 |
06-17-2007, 10:34 PM
|
#1
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Greensboro, NC
Age: 44
Stats: 5'9", 162 lbs
Posts: 411
BodyBlog Entries: 0
BodyPoints: 7076
|
My first competition- the whole story
I just completed my first bodybuilding competition and I got 2nd place in novice men's short class. Here's my story.
Background- I hired a personal trainer for the first time in December and he talked me into entering a natural bodybuilding competition. I reluctantly agreed to do it because 1) I knew being on stage would motivate me to train hard and 2) I wanted to confront my stage fright. I started at 175 lbs. in January, clean bulked to 186 and cut to 162 for the competition. My bodyfat was 10% when I started and I don't know what it is now but it's low.
Preparing- I didn't count calories but just ate clean, increased protein and decreased carbs to get my bodyfat down while maintaining muscle. I did almost no cardio for fear of losing too much weight. My supplements were protein powder, glutamine, a multivitamin and fish oil pills. I didn't do any sodium load/depletion, carb load/depletion or diuretics but I did stop drinking water the evening before the show. I used a tanning bed a couple of weeks, put a coat of ProTan on Thursday, had a spray tan applied Friday morning and a second coat of ProTan Friday night. I was as dark or darker then most of the guys. I took a potassium supplement to avoid cramping and ate a bar of dark chocolate before going on stage.
Prejudging- I think there were 12 novice men competing and they split us into short and tall classes. At 5'9" I was the tallest of the short class. I was initially not sure how I was going to stack up against these guys but when people got into their posing suits I felt that I did belong at the competition. The novice men were the last group to take the stage and didn't go on until 2:15 pm. I had not anticipated this wait, didn't bring enough food and ended up eating donated dry oatmeal, which without water was not very fun. I have always had a bad fear of being in front of people and I also have a condition called essential tremor which makes me very tremulous when I get anxious. Fortunately when I got on stage I was able to focus, not get nervous and kept the tremors to a minimum. Some guys, even in the masters, were quaking very badly and made my fine tremors look like nothing. I felt I did a decent job with my posing, not perfect but pretty good. Afterwards several people said that two other guys and myself were clearly the best novices, which was encouraging. We were allowed to ask the judges after the prejudging about our physiques. The comments I got were from different judges were: good symmetry, excellent conditioning, looks like a human anatomy chart, great calves and hamstrings, lower body stronger than upper body, chest needs work. Frankly I was surprised they thought my legs were that good and I was surprised by the chest comment.
Night show- After going home and eating a chicken breast and a sweet potato (still no water) I returned for the night show. This was the Big Deal for me. I had been up nights worrying how I was going to get through this. I had parents, friends and coworkers in the audience. I was going to be alone on stage with next to nothing on. If you had given me the choice the day before of going on stage or having a tooth pulled without anesthesia I would have handed you the pliers. Fortunately the prejudging had boosted my confidence and by the time it was my turn I was actually eager to get out there. I pretty much nailed my routine! I was so excited when I left the stage I forgot about the awards and staff was scrambling to find me to go back out because I was in the final three. The final three were the ones people had predicted. I got second place and was not disappointed in the least. The other two competitors had more experience (they had both competed before in NPC) and were much better at posing and had great physiques. I will say I felt the novice short class competitors were considerably better than the tall class and the guy who beat me easily beat the winner of the tall class for best overall novice.
Conclusion- I joined my family and friends to watch the rest of the competition. When I got back to my car there was a banner that said "Built Ford Tough" (my first name is Ford) signed by lots of my coworkers with well wishes. We all went out for pizza and had a great time. The competition was a great experience and I reached my goals of getting into shape, learning how to compete, following through and conquering my stage fright. I'm not sure if I will compete again but I have gained tremendous respect for people who do this sport.
I don't have many photos yet, friends have to email them to me, but here is one of the final 3 in the novice men's short class. I'm "tall" one and the guy in the center won best overall novice. I've also updated the pics on my profile page.
