Part 23 - The Journey's End

Post competition fun in the country. Hats off to you, can't wait to do it again!
(Nikki Boudreau, Chantal Borg, Kierston Fu, Anouk A, Meaghan Kesteron,
Rosanne Neddo, Sue Champagne, Debbie Laurin-Leclerc...and Mavi the baby driver)

It's been over two weeks since the Ontario Championships and I'm pretty much recuperated. I've said adios to my definition and plan to enjoy my summer. Training continues, of course, but it won't be as much of a priority over other activities. And I'll still follow a proper diet except in a social setting. Once fall approaches, it'll be back in the saddle for this old gal.

The results of the competition have been released and I've had some time to analyze them. In Part 18 of my blog, I predicted that the judges would concentrate on the top placings and not so much on the rest. For a while, I thought I'd been wrong about that because the prejudging wasn't as rushed as I thought it would be. To save time, they instead sped up the finals by only allowing the top 5 of the physique and bodybuilding divisions to do their individual routines, and cutting out the introductions of the figure and bikini competitors altogether. That was okay with me because those 5 inch heels just about killed me. Not so good, however, for some of the audience who may have been there to see one person in particular. Oh well, you can't please everyone!

It also makes a good doorstop!

However, now that I'm reviewing the results, my prediction seems to have been somewhat accurate after all. Either that or the judging was just plain inconsistent. I can only hope that the latter is not the case. Having judged these events myself in the past, I know what a difficult and thankless job it is. It's a real challenge to scrutinize each and every physique. Sometimes it's like comparing red delicious apples and granny smiths. Which type do you like more? Perhaps you want the red delicious one minute, then you want the granny smith the next. Or would you rather go for the banana? The only thing you can be sure of is that the pear is off the menu completely...unless you turn it upside down! (Thanks for that analogy Ken.)

So here's what I'm talking about. In Figure Open Class 5 (5'5 1/2" to 5'7"), Renate Fournier-Belanger placed 7th and Sharon Knox was 11th. The same ladies also competed in Figure Grandmasters (over 45, no height division) less than an hour later. There the placings were much different. Sharon placed 4th and Renate was 7th. How is it possible that Sharon jumped from 4 placements behind Renate to 3 ahead of her? It just goes with my theory that once the judges determine that you're not in the top 5, it gets all mixed up. It's not that Sharon suddenly changed her physique, but rather that in a different mixture of competitors she shone. When she was in the Open, she was out-muscled by competitors who were not in the Grandmasters. Once she slipped below 5th place in the eyes of the judges in the Open, it was anyone's guess where she might end up. Remember, the main concentration is in getting the top 5 correct.

Another example is in Figure Open Class 1 (under 5'1") where Teresa Heron placed 3rd and Laura Finocchi placed 4th. When they competed together in Figure Masters Short, they were reversed. Laura was 7th and Teresa was 8th.

And that's the way the cookie crumbles at the upper levels folks!

Some of the ladies got together for a rehearsal prior to their competitions.

This past weekend, June 16th, the other ladies from my gym participated in the Serious About Fitness (SAF) and Physique Canada competitions in Hull. At the same time, other friends of the sport participated in the Ottawa Classic which was part of Fit Day. Congratulations to every one of you!

Just a few members of Team FFA at their competition on June 16th.
(Gina, Rosanne, Anouk, Ken, Meaghan, Nikki, Chantal)

The following day, a member of Team FFA hosted a brunch in Cantley which Ed and I attended. What a blast we had! Even though I'm the lone ranger competing with the OPA, I'm glad to be included. Thank you Nikki and Rick for sharing your beautiful home with us. Thanks also for stuffing that extra cupcake down my throat to chase the peanut butter cream pie and cookies. And thanks to my favourite 73 year old marathoner who kept my wine glass full to wash down the meatballs and chips. Yes, the food was certainly amazing. Oh and let's not forget the wonderful hike to the waterfall and the tractor photo shoot. It will be a day I'll remember for a long time. Loved it! I stepped on the scale later weighing...well, let's just say more than I was before the gathering. The party included a nice mixture of people as partners and family also joined in to celebrate the ladies' accomplishments.

