http://www.t-nation.com/category.jsp?categoryID=229 T-Nation: Figure Athletes en-us Mon, 20 May 2013 00:23:34 GMT Mon, 20 May 2013 00:23:34 GMT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss T-Nation via P-APP-13 webmaster@biotest.net webmaster@biotest.net 229 60 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5640982 Mon, 06 May 2013 22:43:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5640982 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4750432 Fri, 03 Aug 2012 03:08:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4750432 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5114891
Second thread now and I feel like I am being annoying so sorry everyone!

Does anybody have any advice as to what exercises I can do (preferably at home) to make my butt (feel silly using that word!) more pert? (silly using this word too!)

I read somewhere that alphabet kickback help separate the butt from the hams - only problem is I don't know what alphabet kickbacks are. I used to use the Figure Athlete site and search on the articles there if I ever had a query but looks as if this site doesn't exist anymore! a lot's changed since I visited this site in 2009!

Anyway I would appreciate anybody's advice!

Ta
]]> Sat, 04 May 2013 18:43:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5114891 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5109423
I recently had my first personal training session on Sunday and told the trainer that I wanted to slim down my calves by losing fat on them..

After examining them she said that I had very little fat on my calves and a hell of a lot of muscle, she said she was very impressed but I was not!

She said the only way to slim them down would be doing some muscle reduction but I have never heard of this before! how can you reduce muscle in your calves??!? She didn't explain what techniques she was going to use in the session but I am pretty sceptical...any ideas ladies? ]]> Thu, 25 Apr 2013 01:02:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5109423 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5501858 Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:53:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5501858 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5264291
I definitely can't handle the carbs, as I get severe bloating and gain weight easily. I also notice I don't crave sugar as much. I might experiment with trying more moderate carbs if I decide to compete, to see if I would get more definition. ]]> Sat, 30 Mar 2013 00:23:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5264291 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4991287
I was considering the velocity diet, but I just can't really afford it seeing as I'm a broke ass grad student. I've been researching carb cycling like crazy, but I want a woman's opinion on whether or not that's the recommended route.

So far it seems as though I should really just fuck around with different things to see how my body responds to certain fat loss "diets", but I'd still like to hear what you women have to say on what worked for you when you first started. Keep in mind I'm not looking to decrease my weight because that would imply I would be ok with losing muscle (definitely not), but my FAT is what I want to lose!

Thanks, ladies! ]]> Thu, 28 Feb 2013 07:56:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4991287 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5486578
This October, I entered my first figure competition and did a hardcore diet for the first time. I got leaner than I ever was before. I knew to expect weight gain post competition, but instead of returning to my normally lean body, I ended up heavier than ever before!

I know some people go overboard after restricting so long and eat everything in site after dieting for so long, but I went back to a pretty strict diet routine. High protein, low carbs, lots of veggies, a few cheats here and there. Nothing crazy and A LOT cleaner than before my competition, but somehow, I'm fatter than ever. I just want to look the way I did before competing and the weight isn't budging. It's been three months since the competition now.

Since I'm naturally pear shaped, the problem isn't really my upper body. It's mostly my hips. I feel like everything I eat sticks directly to my hips and I have lots of visible cellulite in that area which I never had in my life. I'm feeling really upset since I am eating right and consistently training like I was before competing but I feel my body will just never be the same.

Did anyone else have this problem after competing and if so, how can I get back to normal and how long did it take you?? :( ]]> Sun, 17 Feb 2013 16:20:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5486578 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5467572 Wed, 16 Jan 2013 02:21:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5467572 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5132722 I switched my diet up and am doing the anabolic diet, but my weight hasn't changed in a month. I know I probably don't have the calories low enough, so I'm going to work on that. What is working for you? Do you consider your diet healthy, and will you stay on it as a lifestyle??

Thanks! ]]> Fri, 07 Dec 2012 04:57:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5132722 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4887082
I know I need to workout more and get very strict with my diet 3 months out. Can anyone please give me tips and suggestions about a first figure competition. I need all the advice I can get!! Thanks!!

I'm 5'6.5" about 135 pounds with about 21% BF ]]> Sun, 30 Sep 2012 00:18:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4887082 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5345563
Thanks!
]]> Thu, 23 Aug 2012 18:09:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5345563 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5226157
In 2010 I only took 3rd and when I asked the head judge what I needed to work on she stated that I have the body for figure just need a more solid diet. So after dealing with health issues and moving back home I joined forces with her and started my journey again ]]> Wed, 23 May 2012 16:55:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5226157 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5235028
Okay, let me tell you what I mean. I call that event that happens to people who finally get tired of being overweight or feeling sluggish to making a difference in their life---a trigger. Like something someone said, or they experienced, or in my case were forced to do resulted in them making changes. I remember when I first signed up here...I didn't have a trigger per say. It was more like, I would watch a program on obesity, biggest loser, or just Oprah and feel like working out. Let's just say, that a few days later I would be back to my old habits. Out of sight, out of mind.

