Lake Front Training Spurs Gains

My name is Marjorie Pendell and I am 62 years old. I played a lot of tournament racquetball in my 40’s, but was never a fan of the gym atmosphere. I had a couple of personal trainers in the gym, but it seems that the goal was to just wear me out however they could. Then I met Richard Stent a few years ago and he quickly became my personal trainer. He felt the same way about the gym and we jumped around to different gyms, but were never satisfied with the results.

In April of this year (2017) Richard had an idea about training outdoors. So with a park location on Lake Lanier, and armed with gymnastic rings, an 0lympic bar, plates and dumbbells, I committed to it! Some intense heat in the summer and so far 19 degrees this winter with snow, we truly have trained in all weather conditions. Since we’ve been training outdoors, my strength has increased, my energy level is through the roof and I’ve lost inches and weight! We train two to three times a week at 6 a.m. and I feel stronger than I have ever felt & I stay energized all day. I will continue this regimen for the rest of my life!

[Training outdoors provided some unique challenges. Richard Stent provided details on Marjorie's training on the lake front.]

Here are some of her outdoor exercises, with poundages. All movements are done around 5 repetitions.

Overhead barbell push press, 85 lbs
Barbell Row with each rep off the ground, 115 lbs
Zercher Squat holding the bar in the crook of her elbows and going below parallel, 135 lbs
Romanian barbell deadlift, where the bar is lifted off the ground with back flat and legs straight until the back is parallel to the ground, 115 lbs

Chest is a mixture of Barbell Floor Press (we are outside, so no racks), 85 lbs. But mostly pushups, done by going to ground each and every rep, and then exploding up for a full rep. Marjorie will often try for between 50 to 100 reps a day over the weekend, at home while she goes about her day.

She does flutter / straight legs kicks, for abs, every day. Around 4 to 5 sets of varying quantity but never to failure.

She will never train to failure on weights, normally. And with bodyweight exercises, she may only try failure on the final set of an exercise. Thus she recuperates quickly for her daily office job, and for the following day's training.

Again, she is 62. She eats what she wants, but just happens to like all the good stuff like meat, potatoes and vegetables.

She suffers from zero joint or muscle pain, and supplements weights with hard walking throughout the year.

This week, along with most of the USA, it will be ferociously cold. We will have early morning temps here in Georgia in the teens. And she will be training as usual right on the banks of Lake Lanier, starting at 6 am in the dark.

I keep telling her that women are tougher than men, as I could never persuade a guy to do what she is doing!

She is a great inspiration.

And I have a second lady in her early 40's, as well as my wife, who train outside with us once a week, through the year.

Thanks Clarence.

                  

Lake front training may be only for the hearty few,
 but it's a wonderful example of the benefits of searching out the type of training that suits you best,
 that you enjoy and do well.
Photo courtesy of Richard Stent

Marjorie Pendell and Richard Stent, Lake Lanier, Georgia

February 1, 2018

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Hip Replacement in Canada--Germany for Anterior Approach

The hip injury: My hip was injured in March of 2015. I can remember the moment it became a significant injury. On March 15, 2015, I played squash for the last time with my squash team in Edmonton, Alberta. On that date I was 69 years young and had played squash since 1973 – which sums to about 42 years.

Efforts at recovery: So, there I was, 69, with no pain the night of my last squash victory but the next morning I struggled with walking normally. I tried various remedies over the next two years including physiotherapy, acupuncture and stem cell injections and found that the flexibility of the hip could be improved temporarily for a day or week with these interventions, but then the limping, stiffness and pain would return.

Ballroom Dancing with a hip injury: One blessing amongst the misery of it all was ball room dancing. I learned that, even if I would be limping to the dance floor with pain in the right hip; when the music began and the joy of the dance took hold, the pain would disappear. There was some pain after dancing but, nothing intolerable. If that was the deal, I was signed up for the life time contract!

