Introducing Candice....An Incredibly Honest Account

Name: Candice Lamb
Occupation: Uni Student – in my final year of a Physiotherapy degree in Townsville. There’s finally a very faint light at the end of the tunnel!

Family Situation
Little bit complicated so bear with me. Family was posted to Katherine when I was in primary school – lived there until I finished year 12 and moved away to uni. My partner Kieran still lives there, but my family has since been posted to Williamtown. My uni is based in Townsville, however I’m on my clinical placements which mean that every five weeks I rotate to a different hospital/physio practice. So far in the last year I have lived in Brisbane for 3 months, Townsville for a month, currently in Cairns for a month and will soon be off to Darwin for a month…phew! I’m a gypsy!

What made you want to enter?
Heaps of things. I’m going to give you a boring little rundown of how and why because I think it’s important…

I moved to go to Uni in 2010 and took up drinking and partying as a sport. A professional sport actually, I took it very seriously. I went out three nights a week, got no sleep, ate absolute crap and definitely did not do any exercise. Would you be surprised to know that I put on almost 10kg? Probably not. It was horrible.

 

Towards the end of 2011 I decided enough was enough and started eating a little better, going to the gym and drinking less. Few small changes, nothing much, but I was much more comfortable with myself. Around my 21st at the beginning of 2012 I joined the ‘clean eating’ movement, and loved it. I lost a lot of weight, trained harder and really fell in love with my new lifestyle. I had a ‘cheat meal’ or two every week and went out on special occasions but that was it.

 

I decided to enter Miss Bikini for a bit of a challenge and won my heat, I was stoked! And so very flattered. So for the final I decided I wanted to see what I could achieve in 6 weeks. I got myself a coach for training and nutrition and without being incredibly strict I managed to lean up a little bit more and come 2nd in the final. I was pretty happy with what I had achieved, but being the perfectionist that I am, I wanted more. So I spoke to Kirsten, spoke to my trainer and decided that INBA NT it was – I was going to do it!

Life changes made as soon as you decided to enter?
I had already been training and eating well, so it wasn’t too much of a change for me, which was good I think. I did, however, impose an alcohol ban, and I honestly think I will stick to it for the most part after the comp is done, bar a few special occasions. I also decided to only surround myself with positive and supportive people, this has been really important to me as being surrounded by negativity really affects the way I think about myself and others.

Tell us about your training;
It changes a bit every four weeks. On a 6 day split at the moment that involves 2x legs sessions (that make me want to poke myself in the eye!), back & chest, abs & HIIT, shoulders & calves and b’s & tri’s & HIIT (which is my favourite training session). I’m really going to focus on upping the HIIT over the next month as I’ll be training in Darwin with Kirsten and I’m sure you will all hear about it/hear me crying

And your nutrition?
When I started thinking about how to answer this question my first response was ‘my food hasn’t changed that much…’ and then I looked down to my bowl of brown rice and blueberries for breakfast  with a side of protein shake and thought I better think about my answer a bit more.  I’m still eating a huge variety of foods – which scares me a little! But in the coming weeks that variety gets whittled down until it becomes chicken and greens and not much else in the week or two before the show, yum yum!

 

I eat every 2-3 hours and am having protein, good carbs and good fats with each meal plus post training meals of basmati rice/sweet potato and a protein shake. I love rice, by the way. I try to drink AT LEAST 4 litres of water per day.

How have family and friends handled it?
My family and Kieran have been great. They’re so supportive and sit there and listen when I cry to them hysterically about stupid things, like the fact that I ate my body weight in grapes the other day (they were really good, by the way). Friends have been a mixed bag. There are a lot of people that I haven’t even told yet – purely because I’m terrified that I won’t make it to the stage and don’t want to embarrass myself by talking about it and then never doing it. So guys, here it is! For the most part they have been fantastic, and still invite me to go out and drink even though they know I will say no, just so I still feel involved.

Something that has really bugged me though are the comments like, "um, why would you want to look like those girls? They look manly and disgusting." Or, "please don’t get your tan that dark, they look horrible!". These comments really got under my skin the first few times and I didn’t really respond because I was shocked that someone could be so forward and rude about it. But what I wish I had of said is "HELL YES I want to look like those girls with amazing toned shoulders and abs you could grate cheese on. And as for the tan, yep, I will look like I am from a different race for the day, and no I don’t really care what you think." Rant over!

Something you love about it?
I’m a control freak…I find joy in measuring out all of my food for the week and putting it into containers in the fridge. I also hate it when I make all my lunches and then only have 3 of the same container and 2 of another… Yep, I’m weird!

