BELIEVE

It has been one week since competition. I hit the gym 3 times this week to do light weights and cardio. Didn’t want the body to think it was time to take a holiday The diet has allowed for some "forbidden foods" this week…fruit, peanut butter, also had pizza, souvlaki and sushi. Tomorrow, Sunday, I get to enjoy a lasagna dinner with the family. I’m certain they’ll be surprised I’m not eating tuna while they’re enjoying a lovely dinner

On Monday, the JOURNEY CONTINUES…

There are three shows in the fall; FAME October 18th, IDFA October 25th and ABBA November 1st. The first two are "supposedly" drug-tested. ABBA is the one I just did and they don’t test. So perhaps things will be fairer in the first two competitions. We are planning on hitting ALL three.
The GAME PLAN…
Make the legs smaller and the upper body BIGGER   I have always had big quads, even when I was a skinny little kid. They are a product of years of classical ballet training. And of course the 1105lbs leg press has contributed as well, hee-hee. Awww man, no more heavy leg press for now   I miss it already.  So it’s plyometrics for the legs and HEAVY upper body training (5 sets of 5 reps for each exercise). I’m gonna love it!

Diet goes clean again with plenty of good carbs and protein for muscle growth. I’m currently 17 weeks out from competition.

Jason, my coach, is amazing. Visited with him today to plan out the new diet and workouts. He is such a positive and uplifting person. He understands me well and knows how I like to train and includes me in the planning of the program. Thanks for continuing to have faith in me and for calling me "CHAMP"
My husband is behind me 100%. He understands that these experiences are all stepping stones. That with each competition, I learn something new and make progress. He knows how much I love this sport. I wouldn’t be doing it without his amazing support.
I need to say THANK YOU to all my friends here who never stop encouraging me, who make me smile, who lift me up, who share their lives and goals with me. It’s an honor to know you. This JOURNEY would be very lonely indeed without you!

Now…gotta hang on tight cause it’s gonna be one wild ride!!!!!!!!

YOU WITH ME???  LET’S GO! 

"Joy is what happens when we allow ourselves to be immersed in the moment!"

Let me share my experience with you.

Friday June 13th was weigh-ins. I remember last year feeling a little lost. But this time around, I knew exactly what was going to happen. The president of the ABBA welcomed us as did the promoter, both top fellas. We were introduced to the Head Judge and went through what would happen the next day. Looking around I recognized a lady I competed with last year and a young man from my gym. I felt comfortable seated next to my husband with coach close at hand.

We were then weighed and given our numbers. I was registered in both the Masters and Lighweight classes.  I weighed in at 112.5 lbs…12.5 lbs heavier than last June. This was a huge accomplishment.
Back at the hotel, coach did calipers one last time…9.1%BF, definitely leaner than last year, yet another accomplishment.

After putting on the fifth and last coat of pro-tan, I slept, for a solid 10 hours. I was not nervous, knowing that I had done all I could do to prepare.

We were expected at the venue for 9:00 am to prepare for the 10:00 pre-judging show. It was so great to have pro-bodybuilders back stage helping us with the last minute touch-ups. One of them was Alberta’s own Nicole Ball (also on bb.com). It was neat to hear her talk about "giving back."  She mentioned that people ask her why she comes back to help out every year. She said that the ABBA is where she started out and she felt she needed to give back.

The camaraderie backstage was unbelievable. Everyone helped each other out, and everyone seemed to be in top spirits. I met many awesome, friendly people. Now, time for a rice cake with peanut butter and jelly before being called up to the pump up room. What an experience that was. The venue was the Red Deer College Arts Centre. The pump up room was the dance studio. Mirrors everywhere, and the floor covered in plastic so we wouldn’t mess things up with our pro-tan and muscle-sheen. We got about 20 minutes to pump up, mainly with bands, light weights and push-ups. Then it was time to head upstairs for the pre-judging part of the competition. Women’s Masters was right at the beginning of the show, after Junior Men’s. The auditorium was considerably full but would be at capacity in the evening.
We were called up, all 10 of us together, for the mandatory poses. This was to be the most important part of the day. We then performed our individual posing routines. I posed to an original track my son James composed for me. It’s a strong classical piece, reminiscent of the "Pirates" soundtrack. I felt comfortable on stage, and performed with joy! It must have showed, because as soon as I went off stage, I was embraced by the other competitors telling me how amazing, and graceful my routine was. WOW!! It was something to see the awed expressions on their faces. I was encouraged! I had toiled over creating and perfecting this routine.  When I showed it to Coach Jason, he said that it was PERFECT and that I shouldn’t change a thing. Another accomplishment!
We went back downstairs to wait for Women’s lightweight to be called up to the pump up room. A couple of the ladies and I lay down with our legs up and talked about our journeys. People have had their different struggles. During the day, I heard of one lady coming back from breast cancer, one from skin cancer, one from debilitating arthritis, a muscle wasting disease, obesity…Each had found bodybuilding as a means of healing.

Women’s lightweight was on next. This time there were 9 of us. Much the same thing happened, with mandatories, and routine. Once again, I joyed in being on that stage. It was the culmination…the celebration of many months of dedication.

