Pics from My Figure Days

[ripitupbaby]

I came across a bunch of pics from when I used to compete in figure, prior to my switch over to BB. I thought I would share these with you, along with a little bit of background on the competitions I did and why I chose to switch to bodybuilding.

The purpose of doing this is:

1. To encourage some of you harder and more muscular figure competitors to give bodybuidling a try!
Women's BB needs an influx of girls like you to make it more successful and move it in a good direction in the future. I KNOW that many of you who sometimes feel frustrated and/or confused after competing in numerous figure comps would find bodybuilding to be extremely rewarding and satisfying from a personal perspective. You work SO hard to get to the stage...many of you would enjoy the posing and routine elements, and the extra time in the spotlight after what you have put into your preparations.
Also, many of you would likely find success at the local/regional level in BB and could put yourself in the running for Top 10/Top 5 finishes at the National level as you gain more experience.

2. To show that it doesn't necessarily take an enormous increase in your size to make a successful switch from figure to BB.
Yes, the training is somewhat different for BB, and the diet is more restrictive, and you have to get leaner and drier, but you do not have to be ENORMOUS or put on tons and tons of size to be able to compete successfully as a bodybuilder. You're dieting anyway, so how much harder can it be, right?
I competed at 106-114 pounds in figure, and I compete at 110-113 pounds as a bodybuilder. I was a lean/hard figure competitor as well, so the diet is one thing... but the most significant work that I did was in the off-season between figure and bodybuilding (to grow my legs back after I dieted them off for figure!)


I just thought I would share these...not many people have seen my figure competition pics. I hope that some of you who have a good muscular foundation will consider trying BB, at least at the local/state level, and see if you enjoy the competition.

I'm not trying to take ANYTHING away from figure competition... I loved competing in figure too. I always enjoyed competing in figure, but there are SOOOO many figure competitors out there, and just not enough bodybuilders anymore! So I HAVE to make my pitch for BB!

For me, I compete in BB instead of figure because I find it more satisfying and rewarding from a personal perspective. That may not be the case for you, but there really isn't any reason you shouldn't give it a try and see!

I'm happy to answer questions about making the switch from figure to BB. The last two years have seen alot of successful crossovers.. Me, Jennifer Cowan, Jodi Miller, Suzanne, Beni Lopez, just to name a few.... maybe some of you on this board will add your name to the list.

[ripitupbaby]

My FIRST figure competition - 2005 NE Tournament of Champions. October 2005


I was HARD AS NAILS and weighed about 108 pounds for this show. I placed second in the Figure short class, had a GREAT time, and was told I was a bit too hard/dry for figure. I was encouraged to consider bodybuilding by a couple of the judges, including Carla Salotti. (This is the show where I met Carla!)

[ripitupbaby]

Second Figure Competition - 2006 New Englands. May 2006. I took the Figure Short and won the Figure Overall title.

Came in a bit softer for this show, about 112 pounds.

[Shelly]

look at you girl!!!

great post.... you looked stunning at a figure competitor as well, and way to support BBing!
!

[cray17]

WOW! You looked great as a figure competitor, but I'm glad you made a good choice in going the bodybuilding route. Needless to say, you made the right choice.

Thanks for sharing these pics with us, Lori!

[ripitupbaby]

First BB competition - Granite Cup/Maggiefit May 2006. SIX DAYS after winning the Figure Overall at the New Englands.

I placed second in the women's open BB and qualified for National competition.

All I did was manipulate my water a little bit to dry out a little more than the New Englands. And then, of course, I posed like a BB.

NO difference in terms of the muscle I held between these pics and the previous figure pics... just the posing

[dvsness]

[ripitupbaby]

Next figure comp - Bev Francis Atlantic States June 2006.

I placed second in the Figure A Class and was a bit disappointed because I thought I should have won. LOL. The girl to the right of me in the back comparison shot is the one who won the class.

[ripitupbaby]

And then my last figure adventure... Team Universe 2006, July 2006.

