Erin Stern’s Road to The Figure Olympia – Hair on A Stick


IFBB Figure Pro Erin Stern checked in over the Labor Day Weekend and shares a sample of what her day looks like. She’s out to avoid looking like hair on a stick. SAY WHAT? Check it out. Erin shares a valuable reminder… do what works for you!

Hair on a stick.

Ok… glittery, tanned hair on a stick. When I looked over pictures from last year’s Olympia, that’s how I looked. It wasn’t the fact that I had done a few shows leading up the O, it was that I had turned myself into the human equivalent of a gerbil in an exercise wheel – cardio, cardio, cardio! It’s about 2.5 weeks until show time and I keep pictures out from last year’s Olympia to remind of how I don’t want to look. I threw away my “skinny jeans” because they are tight on my quads…and we girls equate tight clothes with being overweight…so, buh bye!

Last year I walked on the treadmill 4-6 days per week, for up to an hour. This year I walk outside a lot and sprint at the track twice a week. I also cut out power-lifting last year and I incorporated more circuits. I had watched training videos and thought that since circuits worked for some competitors, that I should be doing them too. (Hmmm…same with cardio)! Now, I’m training heavy and powe-rlifting 1-2 times per week. I’ve found that my strength is remaining fairly constant, though I’m getting leaner! I haven’t cut carbs yet, though I am eating very clean. I know that by running a caloric deficit, I can keep lifting heavy…I won’t be able to add mass.

A sample schedule on any given day:
6:30 am – up for cardio
8:00 am – ½ cup old-fashioned oats with 5 egg whites
11:00 am – 4 oz of bison, ½ cup of quinoa and as much leafy spinach as I feel like stuffing in my face
2:00 pm – Tuna with fat-free mayo, calabaza squash and misc sliced veggies (tomato, celery, mushrooms)
5:00 pm – Greek yogurt w/a ½ scoop of protein powder and 3 rice cakes
6:00 pm – Weight Train
7:30 pm – A Protein shake and a few slices of watermelon
8:00 pm – 5 egg whites with as much broccoli as I can fit into the skillet
10:00 pm-ish – Bed

If I get hungry between meals or before cardio, I’ll take a ½ scoop of protein powder. I also carry my water jug around, staying hydrated helps! This year I’m weighing my proteins and carbs. I was underestimating proteins last year. Veggies, for the most part, are free. There’s a limit to how much spinach one can stuff down…hopefully.

Well, here’s to another week of training hard!!






Disclaimer: Reader discretion advised, please consult your physician before beginning any exercise or diet program.