Then, over time, the dancing became more difficult. Eventually the evening arrived, September 30, 2017, when I could not dance. The pain was too much and, when I did try dancing, walking afterwards became very painful as well. What next?

As you will see, George embarked on a long and winding journey back to the dance floor.
Photo courtesy of George Pugh

Possible hip replacement in Alberta: As all of this was going on, I had been advised by my physician, that my hip x-rays showed osteoarthritis that suggested that I should be on the list for a hip replacement. I was reluctant to consider this option when I was still dancing. I attended the hip and bone clinic at this time and, when I explained the symptoms and mentioned my level of dancing, I was told my hip was not deteriorated enough to place me on the list for the hip replacement.

When the time came when I could no longer dance, and the pain when trying to sleep had increased I attended for a second time to the hip and bone clinic. The “screener” (a doctor who assessed the hip problem) told me that yes, I would be eligible for the hip replacement but, as my symptoms were relatively mild, I would be placed on the lowest level of need for the operation, level 3 on the three-tiered system. I would be on a wait list, possibly for two years, possibly longer. I considered a third visit to the screener, with an effort at a clearer explanation of my symptoms. Possibly with this approach, I could move up one or even two levels. But I set those thoughts of another assessment aside. There were other avenues to consider, where a significant monetary investment would be needed to find healing.

Treatment outside of Alberta: I mentioned to my doctor that I was considering surgery in other countries and she suggested that I phone a clinic in Calgary, Alberta, who were offering the surgery. I found the clinic and made the call. Yes, they would do the surgery, possibly within three weeks. You would first attend the Calgary clinic for a $750 dollar assessment and then, if the assessment results confirmed the need for hip replacement, you would be sent to a clinic in Montana and for $25,000 American dollars ($32,000 Canadian) the surgery would be completed and you would then be returned to Calgary for follow-up.

I did some more research and found that a clinic in Vancouver offered a similar deal, with the treatment in Phoenix for $23,000 American. When I asked what type of approach they used, “posterior” or “anterior”, they said either, but the recommendation for the “posterior” approach was obviously their first choice and, I suspected, that their referral mechanisms were historically oriented in that direction.

The two approaches to hip replacement, anterior and posterior: I should point out at this juncture that, one of my internet heroes is Clarence Bass, a well-known fitness expert and nutrition/diet specialist. I had read two of his books and admired his approach to fitness and health in general. He is now 80 years old. Clarence had a hip replacement done in 2006 and a second one in 2017. He spoke very highly of the “anterior” approach. I learned from research that, for the anterior approach, the surgeon gains entry to the hip joint by an incision at the upper front of the leg, fairly close to the actual hip joint. After cutting through the skin, the muscles at this site are separated (with retractors) and the old hip joint is removed and replaced through this opening without cutting any muscles or nerves. With the older approach, the entry is “posterior” and occurs on the side of the leg. Muscles are cut to gain entry and thus healing is longer. As well, there is information to suggest that the hip is “less stable” when the posterior approach is used and, as well, there is greater risk for infection, dislocation and numbness.

The final solution: Then, the sun shone through the clouds of confusion. At the last dance, the dance where the pain became unbearable, others noticed that I was struggling. I shared my thoughts that a hip replacement was inevitable, but the wait in Alberta, possibly interminable. I learned from my dance friends that a local Edmonton ballroom dancer had a hip replacement and had amazed every one in the dance community with the speed of her recovery. I contacted her and learned that she had very successful hip replacement surgery in November 2016, with surgeon, Dr. Konermann, from the St. Franziskus-Hospital in Winterberg, Germany. She also related that one of her good friends had also successful hip replacement surgery with the same doctor.

I contacted Dr. Konermann directly by email (christoph.konermann@gesundheitszentrum-winterberg.de) and he replied by email within an hour. He wrote that he used the anterior approach for his surgery, had completed over 400 hip replacements with this approach and yes, he would book me an assessment appointment.

