“FIT AND FABULOUS….AT FIFTY”
Written For Carol Watson
By Nadine J. Coleman
Attitude, drive, and a concise goal contributed to being “Fit and Fabulous at “50”. Fueling the mind, body, and soul was gratifying. A strong competitive streak, coupled with a willingness to go through the channels and the processes to reach my goal, required a mental cleansing and expansion beyond my imagination. I did it – I reached my goal of winning an Amateur BodyBuilding Show, “Masters - - Ms. Michigan 2000”. Look out ladies – and gentlemen, I am going to enter another BodyBuilding Competition, first quarter 2001! The victory smile – well, you can be the judge.
Achieving this goal required selecting a personal trainer. While I had been exercising religiously for six years, the gym was not a stranger but a greater challenge. To acquire the physical structure and results I wanted required someone to manage my goal. The consultation and interview with my personal trainer helped me to realize that I had selected the right person. Adam Schlecter, from Grunt Personal Training Studio, of Southfield, Michigan was committed and dedicated. He sold me on a fitness program, personally designed for me. I was given a stringent diet and a comprehensive training program. My program consisted of weight training, cardiovascular conditioning, and working out six days a week. Eliminating many of the foods I loved required an earnest commitment.
Incorporating this challenge into my life was difficult and demanded a psychological makeover. Maintaining consistency with these processes, over two to three months, was rigorous. Because of my dedication, my trainer began to quickly notice that my body was responding favorably. He posed the question whether I had ever given thought to bodybuilding competition. Being a competitive person, I took on the challenge. It was a challenge I had never faced…. and I like looking good…. and even more, I like winning. Equipped with this new goal, I immediately encompassed the idea of competing professionally – and winning.
Packed with my new goal in mind, and more specifically winning, the training became more intense. I saw myself becoming stronger and my muscles were becoming more defined. I was on my way to reaching greater heights and I continued to see immediate, physical results.
Training helped me to handle stress better and it increased my energy level. Additionally, it helped me to develop a stronger mental attitude. While I found my new diet difficult to conquer, I was able to maintain my healthy eating style by taking my lunch to work. This was quite a challenge as I am a businesswoman and I was accustomed to eating out. I had to remain focused. I was keenly aware of the fact that I must eat with total nutrition in mind, or I would defeat my entire purpose.
The encouragement of my husband and family was highly instrumental in helping me to achieve my goal. My husband adjusted to my eating patterns in order to support my efforts. Family and friends quickly saw the results and provided the emotional support I needed. They knew my mission was genuine and highly achievable…..I was looking good. My healthy eating habits and mental makeover were contagious. My positive attitude made it all possible.
Preparing for the training program required significant discipline, and a rigorous and committed low carbohydrate diet. I was assigned a training log that outlined every step. It specified how each exercise was geared to my personal goal. Applying this method, which worked like a journal, allowed me to chart my progress and review my daily results.
I experienced all the professional processes for competing, i.e. drug screening, proof of age, National Gym Association Rules, and weight training. In addition, my posing outfit met the necessary competition requirements. I was looking good mentally, socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. My ninety-second routine successfully projected all my muscle definitions.
Being at the finish line and taking that conclusive step of showing my body and my achievements to family, friends, other exercisers, and a crowd of people cheering me on was exhilarating. It made all my efforts fun…it was challenging, motivating, and fulfilling.
I won; I was on top of the world. I won first place. Four judges declared me as having a very feminine as well as muscular physique. I had successfully trained my body, and my mind. I did it professionally, legally, and conscientiously. I won the competition for “Masters – Ms. Michigan 2000” on May 13, 2000. This is a day I will never forget. My birthday was on May 17, four days after the show. I turned 50 – what a delightful birthday present.
My experience was extraordinary, competitive, and has caused me to yearn for more…look out 2001…being “Fit, and Fabulous…..at 50” is the greatest gift of all!
10/19/00