In 2005 she competed in the nzfbb Dunedin classic and won, then continued to the nzfbb nationals and placed. Always the active figure, Leanne tried her hand at the Miada Fitness Challenge in 2005 - and won!
This year Leanne, owner of Onelifefitness personal training company, is set to juggle the demands of life, work and training as she prepares to once again take the stage.
How many years have you been training? A long time, over 12 years. I have been going to the gym for a long time for different reasons,
to gain strength and size for Martial Arts - Kickboxing and Zen Do Kai, Increasing lean muscle and condition for Body Sculpting, for rehab due to an injured shoulder, and back to Body Sculpting.
How many years have you been competing? Your achievements?.
My First competition was in 1999 NABBA Novice Figure Tall.
Winning the Overall Figure competition at the nationals that year gave me the buzz to continue to push a little harder each time. Having 2 years off to increase lean muscle, I then competed in the NABBA Open Figure Nationals (2001) and won my class, this was a huge achievement- I was up against some tough competition that year.
Following this show I injured my shoulder, so have taken time out to rehabilitate it. 4 years later I stood on stage again and Won NZFBB Overall Figure at the Dunedin classics. 2005 I had a go at the Miada Miss New Zealand Fitness Challenge and Won - What a buzz. I am looking forward to what 2006 has to offer.
What's the highlight of your sporting career?
There isn't any particular highlight, I tend to take all my achievements with a stride and just make sure I am having fun
and possibly help someone else to achieve by my experience.
You've had some time away from Figure comps, and competed in Bodyshape and the Miada Miss Fitness. Did you enjoy these other events and why the return to figure after so long away?
I love the sport of bodybuilding, the challenge of pushing my body to the limit, and with all those who I trained through to competitions i could only stand and watch from the side. Part of my Career is being able to help others compete but the more I helped the more I realised how much I missed the preparation and excitement of the day.
When I injured my shoulder I really missed the ability to do some of the simplest things that I took for granted, I couldn't train any of my upper body for nearly 2 years. Slowly and with a lot of pain I pushed through and am now excited to be able to have the opportunity to get back out there and not just stand on the side and watch!
What has been the most important element in your competition plans?
Balance - Having a balance in all areas of your life, food, training and relationships is important. When you compete for a bodybuilding competition you are the one competing not those around you. So you need to remember to keep your emotions to yourself and not to take any out on your friends and family who are there to support you. The more balanced you are the more you will enjoy the experience.
Do you have a training philosophy? and what is it
Enjoy what you are doing and have fun, and do your very best.
How important is mental toughness in your pre contest plan?
Mental toughness is very important, this is what will win you shows. If you are not mentally tough enough to say no when you are confronted by obstacles i.e. Chocolate cravings, a warm cosy bed on a dark cold morning, you will never get where you want to go. Stay focused on your goal.
How long is your dieting phase and generally what do you eat?
I generally eat healthy year round and just need to tidy up a few meals when it comes to reducing my body fat. I do
tend to put weight on easily so I clean up my diet for about 20 weeks leading up to a comp. I try to keep my diet
balanced with lots of food during the 20 weeks, eating 5-6 times a day, using protein shakes at 2 of these when time is short, this helps to keep energy high and possibly even gain some lean muscle.
My food consists of lots of: Meat, Fish, Vegetables, I use Olive oil for dressings on my salads and I also like to
add things like strawberries and grapes to my salads. I do tend to have a lot of Salads. The more colour the better!!
What is a typical day in your pre-contest diet and training programme?
Every morning starts with an hour of cardio-either a walk in the hills, the gym to train on the equipment, or in a cardio class.Depending on my work schedule I will train during the day with weights for about 40min breaking up my body parts in 5 workouts. At about 12 weeks out I add 30mins cardio following the weight sessions. Reps are 8-10 x 4 sets, for my lower body reps are 15 - 20 x 3 sets using about 3-4 exercises per body part.
If I am tired and sore I tend to rest that day and catch up that session the next day.
Supplements you live by during pre contest.
Metaphysics Protein Powder- either Metapro or Actipro.Tryoxsyn Fat burner. A good multi with Calcium
How much time off do you take between contests?
What ever I feel I need, the first show I needed to take 2 years to build more lean muscle. Now is more about work commitments.
How much weight do you allow yourself to put on after your competition?
I am quite heavy off-season. Still size 10-12 but heavy!! About 12kg increase in weight, I sit about 70kg.
What do you think of the trend towards more women competing in Figure?
This is exciting for women, having a lot more opportunity to compete in different categories. Some women don't like the idea of getting as lean as some of the figure competitors get. Body shape and Body Fitness give women the choice to have a go with out the challenge of getting as muscular or unnaturally thin.
More women competing in figure is great the only disadvantage is as they move from Novice to Open class the classes get smaller and sometimes there isn't any competition for the open competitor to stand with on stage. There are some very good Open class figure women in New Zealand and it would be great to see them all stand on stage together. What a show that would be!!!
Have you had a role model who's inspired you?
I am not sure if many of you can remember Lisa Masson, some of you who have been around for a while may, she was New Zealand's international figure competitor for many years. I had the opportunity to be mentored by her during my first ever show. She is what got me in this sport.
What advice would you give to girls and women who want to compete?
Find someone who inspires you! They need to have a physique that you aspire to look like, if you have a photo put this in your training diary. Another important thing is seeking professional help, a Trainer who has competed and knows what it is like
to do a show. Practice, Practice and Practice!!!
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