Well, something did change. So about 3 years ago I moved to France. I'm personally not a fan, but I speak the language and had a job, why not. However, what most people don't know about France is that it's a very fitness oriented country. They are "weightist". Best term to describe it. They are basically people who are prejudiced against overweight people. I think overall they try not to be but if you are larger than a size 14 American, you most likely can't walk into a store and find anything. Sitting down on their subways chairs can be hazardous. For instance, I would walk into the subway and go through a panic moment. "Do I take the chance and sit down on the flip seats (these are seats in the train that flip up so that more room can be had when it gets crowded--normally there are two). If I do that and someone wants to sit next to me, I have to figure out how to lose 5" around my hips so the people aren't struggling with the chair. Or when they get up the chair decides to stay down because half my ass is on it. Or do I stand up and people blame me for not having room. You can tell by the look on their faces.

First year...I suffered well and was around a size 22/20 American. I ended up losing weight by year 2 and was a size 20. However, it's in January of my third year that I sort of created the trigger. I moved from a shitty place that I was living in during October 2011 to a newer place in Jan 2012. The newer place put me on the 5th floor and no elevator.

Can you imagine my 220lb self climbing those stairs? Added to that, they put me on a bunk bed. I couldn't climb the stairs without taking at least 5 minute breaks in between each floor and it was a struggle to get up and down the bunk bed. I cried a few times. Before this, I had shitty knees guys. I mean if I walked for too long, my knees would get so bad that they would actually swell up. Like I had an injury they were huge.

Well a few weeks ago something happened. I was trying on one of my cut off pants that were two tight for me 2 years ago and I noticed they were too big for me. I was like...hold on here...too big?! At this point keep in mind this is 6 days a week I am going up 5 flights of stairs a minimum of 4 times a day, I am also running up and down stairs in the French subway. France doesn't know anything about technology. If you don't have good legs, you can't live in France. It's stairs everywhere.

Added to that about 3 times a week I would walk from 45 minutes to 90 minutes a day. I was also working with kids 25 hours a week---so I spent most of my time on my feet. Well guys, I went from being a size 20 in February to being a size 16 now. I got tired of going up the stairs one step at a time, now I either run up the stairs or take two steps at a time. I even made it a work out.

I had bad eating habits and for all intents and purposes I still do. I cut down the carbs, I don't really eat breakfast---but drink whole milk instead), but I try to get in something in, but I do eat lunch and dinner and try to minimize the fat. No MacDonalds, no fast food in general, no sodas. I will be cutting down the French fries. I cut out the chips that ate a lot of. I keep my calorie count in between 1400-1600.

And I seem to be losing weight. My work out consists mainly of climbing up and down stairs and walking. I don't want to invest in a gym membership yet. But since I got the trigger I need help guys. I was looking at my thighs, and I know there is no such thing as spot reducing but it's not looking right and I'm getting scared of having loose skin.

Here are some pics, tell me what you would recommend workout wise (with no gym and just body weight) and how to really get muscle tone, burn the fat. Plus anything on a cleaner diet, than the rudimentary stuff I have now.

Rudimentary Meal day

Breakfast - whole milk
An hour later - salad with protein

Lunch-rice or some carb, salad, protein; maybe yogurt or fruit

Dinner - same as above

Meal time snack - high protein meal replacement or milk.

The pics are below...just showing the lower body.

Okay guys...so excuse the heels. I'm in a hotel room right now and I bought them for like 10 quid so I felt like wearing them. I was checking out my calves in them.

I'm putting myself out there guys so please be gentle. I'm taking advice to the heart now since I've seen differences in my body and for me to go from a size 22 to a 16 shocked me. As a note, no I am not clenching my butt. I get that a lot.

http://imageshack.us/.../p1070297d.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/.../p1070298x.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/.../p1070299t.jpg/

Yeah, I'm hella embarassed. But I figure some of you have seen worse or been in a similar situation so you'd be kind enough to help. Again, not sure if I'm gym ready, I'm about to start a new schedule so I'd be more interested in doing bodyweight workouts during my breaks or at home when I get home. When my body clock in order, I'm in Europe now, on my way to the US. Then I will start back to integrating walking into my routine.

Thanks in advance everyone.


]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 16:36:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5235028 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5192977
I haven't been on in quite a while, and the "Figure Athletes" section seems to have been downsized:( What happened to all the categories we used to have and and the old threads? Are they somewhere else now, or are the posts shown here all that's on here now??