__________________
I gotta be natural
Last edited by GSOgymrat; 06-17-2007 at 10:49 PM.
|
|
|
06-17-2007, 10:41 PM
|
#2
|
|
I want a PB&J
Join Date: Dec 2004
Age: 41
Stats: 6'1", 270 lbs
Posts: 4,138
BodyBlog Entries: 0
BodyPoints: 12973
|
Nice work GSO - I told you you belonged up there!
You now have done something that 99.8% of all gym-goers will never do. Big time congrats!!
|
|
|
06-17-2007, 10:42 PM
|
#3
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: South Carolina, United States
Age: 37
Stats: 5'6", 162 lbs
Posts: 2,015
BodyBlog Entries: 0
BodyPoints: 76701
|
Good job man! Look Great!
|
|
|
06-17-2007, 10:45 PM
|
#4
|
|
Amazon Queen
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Stats: 6'3", 168 lbs
Posts: 4,529
BodyPoints: 82580
|
Whoo Hoo!!!!
I'm so proud of you! I've been watching your progress and I believed in you. I love reading your story it was as I was there. The best thing about those competitions is having your family and friends there to support you. No matter if you win or lose they always got your back.
Great Job and be sure to post some pics when you get them.
__________________
BRB cutting for my March 2010 Bodybuilding Competition
**NPC Record Holder as the World's Tallest Figure Competitor**
Eating Raw Eggs - Om Nom, Nom, Nom, Nom..........
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. It's just that yours is stupid."
|
|
|
06-17-2007, 10:55 PM
|
#5
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Age: 66
Stats: 6'0", 215 lbs
Posts: 6,535
BodyBlog Entries: 0
BodyPoints: 21813
|
Ya did good GSO. Congratulations.
|
|
|
06-17-2007, 11:02 PM
|
#6
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Oregon, United States
Age: 52
Stats: 5'10", 179 lbs
Posts: 4,849
BodyPoints: 54162
|
Congratulations, Ford ... on all you've achieved ... both visible and non-visible.
|
|
|
06-17-2007, 11:08 PM
|
#7
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Vancouver, Washington, United States
Age: 55
Stats: 5'11", 235 lbs
Posts: 3,589
BodyPoints: 55883
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Someday
Nice work GSO - I told you you belonged up there!
You now have done something that 99.8% of all gym-goers will never do. Big time congrats!!
|
X's 100
ed
__________________
CELLUCOR SPONSORED ATHLETE
MEMBER OF TEAM CELLUCOR
http://www.cellucor.com/
CHECK OUT MY INTERVIEW WITH "SIMPLYSHREDDED"
http://www.simplyshredded.com/ed-cook-interview.html
2009 Bodyspace Member of The Year!
CHECK OUT MY TRAINER!
http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/swcalder/
Contact Sean who changed my life! He can change yours too!
checkthemelon@yahoo.com
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=180967149598&v=info#/event.php?eid=264800703001&ref=nf
|
|
|
06-17-2007, 11:10 PM
|
#8
|
|
Doing Work Son!
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
Age: 41
Stats: 6'0", 210 lbs
Posts: 273
BodyPoints: 15003
|
Way to go, and thanks
Congrats on your first competition and thanks for sharing your story. It is very inspiring. I truly appreciate you sharing your story. Interested in getting there myself and this is very encouraging. That with dedication and serious effort it could be possible. Love your attitude and bravery for competing and sharing your adventure with us. You look great, and should consider competing again. Thank you.
|
|
|
06-17-2007, 11:15 PM
|
#9
|
|
Guest
|
That is awesome. Congratulations. From that picture it looks like you could have easily been the winner. Nice job.
|
|
|
|
06-17-2007, 11:17 PM
|
#10
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 695
BodyBlog Entries: 0
BodyPoints: 9877
|
Phenomenal work GSO. I've always thought you had the ideal physique, as far as the look I want for myself is concerned. It’s great to hear that you placed.