My wife Chris, and I, flew out of Edmonton Alberta on Friday October 13, 2017, and on Monday October 16 we met Dr. Konermann. He had already reviewed my x rays. (I had given my Alberta x-ray CD to the hospital clerk when checking in) and had one taken in the Winterberg hospital before I met with him.)

On Tuesday October 17, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. I was rolled into the operating room. After a brief chat with the anestheologist, I had the epidural (in the lower spine) and could feel my feet and legs warming and then, with a little gas through the mask on my face, I was gone, totally gone. I woke two to three hours later in the recovery room with the most pleasant feeling, like being in heaven. My body felt terrific. The right leg felt relaxed and loose. I realized that it had been taut and tense for two plus years. I laid there in mild bliss and, after two hours there, was rolled back to my room and to my wife Chris.

Mild pain began to emerge as the medications lost their impact, but not pain that I could not manage. The next morning (Wednesday October 18, 2017, day 1 after surgery), after a small breakfast, Dr. Konermann arrived with a contingent of interns. He related that the surgery had been completed in 42 minutes. It had gone very well and there were no concerns. He removed the bandage on my hip and observed the four-inch cut. He explained that he did not use a suture but glue to close the opening. He related that another x-ray was planned for that morning to see how the replaced hip aligned with the surrounding anatomy. That same day I met with two Occupational Therapists who directed my in-hospital walking therapy. My recovery was speedy. In two days I walked, with the aid of crutches, the hallways of the hospital and then the stairs. On the third day after surgery, October 20, 2017, after more in-hospital walking, I was released from the hospital.

On the way out of the hospital, around 2:00 p.m. on Friday, we stopped and paid the bill, 7939.36 Eu ($11,854.79 Canadian) with my credit card. We walked back to the hotel with the crutches. That was the last time I used them. The remaining days in Winterberg were filled with walking (sans crutches), about an hour per day, half an hour each, for morning and afternoon. There was minor pain when moving from a sitting position to walking, but very little pain when walking. I was actually walking better than before the surgery where, a walk of 50 feet, would lead to pain and significant limping. I checked in with Dr. Konermann twice during the following week for a review of my progress. There were no concerns. We flew home from Germany October 27, 2017.

Conclusions: I believe all signs are pointing to the conclusion that the hip surgery was a success. I will not give a final appraisal until 6 months have passed but today, January 1, 2018 (two and a half months after surgery), all signs are positive. Even the problem of rising from sitting to walking has resolved. I have been using the elliptical, treadmill (for walking) and lifting weights (including squats with 20 pound dumbbells).

The cost was worth it. In Alberta, it is unfortunate that the hip replacement is not available within the free health care plan for those who need the surgery, only available to those who have deteriorated to an extreme level of need. Nevertheless, that appears to be the nature of health care in Alberta. A certain level of dysfunction and pain are required and I had not reached that level.

I am glad I ventured out to Germany to meet with an excellent surgeon, Dr. Konermann, and to have my hip replaced and my life style changed. I send my heart felt appreciation to Dr. Konermann and the superb staff at the St. Franziskus-Hospital in Germany. My memories of my time there will remain with me forever.

George Pugh, Alberta, Canada

February 1, 2018

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The "Real" Biggest Loser Winner

Terry Todd the day after he won the first official Senior National Power Lifting Championship in 1965--at or near his highest bodyweight of 335.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Todd

 

As for your “Biggest Loser” piece, I read it the morning it appeared and found it to be the most thorough—yet easy to understand—explanation that our evolutionary capacity to avoid starvation is even more rigorous, long-lasting, and unyielding than I’d realized. In my own case, one thing I do find occasionally difficult these days is to eat less than I’d like to eat and—throughout my life—have eaten. I understand it, of course, but I don’t particularly care for it.

