But one day Sharon thought enough was enough and she decided to do something about it so she just started working out.
That was 4 years ago and now Sharon presents a youthful 37 year old (who has a 15 year old son) figure who competes in the Novice Figure Class. Although she can compete in Senior Figure, Sharon says she'll leave that class to 'The Foxmeister Sarah Fox' she laughs.
For those who know Sharon, she'd probably be best described as a 'battler'. She'll keep training, competing until she gets it right and looks how she wants to. She is hardworking and her trainer Buck at Genetics describes her as stubborn as she just doesn't give in.
In 2003 she placed last in the Counties in a line of 5 but Sharon said "I just kept on pushing on" and she placed 3rd at Nth Harbour in same year. In 2005 she placed 2nd in North Harbour in Novice Figure Short. But it wasn't till she made the change to Genetics that things really started to change for her. After months of hardwork and training heavy at Genetics, Sharon came into contest leaner and harder than in previous years. Her dedication was rewarded when she won the Novice Figure Short at he NABBA Akl Champs 06 and followed that up with a 2nd at the INBA Women's Show in June.
"The main difference between 05 and 06 was upping my cardio (20mins jog or cross trainer + 20min walk) during my pre contest and also training heavier" Sharon said. Genetics is known for its powerlifters and Sharon's trainer Lance pushes Sharon to train like one. Currently weighing 52kg and a week away from the NABBA Counties, Sharon's still strong deadlifting 110kg for 5 reps. To get her legs in great condition, sharon does plenty of heavy squats, sumo squats and lunges which has made a big change to her figure this year.
Training amongst hardcore athletes has also been inspirtional to Sharon "I'm the only figure girl here and all the guys have been fantastic and supportive. I don't get any of the catiness and everybody trains hard here and it inspires me to want to work hard too."
Coupled with her trainer Buck (pic left), Sharon says Leanne Grindrod is also a great inspiration behind what she does with nutrition and posing. Sharon admits she's not a natural poser and she struggles with it but she'll keep pushing on like she always does. " I know I need to work on my posing. Its just the way I am but I'm determined to improve my posing this year and I'll get there"
After Counties, Sharon would like to do INBA Taupo and then the Nationals. Ultimately she'd like to place at the Nationals in the Novice Figure Short and go onto compete in the Open Class "and be competitive as can be and one day win the Ms Waikato" Sharon said. She's alsready planned her contest regime for 07 which includes Nabba Akl, Waikato, INBA Womens Akl and Melbourne.
Sharon says some days she doesn't feel like training hard but then she thinks to herself
"do I want a placing or do I just want to make up the numbers on stage. There's also times where I'm taken out for lunch with work (she works as beauty therapist with Lancome) and I have to be disciplined. Its not easy but you have to be focused if you want to be the best you can be".
In 4 years Sharon has proved she's a fighter and is willing to do battle physically and mentally to achieve her figure goal. With her stubbornest as her biggest asset, Sharon is armed and dangerous for her future goals as she's proven she has the grit so far. So good luck Sharon at Counties and your future showdowns, you've earned it.
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