smile! You worked really hard to get where you are, so go out there and have fun!!

Relax when you go on stage...you have worked hard, your body can't change now so go out there and sell yourself to the judges and don't worry about what the other girls look like.

Don't be afraid to carb up before hand!! The only thing that can really hurt you is too much water, but the carbs will only fill your muscles. Lots of girls the first time out are afraid to eat too much and don't get enough carb load before the show.

[nic902]

Practice posing as much as you can! You never know how big your class will be or how long you will be on stage, so practice holding those poses as long as possible...and dont forget to smile when you're doing it

Have fun!!!

[kimi7986]

So since the biggest response has been posing...and recommendations on resources? I was looking at the DVDs and stuff on here, just not sure if some are better than others!

[ALLISONETHIER]

Originally Posted by kimi7986

So since the biggest response has been posing...and recommendations on resources? I was looking at the DVDs and stuff on here, just not sure if some are better than others!

Did you try a search on YouTube? It might give you an idea of how posing is.

A.

[sexynicole]

My best advice is if you can get to a show GO! Posing every night and walking in the heels is a MUST! Sweet Potatos are a GODSEND! LMAO! The more you practice posing the better and always in your HEELS. I bough two pair as the one's you will wear to practice in will stretch out and may be too loose come show time and cause you to slip.

Also at the show be sure to tell the people in your athletes meeting the day of the show that this is your FIRST SHOW and ask questions. Some shows do a better job than others working with Newbies. Find a gal to buddy with that has done a few shows and ask questions.

MOST OF ALL - LOOOSEN UP AND HAVE FUN! Good Luck!

[nic902]

Originally Posted by ALLISONETHIER

Did you try a search on YouTube? It might give you an idea of how posing is.

A.

x2...Definately check out youtube videos! I watched a ton...you can even practice your quarter turns along with them

[girl8]

I'm also wanting to compete just for myself. I was really competitive in highschool and haven't found something I could really get into untill now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have work to do but I find it fun !!

woot woot

[firecracker3]

This is a sport/lifestyle/hobby etc that is very subjective, compete for yourself (I learned the hard way) becuase if you expect any more success than that you get from inside you may end up in tears back stage (many do)....

really, have fun and don't put too much thought into the rationale behind the scoring...just enjoy your first comp...if you are serious though, some constructive feedback and help you improve in the off season

HTH

PS -- and AE is right, the girls that make a 'success' out of modelling etc are few and far between and still have to work hard to stay in the spotlight....lol, and still, it doesn't pay the bills.

[ifbbprobetsy]

Listen To One Person!!! That Is My Best Advice,,,stick With A Trainer And Dont Listen To A Million Different Opinions...which Means Dont Take My Advice...hahahaha.

Seriously...stick With One Person Or Else You Will Be Confused

Betsy Mcnally
Ifbb Pro

[jewelofnile]

DON'T go over board with your binge meal after a show....it will be harder to get back on a clean diet. No one talks about AFTER the show...only everything leading up to and the contest itself.

If you decide to cut water out, slowly get back into drinking it afterwards. If you retain water, make sure you are drinking water, possibly take a water pill or B6 and B12, and take walks.

There are some really good articles on BB.com that talk about post-contest binge eating and how to combat it.

Good luck!

[kimi7986]

Originally Posted by firecracker3

This is a sport/lifestyle/hobby etc that is very subjective, compete for yourself (I learned the hard way) becuase if you expect any more success than that you get from inside you may end up in tears back stage (many do)....

really, have fun and don't put too much thought into the rationale behind the scoring...just enjoy your first comp...if you are serious though, some constructive feedback and help you improve in the off season

HTH

PS -- and AE is right, the girls that make a 'success' out of modelling etc are few and far between and still have to work hard to stay in the spotlight....lol, and still, it doesn't pay the bills.

As much as I would love to someday be in the spotlight for this, I really just love the feeling I have after working out and want to feel that all the time. And for people to look at me and know that I work my ass off instead of me having to tell them would be awesome! And I love being on stage!

How far do all the competitors go between competitions? There were a few I wanted to do in a 3 month period but I'm not sure how long I should leave in between shows?

[nic902]

Originally Posted by jewelofnile

DON'T go over board with your binge meal after a show....it will be harder to get back on a clean diet. No one talks about AFTER the show...only everything leading up to and the contest itself.

If you decide to cut water out, slowly get back into drinking it afterwards. If you retain water, make sure you are drinking water, possibly take a water pill or B6 and B12, and take walks.

There are some really good articles on BB.com that talk about post-contest binge eating and how to combat it.