At intermission I spoke with coach Jason. We were both well aware that there were bigger, better physiques at this competition. So we discussed the future. We have plans in place for some fall competitions.

After resting up at the hotel, it was time to go back for the big evening show. My children had driven up from Calgary and would be there to cheer me on. This was exciting. The auditorium was full. We would go through the same thing as we had just done that morning. The rice cake with peanut butter and jelly before pump up, the pump up, the waiting in the wings for our turn. The President of the ABBA was backstage with us. He was hysterical, breaking out and dancing here and there and having a good time with us. The mood was light and friendly. This was it…SHOW TIME!!!

I never thought I would enjoy the stage this much. The lights, the cheering from the audience, the joy of performing. I even heard the call of "BEAST" coming from the audience. Thanks Spike, I’m sure that was you If you could only have known me last year before I decided to become a competitive bodybuilder ha ha! I would never have thought it possible to be comfortable in front of that many people and in that get-up !!!

When the MC announced me and told everyone that I was a mother of six and a grandmother, well I was proud! Another accomplishment??? The other ladies told me later that they thought I was 25, LOL!!!

The evening show went smoothly. I WAS IMMERSED IN THE MOMENT!!! I enjoyed every minute.  At intermission, my part was done. Before I left the change room, one of the other competitors came up to me and said, "I have to hug you. I just like you so much. I’m so glad I met you!" Then another hugged me and said much the same. I had made some new friends…another accomplishment.

I had barely stepped out of the back stage area to go join my family that a man stopped me and said, "I want you to know that I thought you had the best routine of the night, hands down." I took two more steps and was stopped by a lady who said, "You made all the grandmas proud tonight. That was the best routine." In the lobby, I got a big hug from my coach who said, "You did an amazing job. I’m proud of you." He also thought I had the best routine of the night. I took a few more steps and met my former coach who also hugged me and told me I looked good and he and his buddy agreed that I had the best routine of the night. I met the entire family and we sat together to watch the second half of the show. It was a good time. Alberta has some outstanding athletes. I was very impressed by the caliber of the physiques this year.

I had an AMAZING EXPERIENCE. I accomplished much and I have made my family and coach proud. I have come away from this experience with empty hands, but with a full heart.

I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for having blessed me with the health and strength to be able to participate in this great sport. I am grateful to my husband and family for being proud of me and also for bragging about me LOL. To Jason, my coach, I want to say thank you for guiding me on this wonderful journey. To all my friends on BB.com, thank you for your friendship and support. Goodness, I certainly hope you are not disappointed, because I am not. I’m sporting the biggest grin ever, because I know all that went into making this weekend possible, and I am well pleased with my accomplishments

Official results:    Masters/ 8th          Lightweight/ 6th

Not bad for a drug-free Mama and Grandma

A message from my coach, Jason Ste. Marie.
You are truly an inspiration to so many people. Amanda and I are so very proud of you and your amazing accomplishments. We will be cheering for you.  Great job, your body and mind are really ready for this, this time around.

You are right on track for this show, looking amazing and ready for battle. You will shock some people who saw you last year; it is night and day!

We were discussing that of course no matter where you place, we want to remind you about your journey, I feel honored to be able to train you. Congratulations to you and your family for all of the support and love!

Jason

Thank you for this beautiful message, Jason
The journey is what’s important after all. It is what shapes us.
The destination is a mere moment in time, a time to celebrate all the miles we have trod together.
And it is not what you get from the journey, but what you become by it that counts.

As my physical strength soared these past few months, my inner strength skyrocketed.
Thank you for believing in me and for helping me push beyond what I thought was possible.

I still recall watching you perform at Nationals, not knowing at that time, that a short 5 days later, fate would bring us together.

At our first visit I was very quiet. I was in awe. I could not believe that I was sitting across the table from such a CHAMPION! And right behind you were rows of trophies, silent reminders of victorious journeys. I could only imagine the years of dedication and devotion to the sport of bodybuilding that went into each one of those precious trophies.

You have been nothing but encouraging. I always leave our visits feeling uplifted. I love your positive energy. Your faith in me means a great deal. It has been the cornerstone of my success this time around.

Amanda, your enthusiasm and quiet support on my behalf do not go unnoticed. Thank you for being so kind. You two complement each other very well and I wish you continued happiness together.

Love you both. Thank you for blessing my life.

Carla

I was awakened at 4:30 am by the song of a bird outside my window. I lay there listening to its masterful songs and to its friends’ response. Each time it began a new song, the ending was slightly different. It was quite enchanting! I wondered to myself, were they just greeting the sun, or did they sing this way all day long? I proposed to experiment on that during the day (that I had any coherent thought at THAT time in the morning was a miracle hee-hee).