I'd like to make special mention of one person in particular who attended the brunch. Nikki's mom. I never did get her name, but being called mom seemed to work for her. She is one amazing woman. At the age of 70, she ran a full marathon...incredible! She's an example of why I vow to stay in shape for as long as my body will allow.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, that concludes my journey. If my blog has helped at all in your own fitness goals or your entertainment pleasure, please let me know. If so, I may consider starting a new blog for my next adventure or changing the name of this one and continuing on.

I'm still waiting for photos of the Ontario Championships from Liana which I'll share just as soon as I get them. The ones I posted earlier weren't of the best quality and were taken from a bad angle.

Until then, remember that 80 percent of success is showing up. Consider showing up at the gym or on the bike path. At the very least, do a couple of laps if you find yourself at a pool party this summer. Make it fun and you're more likely to stick with it!

Part 22 - Toronto Pro SuperShow

Photo shoot with Liana Louzon

The day after the Ontario Championships, I arrived refreshed for my photo shoot with Liana Louzon. I'd been scheduled between some bikini models and we had fun cheering each other on. The photos should be ready in a couple of weeks. Ed went off to find beverages and returned with coffee in beautiful mugs. I thought he'd sweet talked the staff into letting him take them out of the shop, but as it turned out he bought them. He's too cute...always aiming to please!

Before heading home, we decided to check out the exhibits and other activities at the Toronto Pro SuperShow. I'm glad we did because it was the most enjoyable part of the weekend. We went to see the finals of the MuscleMag and Oxygen fitness model search competitions which took place on the main stage at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Jessica, who I'd shared my drying tent with earlier, made the top 10 in the Oxygen search. She did well considering that there were over 100 entrants.

Main stage at the SuperShow

As we walked through the exhibits, we stopped and chatted with the movers and shakers of the industry. It was great to see some friends from the old days. Then we went shopping at Mode Risque where Ed bought me two fantastic outfits for the gym!

After the model search was over, I jumped up onto the stage and pretended that I was a contestant. The stage was all mine! They had a division for over 40 ladies in the Oxgyen search...hmm, perhaps this is my calling. The atmosphere at the SuperShow was such that you could let yourself go, flaunt a little (or a lot), meet the fitness stars and even rip your shirt off without anyone batting an eye.

My favourite person to meet that day was Nancy DiNino who is a fitness celebrity, media personality and SALSA DANCER. Her eyes lit up when I told her that I was a fan because she's a dancer rather than because she's in shape which is what she probably hears all the time. What a beautiful lady inside and out.

I ran into so many people I hadn't seen in years. Garry Bartlett, writer for MuscleMag and one of the nicest guys in the industry, was there and we reflected on the 1984 Canadian Championships which Larry and I hosted at the National Arts Centre. We laughed at the fact that he had no idea that I was a key player in promoting the event, then in his magazine coverage he thanked me for watching his camera during the post-party. The next time I saw Garry the following year, I grabbed him by the collar and said "what do you mean that I watched your camera, that's not all I did buddy." Ah, the memories we've shared together in the years that followed!

Then I decided to take a crash course from the World Arm Wrestling Champion, Devon Larratt. Of course, I challenged him to a match afterwards...and won! Yeah right!

It was a fun, fun, fun day!!! But it was time to head home.

Later in the week, the OPA posted the results of the Ontario Championships. My final placings were 2nd Open Figure Short and 8th Figure Grandmasters. I'm happy with my placings against the young ones, but it's not quite what I'd hoped for against the older gals. Everyone worked hard to be there and at least I ended up in the middle of the pack.

I'm still mulling over what my next move will be. All I know is that I'm not ready to quit yet..........

Discovering Chris White's abs

Hamming it up with Mike Pierron,
MC of the Ontario Championships

Re-enactment with Garry Bartlett

With Winston Roberts & unknown hottie

With the winner of the Oxygen
fitness model search

`

With Domenic Mauro of
Muscle Insider

Discussing salsa with Nancy DiNino

With MuscleMag's Tosca Reno

With Patrice Lee-Seyon, winner of Musclemag
model search and Overall Ontario Bikini

Modeling one of my new outfits
with the staff at Mode Risque

Ed's girl is high maintenance!

Part 21 - Ontario Championships, Finals

John Scott and Sue

When we returned to the John W.H. Bassett Theatre for the finals, the atmosphere was much more relaxed. The pressure was off. The judging was done. When the Figure Short division was called onto the stage, I had no idea how it would turn out. The only hope I had to bring home a trophy today was to make the top 3 in this small division. I felt that I had a shot at 1st or 2nd, but I've been wrong before.

