Category Bodybuilding

The Ultimate Competition Packing List

drstaceynaito 1 Comment

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Original post can be found at:

http://www.rxmuscle.com/rx-girl-articles/10580-the-ultimate-competition-packing-list.html

I cannot tell you how many times I have been at a contest and have heard other competitors mention all the things they forgot to pack in their luggage. Such oversights can make an already stressful time almost intolerable, especially if the contest location is far from one’s home and unfamiliar. Over the years I compiled and updated a packing list which has served me very well and has relieved all the stress of remembering what to pack.

Every time I pack for a contest, I have copies of my packing lists and check off each item as it is packed. Instead of having one list, I have three: a main list, a food and supplement list, and a makeup list. I have even gone to the extent of specifying which items go in my checked bag or handbag and which items go into my carry-on bag. I am adamant about having my competition suits, clear heels, jewelry and all makeup items in my carry-on bag so that I don’t have to worry about being separated from those vital items.
Even if you are hiring someone to do hair and makeup, I still recommend packing all the makeup and hair items you would need if you had to do it yourself, because you never know what might happen. I have heard of competitors who got stuck without a makeup artist for one reason or another, then had to scramble to borrow makeup or quickly find a makeup artist to come to the rescue. It is NOT worth the stress to take that chance!

Here is a breakdown of the items I recommend packing for a contest:

Main List:

Checked Bag –
• Body lotion
• Sugar scrub (make sure container is leakproof!)
• Razor
• Regular toiletry stuff (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face moisturizer)
• Umbrella (I have caught myself in unexpected rainstorms, so this is a MUST)
• Loose pants (for post-tanning)
• Big button-down shirt (for post-tanning)
• Dark socks (take several pairs to avoid staining sheets and in case of wet weather)
• Dark hand towels (I usually pack two for showering purposes)
• Dark t-shirt (makes a great pillowcase after tanning)
• Gym apparel (make sure to count how many days you will work out, remember bras, shorts, socks and sneakers)
• Hair clips and ties
• Hairspray, hair wax, hair gel
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Hair styling tools such as hairdryer, flatiron, curling iron
• Comb, brush
• Flip flops (great in hot weather and post-tan)
• Business cards (VERY important for networking)
• Extra Ziploc bags
• Food storage containers
• Small sewing kit
• Safety pins
• Cotton swabs (handy for cleaning up makeup too)
• Makeup remover towelettes
• Outfit to sleep in
• Outfits for daytime (count how many days you will need clothes and pack accordingly)
• Underwear (dark colors recommended, plus pack extra pairs)
• Shoes for daytime
• Cute dress or two to go out in
• Nice heels to go out in
• Sweater or coat
• Bikini bite
• Touch-up tanning solution, gloves and tanning puff
• Glaze

Carry On Bag –
• Phone charger
• Jewelry for contest
• Clear heels
• At least two competition suits (ALWAYS bring a backup!)
• Makeup items from Makeup List
• Food from Food List

Food List:
• Supplements
• Diuretic
• Silverware
• Lidded beverage container
• Food from your plan

Makeup List:
• Primer (foundation and eyeshadow)
• Eye shadows
• Eyeliners
• False eyelashes
• Lash adhesive
• Small scissors
• Fine tip tweezers
• Small mirror (I recommend one about 4 inches in diameter which folds up)
• Mascara
• Foundation
• Translucent loose powder
• Blush
• Bronzer
• Highlighter
• Lip liner
• Lipstick
• Lipgloss
• Sponges
• Eyelash curler (if your lashes are straight, I would recommend this)
• Brushes

Now that I have everything broken down in list form, let’s look at the best way to do all this packing. Generally, I like to pack my food a few days in advance since it is the most tedious portion of the packing experience. Each meal is placed in a sandwich sized bag with a day and meal number (eg: W 1), then that bag is placed into a gallon sized bag which is labeled for the day (eg: W). This way, I can grab one of the large bags and know that all my meals are in there. Wet ingredients or vegetables which tend to leak (asparagus is notorious for this) should be double-bagged. I refrigerate the day’s meals for the day that I will be traveling, while the meals for the other days go into the freezer. You can expect food packing to take at least a couple of hours, so make sure you have a decent pocket of time to do this.

One to two days before the contest, I pack my other items. Lotions, gels, and creams should be placed into a Ziploc bag in case they leak. Since tanning solution is especially prone to leakage, I will put masking tape over the seal before placing it in the bag, and will also place the bag into a rigid plastic container for more protection.

As long as you take a systematic approach and take your time with packing, as opposed to waiting until the last minute, you will be well prepared for your contest.

My Wish To Compete At Prague Pro

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Prague Castle

Prague Castle

Every year I have mapped out a contest strategy, but 2014 is the first year that I am doing it fully as an IFBB Bikini Pro. My priorities and interests have shifted dramatically as a result of my Pro status, with my focus centered on having fun onstage and not concerning myself with my placings. This doesn’t mean that I intend to do poorly at contests, but I am not going to expend ridiculous amounts of energy trying to get a top placing at an event.

