| In this update we catch up with Super Mum Michelle Heggie, 2008 Overall NZFBB Physique Champ. Not only is she single handedly raising her 3 children but she's also aiming to retain her Open and National Title this year. But she says she can't do it without her family who even at times get up to walk with her at 5.30am! As you can see from Michelle's current pics below, she's serious about defending her title and already looking large and lean. Before her 08 win, Michelle had taken 4 years off to grow and grow she did surprising many of us with her mass and detail. Ultimately she'd like to compete in the big time at the big shows such as the Worlds and Arnold Classic . Lets find out more about what makes this mighty Mum from Hamilton go go go! |
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| Occupation: Personal Trainer, Exercise Consultant, Strength and Conditioning consultant for Multiple Sclerosis Age:41 Family: Samuel 16 , Sophie 15 and Jackson 11 Height: 159 Contest Weight: 53.6 Off season Weight:63kgs How many years have you been training? Been athletics since I could walk, everything from speed skating, rock climbing, track and field, basketball, volleyball, soccer, waikato tough guy, tri's and duathalons, hamilton to whangamata, Teaching aerobics, but, strictly bodybuilding training since 2000 What inspired you to take up bodybuilding in the first place? Started going to the gym after my third child Jack, the owner of the gym, Bruce Reeves, pulled me aside and said he thought I would do well as a bodybuilder. |
| How many years have you been competing? Competed at my first show on March 17th 2001 at sky city Auckland. Your achievements?.oh my, ummm well under 55kgs novice Auckland champ 2001, 2nd at CHCH Nationals under 55kg Taranaki champ 2001, Taranaki Overall Female champ , Under 55kgs wellington champ, CNI's under 55kgs champ,2002 National Auckland under 55kgs Champ,2003 Champ King country under 55kgs Champ, King country Overall champ, 3rd Auckland Champs 2004, also competed and won a 1st and 2nd place as couples with Brian Mcfarlane and The Effiminate factor Jo Stewart use to run. I'm sure I have forgotten a few shows Im sure, anyway, than I took 4 years to get better and came back to win under 55kgs at CNI's 2008 and the overall as well as Under 55kgs Champ at Nationals and than the Win of my dreams....Overall female physique at 2008 nationals |
 Michelle @ 08 Nationals |
| You had quite a long break before doing the 2008 CNI and Nationals, what made you make the 'comeback'? I had always intended to come back, but I knew I had to get it right and take the advice I was given by the judges after placing 3rd at the 2004 nationals....Stop competing soooooo much and take some time off to train and grow and work on your body/symetry.
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| What areas of your physique have you been working on? Well initially I knew I needed to get my back deep and wide, than it was my shoulders, I trained them very hard and I was smart about my training, taking advice from people like Kaye O'Neill, Elenor Stewart, Jo Stewart. This year I have to say I have been working hard on my glutes/hams and abs....so we'll see. Bodybuilding is not a young sport, it's a lifestyle and it takes years, I don't think you are ever finished. |
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| Is dieting or training harder for you during pre contest? And why? Well, some days I would say, I'm so used to it now its not a problem....but than, like everyone I have my harder days. Days when the thought of a leg train actually makes me nauseous and the thought of another tin of tuna makes me want to cry, But than I get even more determined to train my legs harder than I thought possible and I smile while eating my Tuna, because I know it will all be worth it in the end, because win or loose, I can stand proud and said I went as hard as I could. You know? I think training pre contest is hard because you lack energy, dieting is harder because its monotonous , I use to struggle post but not now. How long is your pre contest diet? I start dieting...cleaning things up about 20 weeks out, depends on where my bodyfat is as to how strict I get that far out. What is your typical diet when you're dieting for show? I think Im pretty standard really accept that I am more of a Protein and good fats girl as opposed to a protein carb girl. How much protein do you try and get per meal and how much carbs do you have? Well, generally speaking, I never go below 30gms but usually 45gms. Carbs ...well not a big carb girl but my oats (my favourite meal) is ½ cup. Kumara , 150gms raw....but don't always have them. |
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| Have you had any cravings during your diet, if so, how did you overcome them? OF COURSE lol, I generally crave ice cream, and or something crunchy.. I know , thats a texture , but to be honest, I miss the crunch. Tips....hmmmm well, the sooner you accept the fact that its going to be boring and hard , the better. Do you give yourself a treat meal/day during your pre contest prep? What do you indulge in? Yes One meal per week if im on track, more for sanity sake and only if I really feel it is necessary. I went through a Nacho stage, Gooey Caramel ice cream, sour cream and onion chips. I don't binge! What is funny is off season I don't eat these things very often at all. In fact I'm a very clean eater year round. I think a lot of it is psychological. Surprise! Lol |
 Michelle 8 weeks from NZFBB Nationals 09 |
| What is a typical day in your training program? A typical day is get up at 530am supplements, walk for 60 min, get home eat/supplements, shower, get kids and myself ready for the day. Off to work/Train. My week looks like this at the moment. Shoulders, back, legs, chest, arms/abs. I generally do 4 sets of everything and at least 12 reps but I like to train to failure wherever possible, so that might mean a lot more than 12 reps. Also sometimes I will split my train to am and pm. Cardio is walking every morning, than as the show gets closer I assess How I'm looking and decide if I need more cardio, last year I added the rower in the afternoon, treadmill lunges, and stairs at WDH. Supplements you live by during pre contest. Protein Powder, Glutamine, Amino Acids, Creatine, Milk Thistle, Alanine, L-carnitine and sometimes a fat burner , to be honest never found much success with fat burners. |
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| How do you manage your day job, your family duties and the time you need to train? Do you have a supportive environment? Well being a single Mum presents its own challenges but add bodybuilding to that!! I have to Thank God everyday for my children !!! They are amazingly supportive and they are soooo proud of me and love the sport, even like helping out at the shows. They help me train when I cant be bothered, they grill my protein so I can eat the minute I walk in the door! They hand me food when Im driving and they come to posing practice, take photos for me, They talk me down from potential cheats lol They are just absolutely amazing! They even have walked with me at 530 when I didnt think I could face it. I am a PT so basically I live at the Gym and I work with people who understand the needs of my sport. |
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| Have you had a role model who's inspired you? My role models have been Kaye O'Neill, Elenor Stewart, Jo Stewart.On an international level, Anja Langer has to be my all time favourite What's your ultimate goal in Bodybuilding? To be someone else's inspirational role model, to be the best I can be.To win Nationals Overall 2009, To Successfully represent NZ on an International Stage |
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| What advice would you give to girls and women who want to compete? Pick someone that knows the sport , has competed, someone who is happy to share their knowledge, some people never give you all the facts. Stick with them, don't jump around getting different ideas from heaps of different people, you will only end up confused. Initially keep it basic until you learn enough to change things specifically to suit you, aslo, remember, It is a team sport in that, it affects everyone around you.......you may stand on stage alone but you certainly dont get there alone. Remember to thank and appreciate those around you......xo |
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Michelle's already looking great 8 weeks out from the Nationals!
3 August 09
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