Spoonful of Sugar Free

Registered Dietitian

From Endurance to Bodybuilding-Guest Post

By

Here is Nic who is going to talk about her journey from Endurance competition to Bodybuilding:

Hi everyone! This is Nic from TheFitWriter – I’m a UK blogger but a keen reader of plenty of non-UK blogs, including Spoonful of Sugarfree! So I was delighted when Alex asked me to provide a guest post.
–
It took me a little while to decide what to blog about. Here’s the thing: I’ve tried my hand at a few niche sports in my time. I’ve swum the English Channel (twice!), competed in triathlon and – most recently – trained, dieted and prepped for a bodybuilding competition. Yep, I now call myself a female bodybuilder, much to the surprise (and confusion, I sometimes sense) of those who know me better as a carb-chomping, distance-running, bike-riding endurance athlete.
–
So I thought it might be interesting to talk a little about my transformation from endurance athlete to bodybuilder. After all, I went from this:
to this:
in less than a year. The first photo is me having just finished a race called The Little Woody (a half-Ironman triathlon – 1900m swim, 98km bike, 20km off-road run) – I came 16th female (of 44) and 10th (of 28) in my category. The second photo was taken a little more than 10 months later and shows me winning my class – and qualifying for the British Finals – as a “Physique” (bodybuilding) competitor.
–
Little Woody was 28th August 2010 and my bodybuilding show was 3rd July 2011. And that triathlon didn’t even mark the end of my endurance season – I ran a half-marathon in September 2010. It’s a bit crazy. Even I think so. I’m not quite sure how I got from one to the other (apart from… er… training hard and dieting hard!) I guess I have good genetics, and a solid background in sport and training which has to count for a lot when it comes to muscle mass and training habits. And I know I have an all-or-nothing approach to things. I’m hugely focused, compliant and will basically “do what I’m told” when I’m under the tutelage of a coach or mentor I respect, trust and believe in. (My coach – Kat Millar – can be found here. Check out some of her recipes!)
–
I know that both Channel swimming and female bodybuilding are niche sports about which people often have plenty of questions. I did a Channel swimming Q&A post here, but I’d urge you to ask me any questions about female bodybuilding – training, dieting, prepping and competing – here in the UK. I’m not an expert – the show I won was my first – but I’ll tell you what I can.
–
So, right now, I am just over 4 weeks out from the British Finals of the BNBF (British Natural Bodybuilding Federation), one of two drug-tested federations in the UK. I had my bodyfat tested by biosignature the other day and it came out at 6.7%. Even allowing for error, the tester said he thought I was under 9%. I’d like to come in a little leaner and lighter than I am now, although I am pleased with where I’m at. The final two weeks of prep for my qualifier saw huge changes in my body on a daily basis, so I know there’s more to come!
–
In the next 4 weeks, my diet will get tighter (for instance I’ll drop protein powders and anything with artificial sweeteners in, and bring my carbs down a little). I’ll be focusing on posing practice and my new routine. I train most days, with one day a week either off or very low-level cardio (think: dog walk!)
–
My weights are currently split legs (quad focus), legs (hamstring focus), back, chest and shoulders (not in that order) and I do intervals/plyometrics as a second training session on a few days of the week.
–
My diet focuses on protein (from meat – including wild red meat – fish, egg whites, protein powders (including pea and hemp) and eggs), lots and lots of veggies, occasional fruits, potatoes and sweet potatoes, occasional oats, fats from nuts, coconut oil and fish oil. I don’t schedule in cheat days or meals like some bodybuilders but have refeeds of higher-carb days as my coach suggests.
–
I love competing and can’t wait to step on stage again! I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed the experience and how at home I felt on stage. The next 4 weeks are going to be tough, no doubt, but I am really focused on the Final (did I mention there’s a Pro Card on offer to the winner of my class?) and am determined to do everything I can to bring my very best package to the stage: muscularity, condition, presentation, posing, routine, and attitude!
–
Thanks for reading and do let me know if you have any questions!
–
Nic

Thanks so much, Nic! It was fascinating to learn about her journey!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. I’ve stumbled on your blog before but will have to check it way more now… that is a ridiculously amazing transformation. You look so strong and happy… best of luck at your competition!

  3. Thank you! I feel under pressure to actually write some interesting stuff on it now, haha! Please do let me know if there’s anything you’d like me to blog about. I’ll always take reader requests! Nic

  4. What an incredible change! You seem very focused and you definitely know what you want!
    Wishing you all the best for the upcoming British Finals. I hope all the hard work you’ve put in pays off (I’m sure it will) πŸ™‚

  7. WOW!! loved this post!! so impressive! the one question i do have which may be TMI so you dont have to answer but do you still get your period with such a low bf%?

    • Hi and thank you! No, I don’t, although I actually lost my period at a much higher BF (in my endurance days) too, so I think for me it might also be to do with other stress factors (this was at a time when I had a few things going on in life which were stressing me out a LOT!) My Doctor didn’t seem concerned – I don’t agree, I think it is cause for concern – but it came back eventually that time so I hope it will come back during my off-season when I get back up to a healthier, more sustainable, more realistic BF%!