 

I love the bond that the sport creates between other competitors, because it is so emotionally and mentally challenging, we lean on eachother for support (I probably lean on them a little bit too much, so thanks ladies!) and I really don’t think I could get through this without them.

Oh, and I have a newfound love for rice. Basmati rice.

Something you don’t love about it?
It’s a very lonely sport! I don’t go out with my friends and party all night because I need to get enough sleep to recover. I can’t go out for dinner, because I don’t know of any restaurants that will cook me 130g lean meat and 2 cups of veg with no oil. Has anyone else noticed that all social events revolve around food and alcohol? How about we start catching up for a walk?

Is it what you thought it would be?
It is. There are things that I didn’t expect though…I didn’t expect it to take over my life as much as it has. Ask Kieran or my family - it’s all I think about and talk about. Everything revolves around it. I have even started having dreams about it…and I still have 6 weeks to go! I expect it to get so much more challenging in the coming weeks, and I’m really glad I will be in Darwin, a little closer to my amazing support network, for when I implode and need someone to come and drag me out of the bakery section at woollies.

Will you compete again?
Most definitely! Conquest Classic next year ladies?

Funny moments? Light bulb moments?
No light bulb moments yet – is that bad? I don’t know. Funny moments…probably my face when I opened up my bikinis and saw how little the pants were and then proceeded to have nightmares for three nights that I forgot to tan my bum and got on stage to see everyone laughing. I will put in a photo of them (not on, it’s ok!) and I’m sure all ladies reading this will feel my pain…Though I really shouldn’t whinge because Kirsten has to wear the ones that start with a certain letter of the alphabet that we are not allowed to speak of…

How has your body changed?
Hmm. It depends what day you ask me on. Looking back on photos, there are definitely changes. Sometimes I look in the mirror and think to myself ‘what the $%!@ are you doing!? You will never be ready in time!’ I definitely have more muscle bulk (I’ve put ON weight!) and I woke up yesterday and nearly had defined abs – nearly! So I’m confident that they will be there on show day. As for the legs, it’s where I hold ALL my body fat…They are definitely tighter, I just hope they get to where I want them! Will be holding my breath for that one. And most devastatingly, my boobs are disappearing. 

I would absolutely LOVE to have as many Katherine-ites in Darwin for comp day as possible…I know it’s a big ask, but who else is going to remind me to tan my bum!? 

 

Time to Meet the Beautiful Bec....

Name: Bec Masters

 

Family Status: Happily married with two littlies

 

Tell us a bit about yourself:

After my littlies were born I ballooned out to my heaviest weight of 99kgs. At first i wanted to just loose the baby weight, but I needed a goal and I guess this (compeition) was a way to scare myself into staying on track,. Up untill now I had never even worn a bikini in my life!!

What changes did you make as soon as you decided to compete?

The main change I made as soon as I decided to compete was to cut out all alcohol, which was very hard for me at first as i do enjoy a sneaky glass or two of wine :)

 

Tell us about your current training:

I train 6 days a week consisting of weight training/cardio and crossfit. Each day has a different muscle group to work. I try and fit in 3 cardio sessions a week. Sunday is my day of complete rest.

Nutrition has changed dramatically. I never thought I'd be eating Kangaroo for brekkie...ever!

 

How are your family finding your new lifestyle?

My family and loved ones are behind me %100 and are very supportive, especially at times when I turn into a cranky monster!

 

Anything else?

Honestly I love every part of it! I really do. The training is my favourite part and when times get crazy busy and I miss a session, I feel a little bit lost because its a part of my whole outlook on everything and makes me want to be a part of this fitness world even more.

I know my body has changed dramatically! I can feel myslef getting stronger everyday.

P.S On a side note its been amazing to share this crazy ride with my other "Angels" (the other Katherine compeition girls). Their support has really pulled me through at the hardest of times. Not sure what I would've done without them :) x

 

Introducing...George

Name: George Scott
Family Status: Happily married for 13 years. Two 2 crazy but oh so beautiful kids
Occupation: Teachers Aide at Casuarina Street Primary school.

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I have been fairly active most my life but became ill a few years back. I still haven't been able to work out what was wrong but it seemed to be food related. So I started to change my eating habits - making healthier choices. Then I joined Bootcamp and didn't turn back. I found that exercise and a better diet was making me well again.

If I can point out that this period of time was incredibly upsetting and stressful for George, as she had quite severe physical symptoms and tons of tests but nothing came back conclusive, and she wasn't able to get any medical guidance about what was wrong. She felt unable to exercise with any intensity at some points, and various food groups would make her symptoms instantly worse. I think everyone around her was incredibly worried about what was going on and I distinctly remember the moment I saw her starting to get well. I asked her what had changed and she told me that, somewhat against 'Dr's orders', she was doing some high intensity exercise at home. Skipping if I remember rightly - and she immeditately started feeling better. She then progressed to Bootcamp and now you can't stop her! And still no answers on the mystery illness.