My situation is unusual in that although I gained the 140-150 pounds I packed on over about ten years relatively slowly—12-15 pounds per year--when I stopped competing, did very few squats or deadlifts, never went to limit weights in any exercise, spent much less time in the weight room, and dug out my tennis racket I dropped almost a hundred pounds in only eight or nine months. When I stopped thinking about competing I also stopped drinking the three or so quarts of whole milk that I drank during most of my competitive career. My point is that ever since I made this radical change in my weight training program I’ve never gone back to Dr. Thomas DeLorme’s classic Progressive Resistance Exercise—although I probably still ate as much of all the basic food groups for the next 40-45 years. Finally, in very recent years--as I gradually lost muscle, strength, and especially power--I’ve been able to tell that I should be employing a bit more caution at the table. I realized that although I weighed about the same I was not the same, physically.

Like my maternal grandfather, Marvin Williams, who was a famous eater until his 90th year—when he finally quit bucking hay and working cattle and, as a result, ate a little less—I’ve always loved to eat and to eat my fill. For the last half century I’ve rarely eaten less at my main meal of the day (usually dinner) than a half chicken, or two burgers, or a pound of either beef or fish or venison or pork (wild when I could get it, which was at least half of that period), along with a lot of fresh vegetables and fruit, especially vegetables, of all kinds. I’ve never eaten bread regularly unless I was having sandwiches and I doubt if I averaged two desserts a month during my adult life.

However, even though I ate so freely all those years my bodyweight rarely went below 245 or above 265. Part of this was due to the regular tennis I played until I was almost 40 and moved to rural Nova Scotia where tennis courts were uncommon, especially in the country. Even so, the work I did cutting and hauling wood with my draft horses—along with my regular trips to the weight room with Jan, who was then beginning to exercise her considerable genetic aptitude for heavy lifting—allowed me to give full play to my appetite and to drink a beer or some wine with evening meals most weekends. Although I never gave it much thought it occasionally made me grateful that my body was somehow “happy” when I was in the 245-260 range and physically active without really pushing the weights. But I rarely skipped workouts—usually only when I was facing a period of hard work on one of the country places where Jan and I have spent most of our lives together. I almost never weighed myself during those years, and I retained a lot of the strength I gained during my decade of obsession as a competitive lifter.

But as my metabolism began to change, and as various small orthopedic problems (chief among them a badly torn rotator cuff, which came from the service motion in tennis) began to make it more difficult for me to exercise in the way that suited me, I trained fewer muscle groups, particularly in the upper body. This removed some of the pleasure I got from training, along with some of the muscle mass I’d always maintained so easily, and so I trained with less weight and did a bit more walking. I actually believe that had I not ruined my rotator cuff and developed a partly frozen right shoulder I’d have remained more like my younger self even later in life than I have, just as Papa Williams did, and not have to wonder whether I should eat that last piece of chicken or that last avocado. But I consider myself to have been undeservedly lucky to have had the ancestors I had. (Both grandfathers were in their 90th year when they died, both were very healthy and injury-free throughout their long lives, both were much heavier than the recommended weight for their height and ages, and both were wise and hard-working—as were both grandmothers, one of whom died at 97, lived alone for a few years at the end, and never stopped taking care of her yard and trying out new recipes, mainly on me).

As for Jan, who had more natural aptitude for strength than I had (allowing for the difference in gender) she has held onto her acquired strength rather well, although she weighs quite a bit more than she’d like to weigh. She actually did more or less the same thing I did years ago when she dropped over 80 pounds very quickly through a change in diet and lots of farm work and gardening, but in her case she still felt so strong at the lighter weight that she decided to lift in a few contests as a “Lightweight.” Accordingly, just as she broke records in all the classes on the way up from 165 to 181 to 198 to super-heavy she was able to lift in 148 pound class and set the first drug-tested world record for women by pulling 474 (I think) weighing 146.