The statistician handed the results to the Master of Ceremonies, Mike Pierron. He looked down at the sheet of paper and paused before making the announcements. In 4th place, Laura Finocchi....whew! In 3rd place, Teresa Heron....whew again! Left standing with Vicky, I was beaming. Could I possibly win? My heart was pounding. In 2nd place, Sue Champagne. I stepped forward and proudly took my position in the appropriate spot next to centre stage. The winner of Figure Short, Vicky Robitaille. We posed for the cameras and left the stage. Backstage, I held my trophy high and yelled "happy, happy, happy". Never was anyone so pleased with a 2nd. At least I was going home as a runner up. My goal had been achieved. This old gal still has it in her and stood tall with the young ones.

Sue and Vicky

Part 20 - Ontario Championships, Prejudging

Vicky Robitaille & Sue

My weekend at the Toronto Pro SuperShow and Ontario Championships was absolutely amazing. The journey has ended but the stories still need to be told.

We arrived at the Intercontinental Hotel at around 2:30 pm on Friday. My spray tan with Jan Tana was interested. Only at a big event like this will you find men and women stripping down to nothing together to get sprayed. I shared my drying tent with a young lady named Jessica from Chicago who was at the SuperShow for the Oxygen Model Search. I promised her I'd be there on Sunday to support her at the competition.

Sue & Lynda Jager

After the spray tan, we headed over to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for the competitor briefing which was to commence at 5:30 pm. As I stood outside the room, I noticed that some of the other ladies were wearing badges, so I asked what that was all about. I was told that registration was over and that I better get over there immediately. The information package indicated that registration and weigh-in was between 1:00 and 4:00 pm, but it was unclear that the figure competitors were supposed to be there. Normally, weigh-in is only for the bodybuilders to determine their weight division. Figure and bikini competitors are measured by height. This usually happens after the briefing.

When I went over to the registration room, they were shutting it down and I was told that I was out of the contest. In other words, go home and come back next year! WHAT??? My jaw dropped in disbelief. Then I realized that I had only two choices...put my head between my knees or beg them to let me in. Of course, I chose the latter. Anyone in my position would have done the same. As I stood there arguing with the officials that the info package was unclear, about 25 other women with the same dilemma gathered around to support me. One balled her eyes out, tears streaming down her face, she was hysterical. Everyone was yelling at each other, none of us willing to go down without a fight. Then suddenly, in the midst of the commotion, the door flew open and a pleasant woman greeted us and inviting us in to register. Whew! Inside the room, the staff made us feel welcome. A big thank you goes out to Rosa Valente for calming things down!

Getting my hair redone beside
the Jan Tana spray tan tents.

When we finally arrived at the competitor briefing, I froze when I saw that the official who I'd been arguing with was the head judge. Oops! Note to self...do not pick a fight with the head judge the day before a competition. Sorry Rudy, I promise it won't happen again. Where's that drink I've been looking forward to?

The morning of the show, we were up early for my second coat of spray tan at 5:30 am. My beautiful hairdo which Rosanne had so carefully done for me before leaving Ottawa had to come down during the night. It had gotten messed up because I had to tie it up for my first coat then couldn't sleep on the bobby pins. Melody, who works for Jan Tana, restyled it for me on the fly and I was good to go again.

Backstage waiting to go on

We had been told to be at the theatre by 8:30 am. There was no way I was going to be late, so we headed over to the John W.H. Bassett Theatre for 8 am. With 280 competitors backstage, it was crowded and full of adrenaline. Bodybuilders, physique athletes, fitness competitors, figure ladies and bikini models all shared common space. Even though the women had their own dressing rooms, the men were walking through them and nobody seemed to mind. Jan Tana had an area for glazing and touch-ups which people lined up for. There was a pump-up room somewhere but I didn't look for it since I'd brought my own dumbbells. You could see everyone checking out the competition and introducing each other. It was surreal to meet all the athletes who you'd been googling over the past year. There were coaches backstage and an incredible crew to control the chaos.

My classes weren't scheduled to get on-stage until about 3 hours into the prejudging. Vicky Robitaille and I made claim to a couple of chair near side stage and hung out most of the day. I'd just met Vicky and we were scheduled to compete together in Figure Short. The other person I passed time with was Lynda Jager who I'd competed with in Hamilton at my first competition in 2011. It's just an indication of how friendly it can be at these events. Ed had a backstage pass so he split his time between watching the prejudging and making sure I was okay.