 

So what made you want to compete?

I went up to Darwin to the INBA comp that Kirsten went in and won, and got oh-so-inspired to take myself to another level. So I got myself a trainer back in late October and started my transformation.

 

Were there any immediate changes to your food?

Food was one of the biggest challenges for me as I do have a sweet tooth, but I have now trained myself not to need it. I was lucky with the fact that I do like so many of the foods on my food plan that the trainer had given me, making it easier to adjust.

 

And your training?

I do alot of heavy weights and have surprised myself with how strong I am even after starting off with small weights in the begining. It is definately a lifestyle change as I am at the gym at 4:45 am six days a week and LOVE it.

 

How have your family and friends taken the changes?

My family have been VERY supportive as it is such a selfish sport. My involvement has also got them out and about and more active which is a big bonus.

 

Have you learnt anything really exciting?

My light bulb moment would have been attending the nutrition seminar in Katherine with Ingrid and Renata, and getting an insight into food science and linking it with exercise.

 

Would you do another comp after this one?

I would definatly do another comp and now have so much more info and ideas that I would change and grow for next time.

 

How has your body changed over your compeition training?

My body has changed dramatically. Not in weight but lean muscle, which is very exciting as I have never had much tone at all.

 

Lastly, I couldnt have done it with the support of the wonderful inpirational ladies who have helped me along the way.

 

 

 

What's Life Like At 5.5 Weeks Pre-Competition?

Let’s play a little game of Funny Figures; 

70 – the number of egg whites I consume in a week.

7 – the average number of litres of water I glug down each day.

37 – the average number of trips to the bathroom daily.

11 – somewhere around the number of cups of vegetables I eat every day.

70 – days since I last consumed a glass of alcohol.

10 – weeks since I last consumed a glass of alcohol (in case the days didn’t seem impressive enough)

15 – months that I have been training with the sole purpose of competing ie. Training for muscle gain only rather than cv fitness etc.

8 – weeks since I have eaten breads, grains, rice, crackers or anything else processed/dairy

8 – weeks since I consumed even a drop of milk - just to make a point!

2 – minutes since I thought about how I wanted milk in my coffee.

1 – second since I gave some thought toward the next competition and what I could do better today.

100 – kilos is the benchmark I can hit (or just about!) on some of my compound exercises.

25 – minutes is what I spend doing high intensity cardio in any given session. Not a second more - thank goodness!

And here’s a snapshot of a typical day at 5.5 weeks from comp day;

0645 – bound out of bed, shower etc.

0700 – nuke a few cups of fresh (but pre-cooked) veges and kangaroo meat. Chow down while reading emails & catching up on the morning computer goss.

0715 – and the morning tussle begins with getting three beautiful children ready for school.

0800 – out the door and off to work.

0830-1030 – Personal Training clients.

1030 – time to eat – yeeha!! Currently veges, nuts and fish – yummo! I literally need the whole 15mins to eat, eat and eat. Find that I’m walking back into the gym while still wiping the final crumbs away.

1045 – PT Client.

1145 – Finish with client and immediately throw down pre-workout drink. Slap on gloves, wraps and weight belt and launch into the heaviest resistance training session I can muster! I always try to increase my weights, even if only by a couple of kilos. I track every lift and every weight in a Training Diary and this saves me time with what weights to start off with, and what I need to get to.

1pm – Home for a coffee and to prepare meal #3. This time it’s turkey and greens. Munch down while catching up on emails and writing PT programs.

1.30pm – time for a batch of food prepping. Chop & steam veges, weigh and package meat for fridge and freezer, cook kids dinner etc etc.

2.15pm – quick posing session in front of the mirror. Hold each pose for approx 40s – timed with my interval timer.

2.30pm – pick up my darlings from school. This is where the fun really begins.

2.45pm – 3pm – afternoon tea for them. Prepare school lunches for me.

3-4pm – homework. The word looks so peaceful. The reality is anything but.

4-4.30pm – prepare for Bootcamp (or swimming or piano lessons or football…..). Prepare meal #4 for me to take to Bootcamp. Currently eggs & greens and fruit.

4.30-6.15pm – Bootcamp. Munch food.

6.15-7pm – Home, showers, dinner for kids.

7.30pm – Time for dinner. Vegetable skewers & fish.

7.45-8.30ish – More food prepping. All meals for the following day are measured and packaged. All supps and vitamins measured out into my six-pack esky bag and breakfast pre-cooked and ready for the morning. Prepare meal #6.

