Bodybuilding - Figure competition requires daily workouts, strict diet

Date: 10-04-2007 Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamUnited States

She is a new mom with a full-time job. But Kristina McEllrath wanted to do more than just ease herself back into shape following the birth of her first child.

Which explains why, 10 months after daughter Hailey was born, she was on stage March 31 at Skyview High School posing during the Vancouver USA Natural Classic bodybuilding show.

"It's intense," she said, describing the atmosphere surrounding a competition where months of disciplined training come down to posing in a bikini before the critical eyes of spectators and judges.

A 32-year-old computer programmer for Nautilus, McEllrath was one of 125 bodybuilders and figure competitors who participated in the 22nd edition of Vancouver USA Natural Classic bodybuilding show.

McEllrath competed in the women's figure competition, where contestants are graded on their form and physique, along with presentation, poise and skin tone. Figure competitions are not about building muscles, but about creating a strong, fit body, according to McEllrath.

Fitness and figure competitions provide an alternative women who work out, but do not want to gain the muscle size or cut look required for bodybuilding competition.

"You actually still look like a woman," McEllrath said.

Femininity aside, to step onto a stage and have your appearance appraised by an audience of fitness enthusiasts - estimated by organizers at 1,800 - takes a certain moxie. But for McEllrath, those moments are a reward, the excitement at the end of a months-long journey to sculpt a human body into a showpiece.

"Diet is the biggest factor," McEllrath said, explaining the challenges that go into preparing for a bodybuilding show.

That diet is strict, and is high on fish. McEllrath began training 12 weeks before the show. In the four weeks before the show, her diet is fish (seven times a day) and green beans, with yams for carbohydrates twice a week.

In the days leading up to competition, participants limit their water intake in order to increase muscle definition.

"It gets pretty hard the last two weeks before the competition," she said.

She credits her husband, Drew, for encouraging her to engage her passion for figure competition. She said that working at Nautilus makes it possible for her to carve out time to do the daily workouts needed to shape her body for competition.

She worked with trainer Tim Arndt and nutritionist Pete Grubb to prepare for this spring's schedule, which will include shows this month and in May.

"You have to have good support to be able to do this," she said.

Like many who enter bodybuilding events, McEllrath became interested in competitive posing through folks who worked out at the same gym. She competed in several shows a few years ago, placing eighth in her first event and second in another.

On March 31, the 5-foot-11 McEllrath was pleased that the judges placed her fourth among eight women in the women's figure contest for those 5-7 and taller.

"It's awesome. It feels great to get a trophy," she said.

She has played competitive basketball and volleyball, but McEllrath said bodybuilding is like no other sport.

"The competitive rush is more then any other sport I play," she said "Not only do I have a personal goal for myself, but it is something that I train for 12 weeks, and then really prepare myself for."

She left the stage at Skyview with bigger dreams.

McEllrath plans to compete in the Emerald Cup next weekend in Bellevue. In its 25th year, that event is considered one of the largest bodybuilding competitions in the Northwest. She might also enter a show in May before taking a break for the summer.

Someday, she said, she might try to make it as a professional figure competitor. For now, she just wants to be an inspiration to peers.

"I want to be more of a motivation to other women that have had children, and show them they can take care of themselves, have a family, and be in shape."