Nathalia Melo is on the road to the Olympia for the third time. In less than four weeks, she’ll take the stage more determined than ever to leave with the Ms. Bikini Olympia crown. She was a top challenger last year and she’ll be one again this year. The Florida resident, by way of Brazil, shares what her contest prep is like and how she balances working, college and training while trying to stay sane.
A COMPETITOR’S LIFE
Just Under 4 weeks out
By Nathalia Melo
Hello Hardbodies!
Here we are less than 4 weeks from the Olympia 2012 already! I am going to talk about everyday challenges that we face while in contest prep. I like to say that getting ready for a show is like a sampler of life. It is a roller-coaster of emotions as well as everyday obstacles that we must overcome.
While training for the Olympia I can’t really stop my life and tell my clients (I am a personal trainer) that I am getting ready for a very important competition, therefore I need some time off to train and focus on it. So, the 2 hrs or more of daily cardio plus weight training need sto be squeezed in between my sessions. I am in college, but again… I can’t tell my professor to go easy on me, nor tell Nutrex (my sponsor) that I am too tired to go do a demo.
What am I trying to say?
I don’t want you to think that I am complaining about it! Quite the opposite, I just want to show you that it can get overwhelming for pro competitors too, and that just like you, sometimes I just want to pull my hair out, and screeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaam!!! Well… We all know that neither option is going to help. The best way I have found to deal with the feeling of ‘’I AM GONNA GO CRAZY BEFORE I KNOW IT!’’ is to not think too much about what you have to do. Just go ahead and do it!
To make my life easier I always keep a gym bag in my car with workout clothes, sneakers and a towel, so if a client cancels or if I have time in between clients to get part of my cardio in then it can be done. On that note I feel like my car has more clothes than my closet! LOL… Hey what can I say, I like to make sure I am prepared! I also have my cooler with me filled with most of my meals, for the safety of the ones around me because Hungry Nathalia = CRAZY Nathalia! By the end of the day, when I look back at all I have done I almost feel like I am Super Woman and that feeling of accomplishment is what gives me the energy to face the next day with the same determination and discipline to get everything done again.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and stay tuned for my next Road to the Olympia update! Thanks Hardbody for giving me the opportunity and space to share my craziness!
Until next time,
Nathalia Melo
Follow Nathalia on twitter @nathaliamelofit and become a fan of hers on Facebook. Check out Nathalia’s contest photos here.
