If you’ve been reading my weekly training recaps over the past few months, you might remember a few mentions thinking about a fitness competition. I’ve really enjoyed a strength training focus and seeing a few muscles appear that I didn’t have before.
They say talk is cheap, but I’ve followed through! Earlier this week, I took the leap and signed up with a coach for my first NPC Bikini Competition!!
In case you’re not familiar with NPC (National Physique Committee), it is the largest amateur bodybuilding organization in the United States. They have several different classes for women, including: bikini, figure, fitness, & bodybuilding. I’ve chosen the newest class which has the “softest” look of the group.
How did this happen?
Remember my trip to wine country a few weekends ago? I spent the weekend with two competitors – Laura (Figure) & Lisa (Bikini). They did a great job of “selling” why I should join them in training for a November competition while we drank delicious wine.
I came home from that trip and went into research mode. There’s a lot more that goes into a competition than you may realize, so I had to make sure I could budget for all these things:
- Workouts – ideally with a coach
- Nutrition– ideally with a coach
- Posing Practice– ideally with a coach
- Competition Suit (bikini)
- Shoes
- Jewelry
- Tan
- Makeup
- Hair
- Nails
- Competition Fee
- NPC Fee
My Approach to Training
I’m training for the competition for fun – I’m NOT looking to place or win (although that would be a cool bonus). As a coach myself, I really value the expertise that a coach offers, especially in an area I know I need help! I wanted to find a coach who could plan my workouts, nutrition, and offered posing practice. I knew I didn’t really need someone to train with in person, though, since I wanted to stay within a lower budget.
Late last weekend, I happened to find out that a co-worker used to be very active in bikini competitions. She had a recommendation for a local coach who she really loved and thought would be a good fit for me. I met with Ashley Shoultz over the weekend and signed up officially on Tuesday night (including my initial measurements)!
Ashley is going to be writing my workouts for me, guiding my nutrition, and offers posing practice on the weekends. As far as nutrition, I talked with her about my dietary preferences and my plan will be pescatarian with little-to-no dairy. I will have one cheat meal per week, which can include one glass of alcohol. You know I would go insane with no wine or beer for 14 weeks!
The Competition Prep Plan
I’m finishing out this week with LiveFit Trainer, so the timing is perfect to start training on Monday (ah!). I’ve picked the last competition of the season here in Colorado, the Rocky Mountain Championships on November 16th. Yes I know it says championship, but everyone has assured me it’s a smaller competition & I’ll be fine there. Now I just have to put in the work to get there!
The timing of this is not ideal with all the fun beer-related activities in Colorado over the next few months (Great American Beer Fest, multiple Oktoberfest events, etc), but I really believe there is no perfect time.
I’m really excited for this new challenge! I expect that the hardest part for me will be the nutrition – eating within my macros & the right volume. I’m used to adapting to workouts, that’s more within my comfort zone.
And the thought of walking onstage in a bikini still scares the heck out of me – but I’m trusting the process. If I had to do it today, it wouldn’t be pretty. I have 14 weeks to work hard & make that an enjoyable experience!
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Questions for you:
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Have you ever done a fitness competition? Any advice to share?!
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Do you think you’d ever train for this type of competition?
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Which would be harder for you – nutrition or workouts?