In my case, once I retired from the platform I intentionally avoided going to, or even near, limit weights because I was actually fearful that the same sort of obsessiveness which drove me to train on holidays, alone, and even—especially—when what I really wanted to do was to pick up whatever novel I was reading, get a bowlful of almonds or roasted pecans, put on some blues, ease back into my favorite chair, and fall under the sway of the well-written word. During the many years when Jan and I worked with young powerlifters in Canada, Auburn University, and here at the University of Texas, some of the boys would occasionally say, “Doc, you’re still pretty stout, you ought to enter this coming contest with us.” My standard reply was something like, “Boys, the last time I had a sticking point in the gym was back in 1967, and my hope is that I never have one again.” And then we’d all laugh.

A considerable difference between me and Jan in the years since we dropped so much weight so quickly is that every now and again she’d take a notion to go heavy in the deadlift for a several weeks and work up to a few reps with between 300 pounds to over 400 pounds—even well after she was 50. As for her weight, Jan loves to cook, to eat, and to feed people—along with the many animals we’ve had through the years, including Bill Kazmaier and Mark Henry. I should add that Jan’s overall health markers have always been excellent, and she has the same truly unusual capacity for sustained work she’s always had—even before she began lifting. As an undergraduate in college, she carried a full load of classes, worked part-time, and for her last two years was the managing editor of the university newspaper. Jan chose her ancestors well, just as I did.
 

Terry Todd, PhD, co-director of the Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports
University of Texas at Austin

Nov 1, 2016
 

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(Editor: This is a follow up on "Renewed Passion" in Success Stories 14.)

A Professional Man’s Life of Fitness

I was humbled when Clarence invited me to write a short account of my history as a fitness buff.

I started working out in 1960 during the summer before my sophomore year of high school. Along with three of my buddies, we lifted weights in an unheated garage in my neighborhood in Baden, PA. I can tell you that the workouts were pretty brisk in January! After about one year, two of my friends developed other interests, so my best friend Pete and I moved our Joe Weider barbell set into my parents' basement. We did squats, bench presses, rows, chins, presses, curls, and sit-ups. Here is a picture of myself after about one year of training.

I lifted weights all through high school. Back then, President Kennedy was stressing physical fitness, and the physical education teachers at Ambridge High School started testing us on how well we performed on a number of events (40 yard dash, standing long jump, pull-ups, sit-ups in 60 seconds, and the 1/2 mile run). They had a formula for assigning points for each event, and I ended up winning the high school competition in 1963.

When I went to college, I took my weights with me and stored them under my bed in the dormitory, working out 2-3 times a week. After graduation in 1967, I started teaching kids with physical disabilities in Pittsburgh. I took my weights to my apartment and used them as often as I could. As I was working on my Master's Degree at the University of Pittsburgh, my workout frequency dropped off somewhat, but I kept in shape. As I recall, I bench pressed 285 pounds at that time.

In 1970, I was hired as a professor at my alma mater, Slippery Rock University. My Joe Weider weights went with me. I taught during the day, and commuted to Pitt, working on my Ph.D. at night and during the summers. My frequency of training dropped off, but I never quit.

After finishing my degree, my wife left me, and I became very depressed as we went through a divorce. But I soon started lifting weights again--and almost instantly felt better. After a couple of months I regained my muscle mass, but more importantly, I started feeling good about myself again. My depression disappeared completely.

I really believe exercise is a wonderful medicine. I think it can do wonders for treating and preventing a host of mental and physical ailments.

Over the years, I got caught up with Dr. Kenneth Cooper's aerobics, and was running about 1500 miles a year. My joints really took a pounding, and I tried Dr. Leonard Schwartz's Heavyhands. Eventually, I started using Nautilus equipment at the Butler YMCA alternating aerobics with the Nordic Track and the Schwinn Airdyne. With my work as a professor, and consulting work as an administrative law judge, I wanted to find a system that I could do in my home. I eventually settled on Bowflex. I have used my Bowflex Ultimate for 15 years, interspersing it with my Dragon Door kettlebells and my Range of Motion machine.

Over the years, I have had arthroscopic surgery on both knees, rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders, and cataract procedures in both eyes. I also have two torn biceps, which I haven't had repaired. I kept working out through all of these events. It helped keep me in the game, so to speak. It was the right thing to do, physically and mentally.