Figure Short was the first of the figure classes to enter the stage. There were only 4 of us but we were all strong contenders. We were almost like clones of each other. We'd been warned at the briefing that scores would be adjusted if anyone was found to change their outfit between prejudging and finals, which I assumed also meant between divisions for anyone entered in more than one. I opted to put my 5 inch heels on for the whole event. I'd practiced walking in them but had hoped to only wear them for Grandmasters. Though it has a bit of a platform, it's still a tall heel to put on a size 5 foot.

There was no need for comparisons or call-outs for Figure Short, though they had us do our quarter turns twice and left us standing in one position for a long time. My stomach was grumbling and my knees started to shake. I hadn't eaten much because my nerves were shot. All I could think about was that I needed to get something in me before passing out and thereby sabotaging my chances in Grandmasters.

Ed was there for me and got me some oatmeal and chocolate bars. Meanwhile, Vicky was cramping and her nerve endings were tingling. The on-site masseur suggested that she was too dehydrated. While I got her some water, Ed ran to a store for salty potato chips. He had hoped for Miss Vickie's but had to settle for Lays!

By the time Grandmasters was up, I felt a whole lot better. There were 13 fabulous ladies, all over 45, lined up and we filed onto the stage together. The head judge split us into 2 groups for our quarter turns, then called out the comparisons. I did not make the first call-out. My heart sunk but I continued to smile. I knew right then that I wasn't going to place. I was in the second call-out which at least gave me hope that I wouldn't land near the bottom. We can't always tell what the judges are up to, but 9 times out of 10 the top placers are in the first call-out. Having said that, John Scott placed 5th in his division without making a single call-out in a huge line-up. There was still hope for me.

Ed left me alone for the better part of an hour after the prejudging to give me time to absorb everything that had just happened. It was hard work and I was exhausted and hungry. We went for a bite to eat then to the hotel room to relax before the finals.

It was going to be a long wait for the results..........

Part 19 - Ready, Set, Let's Go

It's the day before the show and it's almost time to head to Toronto for the Ontario Championships. I've done everything possible to prepare. It's been 7 months since my qualifying event and I definitely feel I've made improvements. As small as they might be, it's progress nonetheless. What else can a post-menopausal woman expect?

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week were carb deplete days which I struggled through. My energy was way down. Fortunately, they were light workout days. On Thursday, I started carb loading and today I continue with it. Today is also dehydration day. We'll find out tomorrow if the plan worked.

All the cosmetic preparations are in place and my bags are packed. Right now, I'm on my way for a 7:00 am appointment with Rosanne Neddo to get my hair set. Yep, gonna have to sleep with it up. Ed is picking me up at 9:00 am. My spray tan appointment is schedule for 4:45 pm at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The competitors' meeting is at 5:30 pm. Once we line up to register, we'll find out who stands where on stage and how many are in each class. The Ontario Championships is on Saturday. It's part of the Toronto Pro SuperShow where the best of the best will be gathering.

I'm like an overdue pregnant woman. I've been ready for a couple of weeks and I just want it to be over. Really looking forward to having a drink tomorrow evening.

Thank you to everyone who has followed my blog and sent me notes of encouragement. You have no idea how it has kept me going. I've had days when I just wanted to quit and others when I thought I could go to the top. The support has been an important factor in my preparation. Thank you, thank you!

I'll let you all know how it went when I return. Win or lose, this is going to be loads of fun..........

Part 18 - The Home Stretch

Ed would have finished the race sooner had he
not stopped every time he saw me on the course.

In just a few days I'll be standing on the stage with a panel of judges gazing up at me. During this final week, I'm making adjustments to my activities and diet. Certain foods and spices are being cut out in case of blotting, water retention or bowel issues. No sitting outside in the evenings in case of bug bites, no hiking in the fields in case of poison ivy and no new body cremes. I won't suddenly take up running or biking in case of injury.....and definitely no jumping out of airplanes.

Ed ran the Ottawa Marathon yesterday. I supported him in his training then tracked him down several times during the race to cheer him on. His normal diet is high carb, whereas mine is high protein. In the week leading up to his race, he loaded up on carbs and maintained sodium levels. He finds it quite interesting that most figure and bodybuilding competitors carb deplete before carb loading then dehydrate just prior to the event. Doesn't sound very healthy but it's just for that week, so we do what we need to do.

