Bikini Competitions:
So you’ve come far enough as to show interest in reading about bikini competitions. What goes into it? Is it worth it? How hard is the prep?
I’m here to give my two cents, for whatever that’s worth. I just recently competed in an NPC Bikini competition, and would love nothing more than for my insight and experience to help even just one woman in some way or another.
Take a moment to get comfy and grab a cup (or two!) of coffee
Let’s start with the decision: Why did I decide to compete?
A little background information- I had always been involved in playing sports when I was younger- I loved the competitive aspect of it and I loved the feeling I got of giving it my absolute ALL, even if my team lost. It was a feeling like no other. Fast forward: I grew older, did the whole “college” thing, went out into the real world, became a Registered Nurse and lost sight of any goals of being healthy or active. I eventually found an outlet in running, and while I couldn’t necessarily run farther than about 5 miles at a time, it was enough for me to feel better and feel as though I was doing something good for myself.
A few years later I met my now fiancé who had introduced me to weightlifting. Being a cardio queen at the time with no knowledge of nutrition or proper ways to lift and workout, I was a bit overwhelmed, but I learned to love this sport really fast. I became addicted to beating my personal bests week after week. After about 3 years of lifting, I got a bug up my ass to do something more than just go to the gym and lift some weight- I wanted to push myself. Enter: competing.
I always swore up down and sideways I would never compete. I don’t know if it was because I didn’t have the confidence or I didn’t care to be bothered with the extra work, or I was just completely uneducated about it all- probably a solid mixture of the three.
At any rate, I decided I wanted to see how far I could push myself. Until that point, I had started to feel like I was on a sports team and was always practicing for a game that never happened. This competition would be my “game”. Aside from that, my fear of being on a stage in front of people, being a bit uncomfortable in my own skin and having a lack of direction gave me the extra push I needed to JUST DO IT. I have a wedding to plan soon, the holidays were still far enough away to where I wouldn’t miss out on anything, and hey- I had my health, financial ability, and motivation to move forward with it. I started thinking, “What if I break a bone or lose the ability to train and compete? If I wait a second longer I may not ever have the chance again.” So I did it.
The Process of Prep
This is the hardest part. This is where you find out what you’re truly made of.. it reveals to you and those around you how much grit you’ve really got. I think I can speak for most when I say that I absolutely surprised myself with the amount of heart I have.
There are different ways to approach your prep- some train by the IIFYM route, others take a more old school approach and various others in between. I hired a coach who was highly recommended and extremely experienced in the sport: having competed and won countless times as well as training other successful competitors, I had full faith in him.
My training pretty much stayed the same- I pushed myself, got the extra reps, did whatever I could do. However, as the show came closer and my calories became less, I was obviously not able to lift as heavy, but I knew that would be part of the process.
My meal plans were strict- no cheat meals EVER. Extremely clean foods, nothing processed, no IIFYM lifestyle. I did this for 16 weeks, and about 10 weeks in I hit the wall. I was starting to really feel the effects of restricting myself and my palette. Sounds whimpy, but hey- ya girl likes to eat and not being able to have a single bite of chocolate starts to wear on you. As the weeks progressed and my show got closer, I started to feel much weaker.
About 5 weeks out I can remember beginning to have issues with my bowels- it was so hard for me to have a bowel movement! Sorry TMI- but y’all gotta know the truth about this lifestyle, it’s FAR from glitz and glam until the day of the show. Anyway, I would go about 4-5 days without a BM, and finally became temporarily dependent on laxatives. My energy levels were so depleted that I would constantly have to stay in the car or sit for a while if we went grocery shopping or on some type of daily outing. I work full time (more like constant overtime) as a registered nurse at a busy plastic surgeon’s office. I work in surgery with him and also have normal office hours; I began to notice that I could barely make it meal to meal. Those last few weeks were absolutely miserable.
Along with the lack of energy came a constantly high level of stress. Not gonna lie for a second: it started to take a big toll on my relationship. Did he stick by my side? Of course. But man, prep really messes with things, and people told us this going into it, but I’m not sure anyone can fully prepare you for the lost time and mood swings and stress on your relationship. Luckily, my fiancé is the most supportive, caring and amazing human on this planet, and he helped me through and kept me motivated and picked me back up when I felt like I was falling apart. My friends and family were also an amazing support system- make sure you surround yourself with those who will lift you up when you find yourself in the depths, because it WILL happen. Unfortunately you will also encounter plenty of uneducated nay-sayers. Ignore them and their ignorance- let them be the reason you push that much harder and kill it.
Many times I found myself going day by day and then even hour by hour or meal by meal. The routine of having everything planned out for you gets very normal and comfortable after a while, but initially it can be a bit overwhelming.
As far as the cost- know you will easily spend $2000 between your trainer, diet, bikini, heels, tan, jewelry, cost of your NPC membership card (only good for one calendar year), hair and makeup, nails, contest registration, hotel if applicable, and other ancillary costs. It adds up quick folks, so make sure you’re ready not only physically and mentally but financially as well.
Some occupations may be a bit more accommodating than others, but it is possible! Talk to your trainer and be completely transparent with him/her- they are there to guide you and help you through the entire process. As far as “Peak Week” is concerned, I recommend taking off of work at LEAST 2 days prior to your competition. Mine was held on a Saturday, so I took off the Thursday and Friday beforehand and I am SO glad I did! The last thing you need is to be extremely stressed going into it all, so give yourself a break- you’ve worked hard to get to these last few days, so try to just coast.