Showed up tired and having worked my ASS Off to get there... 35 girls in the class, all of whom looked good. Got on stage, spun around and did quarter turns, got herded off the stage, and wasn't even sure if the judges had seen me in the sea of bling on the stage.

They lined us up in double rows for callouts, and I was in the back row. I couldn't see the judges, so I knew they couldn't see me. It all went very quickly, and I was left saying "that's it? What happened?"

I was in the fourth of seven callouts (I think), and I placed 16th along with about 18 other girls. I left feeling very unsatisfied given how much work and effort I had put into the prep.

I didn't look my best that day and was retaining water, but I was tired and done with prep for the year. I spoke to several judges after the show who told me that my physique would look much better as a bodybuilder and encouraged me STRONGLY to give BB a try.

I had already done my qualifier, so I was already thinking like this anyway. That was it for me... July 2006.

I moved on to a very productive offseason where I packed on some pounds, and then dieted down hard for Junior Nationals bodybuilding in 2007. Never looked back after that.

I hope some of you ladies will give it a try. Some of you will love it!!

I always say...

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE BIG TO BE GOOD, YOU JUST HAVE TO BE GOOD.

[ripitupbaby]

Originally Posted by NPCFigureTwins-Shelly

look at you girl!!!

great post.... you looked stunning at a figure competitor as well, and way to support BBing!
!

Thanks Shell...I support ALL of it, but I would just love to see women's BB start to take off again and become more of what it was like back in the glory days. I think that figure crossovers can help make this happen!

Originally Posted by cray17

WOW! You looked great as a figure competitor, but I'm glad you made a good choice in going the bodybuilding route. Needless to say, you made the right choice.

Thanks for sharing these pics with us, Lori!

Originally Posted by dvsness

Does this mean you are ready to give it a try?

[KP DIVA]

Hey Lori!! Thanks 4 posting this!!!!! The thought has popped in my head several times this week!!

[ripitupbaby]

Originally Posted by NC_Fitdiva

Hey Lori!! Thanks 4 posting this!!!!! The thought has popped in my head several times this week!!

Then I think you should take that thought and run with it!

Figure two piece suits also make great BB finals suits.

And prejudging suits are a hell of a lot cheaper too!! LOL


These are from Junior Nats 2007. I used my Team U figure suit for finals.

GREAT POST Lori!!!
You Looked Amazing then...Im glad you took the advice you are doing great.
I like what you said you dont have to be BIG to be GOOD....GREAT WORK last show!

[anglicanbeachparty]

This is a GREAT thread, Lori ... THANK YOU!

[IslandGirl]

Originally Posted by ripitupbaby

I'm happy to answer questions about making the switch from figure to BB. The last two years have seen alot of successful crossovers.. Me, Jennifer Cowan, Jodi Miller, Suzanne, Beni Lopez, just to name a few.... maybe some of you on this board will add your name to the list.

Hey, you forgot me...your fellow mod.



lol




I'm glad you made the switch too Lor! I admire you and your hard work!

[ripitupbaby]

Originally Posted by MsGuns

GREAT POST Lori!!!
You Looked Amazing then...Im glad you took the advice you are doing great.
I like what you said you dont have to be BIG to be GOOD....GREAT WORK last show!

Originally Posted by anglicanbeachparty

This is a GREAT thread, Lori ... THANK YOU!

Thanks guys! I aim to inspire!!

Originally Posted by IslandGirl

Hey, you forgot me...your fellow mod.


lol


I'm glad you made the switch too Lor! I admire you and your hard work!

LOL I KNEW I FORGOT SOMEONE VERY VERY IMPORTANT!!!

Tracy - Another great crossover and perfect example of what I am talking about!!

[SBT]

flat out....

[ripitupbaby]

Originally Posted by SBT

flat out....

YAY, another crossover (after this weekend anyway, right? ) !!

Keep 'em coming!!

[FemFlex]

Critique:

You'll never make it as a figure competitor, Rip.































You've cleared worked too hard.

[dvsness]

Originally Posted by ripitupbaby

Does this mean you are ready to give it a try?

See last 2 sentences.

http://blog.bodybuilding.com/dvsness...-training-day/