It's such a fine science to peek at the right moment. It matters not what you looked like the month before, the week before or even the day before. What counts is what the judges see in front of them on that stage at that moment. Timing is crucial. Every bit of what I do and consume this week will count.

As for training, the hard work is now done and my body composition is where it should be. There's no need to expend energy doing cardio and the workouts are light and easy. There will be plenty of exercise to be had by practicing my poses. My last visit to the gym will be on Wednesday. This is also the time to get all the cosmetic preparations in place...hair, nails, make-up, tan, that sort of stuff.

Chin-ups are part of my regular back routine.

Bicep Curls

The Ontario Championships is a much higher calibre competition than the Ottawa Championships. Everyone entering this event has qualified by placing in a regional event within the last two years, or they're back to re-qualify for the nationals. With almost 300 entrants to date (including physique, fitness, figure, bikini and bodybuilding), the judging is sure to be brutal. Anyone who doesn't stand out in the line-up risks elimination from the top standings in the flick of a pen. In the case where there are large line-ups, the judges will likely pick their top candidates after one round of mandatory poses then concentrate on that group. It's more important for them to get the top placings correct than to worry about those not in the running. There's no real difference between placing 7th or 8th...the point is that you didn't make the top 5. That's it folks, go back to the drawing board and see you next year or at another qualifying event.

Christian, my biggest supporter
at Nautilus Plus. Thanks Chris!

Sorry to be so blunt but that's simply the way it is at the higher levels. So if you place 12th and you think you should have been 9th, don't take it personal and don't accuse the judges of not doing their job well. As long as the top 5 are correct, that's all that matters. It's different at the regional events because the promoters and the associations want each and every competitor to enjoy their experience and encourage them to continue.

I better remember my own advice later if I should be one of the non-placers. No worries, I've been there before, I can handle whatever is dealt to me. Until then, I have no vision other than holding an award above my head at center stage. I feel really and I've done my homework.

Last I heard, there were 13 Figure Grandmaster ladies entered and only 4 Open Short. Those numbers will increase as the late entries come in this week. It can also change at the official registration on Friday when we get height measured and carded. It's not the number of competitors that matters, it's the quality of those competitors that counts. Even though there are more Grandmasters, I have a gut feeling that it's the Open Short division which will be tougher. I'm not going to worry about who will be there. You could get a regional winner who blew everyone away standing beside a 3rd placer who qualified only because there were 3 in the division, yet it's the latter who winds up winning the provincials. It's not about how they looked then, it's about what they put in front of the judges on June 2nd.

4 more sleeps..........

Part 17 - Three Slices and a Pint

Meaghan & Sue during the
Florida Fitness rehearsal

The rehearsal with the ladies of Florida Fitness was amazing. All ten invited to participate in our mock competition showed up. Ken hadn't been certain if he could make it, but he managed to clear his calendar and came ready to crack the whip. He took control of things beautifully, acting as our stage marshal and head judge. Actually, he was more like a drill sergeant! He took his job seriously, putting us through our paces for almost 2 hours. Jennifer was the perfect assistant, correcting our posture and making us hold our positions. Kierston was there cheering us on and offering encouragement. Ed was on the sidelines taking notes in preparation to make sure I practice what I learned. There were also a few extra bodies in the room serving as our audience.

What a great experience it was for everyone. We filed out on stage, lined up together, got called out for comparisons and practiced the T walk. It helped us get comfortable in our heels and loosen up. I'm not sure how well something like this would have worked at another gym. I've been around a long time and I've never seen a bunch of girls support each other like they do. Afterwards, Jenny gave us a taste of what she'll be doing in Miami on June 16th when she competes at the Miss Bikini Universe.

Since most did not sport tans which made them look whitewashed and others were in borrowed suits, I am not posting pics of the whole line-up...sorry!

As we were packing up to leave, I managed to get a few words in with Ken. He suggested that I trim down just a tad more and avoid any kind of stress until my event. So I took the opportunity to tell him about a fight I'd had with Ed the previous day. Ed did something to tick me off and I completely flipped. There I was on the treadmill at Nautilus Plus lashing out at him on my cell. Fortunately, it was quiet in the gym. After I disconnected from him, my walking became fast and furious. My nerves were so shot that I couldn't eat almost the whole day. I vowed to pull out of the competition. Later in the evening, after we mended our differences, I woofed down 3 huge slices of pizza and washed them down with beer. It was our first real fight and I'm glad it's over!

