The flight over was tiring and harsh on the body, 10 hrs to Singapore, 4 to Manila, 1hr to Caticalan, and a 30min boat ride to Boracay Island. It was extremely hard to get enough of the right kinds of food in and we would often run out of bottled water. Ivar and I both wore skins to stop the swelling, and they worked really well.
Once we had arrived on the Island we were taxied by bikes with side carts to our Hotel 15min away. It was very amusing as they have no road rules, they just toot to say get out of the way. Our Motel was really nice, clean and large. Our meals were provided which was a staple diet of eggs, chicken, rice, kumera and fruit. I didn't risk the chicken (made that mistake before)
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Us girls did our show in the afternoon at a different venue. You won't believe this, it was on the beach on the sand, under the palm trees next to the sea. I panicked at first because my routine takes up the full stage and I do it in shoes. After a few drinks of Singapore sling I started to feel like this was all just one big beach party. left: Teresa managed to compete during the beach party |
Just before I was ready to walk on the sand stage, the judges discretely told me that I couldn't wear a G - String as it was against their religion. Lucky I had my little dance skirt, so I wore that through all of the judging. The mixed pairs went on next. After Ivar and I finished our routine we were swarmed with people wanting their pictures taken with us, we felt like celebrities. We cooled off by jumping into the sea costumes and all.
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Sunday evening the finals were held at a different venue again on the beach but with a better stage. Pilipino time means when they are ready maybe 2 hrs later. It was very disorganised but that seemed normal to them, they didn't stress about too much. It meant that as an athlete we had to adjust quickly and professionally, even when things didn't go as planned.
Overall the team had a really neat time, and I think we all learn't alot from this experience. It was so cool getting to know every one who traveled with us, we had heaps of laughs.
I'm certain that I will be prepared for anything that happens out of the blue on our trip to the Worlds in Greece.
I have had a week of relaxed eating and a good rest from training, and I feel ready to go hard for the next 6 weeks. I look forward to meeting the rest of the team travelling to Greece to compete at the Worlds.
Teresa x
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Teresa's Shape Thirty two year old Teresa Edwards is the current Miss Shape NZ after winning the National Title at the NABBA National Champs in 06. Teresa is in her fourth year of competition, although starting out as figure competitor she transitioned to shape for the past 3 years with great success. Teresa works as a Personal Trainer in Thames from a private studio and also at the Thames Health and Fitness centre. She is a Mum to 3 children. |
When and why did you change to compete in Shape Class?
The second time I competed I changed to Shape in early 2005. I love the dance and the fact that you are judged on your routine and physique. I find this class so much more challenging.
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Your achievements 2006 1st Shape, NZ NABBA National Champs (Miss Shape) 3rd Couples, NZ NABBA National Champs with Ivar Flint Miss Bay of Plenty 1st Shape Counties Manukau 2nd Couples Counties Manukau with Ivar 2005 2nd Shape, NABBA National Champs 1st Fitness Model, INBA Sth Pacific Champs 2nd Figure, NZFBB figure 3rd Shape, Counties Manukau
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What were the differences in training and eating plans you did for Shape from Figure? The difference is I eat more calories, lots of carbs and natural wholesome foods. I have tried low carb diets but they just don't suit me and my training suffers, i'm not a happy person and my energy levels are low. I listen to my body and rest if I need to, even if it means changing my programme. I have a background in nutrition and have learned over the years what my body needs and responds to look harder or softer. i give myself more carbs when I know I have a big day ahead with training, work and kids. Otherwise I just don't cope, I get tired and grumpy and look like s***t.
What as your typical training regime 6 weeks out from a show?
To be honest I took each week as it came. My intensities changed depending on how I was looking, I can never stick to the same programme (a trainer's trait). I train my legs 2 x week, low rep and heavy it I want to change shape and high if i want to just tone. I use specific exercises to target different places that work for me. I have made up a few, but always changing what I do seems to do the trick. my upper body I will change exercises and intensities regularly so I don't get too over developed so I keep a feminine shape.
My cardio was 5-6 days a week; rest an extra day if I got too tired. Anywhere between 40min - 1hr. I run, cycle and climb stairs. I throw in interval training sessions when my legs have recovered from my last training session.
I sometimes wish I had kept a training log but don't see the point when I'm trying to improve on how I'm looking at present and not back then. Its weird because I keep records and notes for my clients and not for myself. I have tried to follow programmes from other trainers but I just can't stick to them. I'm in a constant state of refinement!
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What's been your biggest problem are and how did you get that bodypart into line? You know Lisa! because you keep telling me just before I go on stage  . Thanks for your bluntness Lisa because it has really helped me get my legs into shape. I've learned to take criticism as a challenge not beat myself up over it.I think the best thing for me is that I don't put on too much weight after a competition. It has simply been a constant maintenance and training over time and that has worked for me. Left: Teresa (on right) at NABBA Waikato 06 |
How many weeks out do you start dieting for a show?
Depending on how I'm looking is when I start dieting. I ask for feedback from the judges after a competition on what I can improve on. in the Shape class if you are too lean and hard you will have points deducted or be moved into a figure class. So its actually really hard to get it just right, at the moment I think I'm as lean as I can be without being too defined up top. My eating plan changed from week to week depending on my weight and how I'm feeling. Towards the end I cut out starchy carbs at night. I think what really works for me is not to follow a diet plan but to give myself enough food and energy to get me through that day and most importantly not to feel hungry all the time. I absolutely love interval training on the bike or running, I love the burn in my lungs and to be able to train like that I need lots of carbs.
This is what I ate this week, so I can maintain my weight, I don't want to get any leaner or I will start looking like a figure competitor.
Breakfast: I usually have rolled oats, whey, flax oil and fresh fruit
10am: rolled oats or rice and soy milk/sometimes a protein break bar
Lunch: kumera or rice with chicken or tuna with salad or broccoli, handful nuts
3pm: rice and egg baked if I'm working late so I have enough energy to run around the field with the rugby guys or fruit and yoghurt if I'm at home with the kids.
Dinner: chicken or fish, lots of veges don't measure, avocado or olive oil
dessert: fruit or yoghurt
Plus I always have whey 30g protein straight after training
As you can see lots of carbs and I feel great!
I don't mesure my food, as I know my portions and how much protien I'm getting. If I wanted to build muscle I would be much more precise on when and where I have protein carbs and howand where I do cardio. I follow alot of strength and conditioning coach - Tonoy Bougaty's principles. I attend his refreshers every year to keep up with new research on hormone response to training and eating, overload principles and hypertrophy (which changes every year). Eventhough I like looking at those muscle magazines, I think they're so behind with research. Anyway who's to say what's right and wrong. Because a successful competitor with experience will know what works best for them.
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Do you find posing for Shape easier than Figure? Shape is definitely easier posing. But I think overall this category is alot harder because of the work you need to put into your routine.
You're competing in fitness class at Phillipines, how have you prepared for that? |
Has there been anyone who's been big influence on your bodybuilding career and keeps you going?
Yes my partner Rod. He has supported me when times were tough. He has a competitive nature also so he understands me when I go into that Zone before competing. Training with my clients Ivar and Paul who are also training for competition, its jsut made it so much easier to stay focused when you hang out with your own kind. Ali, who makes all my gorgeous outfits, I think she is so incredible because she is always in good shape, looks amazing on and off stage, and is such a helpful giving person.
Do you think you'll go back to competing in figure again?
Yes I would love to compete in figure again. But I can't give away the dance just yet. My goal is to win a National Figure title one day and I will.
What is your ultimate goal in competitive Figure/Shape competitions?
To win Miss world, jsut making it this far is great!
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