I’m feeling particularly fortunate at the moment. And a few thank yous are due.
I told you a while ago that Castle Gym, a bodybuilding/powerlifting gym not too far from me, offered me free membership. I love training at Castle (I tend to go there for my “big lifts” days – legs, back, chest) and am convinced it’s going to transform my training this year. In fact, it already has. So, a massive thank you to Jason and everyone else at Castle. I really am grateful for the membership and love training at your facility.
Then there’s my local gym, St Crispins (a Harper’s gym). A while ago, their PR people asked me to send a few bodybuilding photos and give a little comment about my experiences of training at St Crispins. I was happy to; I’ve trained there for years, during my swimming days, my triathlon days, my oh-my-god-I-love-Les-Mills-classes! days. The staff are wonderful, have been so supportive of my bodybuilding training, and are the first people I ran to with my trophies last season.
What I didn’t anticipate was the offer of free PT. Not just a couple of sessions, but a session a week throughout my 2012 prep. Thank you, thank you! (Although I’m not sure “thank you” will be quite the two words I’ll utter doing a conditioning PT session at St Crispins the day after doing legs at Castle…!)
On another note, the Jodie Marsh bodybuilding TV show was aired last night, but I didn’t get to see it because I don’t have Sky or Virgin. Jodie competed last year with the NPA and placed 5th at the Mike Williams Classic. I’m sure I’ll catch the show at some point but, in the meantime, did you see it? What did you think? If you didn’t know much about competitive bodybuilding, did anything surprise you?
Oh, one more thing! My fellow Physique competitor Anna Millington (who had a completely stellar year in 2011, culminating in a World Title) has written a fascinating report of her 2011 season – and everything which led to that high point in her bodybuilding career – on the NPA site. Read it here – it’s long, but worth it.
Hi all! Sorry I haven’t updated in a while. Work’s busy. Prep’s busy. Life (yes, I do have one!) has been pleasantly busy. (See, I’m not always in gym kit! The little chap is my nephew, the larger chap is my husband)
But I owe you an update, and here is it!
I’m glad you liked my report on the BNBF Final. I’m still buzzing from the result, or perhaps it’s more accurate to say that I still don’t think the result has sunk in! I’ve put my “lady” (this one’s called Tina, named after the female bodybuilding judge who came over to sit on the judging panel) with the others and found them all a home. I knew that strange shelf above our stairs was there for a reason!
So, what’s new? I’m now 17 days out from my final show of the year – the NPA British Final which will be held on 23rd October in Bedworth.
How am I feeling?
As always, a complete mixture of emotions and physical feelings too. Physically tired, emotionally exhausted yet enjoying bursts of energy (a PT session at 7:30am yesterday?) Loving prep, hating prep. Counting the days until it’s over, and already missing it. Looking forward to show day, and looking forward to being able to indulge aspects of real life which I’ve had to put on hold. More than anything, I can’t wait to get on stage again and do it all one last time (this year!) Whenever I think about being on stage, particularly doing my routine, I get goosebumps. This will be the final show this year for me and I want to give it my all, enjoy every moment (of the entire day) and go out on a high note: celebratory, positive and happy. That’s my goal for the NPA show!
How’s the diet?
Not a lot has changed from my other preps to be honest, although I think each one is a little stricter and tighter simply because I don’t bother to reintroduce things after each show only to take them away again. For instance, I was still eating dairy at this stage before my first show (I believe). But I never did bother to bring it back in again (seemed a bit of a faff only to take it out again after a few weeks), so I’ve now been sans-dairy for a good few months. I’m really enjoying my exotic meats (what can I say – some women buy shoes. I buy springbok steaks) and quality grass-fed beef. Meat and veg for breakfast? Yes please!
What’s the training?
Grrrrreat! I love the training and never struggle with that side of things. It’s the dieting which is toughest for me. I’m still lifting heavy heavy heavy. I’m focusing on legs and lats (as per judges’ feedback). For cardio, I’m walking the dog (we walk quickly!) and doing some interval-type training either by myself or with a PT at my gym. Sometimes, I’ll pop my weighted vest on and hop on the cardio machines for 20 or 30 minutes, but mostly I look to my diet to take care of fat loss, and to my training for muscle building/maintenance.
Got any piccies?
Um, no. I did take one of me at the gym the other day but it was just to show my coach. It was of me crying. Yes, I am that sad – in both meanings of the word. I was so very exhausted that day that I sat down and cried in the gym. And then took a picture of myself. I’m not sure which one of those two sentences is more tragic!
I have taught my dog to do a couple of bodybuilding poses (although they both look the same, to be honest, “front relaxed” is just “front double bicep” with extra barking). I will endeavour to take a picture, or a video.
Off-topic but speaking of dogs, here’s one of my favourite recent pics. Our dog is some sort of cross (any guesses? tell me in the comments section). Whatever he is (or isn’t), the way he looks is enough to make some people pick up their dogs when they see him coming, or pull their small children out of the way. It infuriates me. Because he’s as soft as butter, as evidenced by this photo of him allowing my 13-month-old nephew to take his beloved football from him in the middle of a game of ball.
Well what have you got for us then?
How about an interesting read from my homeslice Lucy Oakman, who won the Figure class at the BNBF Welsh (where we both qualified for the Final) and then took 2nd in her class at the Final? She’s one of my lovely new bodybuilding friends and I’d like you to read her story. Feel free to leave a comment – it’s her first blog post and I think she’d appreciate the feedback.
Also, how about an insight into another lady’s first year of female bodybuilding? I’m sure you’ve seen press reports of Jodie Marsh’s first competitive foray. Unsurprisingly, the stuff in the newspapers is full of hyperbole at best, horribly misquoted at worst. I’m not alone in really liking this bit of footage, from Jodie’s interview on This Morning (a daily TV show here in the UK). She answered all the questions (most of which we all come across on a regular basis!) really well and what I loved most is that she is obviously completely in love with the sport. Check out her massive smile when she talks about getting a trophy.
Stay tuned for:
- videos of a mixed-breed rescue dog doing bodybuilding poses
- recipes using GOOD Hemp protein powder (after my comp!)
- videos detailing some of my peak week
- show report from the NPA Final
- anything you guys specifically request – ask in the comments and I’ll do my best to deliver
Well, that’s about all from me. I’m off into London today to bid farewell say see you again soon! to my coach, Kat, who’s off on her travels before relocating to the other side of the world. I hate goodbyes, so I refuse to let this be a goodbye. It will simply become an excellent excuse for me to finally visit that part of the world. And, in the meantime, thank goodness for Skype. Let me just say here that I am indebted to Kat for all that she’s done for me over the past year. She’s taught me more than I thought it possible to learn and has become a true and very valuable friend. Safe travels, Kat!
Posted by Nicola Joyce 
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