Canuck Corner Installment #8

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Published on Wednesday, 13 June 2012 13:06

Written by Natalie Waples

Canuck Corner Installment #8

Hi Everyone!

In fitness, as in life, it is so important to have an 'idea' of what would make you happy, and to work towards that. My goal going into the Toronto Pro Supershow this past weekend was to make the top 5 -- and not only did I meet that goal, but there was only a 1 point differential between 3rd, 4th and 5th place -- whohoo! After a baker's dozen '13th' placing last year In Toronto, I was more than happy to take home 5th place, along with another point towards the Olympia Qualification Series (I am currently tied for 4th overall), and a fabulous weekend of memories :-)

Canucks really kicked some butt this past weekend in Toronto -- with Jim Rockell and Gary Udit at the helm of the pro judging, Canadians rocked it out with Jodi Boam taking home 1st in Fitness, Kim Tilden, Cea Anna Kerr and Debbie Leung in 1st, 2nd and 3rd in Women's Physique, and of course my bestie Aleisha Hart taking 3rd in Pro Figure -- so proud of you ladies!!  Tad Inoue (www.tadthedietcoach.com) coaches myself, Aleisha and Cea Anna so we were so stoked to make him proud and rock it out on stage!

In addition to the competition in Toronto, I appeared on City TV's Breakfast Television with Inside Fitness Magazine, shot a workout video with MF Hers and also shot with Oxygen Magazine (both a partner training workout with Aleisha Hart, as well as an individual set of exercises). I am so blessed!

** Pictures are of Aleisha Hart and I on set at our Oxygen Magazine shoot as well as backstage, just before prejudging **

So now what's next? Well I had promised myself that if I made Top 5 I would keep competing this summer in hopes of making it to the Olympia, so that is exactly what I am going to do! Next up is the Chicago Pro Show July 7th which is promoted by Tim Gardner, followed by the Europa Championships in Dallas Aug 17-18. Makes for a couple months of healthy grilling and choosing water over cute little umbrella drinks, but heck if you are going to go for something in the IFBB you have to do it 110%!

What I love about summer training is that it offers up a whole smorgesboard of fantastic workout options. This month I plan on hitting the glutes/quads and shoulders hard & heavy with some hill running and sprints, as well as hand stand pushups, bench pushups, and to sprinkle in some 'fun', I am playing softball on a co-ed team with my work. With only 4 weeks until the Chicago Pro, I need to focus on tweaking my presentation and perfecting my posing, so I'll be back on two-a-day workouts, seemingly never ending food prep, and lots of time spent in front of a mirror to make sure I am presenting my physique in the best way possible!

Here's a look at my weekend workout (outdoors):

*10 minute jog (warm up)

-Incline/uphill walking lunges with reverse kick
-Decline/downhill knee ups (watch the ground in front of you - do not look at your knees!)
-bench push ups (various: feet on bench, hands on bench, one foot up, etc)
-100 metre sprints with walk back **repeat twice
-Incine/uphill bunny hops aka moving pop squats
-handstand push-ups against a wall
-caterpillar walk outs
-100 hops skipping rope

Repeat 3 times and voilà, a kick butt workout, while getting some vitamin D and also garnering the attention of anyone who happens to walk by -- this is a tough circuit!

Have a great month everyone and I will check back pre-Chicago with a sneak peak at my refined contest 'package' and some more summer fitness tips!

Yours in Health,

Natalie

Natalie Waples
IFBB Figure Pro
www.NatalieWaplesFitness.com