How did you get into figure? What would make you think about doing this?
2007:
I went to go support a co-worker, an avid "figure competitor", in her show Excalibur in Culver City, CA. Not knowing what a figure competitor did or how long the show would be (it's a very very long show)... I went with a group of trainers to go and show some support.
After watching all of the beautiful girls up on stage doing their "model turns," in amazing shape, and looking so confident it all started when I said, "I can do that." Being the extremely competitive person I am - I knew I had to try it. Little did I know I would continue.
2008:
After my wedding in September of 2007, I started to train for my first figure show - The local Orange County Muscle Classic -April 2008. I did this training on my own, following a diet from someone who I knew did bodybuilding "back in the day" and purchased a suit from a former competitor who left to have children. Needless to say, I had no idea how much "water" and weight you lose in the last week before competition. I walked on stage at about 104-106lbs and although I began confident, I got to the show and and WOW!!!
These girls were amazing and A LOT bigger than I.Although, I looked better than I ever had before - I was just too skinny for figure. I lost all my muscle mass through the diet and training style. I received 6th in this show and took my feedback from the judges and told myself each competition I would improve and find what works for ME. In August, I competed in my first "naturals" show where I found the girls generally were a bit less developed - Pacific USA Naturals and placed 3rd.
2009:
Began with my new coach (actually end of 2008) and gave him my goals of competing again, as well as increasing my fitness level.
I began Crossfit training. I decided to give strict crossfit training a try to gain some size in my back and keep my fitness level up - I just hadn't gotten the hang of figure yet.I decided to train to compete in the Crossfit Qualifiers for Southern California, where weight lifted and exercise done were not scaled depended on size or weight. The 105 lb cleans to presses killed me, leaving me to redeem myself in the more endurance type of exercises. Needless to say I'm happy I tried it and trained for it, but it just wasn't for me. However, it was extremely beneficial in shaping my body to where it is today. Refer to the pictures - lat spread increased, ability to maintain muscle mass increased and I gained a good 8-10 lbs. YIKES!
In August I got back into the show circuit, missing it terribly.At Pacific USA Naturals, I took a 2nd place finish and a greatly improved physique. I wasn't strict with training only crossfit, I did cardio like all the other girls and quite a few 2 a day workouts. Despite the complaints from my coach, I would to local 5K's with my husband without training to just have some fun...
John Welbourn's Paleo Brands had not yet been created and I stuck to a sort of bodybuilding higher protein, supplements, fat burners - type of deal.2010:
In December of the year prior, I planned out my shows with my Coach Max Mormont to plan a training plan for taking me to the pros. I required me to start weighing my foods (for "data points") and encouraging to keep taking more and more protein to get a bit leaner.
He created a mix of "bodybuilding" workouts in a "met-con" type of style and an occasional crossfit "wod" to keep me interested.I did a lot more elements from gymnastics for this show - handstand holds, handstand pushups, kipping pullups, ring dips then I had in the past. I achieved great strides with this. Every workout I warmed up with the "Burgener warmup" with my favorites added, deadlifts and RDL's.
In March, I competed at the NPC MuscleContest in Culver City, CA - receiving a legit 2nd place win and competed at about 8% bodyfat, 107-108 lbs! That's a lot of lean muscle mass!
~Aubrey
