Danielle Manu

4 months from the 2006 NZFBB Nationals Danielle Manu, at 5'2", was weighing 68kg. A weight which her Life Coach warned her could harm her health. And with that scare, it was all Danielle needed to get her head refocused on the Nationals.

For normal folk, 20kg would be quite a heavy mountain to move but for Danielle she used the big challenge as her motivation to get her body back into condition. She got into a good training and eating regime which shed the weight and got her into amazing condition (and developed the most amazing arms!) at u52kg on contest day. Her dedication paid off and she took out the Open u52kg title at the Nationals and the Overall and Open u52kg Physique title Taranaki Champs, her hometown. In this profile Danielle shares with us some of her philosophies and her goals for the future.

My Philosophy
1. Never underestimate a positive attitude!
2. It's not about consistency, but consistently raising the bar!

Titles achieved in 2006
NZL Nationals 28th October
Open Women Under 52kg - 1st Place
Overall Open Women's Physique - 2nd Place
Taranaki Champs 4th November
Open Women Under 52kg - 1st Place
Overall Open Women's Physique - 1st Place

Introduction
It has been a challenging, but yet rewarding and invaluable year for me right from the word 'GO!' Half way through the year I decided not to compete in the Nationals. My dreams of doing well had vanished into thin air. My weight had escalated 20kg beyond and above my competition weight. A dark cloud of failure and despair had set in. I had no excuse for the excess weight and I let things get out of control. I was told that if I did not get my act together I could possibly face health problems. This scared the living daylights out of me, I had never had health problems before and from that moment I became angry with myself. I channelled all my negative energy into wanting to succeed, having the passion to succeed and acting on that passion. Throughout my journey, I maintained a positive attitude and consistently raised the bar above and beyond the belief of what I thought I was capable of.

Leaner and Fuller I was leaner and fuller at the Nationals due to a regimented diet, supplementation and training program over 4 months. I can honestly say I never ate any junk food over 4 months. The only food that came close to junk food was fresh salmon during one meal out at my favourite restaurant, ' hardly cheating'! Training Routine This year I joined a new gym, the Fitness Company. My goals were to gain muscle, shred body fat and maintaining a positive attitude. I trained 5 to 6 times a week changing my program consistently.

Arm Workouts
My arm workouts are nothing more than the general workout. I train my biceps once a week with 2-3 exercises such as dumb bell curls, bar bell curls and preacher curls. I'm fortunate in this area of muscle development but my weakest is in other areas such as my back.

Saturday 28th October - Nationals 2006
Pre-judging
I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the Nationals! It was such an awesome experience! My way of relaxing is to 'shop' and I got a text from a friend stating that the 'Open' competitors had to be back stage. Here I was shopping at St Lukes! I raced out of the mall with my bags of goodies, drove to the venue, ordered a short black, fumbled around to find my ID card to get backstage, stripped, got into my bikini, touched up with Dream Tan, pumped up, raced up the stairs, and 'SHOW TIME!' PHEW!
Overall, I was happy with my time on stage.

Night Show The night show was fantastic! Backstage everyone was in a jovial mood and I enjoyed meeting new people. Red wine was sipped and jellybeans were popped! It felt like Christmas! On stage we were being placed! I was getting nervous as 3rd Place was called, the final result, '1st Place Open Women Under 52kg, Number 38!' I was wrapped and had achieved a PB from last year where I was placed 3rd!

Overall Physique
On stage in the Overalls, I was honoured to be standing next to Jo Stewart and the other 1st Placed competitors! Jo Stewart is a legend and she will always be my role model! I posed 'hard' and enjoyed every moment! Later, I was told I was placed 2nd Overall in the line up of the best in NZL. What a night! A night that I will always treasure!

Post Competition Diet
After competing in the Taranaki Champs the weekend after the Nationals, I can honestly say I 'hit the wall!' I felt lethargic on Sunday! However, I did go to my favourite restaurant and had a yummy brunch. For the next month, I will still eat 'clean food' so my body adjusts to extra carbohydrates and calories. Sarah Fox writes a fabulous article on post-competition diet and she is truly inspirational!

Goals for next year One of my goals for next year is to compete in the Australasian Champs in Sydney. I would be grateful to seek overseas experience. Other goals include building more muscle and not putting on excess weight! I have learnt my lesson, however I am going for 'gold' on Christmas Day! I intend to spike my trifle with Baileys and pump extra cream into these hollow brandy snaps! Yum! Can't wait! Team effort I would like to thank my Life Coach, wonderful partner Chris, Ian from the Fitness Company and all my fabulous friends. Without your support and positive words of wisdom I could not have achieved my goals this year! You all 'rock' and I hope that you can support me in the years to come! Danielle!