Meaghan Kesterton

Stress?............What stress?

Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea to cut fruit out of diet. I don't eat desserts much but I love my fruit. Restricting me of this healthy snack turned me into a raging bitch. When my friend Donna called to confirm an outing we'd plan, I decided to postpone until after the competition. I explained to her that my mind is on one track at the moment and I wouldn't be the best company. The good friend that she is, she understood.

I was so impressed with Jenny during our rehearsal that I decided to book some time with her for a stage presence class. It was helpful to get a private session with her to perfect my poses and work on my walk and attitude. The first thing we decided to change was the shoes. My walk is much more fluid with normal heels, so my new platforms have been kicked aside. I'll bring them with me to Toronto and throw them on only if the other grandmasters are super-sized. I won't need them for the open short division because I'll be standing with women my own height, but the grandmasters are all in one category.

After the stage presence class, I had just enough energy left to do a partial leg workout with Meaghan who's getting ready for her first competition. She is one strong girl! I'm old enough to be her grandma, yet it doesn't seem to matter in this world.

8 days to go..........

Part 16 - Tears of Joy

Joan MacDonald and Edmund Binggeli

I AM SO EXCITED. Went to pick up my new posing suit on Friday. Joan and Ed came up with the design together, Ed sponsored it, then Joan made it happen. Now my job is to wear it and show them that I deserve it. The draft that I'd seen earlier of the suit had me worried as it seemed over the top with bling for my level of competition. When we walked into Joan's under-construction workshop and saw the finished product on the mannequin, Ed was blown away while I stood there speechless. Joan studied me as I slowly walked closer to it, not saying anything. When I finally looked up, my eyes were filled with tears. Turns out the suit is not too much yet looks like a pro suit.

Just 12 days to go and I'm getting very nervous. I won't be as defined or as big as I'd envisioned but that's okay. The OPA, CBBF and IFBB have clearly established the direction they want the various women's categories to go and, from what I can tell, the super cut and super muscular are not winning in figure. The massive ones are being encouraged to compete in the new physique category and the skinny ones are getting the message that it might be a better idea to exit the stage and go eat a sandwich. And if you're fit but don't quite have the muscle bellies necessary for figure competition, then bikini is the way to go. I'm not knocking the other categories one bit. I have an appreciation for the bodybuilders because I used to be one and I admire the beautiful lines of the bikini model. I chose figure because it's somewhere in between and feel that my structure is more suited for it.

Since my last post, my weight has dropped quickly...too quickly. My metabolism has taken off on me. I'll have to either cut back on the cardio or up my carbs...or both. All I want to do at this point is tighten up a little more and not screw it up at the end. My bigger worry now is getting the stage presentation down pat. I'm working on that.

The ladies of Florida Fitness Aylmer are getting together for a rehearsal today which will take place at 3:30 pm. Most are preparing for competitions on June 16th, while mine is two weeks earlier on June 2nd. We'll wear our posing suits, put our heels on and make like we're stepping onto the stage. The beautiful weather we're having this weekend certainly won't hurt our tans. It promises to be a fun gathering! If you train at FFA or are a client of Jennifer Lambert Foster, try to make it out to join us. Don't worry, it's not a competition...no placings, no trophies...at least I don't think so! We can each take our turn at the walk, nail our signature poses, go through the paces of comparisons and maybe even do a victory pose. If you haven't figured out what it's all about yet, then you really need to be there. We're going to share tips and secrets...I hope.

Oh yeah, and I also got new shoes from Joan. It's an unwritten rule that clear shoes are required and I needed to get higher pumps to combat my height. When I showed them to the staff at Arthur Murray Dance Centre, making a comment that I wasn't sure if I could learn to walk in them, one of them offered to help me with that. I see another flair and walk lesson coming up at the studio. It's a perk of working for some of the best dance instructors in the city.