One of the most exciting things about the Pro contest schedule is that there are international events added to the mix. There is one international event I have been keenly interested in doing this year, and that is EVLS Prague Pro on October 4th in Prague, Czech Republic. One reason why I am so intent on competing at this event is because I have heard that it is beautiful in Prague. Another reason is that I have not been outside of the United States since 1992. I also have not had a bona fide vacation since 2007, which is part of the reason why I have every intention of spending a few days in Hungary after the contest.

This is Buda Castle...

This is Buda Castle…


But perhaps the most compelling reason for me to compete in Prague is that I have strong genetic roots in Eastern Europe, particularly Hungary. My direct paternal stock came by way of Hungary, specifically Gyor on the Buda side of Budapest, Hungary. However, when I recently did a 23andme analysis, I discovered that though most of that Eastern European stock came mostly from Hungary, there was some genetic input from the Czech Republic. Basically, I would be competing on land that my ancestors stood on, which is incredibly meaningful for me.
Gyor map
I have put the intention out there and will continue to nurture it so that my wish to compete at Prague Pro comes to fruition.

A Look into the Past – Legends of the Czechoslovak Bodybuilding

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(This is directly from http://www.evlspraguepro.com/brief-history-of-cz-bodybuilding)
History-of-bodybuilding
The roots of the Czechoslovak bodybuilding, i.e. intentional muscular and physical development in the manner of ancient Greek heroes, date back to the early 20th century. Certainly not uninteresting is the fact that from 1862 the Czech Sokol Community (a sports movement and gymnastics organization) or the representatives of other traditional power sports such as boxers, wrestlers, and weightlifters had attempted to build well-defined bodies.

This early history is related to the famous name of Gustav Frištenský, the weightlifter with head proudly erected, muscles tighten and a barbell in hands, who is also well-reputed abroad. However, the bodybuilding had to wait a couple of years before it could be recognized as an official sport.

In the 60th of the last century, people in the former Czechoslovakia started showing an interest in the western lifestyle and also in the sport known in the western countries as bodybuilding. Fragmentary information supported by smuggled American magazines had gradually encouraged the first enthusiasts to build their own hand-made fitness centres.

Enthusiasm and interest in everything that was “forbidden” had escalated in the massive spreading of this trend. In the environment of the fitness centres, which number had been increasing, and of newly established unofficial clubs the idea to fight for the sport itself was born, and after many administrative rigmaroles and despite the revulsion of the communist regime the “bodybuilding” finally emerged. It was in 1964 when the first championship in the history of Czechoslovak bodybuilding took place in Bratislava, and its great winner Juraj Višný was introduced to the public.

An idol was born and could soon be seen in the Czechoslovak movie. In 1966 Juraj Višný appeared as one of the protagonists of the legendary film “Who Wants to Kill Jessie”. Juraj played a superman, i.e. a muscular mythical individual apparently related to the western culture. Thereafter, Juraj also appeared in the movies “Road Diversion” and “O´Henry Stories”.

The story of “Who Wants to Kill Jessie” and three main protagonists of the movie had attracted the interest of an American producer who immediately started preparing the production of their own version. The uncompromising history, however, discontinued these attempts after Czechoslovakia had been invaded by the “allied troops of the Warsaw Pact”.

The dreams about the great movie career were dashed and Juraj left for Zurich, Switzerland, where he became successful architect.

Nevertheless, the bodybuilding was hotting up in Czechoslovakia and our team under the leaderships of Alexander Bačinský, the first coach of the National team in the history of bodybuilding, reached its first great international achievements. In addition, Bačinský belonged to the key founders of the sport that already followed its own direction. Unfortunately, also Bačinský was forced to leave the country, i.e. for Germany where he, besides others, worked as a coach of a German Federal League ice-hockey team in Straubing.

At the time when these two legends were active, the Czechoslovak bodybuilding also considerably influenced the international scene. This was probably the reason why IFBB boss Ben Weider took two Czechoslovak charges to IFBB headquarters office in Canada and engaged them successively in the position of general secretaries (Műller and Jablonický). In the course of years the Czechoslovak bodybuilding had gained its international reputation, and even the revolution in 1989 did change nothing in this respect. However, a reversal took place at the end of the nineties of the last century. Human calculation has found its way even in our sport and attempted to deal a final blow to it.

Nevertheless, enthusiasm and interest of the young people in this sport give inspiration to its revival we have now been striving for. So, we have got a change to return the Czech bodybuilding to the world´s top where it has always belonged to.

You can help us just now!

Assault Gear

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http://assault-gear.com/

Assault Gear
Check out this great fitness apparel line! Not only do they have great stuff, they are going to expand their line as the company grows. I love the people who run this high energy company and am honored to be a member of Team Assault! This is definitely a company to watch, because the enthusiasm, integrity, drive and talent behind it will propel it into massive success. Go Assault Gear!