8.30-9pm – Some more posing with Rob critiquing. Always interesting and challenging. I end up drenched in sweat and sometimes feeling just a little inadequate. I’m determined to nail this part of the comp prep but I can’t always see the results in that damn mirror. Mental note to keep at it and not get discouraged by my lack of poise and grace.

9pm – time for a quick night swim and general household clean up and prepare for the morning.

10pm – Meal #6 – scrambled eggs and a vege mix. Bloody yummy but even I admit that eating all day can sometimes be tedious. Yummy but tedious.

10.30 – Bed. And sleep. And try not to dream, think or mull over comp stuff. That is somewhat impossible and I would lie if I said that I didn’t dream about the details just about every night. Well maybe not dream, but definitely go through it in my mind again and again and again. I imagine myself walking onto the stage, striking the poses and transitioning perfectly. My dreams are far more impressive than my reality by the way!

 So that's my life. It may be whacky but it's mine and I'm quite satisfied if not challenged and enthused about it. The goal is close enough to touch and I have a fire deep down that burns fiery hot. 5.5 more weeks to keep it burning.

Enough from me – over the next week I’m going to introduce the other girls in our Katherine 2013 team. Very interesting reading on where they’ve come from and what they aspire to.

Here's a piccy taken after one of my food prepping sessions. More plastic containers than the local $2 shop!!

Another Day...Another Huge Life Change!!

And yet again, my little world changes with a mere phone call. Lucky I like change.

Last Thursday, about an hour prior to Bootcamp, I received a phone call from the Northern Territory Police telling me that I have been accepted into the next accelerated recruitment intake in April. There’s nothing like a special phone call to tell you that you’ve succeeded in your job application. You can’t help but feel the buzz of success!! Immediately my head was spinning and my stomach churning. Of course I wanted to hear the good news – but when reality hits it can be a tougher call than you first thought.

In explanation, I had submitted an application last September and spent the last five months slowly ticking off the various application criteria. It included; psychological testing, literacy & numeracy testing, medical, hearing test, formal interview and a myriad of background checks. Finally it all culminated in that phone call last Thursday, which had been delayed by the state of play in the government budget.

So here I am – supposed to be ecstatic, and all I have are questions flying through my mind; What will happen to my clients? My beloved Bootcamp? My KIDS!!!! How will I continue training? How will I make it to the comps? Will the uniform colour be flattering? Oh so many questions!!! With about 24 hours to make that decision on whether to accept or not!

I would like to say I kept a cool head and answered the questions in an orderly fashion. But I did not. I went into a flap. I called some people. I brooded. I drank black coffee while lying the pool and contemplating my belly button. I attended the Muscle Inn and completed the heaviest and best Chest training session that I could. I called Ingrid. I brooded some more. And, on top of it all, I felt more than a little pleased that I had prepared my day’s food that morning so throughout the chaos I only ate what I had to, at the times prescribed.

And then I pressed the button on my acceptance email. It was done. I shall be entering the Police Academy on April 8 to begin my time with the NT Police Force. And I couldn’t be happier.

The big question I can hear rolling in minds is – Why? Why now when Bootcamp is thriving, PT is ticking along just nicely, I have established myself within my little town and things are just honkey-bloody-dorey (a nice little Kiwi saying!)?

All good questions and not ones I have a completely logical answer for, other than; I really love Policing. It’s my trade if you like. It’s what I know and what I’ve done for so many years. And there are so many things within the police that I have yet to experience and more challenges to conquer. My idea of a great job is one where I am under immense pressure and forced to make decisions that will (hopefully) assist in a positive outcome. And that is really what frontline policing is all about. There are aspects that are harder than others but the good far outweighs the average and I’ll take it one step at a time.

Once a decision was made, it was about finding the best solution or answer to my many questions;

1.       My PT clients will hopefully start to  tap into their own motivation, and utilise the information I’ve taught them in designing and executing their workouts. I aim to continue PT’ing on some level but have a great desire to get some nutritional training under my belt.

2.       My beloved Bootcamp….is going nowhere!!! Of course it isn’t!! It may have a different look for a while but it will still be there. In nearly 2 years, I have never had an unscheduled night off! Not one! So I guess I feel my reliability should help with the trust that it will all be running as usual.

3.       My kids. They are super fantastic (as I’m sure all parents think of their own) and they will adapt and cope with Mummy being away for 10 weeks (with regular weekend catchups!). though I do need a tutor Mon-Fri 2.30pm-4.30pm for 9 weeks if anyone knows of someone suitable.