Thanks! ]]> Sun, 20 May 2012 16:40:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5192977 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4732250
more Jelena!!!! ]]> Tue, 01 May 2012 18:03:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4732250 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5207538
]]> Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:28:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5207538 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5126592
could somebody direct me towards a beginner workout program?


Thanks. ]]> Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:10:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5126592 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5023122 I'm training for my first figure competition this April. I began competing last year, and entered in the Fitness category. The poses are pretty much the same, front, side, back quarter turns, but I need to work more on my posing.

Can anyone recommend some good, free posing videos? I've watched some on youtube but theres nothing I feel is particularly in depth.. and I don't really want to buy videos from a website- shipping overseas is not particularly cost efficient.
Thank you!
]]> Sat, 24 Mar 2012 13:22:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=5023122 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4798083
well new to this so need bit of help lol

i am going into competition for figure BUT really need some help can anyone help me ??

i need strip fat fast !!!! ......just started taking t4,tiromal, clenbutrol and reductil ......

I HAVE 4 WKS TO DROP 18 POUNDS ???? ]]> Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:16:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4798083 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4822719
Hi All! Had a bit of a slip (due to health), and now looking for some advice on my new goals! I've listed them below, followed by some questions!

===========

SUMMED UP GOAL: Be in the best shape of my life by my 30th birthday through diet, strength- , stamina- , and flexibility building activities, and a focus on leading friends/family by example.

DEADLINE: January 17th, 2012

HURDLE: Recent illnesses and other factors caused me to gain about 20lbs of fat, and lose a bit of muscle. Currently ill, recovering. Should be fine next week, aside from possible lingering infection and ongoing knee/joint issues, so using this time to plan.

CURRENTLY:
- Weight: 155
- BF % : 32 (if my scale is to be trusted. Fluctuates with water retention)
- Height: 5ft 7in
- Age: 29
- Somatype: Tends towards Mesomorphic

GOAL (all stats better than past best-shape, 2 years ago)
- Weight: 130
- BF % : 17-19%

- Difference in weight: -25 lbs
- Difference in BF: -13% to -15%
- Difference in Muscle Mass: + 0 to +2.6lbs

- Average lbs per week: -1.7 /week
- Average BF% per week: -0.87 to 1% /week

===========
QUESTIONS
===========

1) I'd like confirmation: ***Do the above goals seem within reason?***

2) I'd love to do Velocity, but I've tried and something (the lack of carbs? Not enough fat?) makes me extremely touchy, on-edge and down/depressed. I don't think what I get is a normal level of low-carb cranky, it's just not working with my body chemistry (perhaps due to iron-deficient anemia, ADHD and used to have issues with hypoglycemia) Although I did loose weight the few days I was on, until my husband begged me to eat a fruit or something! ha).... ***Any suggestions for modification, or must I just simply find a different diet?***

3) Cutting always gives me more inspiration to keep going because I can see the changes faster, and I want to push forward (it also would help me to do easier body-weight exercises, with the reduced weight). However, I love lifting, and paired with my mesomorphic body type, an increase in muscle mass can help boost my metabolism. I want to be as efficient as possible. ***What do you suggest: cutting, building, build followed by cut, or a more boot-camp/crossfit style do-both-at-the-same-time approach?***

4) ***If you where in my shoes, what diet and/or exercise plan would you use?***


====THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!==== ]]> Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:13:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4822719 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4948966
So the reason I am posting on here is because I love body building!!
I go to every comp that is held in my city and up until now it was more something I admired and loved to watch. It was never something I really wanted for myself..
How ever this has all changed!

I have 4 children and after my last (8months old) I was at my heaviest.. I have since lost around 12kgs and am aiming to shed around 3 more kgs however I do not want to just be skinny..

I want to be proud of my body and have muscle.. I want to work my butt off and get those abs that I thought only people in fitness magazines have..

So my question is after mainly focusing on cardio to lose this weight I now would love to find out what I should be doing in the gym and eating at home to build my body and push myself to lengths I never have..

Also would love your thoughts on Anavar as I hear it is something that can really help women to build muscle..

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I cant wait to see what you all have to say.. :)

FnF ]]> Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:48:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4948966 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4742780
I am very experienced in the weight room been training since my early twenties. So twenty years later girls I just feel I am not getting that muscle hardness and pop! That I expect with all the training I do?
I don't want to take anything like male test that I heard a lot of women take. I have an excellent cardio program and my diet is really clean. I want a little boost to help me out. I need to get up to date what are best over the counter supplements for an athletic woman to take.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! ]]> Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:45:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4742780 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4740366 Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:41:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4740366 http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4776662 Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:42:00 GMT http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=4776662