Looking at the pick, I'm surprised the guy in the center won. He of course looks great but he has absolutely no chest compared to you and the other guy. His legs look great though. The other guy seems to have a great chest and back, but your arms and shoulders look the best and your back seems there too. If anything, I think it should have been between you and the other guy. Anyway, just a personal observation.
One question, you said you were not counting calories/prot/carb, but with no cardio I figure you had to be very careful with your food intake when you were cutting. Do you know how much calories, protein and carbs you were taking in when you started cutting and can you please share? I am trying cut down on body fat now by eating clean (and doing cardio) so the info would be helpful. Thanks.
Last edited by rmomjian; 06-17-2007 at 11:21 PM.
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 04:46 AM
|
#11
|
|
Pretty Boy
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Maryland, United States
Age: 31
Stats: 6'3", 202 lbs
Posts: 793
BodyPoints: 8438
|
That's awesome! Congratulations!
__________________
"Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength."
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
Universal's Test Explosion Stack (Round #1)
August 23, 2009 - October 25, 2009
USPLabs' Jack3d
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 04:59 AM
|
#12
|
|
Message Board King
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: United States
Age: 69
Posts: 2,874
BodyBlog Entries: 0
BodyPoints: 9599
|
I'm impressed. Congrats to you!! You need to do it again. You are a "natural". But, apparantly in that venue in order to win Best Novice next time you had better stop training pecs and delts.
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 05:12 AM
|
#13
|
|
Obsessed and Determined
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Neverland
Age: 44
Stats: 5'10", 220 lbs
Posts: 14,124
BodyPoints: 15895
|
Awsome Job !
I enjoyed reading your account of the day.
__________________
-- Chi_town -
The One and Only !
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 06:11 AM
|
#14
|
|
Back in the saddle again!
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Covington, Kentucky, United States
Age: 48
Stats: 5'7", 200 lbs
Posts: 13,546
BodyPoints: 39510
|
Congrats!
__________________
~ Penney
Diet * (weights + cardio) = success
My new OV35 journal: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=117825751
We must be the change we wish to see in the world
-Ghandi
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 06:13 AM
|
#15
|
|
Got Guinness? ;)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Waco, Texas, United States
Age: 38
Stats: 5'9", 168 lbs
Posts: 1,240
BodyPoints: 11453
|
Great job!
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 06:19 AM
|
#16
|
|
Eat your veggies!
Join Date: Mar 2004
Stats: 5'7", 127 lbs
Posts: 14,268
BodyBlog Entries: 0
BodyPoints: 40637
|
Congrats - you look great!
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 06:39 AM
|
#17
|
|
On the way back.....
Join Date: Mar 2006
Age: 52
Stats: 5'11", 273 lbs
Posts: 557
BodyBlog Entries: 0
BodyPoints: 7088
|
That's outstanding GSO...congrats
__________________
Do not fear the weights, let the weights fear you
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 06:40 AM
|
#18
|
|
Raison D'Etre
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: United States
Age: 56
Stats: 5'7", 207 lbs
Posts: 2,913
BodyBlog Entries: 0
BodyPoints: 23541
|
Congratulations! Great accomplishment!
__________________
"it's always a good day to start lifting"
Flex Magazine, Mar. '07, pg.44
"There is no secret routine, there is no magical number of reps and sets. What there is, is confidence, belief, hard work on a consistant basis, and a desire to succeed. This is what I mean when I say accept your limits and when the time is right, you will push right through your limits time and time again, mentally and physically."
--Steve Justa
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 06:46 AM
|
#19
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Stats: 5'11", 162 lbs
Posts: 2,288
BodyBlog Entries: 0
BodyPoints: 5277
|
Thanks for sharing your experience. Congratulations on a fantastic achievement!