4.       My training? Hehehe – I just chuckle. Monday to Friday. 8am-4pm (ish) and just my own little self to worry about. Say no more!

5.       Competitions? See above.

6.       Uniform colour? Dark blue is a lot better than khaki for my skin tone!!

So there it is. My next challenge. I’ve always maintained that life should provide you with challenges and excitement – I’m the sort of person that would go looking for it if it wasn’t there so I might as well orchestrate my own. Not to be confused with drama!!! I don’t like drama!

 I have 3 more weeks left here and then to my new ‘home’ in Darwin for 10. I plan to train my butt off from now till D-Day…and then continue training as per usual. Ingrid is skilfully manipulating my food and I’m still eating plenty of colour, some fruit and different protein options. I have noticed the latest menu has a little sting in it’s tail and I’m making use of chewing gum here and there, but I’m very pleased with the results 7 weeks out.

Until next time……

Another 'Most Embarrassing Moment'....

There are times when I just shouldn’t share things with the greater public…but I’ve never been good at discerning those times because I like to share the many stupid and embarrassing moments that make up my life. Why? Because a bloody good belly-laugh at my own expense is just what I need sometimes to ensure I stay on planet earth and not take things too seriously.

So “what?” you may ask, have I done this time? Well here it is. I am literally turning crimson while writing this so you had better appreciate how uncomfortable this blog is today!!

In the bodybuilding federation that I am now following, I have been informed that the gluteus maximus contains muscles. And while I’m in the game of showing off muscles, Nana-knickers have no place covering those glutes. In fact, I’m sure you can see where this is going. I don’t want to have to spell it out….but the new attire involves one solitary letter – and I just can’t bring myself to say it out loud so you’ll have to join the dot!

Moving on. My darling husband sensed my despair and anxiety at the thought of baring a good portion of my nether-region to the world so he decided, in his infinite wisdom, that he would purchase a pair (why on earth do they call it a pair of knickers???!!!! There’s definitely only one very small piece of material to be found!!). The idea is to do a little prancing and posing in them in order to get used to that strange feeling.

I am very aware that many of the female species actually choose to wear these things on a daily basis. There is a darn good reason I have not done so to date. And that is because I was blessed with extra when it comes to bum diameters. This fact wreaks havoc with that piece of material, to the point I almost call the service of  Search & Rescue to find the little sucker.

So I get the new addition that Rob has kindly bought – I can’t imagine what it would have felt like for him to actually go and buy it HAHAHA!!! – and I decide that tonight is the night to give it a whirl. My booty is still a little on the rounded side but it’s got a ton more muscle than what I remember about my youthful butt. So I’m certain that it’s not going to be a repeat of the same. In fact, there’s a little bit of cocky confidence that I’m going to actually enjoy this challenge!

But alas, the ruddy thing feels AWFUL!! Really, really awful!!!! It’s a little tight, a little restrictive and not pleasant in the least!! I can’t even imagine how people choose to wear these things and I vow and declare that the stage will be the only place where I venture down this uncomfortable road. Oh well, I’ll troop on and toughen up. So it’s on with the heels, on with the smile and off I set, into the lounge room for Round 1 of official Posing Practise.

I prance out on ‘stage’ and Rob is looking at me kinda funny. Not funny “you look bloody gorgeous!”. More funny ”what the heck is up with…that???!!”. Like the consummate professional, I continue to stride out on ‘stage’, Guy Smiley toothpaste ad smile beaming at the ‘judges’. Rob asks me to turn around. I do. He looks really perturbed and a little smirk is forming on his face. Not impressed. I perceive he is laughing at the sight of my bottom. This is not so. He is definitely laughing though. He beckons me over. I teeter over, no confidence left. Feeling just a little pissed at the thought that he is mocking me. He then points to something on the top of my right thigh – on the waistband of my new knickers. I look down.

It’s the tag.

It shouldn’t be on the side of my leg. It should be at the back. Where any good tag belongs. What’s more, it should be on the inside of the undies. Not on the outside. Waving like a little flag.

I have my brand new undies on upside down along with inside out. I am a disaster on heels.

Belly laugh is a bit of an understatement! Also immense relief that Posing Practise is conducted in the safety of my own home in front of just my Rob!!! Bahahahahhaaaaaa!!!!

I can confirm that, once the situation was ‘sorted’ – it all got a little easier to bear. However Rob now has major concerns about me going to Melbourne alone to do the competition. I am trying hard to convince him that I can do this!! I can truly put my clothes on the right way up and not inside-out!! I have 8 weeks to convince him!!

I absolutely know I shouldn't share this info with you - but what the heck!! Gotta have a laugh somedays or you'd just cry!