Mum Janita Singh becomes professional bodybuilder to inspire teenage son
REPORTER Janita Singh became a professional bodybuilder to set an example for her teenage son — that if you’re determined and work hard, nothing can stand in your way.
Parramatta
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MAY 20 is a day hard to forget. This is when I earned the title of being a professional bodybuilder.
As a first time competitor, I had top three placement in the physique divisions at the Australasian Natural Bodybuilding Oceania International (Universe Qualifier) Championship at Marconi Club.
But this was a milestone some 15 years in the making.
While I enjoyed everything from preparation to getting up on stage, this journey was all about my teenage son who suffers from cerebral palsy.
I’ve always been a gym fanatic. I owned a gym at home in Fiji and, away from my day job as a journalist, I am a qualified personal trainer.
But taking it to the next level was about setting an example for my son — that if you’re determined and work hard, nothing can stand in your way.
There are a few things this sport can teach everyone — discipline, dedication and toughness. Here are some lessons from my experience.
Commitment: You have to make a decision and stick to it. This is what will set a winner apart. There are times you will question your journey, but remind yourself why you started.
Toughness: It is a tough sport like no other. You’ll be dieting, shredding and learning how to pose on very low energy. Your social life could also take a dive.
Diet: Comp diets are gruelling, to say the least. It’s about bringing your body fat down. There will be bland and boring food such as lean protein (some 20 weeks of repetitive eating). Each meal is weighed, measured and scheduled. You will wake up and sleep hungry.
Obstacles: There are too many to count and you will question yourself at every hurdle. Balancing work, life and comp is no mean feat.
Training: Low on energy, you still need to dig deep and train. For bodybuilders, weights training is key. If you don’t like the gym, this is not for you.
The fun part: Stepping on stage is a lot about self-esteem and preparation. This is the day every competitor enjoys. Judges look for body symmetry, muscularity and definition.
And the final word: Bodybuilding is not a sport for the faint-hearted. Preparing for a comp is one of the hardest thing I have done. But I am ready to do it all over again because this sport makes you appreciate your health. It also teaches you valuable life lessons.
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