Jenscats Countdown to Competition Log

[jenscats5]

OK here's a pic. They turned out too dark but we were able to lighten 1 up (this was a practice editing of the pic) - if this works I'll do more.


The girl in the red with her hand up got 1st in Novice, I was 2nd.

 

[Sassy69]

Jen, the best thing I could say about that pic is that you look like you belong up there.

Congrats! I worked until 3 am this morning & was thinking about you the whole time because yesterday was supposed to be my show as well.

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Well, my group of friends saw him hugging on another competitor - and I think I did better than she did. I'm very happy with my placing - a 2 spot move up in 1 month! That's darned good IMO.....especially being so new at this, like I am....

I know I need work on my posing - that will come in time & practice.

I don't think I have a "fat ass" but it & my hams are my weak spot and I think I need to "firm" that area up. Any suggestions for how to do that?

And I find it hard to get my lats to pop out - which I think a lot of women have trouble there. Suggestions for that also?

And THANKS!!

You SHOULD be proud. You have worked your ASS off, and the placings are great for *anyone*, and especially you being a novice competitor! That says a lot for how hard you have worked and how far you have come. It is impressive, to say the very least.

I must admit, I have not really read in detail your actual workout routine. (sorry) But I would start focusing on the BIG lifts and movements. You need to add size - which can come especially from things like squats, SLDL, and regular deads. I would focus hard on form and lifting heavy. The off-season should be your time to really work on adding size - like 24k is doing. Even implementing some powerlifting-style workouts could be beneficial.

I think the Oct 1st comp would be good to do, more practice. But it should probably be your last one this season. Next season starts around March - which is not a lot of time to work on adding muscle then cutting the fat. But now you know your body better, so cutting *should* be a smoother experience (theoretically).

It is also worth keeping Tracy in the off-season to meet with you to work on posing. Even meeting her 1-2x a month would help you.

 

[jenscats5]

You SHOULD be proud. You have worked your ASS off, and the placings are great for *anyone*, and especially you being a novice competitor! That says a lot for how hard you have worked and how far you have come. It is impressive, to say the very least.

I must admit, I have not really read in detail your actual workout routine. (sorry) But I would start focusing on the BIG lifts and movements. You need to add size - which can come especially from things like squats, SLDL, and regular deads. I would focus hard on form and lifting heavy. The off-season should be your time to really work on adding size - like 24k is doing. Even implementing some powerlifting-style workouts could be beneficial.

I think the Oct 1st comp would be good to do, more practice. But it should probably be your last one this season. Next season starts around March - which is not a lot of time to work on adding muscle then cutting the fat. But now you know your body better, so cutting *should* be a smoother experience (theoretically).

It is also worth keeping Tracy in the off-season to meet with you to work on posing. Even meeting her 1-2x a month would help you.

I don't think I'm going to do the Oct 1 show - for 2 reasons. I'd like a week off & some time to relax & settle down & celebrate our anniversary. Plus since I joined the NPC for yesterday's show & it was $70 & it expires in 2 months & may choose to do another NPC show instead. There's one in NJ in very early November - I think Nov. 5th - so I may do that one instead. The Oct 1st show is an OCB show where my membership is good until next July.

My winter/off-season is going to be weird. I need to develop a plan around skiing as I got a share in a ski house (runs from end Nov to mid-May) & plan on being in VT skiing most of the winter.

Anyway - I noticed my butt tightened up somewhat nicely with Tracy adding in uphill walking lunges & the Stairmaster in addition to the SLDLs & squats I was already doing. Fred had had me doing Sumo squats which looked to me helped my quads so I may add them back in.

 

[jenscats5]

Jen, the best thing I could say about that pic is that you look like you belong up there.

Congrats! I worked until 3 am this morning & was thinking about you the whole time because yesterday was supposed to be my show as well.

Thank you Sassers!! I felt like I was more competitive this time.

Thanks for thinking of me at 3am!! We should do a show together some time!! NYCgirl suggested it - I think it'd be a good idea!!

 

[Daisy_Girl]

If what you started adding in was working, then keep it up!

A lot of what you do to help with skiing can help with competing .... plyometrics would be GREAT for skiing, plus can help add muscle to legs. Also, the uphill lunges are good for both.

No reason you can't do both things. The season is long .... you don't have to compete early in the season - you can always do it late summer like you did this year.

 

[jenscats5]

If what you started adding in was working, then keep it up!

A lot of what you do to help with skiing can help with competing .... plyometrics would be GREAT for skiing, plus can help add muscle to legs. Also, the uphill lunges are good for both.

No reason you can't do both things. The season is long .... you don't have to compete early in the season - you can always do it late summer like you did this year.

Oh yeah definitely!! Seeing how - just in the past 4 weeks - how the Stairmaster + the uphil lunges worked - I'll definitely keep doing them.

As for the ski season - I'll be in VT for weeks at a time, then home for a short period of time so I won't be able to go to my gym much. I either need to find a gym up there or some other alternative. The skiing itself will be my cardio.

The one show I definitely want to do next year is the June 11 OCB show here in DE plus this same one again + the Bristol, CT one again & maybe the June 25 East Coast Classic --> but that's a HUGE show, so we'll see.

 

[jenscats5]

*PICS DELETED*

 

[jenscats5]

**Another story - the vendor they have that sells clothes & stuff pulled me aside after the morning show & commented on what a great stage presence I have. What a nice thing to say & do!!!

One thing I did this show is I had 2, literally 2, sips of red wine backstage. It really helped!! LOL

 

[starfish]

Awesome job Jen...You look really comfortable and happy on stage

That is a whopper of a trophy..lol