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 06:54 AM
|
#20
|
|
Teacher and Bodybuilder
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Oak Park, Illinois, United States
Age: 53
Stats: 6'1", 188 lbs
Posts: 6,417
BodyPoints: 18801
|
Big thumbs up!!
__________________
There are no accidents. Everything happens for a reason and usually at exactly the right time.
"greater than or equal to"
fearless
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 07:11 AM
|
#21
|
|
Future SNBF Pro
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Georgia, United States
Age: 37
Stats: 5'7", 149 lbs
Posts: 10,354
BodyBlog Entries: 0
BodyPoints: 23457
|
Congratulations, you looked great!
__________________
Tiffany
www.biolayne.com
"Life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it." John Maxwell
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 07:12 AM
|
#22
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005
Age: 44
Stats: 5'5", 124 lbs
Posts: 2,820
BodyBlog Entries: 0
BodyPoints: 26784
|
Congrats GSO! You did well! I like your play by play on your experience. Thanks for sharing!
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 07:19 AM
|
#23
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,157
BodyBlog Entries: 0
BodyPoints: 23289
|
WOO HOO congrats and thanks for sharing your day.
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 07:30 AM
|
#24
|
|
"Charlie don't surf!"
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Ohio, United States
Age: 52
Stats: 5'6", 148 lbs
Posts: 950
BodyPoints: 15596
|
Outstanding job, reps for that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
__________________
"Perhaps I am stronger than I think."
-Thomas Merton
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 07:33 AM
|
#25
|
|
I suspect my bulk is done
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Sarasota, Florida, United States
Age: 44
Stats: 5'6", 169 lbs
Posts: 284
BodyBlog Entries: 0
BodyPoints: 9297
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by GSOgymrat
I had been up nights worrying how I was going to get through this. I had parents, friends and coworkers in the audience. I was going to be alone on stage with next to nothing on. If you had given me the choice the day before of going on stage or having a tooth pulled without anesthesia I would have handed you the pliers.
|
LOL! Great job GSO. You look great.
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 07:45 AM
|
#26
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: United States
Age: 59
Posts: 2,940
BodyBlog Entries: 0
BodyPoints: 16561
|
Big BIg BIG congratulations to you! Enjoy your moment and all it took to get there. Betting you'll be rarrin' to go for another one soon! Repped! (well, tried to).
Last edited by IR45N; 06-18-2007 at 07:46 AM.
Reason: add info.
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 08:17 AM
|
#27
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: United States
Age: 52
Stats: 5'10", 220 lbs
Posts: 745
BodyBlog Entries: 0
BodyPoints: 10172
|
As a former NPC judge in Indiana, your definition stands out....GREAT JOB
__________________
"KNOWLEDGE IS POWER"
I LIKE THE CAP LOCK...DO YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH IT!!!!
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 08:56 AM
|
#28
|
|
WNBF Master's Pro
Join Date: Feb 2007
Age: 43
Stats: 5'8", 156 lbs
Posts: 315
BodyBlog Entries: 0
BodyPoints: 4434
|
OUTSTANDING!!!
Gives me great motivation for my November show!
Great job!
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 08:59 AM
|
#29
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2002
Stats: 5'5", 219 lbs
Posts: 18,617
BodyBlog Entries: 0
BodyPoints: 35237
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by GSOgymrat
I just completed my first bodybuilding competition and I got 2nd place in novice men's short class.
|
First time, and second place! Congratulations!
|
|
|
06-18-2007, 08:59 AM
|
#30
|
|
Da1UnV
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Bronx, New York, United States
Age: 45
Stats: 5'8", 180 lbs
Posts: 14,235
BodyPoints: 40956
|
Congrats! That guy in the middle should not be standing next to you at all!
__________________
HATED BY SOME, LOVED BY A FEW, FEARED BY MANY, CONFRONTED BY NONE!
I WILL BE AT THE ARNOLD, JUST SAYING...
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
Rate This Thread |
Linear Mode
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Member Login
Sign in for more FREE features and tools!
|
|