Maria Dunlop's Determined Figure

Achievements so far?  
2006 3rd Place Open Figure Short Taranaki Champs

2007 3rd Place Senior Figure O35 Taranaki Champs

2008 2nd Place Senior Figure O35 Wai Weights Champs Masterton and Best Performance Award

2009 2nd Place INBA Taupo Senior Figure O40,
1st Place RiverCity Classic Senior Figure O35 plus Best Performance Award,
2nd Place INBA Taranaki Open Figure Short. 

How many comps did you compete in this year?  How did you manage to stay focused in between your comps.

For the first time this year I competed in 3 comps in a row with 5 weeks between each one. Taupo was my real goal and once completed I was taking a team to Wanganui so decided to join in, then I really wanted to support our local INBA Comp but really struggled to stay focused. I tried every strategy ever invented to make it to the day. Lots of Self Talk, Positive Thinking, Journal Writing, New Routine, New Bikini, you name it I did it.

You always come up with new looks for your comp? is that to confuse the judges?!
I hate having comp pics that look the same except maybe a different suit on so I re-invent myself for each comp, helps with my motivation to.

You have athritis? How long have you had it? How did you work around your condition?  What do you do when the pain gets really bad. 

I have Rheumatiod Arthritis, I got diagnosed 11 years ago. I was in denial for about 8 years until I tried to compete again, at that time I felt like giving up as it was really controlling my life. Then my Stubborn side kicked in and I decided to work on a formula of training and eating that would help me live the life I wanted to. Fatigue goes hand in hand with Rheumatoid so I find doing a mild form of cardio morning and night reverses the effects of the fatigue plus helps to get me moving in the mornings when the pain is at its worst.

I stick to low rep work to limit the pressure on the joints and have learnt alot over the last 11 years on how to deal with the pain.  When the pain gets real bad I still try to train as it frees everything up and I can move better after a workout. The only time I cant train is when the fatigue takes a firm hold on me and that usually happens once a month for 24 hours and then I come right.    

Has weight training helped with overcoming your athritis? The weight training decreases the cell inflamation, it is absolutely amazing, I can go out to my gym with closed up hands and intense pain and after my workout everything is moving freely and I am pain free. Keeping the muscles strong obviously helps take pressure off the joints and this will be an important part of my life the older I get.

You've got a gym set up at home, how do you find the motivation to train with out the buzz of a gym environment.  Do you like to train at home?

I do miss training and feeding off others energy at the gym and the social side of it but the benefits of training at home are huge. No gym fees, can train anytime I want, can train in my pj's and slippers, can make alot of noise and have the music real loud. To keep motivated and focused I keep a journal for my weight workouts and a separate journal for cardio and food. I train myself exactly how I would train a client. Everything is mapped out in advance, so my 2010 is already set out ready to achieve. The odd workout at the local gym is added every now and again.

Are you able to train heavy and how do you get around not having a spotter to help you push through the heavy weights?

I train wisely always keeping the Rheumatiod in check. I do train heavy with low reps and I find this alot better on my joints. I am a firm believer in perfect form on all exercises so my concentration level is high to protect the joints also. If I find I need a spotter for a certain exercise I will wait till my hubby is home and get him to help me with the workout.  

You have amazing chest development, how have you built that up?
My favourite bodypart to train is chest. Barbell work is hard for me because of the angle of the wrists so I have to do lots of dumbell work. My favourite is the Pullover, really bringing it over the chest for a great squeeze at the top, I go real heavy on these. I make sure I change it up alot and do a mixture of flat and  incline chest work. I also train the Chest first every week so my body and mind are always ready for it.  

Since you work from home, how have you been disciplined to not sneak in extra treats during your pre contest dieting since no one's watching. I am a real focused person, or some would say "stubborn", I know what I have to do and time goes so quickly, theres no time to cheat. I hate cheaters of all types, it gets you nowhere. I do really love competing and I often remind myself that its my choice to do this sport so do not moan about what you have to eat. Just Do It and Do It Well.

Have you had a role model who's inspired you in bodybuilding/figure competitions?
No I dont have a role model as such. One of the Highlights of this Year was meeting and Standing Next to Ali G in INBA Taupo and Janine Haywood in INBA Taranaki. It was nice to meet Women with Great Sportsmanship who are also very approachable. I admire ladies like that.

What one piece of advice would you give to women who want to compete?
Visualize yourself on that Stage in the Best Shape of Your Life, never lose that vision, it will carry you through the tough times.