Last weekend, I went to a training workshop led by the inspirational Michelle Brannan – a Fitness Coach and IFBB Professional athlete. Along with 14 other girls, I chose Michelle’s ‘Stage Preparation workshop’, hosted at the exclusive UP fitness club in Mayfair. The session was all about educating girls on what it means to compete, covering such subject matter as training and food, dieting down, choosing a show, posing, stage presentation, make up/Tanning/Suits/Shoes. Michelle has entered and won several competitions including winning ‘Ms Bikini Amateur Olympia 2011′ and being awarded ‘Pro’ status in less than a year of competing with UKBFF – so when she offers some valuable insight into what it takes to get results and win a competition, I took notes!
After 3 hours in the class, I left with new inspiration and renewed motivation – frankly all I wanted to do was to hit the gym for a huge leg session! If nothing else, this was a boost to the focus for my training – seeing how structured and regimented the top level athletes behave towards their workout ethic was a big motivational kicker! Competing clearly takes a lot of determination and self discipline, but it can be done, by putting together a realistic and specific plan tailored to your body that covers both nutrition and training. There’s no reason why you should fail, and that counts for training at any level.
Of particular value for me, was the way that Michelle promotes a balanced lifestyle. It’s not about unsustainable and unhealthy exertion / restraint – rather that training often and eating healthy should be a daily commitment. That is completely the point of what I’m trying to communicate on this blog, so it really struck a chord. Getting (& staying) in shape for a summer holiday, a shot, or a competition, and then throwing it away afterwards (what I call ‘yo-yo training’), is no good for the body or mind. Instead, Michelle’s way is a lifestyle choice all year round – for her, there’s no ‘off season’. But clearly, for any competition there’s a time to be serious and a time to relax a little. Michelle seems to have got the balance just right 
Check out some of her competition pics here. Faya x