In my last entry, I hinted of a set-back in the form of an injury. Did something to my shoulder which is affecting my workouts and causes me trouble posing. I don't know what it is, but I'm working through it. I've adjusted my training slightly as some exercises in my program hurt too much. Just goes to show you that anything can happen at any time. When I was getting ready for the 1985 Canadian Bodybuilding Championships, I tore an abdomen muscle severely doing a swan dive into a friend's pool. Of course the doctor told me it needed complete rest. No doctor was going to convince me not to train, so Larry held my midsection in place as I did my exercises. If anything, it made me train more strictly. I went on to place a solid 3rd. If I could make it through that injury, I can make it through this one.

Until next time..........

Part 15 - Fast Forward to Now

One month after going under the wing of Ken Clement, he pulls me into his office for a progress check. I'm just over 5 weeks out from the provincials and haven't yet tightened the reins on my diet. I've been watching what I eat closely for months but haven't suffered or restricted myself drastically. I enjoy clean eating, so it's fairly easy for me to resist junk food.

I generally follow a high protein, moderate carbohydrate, low fat diet, eating every 3 hours, drinking 3-4 liters of water a day. My protein comes from fish, chicken, eggs, tofu, cottage cheese, yogourt and protein powder; my carbs from oatmeal, rye bread and fruit; and I eat plenty of vegetables. I rarely leave home without a healthy shake and bottle of water in hand, and a can of tuna in my bag just in case. Oh yeah, and I have a weakness for popcorn and peanuts when I'm bored...umm, accompanied by a dry martini (shhhhh! don't turn me in).

We made a few adjustments to my diet by replacing fruit with yams and rice, so that my carb source isn't coming from sugars. Ken suggested swapping peanuts for almonds. I like peanuts because they're fun to crack open and cost way less than other nuts. But okay, fine, I'll get the almonds. Not surprisingly, he also told me to axe the popcorn. That's a tough one for me, don't know if I can do it. Focus, Sue, focus! You can do it, give up the snacking for just a few weeks.

And I don't need to be scolded about the alcohol, so that I can zap on my own. Research has shown that alcohol diminishes testosterone levels in the body, though it has yet to be proven in women. Plus, the research to date has mostly used subjects on the brink of alcoholism. Being post-menopausal, my hormones are all messed up anyway. Excuses aside, it's still not a good idea during contest preparation. It's empty calories and, in the case where one is not enough, it can affect your sleep and workouts.

So on to the progress check. I weighed in heavier than the first analysis while the caliper measurements decreased. The fact that the scales were moving up instead of down wasn't scaring me the way it would normally. I was using the mirror as a gauge and knew my physique was looking sharper. When Ken punched the numbers into his computer, the results indicated that I'd gained 3 lbs of muscle and lost almost 2% bodyfat since my first analysis. That's amazing in just a month...impossible actually. Oh I definitely gained mass since my last competition, just not in this short time span. The only explanation is that initially my muscles were so over trained that they went into remission. Once I resumed training properly and added more carbs to my diet, they filled up. We'll call it muscle memory. I'm thinking the over training wasn't all for naught. Whatever happened, I'm happy with the results and intend to continue following the program to the end.

We then stepped into the aerobics room to hit a few poses. My abs are hiding, but leaning out a little more should bring them out. My abs are always the last to arrive, but they show well once the tan is slapped on. Some people are blessed with washboard abs without trying very hard, while I just have to look at a dumbbell and my arms grow. Everything else seems to be on track.

I never thought I'd do this but here it goes, I'm posting before pics modelling my new posing suit prior to Joan blinging it. These were taken on May 2nd, with exactly one month to go.

Fast forward 3 more weeks and we've arrived at real time in this blog. The scale is hovering at 107, skin has tightened, delts have rounded, back widened, legs improved, arms haven't grown out of proportion, and my dancer obliques are surfacing. My shape has dialed in and it's looking like I'm almost ready. It's hard to see the gains when comparing the photos I've shared with those I posted earlier from competitions, however, I have before shots from last year which I haven't shared. In the next week or so, I'll have another progress check then make some decisions about what to do for the home stretch.

It's May 18, 2012. Only 15 days to go and I'm faced with another set-back. This is no time for an injury..........

Part 14 - Sometimes you just need to reach out!

Ken Clement, owner of Florida Fitness Aylmer

I'd been feeling down and out and it was time for a shake-up. An old friend from my past, Ken Clement, is the owner of Florida Fitness Aylmer and I'd heard he was the trainer of many champion figure competitors and bikini models. Ken is a good friend who I'd lost touch with over the years. He was an important part of our crew when Larry and I organized events. We also used to get together for dinner quite often.

