Forward Movement Magazine Winter Issue 1 2015/2016 | Page 42

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GUEST BLOG

THE INTERNET

connection

what it’s like to

COMPETE
ere’s a quick exercise to give you just a taste. Take off
all of your clothes, except for your underwear. Now go
stand in front of a full length mirror. Pose in a way that is
most flattering to your body. Smile, look confident, happy and
PROUD of your body. Snap a selfie with your phone.

H

Now...how did that feel? How did you
feel about the way you looked? My bet is
that you probably felt a little anxious and
self conscious of your so-called flaws.
Take your discomfort level and multiply
it by roughly one million and that gives
you an idea of what it’s like standing up
on stage in a competition.
I have competed in a total of 11 body
building competitions since November
of 2012. I’ve traveled to shows in New
York and have even done a National
show in New Jersey. So, I feel that I am
experienced enough to give a good description of the road leading to standing
on the competition stage.
The week before any competition I call
“hell week”. I’ve cut out carbs, salt, gum,
and even protein powders. I’m bordering
on the verge of insanity or ketosis....or
both. The night before a show I go get my
airbrushed (orange) tan to cover my very

Leanna Baucum

white skin. I’ve had to shave my entire
body, exfoliate and moisturize so that the
tan goes on as smooth as possible. Once
I let that air dry, I have to put on black,
loose clothing and sleep on extra sheets
so I don’t mess up my good ones. I can’t
wash my hands and I can’t sit on the toilet.
Leading me to this lovely tidbit of TMI. I
have to pee in a cup since urine is so acidic
it will mess up the tan on the most unflattering of places. Yeah, GROSS!
On show day I cake on the makeup,
and fluff up my hair. Hair and make up
have to be very exaggerated in order to
look good on stage. I slip on a very expensive and delicate, handmade jeweled
bikini. There’s not much to it and it has
to be put on very carefully so none of the
straps break or jewels fall off. (A very concerning mishap.) I spend my morning in
a hotel room practicing my posing and
answering texts that say “have you gone

www.leannajb.com

Leanna Baucum is an NPC bikini competitor, mother of two children, wife, and Health & Wellness major.
Her nutrition and fitness blog Crazy, Healthy, and Happy can be found online at www.leannajb.com.