"During the show, not once that I think, "oh I can't do this anymore", "why am I doing this?" It was really something I really wanted."
Unlike female bodybuilding, figure competitors aren't as muscular—they're strong but feminine. But according to most people's standards, they're still pretty ripped.
Shalane started training in January 2011, after making up her mind that she wanted to do the show in 2012. She was inspired by fitness competitor Letitia Shimizu and Desiree Eay Reel. Eventually it got to the point where she realized failure wasn’t an option. Shalane began hitting the gym six days a week and doing cardio every day, and lifting weights. She overhauled her diet, too, crafting meals around chicken tenders, broccoli, and fish, and snacking fruits or oatmeal with splenda.
Shalane maintained her strict diet and intense workout regimen throughout the duration of her preparation for the contest. As the weeks turned into months, Shalane started to notice changes in how her body looked and performed. “I was seeing my results, I was amazed at how much more athletic looking I had become—” She says.
She said she is preparing to compete again this year.
Featured Exclusive Article: Weight Loss Guide - Learn To Like Yourself
By: Guambodybuilding.com Staff
Society places great importance on looks. So it's hard not to judge yourself by what you see in the mirror. But your worth as a person has nothing to do with how tightly gravity binds you to the Earth. Losing weight will help you move around more freely and comfortably. It should make your future healthier. But it won't make you kinder or wiser or braver.
Learning to like yourself is a very personal struggle. One starting step to liking yourself is to act as if you already do. For example:
Don't beat yourself up over falling short of your goals. Some people let a minor boo-boo such as eating a piece of candy become an excuse for giving up altogether, lust as in horseback riding, the best thing to do when you fall off a good-health program is to get right back on again.
Set kind goals for yourself. "Even though I love chocolate cake, I'll never eat it again" is a cruel goal. "Because I love chocolate cake so much, I'll make a place in my meal plan for a slice at Sunday dinner" is a kind goal that allows you to treat yourself while staying within a healthful eating plan.
Don't put life off until you're thinner. There's no reason to deny yourself a vacation or a pretty dress because you're overweight. When you've lost more weight, you can always get a new dress in a smaller size or take a more vigorous vacation.
See yourself through the eyes of the people who love you. What do your friends and family see in you? Look hard to see those good qualities in yourself.
Surround yourself with people who support you. For example, find a doctor who treats you with respect and is willing to help with your weight-control plan.
Think positive thoughts about yourself. Some people's thoughts fall into ruts and hold them back. Each time something goes wrong, their mind starts replaying the same self-hating thoughts - "I'm so stupid!" or "I can't believe I did it again!" or "I never get anything right!" Listen to how you talk to yourself. Then get tough with bad thoughts. Each time one rears its ugly head, cut it off. Replace it with a more useful - and more truthful - thought. For example: "Everyone makes mistakes. This one's a doozy, so I can learn a lot from it!" or "I stuck to my meal plan last week. I can do it again."
Some researchers think that people who believe in themselves and their ability to change do better at weight loss than other people.
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