At noon, I sat in the backyard with a bowl of, you guessed it, tuna and vegetables and began my experiment. The sound of traffic was clearly audible, then the humming of the neighborhood lawn mowers joined the throng. After all, it was Saturday…time to cut the grass. Then there it was…the birds were INDEED singing. What a precious symphony. You really needed to listen closely as they were being drowned out by the sounds of the city. Then suddenly, another, even louder song was heard. A young teenage boy came sauntering down the back alley, unabashedly singing at the top of his voice…"HOT CHILD IN THE CITY…" a song that was popular back when I was his age. Had he heard the birds too? I THINK SO!!!

That night again, I sat outside, this time with a plate of chicken and cucumbers in hand (two weeks out), and listened again. It was easier to hear them now as they sang their good night song, because the sounds of the city were slightly muted at this hour. It was so beautiful to just take the time to sit there and enjoy.

It is my hope that we take the time daily to turn down the sounds of "Life" all around us and to listen to the metaphorical song of the birds.

Live and love with your whole heart,

Carla

ROCK SOLID

Ensconced atop the craggy mountain face
Lies a man courageous and true
With his brothers by his side
Fear and danger he will embrace

Mercilessly the rain beats down
Cold reality takes hold
Driven to succeed
The heart of the man stays bold

With unfailing strength
He makes a move
Peering into the dark abyss
He will conquer at length

Fighting under the canopy
Of this unforgiving land
With thoughts of home
Always close at hand
Unwavering and strong
The man remains…
ROCK SOLID

by Carla Hampshire  May 11, 2008

Written to honor my friend Michael, (1_2_Rage), who daily chooses to make a difference in the world. It’s a privilege to know you and to be counted as your friend.
"To be nobody but yourself - in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you like everybody else - means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight - and never stop fighting."
E.E. Cummings

You keep being yourself Michael.
You are loved.

Carla

It’s been a great year thus far. I am so grateful that, in preparing for competition, many supporters have stepped forward. This is a picture of Mike aka uncreativesakter (on bb.com) my good friend. Last week he sent this message. Following his kind message, you will read the end of a paper he wrote on female bodybuilding.

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Man, I just finished writing my paper. It’s about female bodybuilding, for my women’s studies class. I hope you don’t mind, but my whole last page was basically talking about you (I didn’t use your name), and about how inspirational you are to me, and how I think you are a perfect representation of the ideal competitor.

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Female bodybuilders display the essence of the feminine spirit. They are taking the energy that fuels their belief that women can change the world and bringing it back to changing the human body. They don’t care what society might think of them or worry about fitting into their pre-ordained roles and instead break through the foundations of every negative stereotype of the typical woman. These women go into the gym everyday to train and push themselves through the barriers that society has tried to contain them with.

Being a natural competitive bodybuilder myself, I have had first hand experience talking with female bodybuilders and I have seen how strong-minded they are, with the motivation to push themselves without any support from society. A personal close friend of mine is a female bodybuilder, mother of six and grandmother of one, and she stands as a role model in her choice to stay natural (no drugs/steroids) and her determination that she exhibits everyday. She has done things many only dream of, becoming a teacher in a distant country and inspiring children there. Examples of her determination and hard work have even been used to motivate troops in Iraq. She has inspired me to never accept things the way they are if I want them to change, and that anything is possible. If those ideas do not fit with feminist ideals, then I don’t know what does.

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It’s difficult to express in words how I felt at reading Mike’s paper and especially his kind words at the end. I consider it a true compliment and a great honor. I was very emotional over this. How do you thank someone who has just put you on a pedestal?
Like I said to Mike, he has set the bar very high for me. I will have to spend each day trying to live up to these incredible words.

:) Heartfelt thanks Mike, for my May blessing.

In late March, I flew to Montreal to visit my Mom and younger brother. It had been a few years since we last saw each other. It was a brief yet wonderful visit. Mom found me a gym close by and drove me there so I could keep training. She also wouldn’t allow me to cook, so she took care of my multiple chicken breast meals She laughed so hard the first morning when I pulled out my food scale and started weighing everything. She certainly got a crash course in "The Life of a Bodybuilder" LOL She is nothing but proud of me, and I am very happy that she supports my crazy venture.
A week after my return home, I received this letter from her. I wish to post it to honor her on this MOTHER’S DAY!! I hope she remembers how to get onto BB.com   so she can see this!

Here it is, translated from it’s Italian version.

INFINITE THANKS
Dearest Carla,

Thank you, thank you very much!

Your presence here was the best gift I have ever received. It was so unexpected and so impromptu. Certainly the Lord inspired you to come, knowing how much I longed to see you again. He sent you to sprinkle my life with JOY, with a POSITIVE ATTITUDE and with REAL LOVE; feelings that have contributed in lifting not only my spirits but those of your brother as well. He sincerely expressed one day, "With Carla here, I have finally felt and relived that FAMILY SPIRIT that I had been missing for so long." I felt the same as well.

It was great to listen to you two remembering your childhood experiences and to see the great joy in your faces! Oh SO much joy in your beautiful smiling faces, yes, they are beautiful in my eyes, and it really warmed my heart.

Yes my dearest, your presence here, other than being so welcome, was for us a huge morale booster and it arrived at just the right moment.

We’ll see you again in September.

A big hug to you with much love,

Mamma xox