The 2009 contest season is just barely underway and I am at it once again! This past weekend my friend and colleague Jeff Vitale competed in the 2009 Flint/Mid-Michigan Natural. I am honored that he trusted me enough to help him prepare and to assist him backstage.
We had a wonderful time together dialing in his diet, getting his color just so and going into this thing totally prepared. For me, that is the only way to do it. Learn from past experience, get everything done ahead of time so that on the day of the competition, all you have to do is concentrate on giving it the very best that you have inside. All I wanted him to think about was going out onto that stage, sticking every pose to the best of his ability and nailing his 90 second evening routine (which, by the way, he really did!); I had the rest covered.
I must say that Jeff was an interesting case in terms of diet. Honestly, I've never seen such a ridiculously fast-acting metabolism in my ENTIRE life! He merely glances at a piece of cardio equipment and practically drops 10 pounds. It's insane. As the competition drew nearer I would tell him, "do ten minutes of cardio every other day." And then after a couple of sessions he would diligently report his weight and I would say "FORGET IT! STOP! STOP! STOP!" And this little dance of ours went on and on and on and on . . . and on . . .
Since he chews through calories like an industrial garbage disposal my biggest concern was to make sure that he didn't lose precious muscle during the carb cycling phase of his diet. If we brought him in too fast, he would be small and flat. This would not terribly impress the judges. So, we kept his cardio to a bare minimum and manipulated his caloric intake accordingly.
As the competition inched closer, I watched him like a hawk. I felt like a psycho-stalker woman. He would be out on the gym floor minding his own business and there I was lurking behind pieces of equipment to see what kind of pump he was getting. If I didn't like what I saw, we adjusted his diet. And, dear reader, I am here to tell you that this went on for weeks. I think that if I asked him to show me his abs one more time he would charge me a hefty fee . . . and I wouldn't blame him one iota!
Jeff's hard work did indeed pay off. At the competition, he weighed in at 151 lbs which put him at the top end of the lightweight category. Perfect. At the end of the day, Jeff took 3rd place in the Men's Master's Division (over 35) and 1st PLACE in the Men's Open Lightweight Division!
Here's a picture that I snapped backstage with my cell phone. I didn't have a decent camera back there with me so I can't offer you any more pictures. Besides, even if I did, I was so obsessed with his color that I wouldn't haven taken shit for photos anyway. However, I know that other people did take pictures so when I get a hold of them, I will go ahead and post them right here for your enjoyment! Until then, feel free to read all about the event here.
Congratulations Jeff on a job extraordinarily well done!
Christine, Words cannot sufficiently express my thanks and grattitude for all of your support and help and advice through this experience. I want all of your readers and friends and family to know how lucky we all are to have you in our lives. You truly are one of a kind and a wonderful friend to have. I am blessed to have met you and become so close to you. Thanks for everything and I'll always be there for you if you need me.
Jeff
Posted by: Jeff Vitale | Sunday, 26 April 2009 at 08:47 PM
In that case . . . can I see your abs? HA! HA! HA! I am also very lucky Jeff. You are a wonderful friend and one hell of a fierce competitor! You rocked it out baby!
Posted by: Christine | Sunday, 26 April 2009 at 08:57 PM
YAAAAY! Jeff's Bitches is all pleased as punch 'n' s**t!!!! Jeff we are SO PROUD OF YOU!!! Christine, you really ARE the Boss. Both of you are ROCK!
Posted by: Liz | Monday, 27 April 2009 at 04:45 AM
AND you rock, as well...
Posted by: Liz | Monday, 27 April 2009 at 04:46 AM
Great job Jeff! Congrats! And good job Chris...you're an asset to all of us!
Posted by: Elise | Monday, 27 April 2009 at 03:25 PM
What a great story of how hard work and friendship can lead to wonderful places! You both deserve every happiness!
Posted by: Betz | Wednesday, 06 May 2009 at 07:33 AM
No doubt about it . . .I have his back and he has mine. We make a great team!
Posted by: Christine | Saturday, 16 May 2009 at 01:53 PM