I don't know if Clarence will approve of my diet, but I usually eat a hard-boiled egg, a handful of blueberries, a handful of blackberries, a handful of raspberries, a big glass of kefir with hemp, chia, flax seeds, a pinch of cinnamon, and a teaspoon of tart cherry juice for breakfast. My typical lunch is a peanut butter sandwich and an apple. Around 3:00 each day, I'll have yogurt with seeds and nuts as a snack. My wife and I usually have grilled fish and several vegetables for dinner. I typically don't eat anything after dinner, but do have a small Scotch and water or a glass of red wine at night. I'm 5 feet 8 inches tall, and weigh 144 pounds.

Since retiring from Slippery Rock University in 2011, I do a Bowflex workout about twice a week. I alternate the ROM machine with my Concept 2 Rower, doing four-minute high intensity, Tabata-like workouts with each. Additionally, my wife and I have Fitbits, and we walk about 10,000 steps a day.

I have followed Clarence Bass ever since he came out with Ripped. He has been an inspiration to me for many years. At 70 1/2 years old, I look up to him as a wonderful model.

Here are some images from my last workout a few days ago.

                            

(Editor’s comment: Dr. Fair is a wonderful balance of fitness and productivity. He shows that you don’t have to be a Gym Rat to stay fit. Fitness training has been a stabilizing and contributing factor throughout his full and successful life. Fitness and productivity go hand in hand, with each contributing to the other. Well done, Dennis. Thank you for sharing your story with our visitors.)

Dennis T. Fair, Ph.D.

1-1-16

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Victory at 60

Stepping out of the Gym Brings Unexpected Accolades

I competed in my first bodybuilding contest—at 60—and won in more ways than one. The contest was the 2015 Natural Badger Classic

I won the Over-60 category, took second in the Mr. Wisconsin Division, second in Novice, and placed fifth in the overall contest. 

The comments from the other competitors, judges, and the audience between the pre-judging and final show were overwhelming. One of the judges made a point to find me to say, “You are what bodybuilding is all about.” I was approached by two contest promoters who asked me to enter their contests. My only objective in entering was to have the experience of being in a contest and to show that a person over 60 could train for and be competitive in bodybuilding. I never imagined the experience would have gone the way it did. It seems like a dream. But the trophies in my home gym prove that it did in fact happen.

I have been active in bodybuilding and fitness since age 13, training alone in my home gym. I keep a journal of my workouts and at the time of the contest I had logged 5,336 workouts. I had always worked toward entering a contest but my lack of confidence kept me from trying it. I never thought I was big enough or lean enough to be competitive. But after turning 60 and watching the 2014 Natural Badger Classic I decided I’d give the 2015 show a try. I started training in earnest the day after the 2014 event.

I made many mistakes along the way. I seriously over trained. The thought of being on stage for the first time drove me to weight train for 2 hours and 30 minutes with another 40 minutes of cardio training 5 days a week. I got completely lost with my diet and cut back to 800 calories a day. After 4 months of this routine I was no bigger and no leaner. I was frustrated and lost.  So I found a trainer, Dawn Goettl, to help me with posing and final contest preparation. I also listened to a friend, Jack Mazzenga, and remembered what Clarence Bass said about rest between workouts, counting calories, keeping meals consistent, and eating foods as close to their natural state as possible.

I completely overhauled my training approach and finally started to see progress. Still, I never felt as though I was lean enough, which why I was so overwhelmed by the results.

 
It’s plain to see what all the fuss is about. Dan is pure muscle and bone. It’s hard to see how he could be leaner.

Bodybuilding and fitness training have been a core part of my entire life. I told family and friends years ago that I would still be lifting weights when I was 60. It doesn’t seem like that much time could have passed, but here I am holding true to my commitment. The driving force that keeps me in this lifestyle is love of the challenge to be better every day, having the discipline to be prudent with diet and keep lean. It’s not always easy, but feeling and being fit is the ultimate reward for me—and it has no age limit.