Good luck!

x2...WOW, this is one thing I really wish I knew before my first show...it took way too long to clean up my diet!!! I've learned my lesson for the next time around

[firecracker3]

Originally Posted by kimi7986

As much as I would love to someday be in the spotlight for this, I really just love the feeling I have after working out and want to feel that all the time. And for people to look at me and know that I work my ass off instead of me having to tell them would be awesome! And I love being on stage!

How far do all the competitors go between competitions? There were a few I wanted to do in a 3 month period but I'm not sure how long I should leave in between shows?

That's the RIGHT attitude!!!!

How far?? Hmm, well my first year I did 6 shows (which is a lot) in a 5 month period.....I wouldn't do that again....now I do like 2 within a month (say Spring) and then a few more in the fall....I keep a healthy weight in the summer (well not as much last summer because I was relocating) and that way I can diet down again without slamming my bod too much.....If you can find two that are like a week or so apart that's great..IMO I find this easiest

[kimi7986]

Originally Posted by firecracker3

That's the RIGHT attitude!!!!

How far?? Hmm, well my first year I did 6 shows (which is a lot) in a 5 month period.....I wouldn't do that again....now I do like 2 within a month (say Spring) and then a few more in the fall....I keep a healthy weight in the summer (well not as much last summer because I was relocating) and that way I can diet down again without slamming my bod too much.....If you can find two that are like a week or so apart that's great..IMO I find this easiest

There are 3 in my area in a 2 month period...so I guess I'll start there. I just didn't want to set myself up for failure on the first shot!

[firecracker3]

Originally Posted by kimi7986

There are 3 in my area in a 2 month period...so I guess I'll start there. I just didn't want to set myself up for failure on the first shot!

Failure? Nonsense, with your goals you will only continue to be satisfied The one challenge on doing 3 shows in that span is the long diet - both physically and mentally -- so MY opinion is to book the first two and see how you feel about the third (or book the first only and see how you feel).....everyone reacts differently to contest dieting and while some are perfectly fine (and thrive) on doing several shows (looking better with each one in same cases) others don't....I know I prefer to do two shows back to back as I don't tend to diet down as often and this way I can get more "bang for my buck" .... but just be careful with the food and might I recommend having someone - experienced - perhaps assist you with dieitng down and provided you are happy with your first show showing - maintenance.....it will be less stress for you to have someone who is experienced juggling macros and all you have to do is follow it and try to mentally stay in the game

Good luck to you!

[Shannon Dey]

Originally Posted by ifbbprobetsy

Listen To One Person!!! That Is My Best Advice,,,stick With A Trainer And Dont Listen To A Million Different Opinions...which Means Dont Take My Advice...hahahaha.

Seriously...stick With One Person Or Else You Will Be Confused

Betsy Mcnally
Ifbb Pro

I've got to agree with Betsy! EVERYONE is an "expert" and if you go around asking everyone for advice or their opinion on your plan it's a recipe for disaster!!

Also, have FUN with this!! It's not life or death, it's a hobby, so have some fun with it and relax!!

[risstang]

Julie Lohre has an awesome posing video for beginners...

http://www.julielohre.com/

[_VL]

I am smiling as I read this about the posing advice. This will be my first year competing in amateur figure and I truly underestimated what it takes in trying to achieve perfect total body pose control while in high heels. All of the folks around me involved in bbing understand all of my practicing but some folks at work and others while waiting in line at the supermarket do give me rather odd looks when I catch myself doing it LOL

[_VL]

*bump* for Sue
(this is the thread he was talking about)

[kimm4]

The thing about posing is there is more than 1 way to pose. You need to figure out which way to pose to best show off your physique. (The more you practice and the more stage time you have the easier it gets) Example some girls might keep both arms down in a side pose, while others place 1 hand on their hip...it all depends what makes you look best.

Again just have some fun...that's what it's really all about!

[CarolAnn1]

Don't stress......Just have Fun!

[kkschaef]

Practice posing and walking in your shoes. I agree with Betsy listen to one person only. Your trainer.

[jewelofnile]

Originally Posted by ALLISONETHIER

Don't cut your water out completely.

And just because you compete does not mean you will 1. get famous, 2. get sponsored, or 3. be featured in a magazine.

And...evaluate why you want to compete, if it is for the reasons above, it is for the wrong reasons.

Do it for yourself only.

A.

Allison's advice is always great so listen to that for one.

Two - pose and practice walking in your heals

Three - learn about what happens to your body AFTER the contest...don't go crazy binge eating.

Good luck!

[kimi7986]

So I've also heard not to bring men backstage because obviously it cn make competitors uncomfortable, which I totally understand....how do you all feel about that? I was either going to have my trainer or my husband backstage but now I'm not sure.

[nic902]

I had a female friend help me in the dressing area with my suit and making sure everything was perfect but I also had my trainer (male) in the backstage with me...it looked like my arrangement was a fairly common one.