Prep to Peak Week
Peak Week was so exciting for me. It made everything feel so real. Luckily in my case, I had achieved my goals and was right on track, so I was able to coast into Peak Week and the week prior and focus my mind instead of frantically trying to get where I needed to be physically. I believe this helped me a ton to just relax and take it all in.
My last leg training day was Sunday before my competition, and then Monday through Wednesday consisted of body-pump workouts lasting about 45 min and some ab work. Slight carb cycling and sodium and water loading and depletion methods were used, which proved to be a little difficult, but I was so focused on the big day that I became very robotic about it all.
Thursday leading up to my competition I used to run some errands, get my nails done, and begin packing. Friday was reserved for prepping my hair extensions, taking my last shower prior to my spray tan, packing my final things and heading to the city of the venue. The show I competed in was local for me- so luckily I didn’t need to travel or stay in a hotel, instead we stayed with my future In-Laws. As soon as we arrived, we headed to the host hotel and got my first coat of my spray tan- I looked like a different ethnicity! It was even darker by the next morning.
As far as the spray tan goes and just competing in general- you gotta get comfortable with yourself REAL fast. Your spray tan is applied while you’re completely naked and with a bunch of other naked ladies. Men have the same experience. Though it was done very professionally, it’s still a little unnerving if you’re not mentally prepared for it. Being in the medical profession, I don’t blink twice at nudity. I’ve seen it all.
Make sure to read up about how to care for your spray tan as every company has their own set of rules and care guidelines. The host company will usually spray you again the day of the competition and touch up any oopsies that may have occurred overnight (we all have ‘em!).
SHOW DAY!
I got up at 4:00AM- oddly calm, cool and collected and READY. My makeup artist was scheduled to arrive at the house between 4:45 and 5:00AM and we were arriving at the venue by 7:30AM. All I could do was brush my teeth, carefully pee into my Dixie cup with a hole cut out in the bottom, try desperately to not ruin my tan or transfer it onto anything, and throw in my hair extensions and style my hair. Makeup arrived and she was done by about 6:30AM. All I ate that day was rice cakes with peanut butter and some jelly with small sips of Pedialyte right before I went on stage; very limited water intake.
Had I not actually paid attention to the time, I probably would have forgotten to eat. Show day was SO exciting! I felt so beautiful and confident- I wasn’t even concerned if I even placed, because I LOVED the package I brought and was so extremely proud of what I had achieved.
I think a common misconception is that the girls are very caddy and mean, which was not at all the case. Almost every woman I met was so sweet, funny and supportive. Can I just say what a breath of fresh air it was to be surrounded by women who were constantly uplifting each other and sharing and comforting each other and laughing instead of cutting each other down? That in itself was so incredible to experience and I can definitely see why these competitions can introduce you to a new fabulous friend. Open up to each other! All of us can relate more than you realize! Special thanks to all the amazing women for being so sweet and positive and supportive!
Prejudging passed, I was able to leave for a few hours and grab some lunch (from Outback Steakhouse per my coach!) and take a nap before I returned for the night show. The classes I entered in were Novice Bikini and Open Bikini. To my astonishment, I won my height class in Novice Bikini, then Overall Novice Bikini, then I went on to win my height class in Open Bikini and Overall Bikini! I literally won everything I entered. I’m still shocked, as my only goal was to come in as conditioned as possible and bring a package that I felt 100% confident in (also not to fall on stage or forget my routine!). I will forever remember that feeling of the surprise of my number being called every time.
It gets a little hectic backstage, but the best advice I can give is take a lot of pictures, make new friends, and take a moment to take in the feeling of being on stage and going through the entire experience of the day of your competition.
Worth It?
ABSOLUTELY. 1000%. Did I necessarily feel like it 11 weeks into my prep when I was miserable and tired? Nope. But I can honestly say that when I look at the pictures and the trophies and reflect on all of the memories, I am SO proud of that blonde girl in the sparkly suit; I still am in partial disbelief that it’s me. I did that. Never did I think I could have so much willpower, motivation, dedication, or grit that I proved I had within myself. At the end of the day, you do it for YOU.
Where to from Here?
I don’t plan on competing again (if ever, but I never say never). I have a wedding to plan and multiple other things in the works that need my focus and undivided attention. I plan on giving my fiancé, family and friends some extra love and pouring my heart back into the other aspects of my life. After my massive junk food everything-bad-for-you binge post-competition, I have reverted back to a healthier lifestyle consisting of “clean eating” about 75-80% of the time and lifting 4-5 times a week instead of 6-7. I still continue to treat myself and don’t make myself feel guilty or deprive myself of things or experiences if they don’t perfectly fit into my plan. This process has really helped me to realize how much fitness and a healthy lifestyle is an integral part of my happiness, and I am so excited to have discovered this about myself.
Coming to acknowledge and understand this, I have found that it has lit a fire within me to help others around me achieve this feeling. Whether a competition is ever part of your goals or not, the happiness and overall confidence you can attain from making simple changes to your lifestyle are so worth it!
Please reach out to me with any questions or comments, I would love to help you find the same happiness I have found!
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