When I started getting ready to return to the competitive stage, I knew Ken would be there for me but I was too stubborn to even drop in to say hello. I was basking in the idea of being a dark horse, quietly training in a corner, providing my own nutritional advice and mentally counseling myself. I wanted to do it ALL ON MY OWN. And I did just that for the Ottawa Championships. But now I was getting ready for something much bigger. It was time to kick it up another notch. I decided to put my pride aside and pay Ken a visit. After all, he is up on all the new methods that surfaced during my absence. I also wanted to meet his star pupils who I'd been admiring from a distance.

From left to right: Pamela, Rosanne Neddo,
Joan Macdonald, Jennifer Lambert Foster,
Kierston Fu, Anouk A, Debbie Laurin-Leclerc

So one day I walked into Ken's gym not knowing how I'd be received. I wasn't sure if he, knowing that I'd returned to serious training, may have been insulted that I hadn't joined his gym. He greeted me with a big hug...whew!! He showed me around, processed my membership, signed me up for my first spinning class and booked me in for a consultation. I was now paying for two gym memberships and I didn't mind one bit. It reminded me a little of the old days when I trained in just about every gym in the area...Gold's Gym, Merivale Acres Y, Rideau Valley Fitness, Chaudiere Club, Orleans Recreation, Unlimited Fitness, Physical Limits...all of which have closed since then. It was my social and promotional network. The only difference is that I didn't used to have to pay for my memberships. Because I was involved in all facets of the sport, I was in a position to barter my memberships. Ah, those were the days! I'm humbled now, being a newcomer in many ways.

The commercial gyms these days are mostly equipped with rubber coated dumbbells and plates which are much quieter. Florida Fitness, however, kept the old metal equipment which clang every time they knock against each other. It put me back in time, giving me a tingly feeling. I was 25 again and training for the provincials.

Debbie Laurin-Leclerc

I did a light overall workout my first time at Florida Fitness to get reacquainted with the equipment. As I sat up from a bench press, I saw a reflection in the mirror of a beautiful blond woman entering the gym. It was Debbie Laurin-Leclerc, winner of many figure titles. She competed in the IFBB system where she won the overall title at the 2010 Quebec Championships, then went on to the 2011 Canadian Natural Championships. After that, she crossed over to compete with the IDFA and recently obtained her pro card. I walked right up to her and introduced myself. She's warm, friendly and genuine...a breath of fresh air.

Jennifer Lambert Foster

The next day I met Jennifer Lambert Foster, the winningest bikini competitor in the region. She too welcomed me with open arms. She has a successful business in place, providing advice to other figure and bikini enthusiasts. In the first weeks at my new gym, I also made the acquaintance of many other competitors; Kierston Fu, Rosanne Neddo, Meaghan Kesterton, Chantal, to name a few. The guys at the gym are just as friendly and welcoming. It's a small facility and everyone seems to know each other.

I attended my first spinning class soon after joining. It just about killed me! Ken is a serious cyclist and his classes are tough, but he toned it down a little for his newbie. I survived it and was already addicted. Spinning is good for getting the cuts out on the legs.

Spinning class at Florida Fitness Aylmer

At the end of March, ten weeks out from the provincials, I arrived for my consultation with Ken. He weighed me, measured me with calipers and entered by data into the computer. I'd kept my weight down during the off season so my diet was not going to be a problem. He analyzed photos of my past competitions, reviewed my current condition, made some recommendations, gave me a new program, and I was off to the races.

Kierston Fu at Florida Fitness Aylmer

Ken felt that I'd been over training and gave me an advanced workout which has me training less but with higher intensity. I was going to make every rep count. One of the reasons I hadn't wanted to consult with him earlier was because my gut told me that I needed to increase my intensity, but hadn't felt ready to go to that level. Now I am ready...hope it's not too late! As I'd mentioned in my last blog entry, I was feeling deflated physically and mentally. We agreed that this was due to over training. My workouts were too long and too frequent, not giving my muscles time to recuperate. It makes total sense now.

So with a new plan in place, I'm happily attacking my workouts with a passion. My spirits are lifted and my enthusiasm through the roof. Most of my workouts are now being done at Florida Fitness, but am still going to Nautilus Plus on occasion for a change of atmosphere and to keep in touch with a few friends I've made there.

Exactly one month later, I have a progress check with Ken. The results surprise even me..........