Blog Post by IFBB Pro Kahla Bullemor A gym to me is my home, my safe place. It is where I am always happy. It is where I spend most of my life; where my passion lives and gives me something that no one else can. My family even sent my Christmas presents to the gym I regularly train, to ensure I receive them on time (sad but true…) Gyms are very unique environments in my world and I will often select which gym I train at based on a number of factors e.g. What body part I am training, convenience, atmosphere, time of day/night and how I am feeling at that particular time, to ensure I get the best workout for me. Most gyms have written rules outlining requirements and standards of behavior; however it is the unwritten rules which don’t seem to be adhered to due to either disrespect or lack of knowledge by members. Over the years I have trained at many gyms and come across common actions which irritate me, that seem to be apparent throughout most gyms. Over the Christmas period it dawned on me that I shouldn’t let these actions bother or frustrate me, based on the fact that the people may not know or be aware of the unwritten rules regarding gym etiquette. Therefore I have outlined a few of those annoying behaviors below to give insight into what are basic unwritten rules which people may not be aware of: 1. Talking Do not talk to someone in the middle of a set. If you want to speak with someone wait until they have finished and have had a moment to catch their breath...
Blog Post by Kahla Bullemor – IFBB Pro Women’s Bodybuilding. It’s that time of year when Christmas party invitations start cropping up everywhere, including plenty of sugar/fat laden food and lots of alcohol. Some people love this time of year and will take any excuse to indulge in bad food and alcohol, while others avoid it like the plague because it interferes with their training routine and eating plan. For those that love this time of year, go ahead and indulge however don’t complain about the excess weight you carry and feeling like crap as a result. For those of you who don’t want to alter your training or meal plans, here are some tips for staying on track: If you don’t want to go to a function and there are no severe consequences for not going, simply don’t go. If you read my last blog, my final point was ‘it’s ok to say no.’ Being true to yourself is more important than anything. When attending functions, request to see the menu in advance. This will give you time to select the healthiest option and call in advance if you need to either request alterations to the menu, or ask if it’s ok to bring your own and for your meal to be served with the others. If the venue doesn’t allow either, then eat prior to attending and leave the function in time for your next meal. Skipping a meal or eating crap when you don’t want to, is not a compromise I would make and you don’t have to either. If you decide to consume alcoholic beverages,...
Blog Post by IFBB Pro Women’s Bodybuilder Kahla Bullemor Financial concerns, career changes, loss of job, exams, relationship issues, families, children, injuries, health concerns, expectations you place on yourself and by others, all of these are common stress factors that we are bound to suffer at some point in our lives. With Christmas and New Year fast approaching this can also cause additional stress, with all the hustle and bustle, additional expenses, unfulfilled expectations and family dynamics. This is also the time of year where I reflect upon the last 12 months and evaluate my progress in relation to the goals I set for myself and where I am at. When you are placed in a position of stress, your heart beats faster, breathing increases, muscles become tense, and sugars, fats and hormones such as cortisol are released into the bloodstream. If the stressful situation dissipates, the body’s functions return to normal and consequently no harm done. However, if stress becomes chronic, your body doesn’t have a chance to return to normal, which may result in a number of negative physical effects severely impacting your health, body, mind and potentially those around you. We all go through different levels of stress at difference stages of our lives. The way we deal and manage stress is very unique to each individual. We experience different stress triggers, therefore what is stressful to one person may be insignificant to another. For example, fear of heights...
Blog Post by IFBB Pro Women’s Bodybuilding Kahla Bullemor As I am not competing this year it has allowed me to be able to take a good hard look from an outsiders perspective of competitors preparing for a show. I have been able to stand on the sideline and watch people go through many weeks of contest prep and have also attended a couple shows to see the final package they present on stage. I really wasn’t quite aware up until now, just how much people are willing to sacrifice in order to be accepted by ‘the norm.’ So you have decided which show you are going to do and your contest date has been set. You have a nutritional and training plan, either devised by yourself, your coach, friend, PT, training partner etc. You have a goal in mind as to what type of package you want to present on stage this year. You have chosen your music to perform your routine, your posing trunks/bikini colour is picked and is being designed – thanks to the lovely Jo Rogers from Style on Stage. Travel and accommodation arrangements have been made (or is an item on your ‘to do list’) and leave has been granted in order for your depletion and carb load to be effective. Waxing appointments organized and for the ladies, we have the bling additions to consider (some men… Goble perhaps). Contest colour and shimmer is ready for application – using only the best products supplied by The Tan Man – Phil Kabakoff Enterprises, photographer booked, photo shoot attire...
Blog Post By IFBB Pro Women’s Bodybuilder Kahla Bullemor How often do you hear people complaining about their pre contest phase, counting down the days to their show, so they can finally feel normal again and eat whatever they want? My answer to this question is FAR TOO OFTEN!!! To put it bluntly, I don’t understand this at all and I am glad that I don’t because it sounds painful and miserable. The pre contest phase is part of the entire journey and each person who chooses this sport should take responsibility for that choice and if you don’t like it, don’t complain about it, just don’t do it. Especially when you consider a pre contest can be anywhere up to 20 weeks out from a show, now that is a long time to be unhappy and it’s also miserable for those around who you are inflicting with your doom and gloom. So let’s look at ways to stay motivated, positive and enjoy your pre contest phase. The three main forms of motivation come from audio, visual, and mental stimuli. Visual incentives consist of progress pictures, mirrors, and sun light to enhance your physique, motivational quotes, posters, training or competition clips and analysing the physiques of others. AUDIO MOTIVATION Compliments If you have been training and have made even the slightest improvements to your physique, I am sure you have received a compliment to that affect. For example if someone tells you how much bigger or leaner you are looking, if you are questioned about what show you are...
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