Before you begin your journey to the stage, it is important that you get the basics covered. This is to ensure that you get off to a rockin' start! Not having a plan is like you saying, "I plan to fail". This is one of the reasons I created the Beehive. I want every DIVA to know everything they need to know before, during, and as they continue to compete.
What You NEED Before You Begin Your Journey
These are simply my suggestions, and as mean as it sounds, still some of you may be 'hard-headed' and stubborn. I've seen it, this is why I share it. Did you get your protein? Did you research NPC/IFBB? Did you purchase bands, bender ball, have you began posing, etc? Having to chase you down for something you should be doing for yourself is not fun for me as a coach. My goal is to set you up for the best possible success, so at the very least get these things in order BEFORE you begin.
- Find a coach who has experience competing (and winning) and/or working with winning competitors. My goal is to help you leave with a trophy. It's not possible for everyone their first show, but that's what I want for you. Top 5 get a trophy.
- Select a competition and mark it in your calendar. Check under NPC Competition Schedule, and find a competition that is at bare minimum 12 weeks out. I personally suggest all first time competitors select a show 16-24 weeks or 4-6 months out. This will lower the amount of pressure and stress you are under. Plus, this will really give you time to settle into your brand new lifestyle. This is a journey, not a race. You want to feel confident, not rushed.
- Get Your Diet and Supplementation Plan together. My DIVAs Diet includes several meal plan options, as well as a basic grocery list to help you get started. Order or purchase your supplements (protein, meal replacement, bars, snacks, for the first month etc.) I suggest Isagenix. To learn more about why I love Isagenix, check out the posts: Eat & Compete For Free, Bikini Supplementation, & Which Protein is Right for You?
- Have proper workout attire.
- Have proper workout shoes. Old, worn out shoes should not be worn. I only wear 5-finger Vibrams when I workout. Why do I love them? They're as close to working out barefoot as you can get. There is no elevated heel, like most gym shoes, which for me helps with muscle activation. When I am at home, I lift barefoot.
- Lifting Gloves (optional). I wear gloves because I wear rings, which without gloves would dig painfully into my skin. I do not take off my jewels because I never want to lose them. Secondly, they protects against calluses and help maintain a nice grip (just in case you get a little sweaty).
- First Set of Progress Photos and Beginning Measurements. At the very least you need the photos. Numbers on the scale do not win competitions. Fat percents don't win competitions, and neither do circumference measurements. The best indicator of a 'winning body' is how you look in the mirror and in photos. Measurements are great as objective data and it's fun to see how you may have lost inches from the body or decreased in body fat. They're also great for helping you tweak your diet or workout plan if need be.
- Journal and/or Tracker Sheet. This is where you can take notes and track your progress. Notes you may want to include are how easy or difficult something is whether physically, mentally, or spiritually. Areas you would like to improve. Maybe you had a bad 3rd week with your diet and workouts, this is where I would suggest one to analyze what went wrong, and come up with an action plan to ensure that you are successful the next time around.
- Download the TLC Bikini Fit 365 Progress Tracker Form. In fact, get a duo-tang or 3-ring binder to keep track of your meal and supplement plans, photos, and this tracker form. This will help keep you motivated and on track.