[Editor’s comment: Congratulations, Dan! You have been competing with yourself all these years, and stepping on stage proved that you are a winner far beyond the environs of your home gym. With more rest between workouts, you have the capacity to add substantially more muscle. Take your time, train progressively, don’t over-train, and above all don't starve yourself. You must give your muscles time to recover and grow, and feed the growth. No matter what, remember that you are the only competitor that really counts. And you are a WINNER!]

Dan Schneider, Wisconsin

11-1-2015

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Pioneer Woman Bodybuilder Strives for Aesthetic Perfection

I'm an artist. Visual. Creative. And I love nature. That is who I've always been.

Studying the figure in art school and working as a life model for painters & sculptors, I saw the human body as nature's work of art to be translated by the artist with clay and paint. I was fascinated with the works of high renaissance art and worked for hours drawing the cast model sculptures of Michelangelo, arguably the greatest sculptor who ever lived. 

As I stood day after day modeling in the studio, I would listen as the anatomy instructor would go over all the Latin names of the bones, the joints and the muscles on my body. I wanted to be one of those Michelangelo sculptures for the students who were sculpting my figure. 

That was 1978, and working out for women was basically non-existent (Jane Fonda hadn't even made her exercise video yet). However, I was adventurous, athletic and active in cross country skiing, rock climbing, and caving. 

In order to have the strength to excel in these activities it was suggested to me by a friend, Ed Pilsitz, that I lift weights. Ed's knowledge of weight training was derived from his discipline with the Martial Arts; he was endlessly gleaning information from all the strongman magazines. I remember him referring to Clarence Bass' book "Ripped," which came out about that time. Through Ed's guidance my love affair with free weights began in a small gym in the back of a rock climbing store in center city Philadelphia. In doing so, I became one of the first women to venture into this unexplored territory and crossed the threshold to a traditional male oriented world of "the weight room."

I learned that I could change my physique by lifting dumbbells and thereby discovered this medium to sculpt my body. Mr. Pilsitz was the force that taught me everything through five years of training, dieting and entering me into this exciting new world of bodybuilding competitions for women. I will always be grateful to Ed for recognizing my genetic potential.

Bodybuilding became a catalyst that allowed me to travel around the world meeting many people, doing seminars, guest appearances, and compete. I was proud to be a part of the first wave of competitive women to learn how weight training could transform a physique. However, I somehow maintained my personal artistic integrity about my body with all the outside pressures to take my physique where I didn't want it to go.

 

Deborah's physique is a pleasing blend of muscle and femininity.

Albeit I might not have captured the biggest titles of the day, I had stamina for the long term and my ability to learn was not fixed, that it can grow with effort. That was reward enough for me. I'm healthy and I still continue to lift today.

After retiring from competition in 1983, I married and had two children. After a divorce, I taught art, created art, and sold art in my own gallery. Three years ago I remarried and I'm still drawing the figure, birds, and butterflies. Fitness and art have been the two constants in my life.

 She continues to pursue her art and sculpt her body.

Historically, there have always been different ideals of beauty and what we expect the bodies of men and women to look like. Time traditionally changes these ideals. The physiques in women's and men's competitions have changed drastically over the past 40 years and the endless debate continues over "what is aesthetic?" All this is compounded by the use of synthetic drugs, money, power, and prestige. But that's how things evolve to create change.

Ultimately it's one's own personal choice what "success" means to them. The secret is knowing what to choose and to have the stamina to stay with it.

"Grit" is the magic pill. Grit is the disposition to pursue very long term goals with passion and persistence. 

My goals were always simple, my sociological prospective was a lifestyle that maintains good health by eating whole foods and dedication to strength and endurance. I was given this one body to take care of and I'm going to do everything in my power to do just that. Fitness is a marathon not a sprint...!

Deborah Diana, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

http://www.deborahdiana.com

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