Chasing Arnold – 12 Weeks Out

Bodybuilding is a niche sport, but it is gaining popularity.  You might have heard of “Pumping Iron” the documentary that chronicles the preparations that Arnold Schwarzenegger did to compete in the Mr. Olympia competition, or the more recent “Generation Iron” about the current great male bodybuilders and their training for the top show.  But did you know that women compete too?

Several years ago a new category of bodybuilding was added called “Bikini” division.  It was for women who lifted weights and were strong, but looked feminine.  It is often called “accessible fitness” because the look can be achieved just through following a clean eating diet and exercising, and doesn’t require crazy things like steroids.  I’m living proof that this is an attainable look: I’m a 41 year old mother of two and lost 50 lbs. while training for my first competition.

I love this sport because it has been so rewarding to me.  For this reason, I want to make it more accessible to other women interested in giving it a try.  I’m not a top-rated bodybuilder; indeed I’m far from it!  But that’s why I think (hope!) you’ll find this video interesting, because it is from the perspective of a wife and mom at the amateur level and follows my training (and family) for the 12 weeks preparing for the Arnold Amateur, an international bodybuilding contest.

Week by week you will see what I eat, how I train, and the ups and downs of the process.  I hope it will inspire some of you to give bodybuilding a try.

In this episode I establish my baseline body fat composition, show you how to prep food and have my first “real” leg workout.

If you’d like to catch up on previous episodes:

My Cover Letter to Get into the Arnold Amateur
13 Weeks till the Arnold Amateur – Thankful

More episodes to come!

If you would like to learn more about what it’s really like to do your first show, check out my book, “She’s Losing It!” available at Amazon.com.

Lisa Traugott is a Mom’s Choice Award winning writer, fitness blogger, wife and mom of two.   ShesLosingIt.com (c) 2015 Lisa Traugott. All rights reserved. No portion of this blog, including any text, photographs, video and artwork, may be reproduced or copied without written permission.