My story is a little different to most. When I started at Enterprise, I was happy with where I was at with my body, however I didn’t really know how to get on stage and compete.
I first came to Enterprise Fitness seeking the help of the amazing and brilliant Kristine. I had been to many specialists and naturopaths but none of them had the specialist knowledge and understanding of Competition that Kristine did.
Due to a bout of salmonella poisoning in 2012, I have severe IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), which has led to Fructose Malabsorption (aka FODMAPs – carbohydrates and sugar found in foods naturally or as food additives, which are not broken down or absorbed by the body). This means I have an intolerance to over 100 plant based foods (think avocado, mushrooms, pulses, starches) and a vast array of food additives. On top of this, I had Thyroid issues.
So…..I not only wanted to compete and win, I needed to do it all without the ability to Carb cycle, Carb load or eat the 100 plant based foods that make me sick. As per usual, you ask Enterprise for the impossible, and you shall receive.
I started working with Enterprise in February. Since I wasn’t a simple, clear cut case, we did a lot of trial and error. Our training sessions were often spent chatting about how I felt my body was coping, what minor changes we could make and making sure I was progressing.
We found out pretty early on that my mind was stronger than my body, and hard core training sessions were out of the question, as my body didn’t have the ability to bounce back from such heavy stresses. At times this was frustrating for me, but necessary so I didn’t end up sick for days.
We slowly introduced rice into my diet, for the first time in 12 months. I found I was able to metabolise it post training, then we added some pre. It was like all my Christmases came at once!
Largely, my diet didn’t change until one month before my competition, as my main source of food had always been protein and vegetables. A month out, we did a trial week. We manipulated my diet, so I would peak on Easter Sunday. This allowed us to gauge what my body liked and what it didn’t.
We knew what I needed to do, we had pictures of exactly what I needed to look like and we had a plan in place.
I did everything to the letter, and possibly more. Three days before my comp, I was in perfect form. However on the day of my Comp, unfortunately, I pulled up flat. I realize now that my body doesn’t respond well, to the same thing twice and cant peak on queue. I needed more carbs, however the more carbs I ate the more nauseous I became. So the plan was executed correctly however, due to me being a special case, my body responded differently than we predicted. As soon as I woke up, I knew it was going to be a tough day. I looked nothing like we had planned and I was devastated.
I was lucky enough to pull a win out in Sports Model-First Timers, all thanks to the pump up from the whole Enterprise crew backstage. He was positive and encouraging and did everything in his power on the day to get me over the line and for that, I am forever grateful.
I wouldn’t change a thing, as there was nothing more I could have done. My body is an amazing thing, and I am grateful that it allowed me to push it too its limits and beyond. It coped the best it could.
From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank Enterprise for being such as amazing place! Without Enterprise, I would still be dreaming and not doing.
Enterprise is one of a kind!!!
