Nothin’ makes you feel more pale and plumpy than being a spectator at a body building competition. Before I give you a peek at one of the most intense sporting events I’ve attended; I need you to imagine yourself on stage in front of a crowd in a teeny bikini or a speedo for guys. Then picture a panel of judges silently critiquing every speck of your physique tearing apart your ‘shredded’ body as your trainer and friends in the audience yell out, ”flex those obliques” and ”stick out your butt!” If you’re not freaked out already; don’t forget the entire time you’re on stage you must be flexing, posing, smiling, and avoiding perspiration so your 5th layer of spray tan doesn’t trickle down your 8-pack.
I witnessed all of this on Saturday at the California Natural Muscle Mayhem competition near Sacramento. Why was I there? My cousin, Yovana, decided in January to challenge herself to this fitness competition. While I helped with makeup and cheered her on; I had an insiders look at what it takes to completely transform your body from the tanning to eating Tupperware containers full of ground turkey. Welcome to Extreme Muscles! (Caution: You are about to see pecs, abs and glutes like you’ve never seen before)
My cousin Yovana and I~ She was competing in the Women’s Figure competition Saturday and the intense tanning is part of the sport. They have multiple spray tans throughout the event (that’s the little booth behind us) and then a glaze is added before they go on stage so the judges can see every muscle enhanced.
The Day of the Competition
Loreal (Not so True) Match ~ As I helped with makeup, I had a little challenge myself. How do you match a face with a body that tan? The solution for all of the women I met in the competition is the Cocoa C8 foundation by Loreal.
The Prep ~ After I did her makeup, they must work out right before they go on stage to pump up their muscles. That’s why they look super muscular in pics.
The Diet
Clean Eating to the Extreme ~ How extreme? The first few months, my cousin ate very clean, but the month leading up to competition day is INTENSE & bland. Here’s what she ate every single day for the past month: Breakfast~ 6 egg whites & a 1/4 cup of oatmeal (no brown sugar or goodies) Then every 2.5 hours (4 times a day) ~ Tupperware of chicken, fish, or ground turkey mixed with brown rice & either asparagas or broccoli. (No seasonings) Meal 5~ just the meat & veggies. Beverages: Water only.
The Tanning
Why so Tan? Because everyone competing is super tan and it enhances the look of the muscles. My cousin was spray tanned the night before, then had layers added the morning of the competition and touch ups throughout the day. Hence, the extreme shades.
The Workouts
How Many Hours in the GYM? ~ It varies depending on the day and what muscles you’re working out (but usually 5-6 days a week for a competition). All of the people I met competing had professional trainers and hit the weights at a top gym called Iron Addiction in Roseville, CA. My cousin’s personal trainer, Miles, above created a program called ‘Persistant Lifestyles.’ If you’re in the Sacramento area interested in personal training programs he customizes for every client, contact him HERE
The Before & After (Is It Really Natural?)
Yo-vana Know the Truth? ~ The photo on the left is my cuz Yovana a year ago when I featured her in one of my 1st posts in a retro make-over. You may wonder if these people are really all natural or if they’re using steroids or supplements? The answer is there’s NO Barry Bonds shenanigans going on in a natural competition. They were all given a lie detector test the night before the competition, and winners receive a trophy and a urine test following the show.
The Women’s Competition
Are You Ready? 
The Ladies (There were different classes from novice, body building & figure, based on experience and height)
My cousin’s class ~ Figure Competition
They lined up and then judges would have them switch places (the closer toward the center, the better chance of winning)
Up Next ~ The Men
As this final class of men emerged I realized I recognized one of them….
I grew up going to school with Nick Harrison (#86) and I’m so glad he wasn’t a body builder in Jr. High or I might not have survived Dodge Ball in P.E 
But for real, congrats to him for winning 1st!!! ‘Like’ Nick’s fitness fanpage for tips & his body building adventures HERE
But for real, congrats to him for winning 1st!!! ‘Like’ Nick’s fitness fanpage for tips & his body building adventures HERE
I think I’ll do some squats at the gym this week…
Finale
Congrats to my cousin (#68) on coming in 3rd in her class and to all of her friends I met throughout the day who took home trophies as well. I’m sure later that night they had the best cheeseburgers they’ve ever tasted
From Arnold Schwarzenegger to the semi-pro’s at your local gym, have you ever been curious about what body builders go through for a competition? I know I have and that as a candy addict, I could never get into Extreme dieting/muscles so I think it’s fascinating. What do you think?
Hope you had a great weekend. Coming Wednesday…’Jellies & Vintage Trousers at the Beach’
~xoDale
Find me on Twitter @savvy_spice & Facebook
Congratulations to your cousin – you all must be very proud of her! It takes a lot of discipline to be able to do what she did, all the workouts and dieting. I definitely don’t think I could do it
whoa!! that’s crazy stuff! I could never do this. Kudos to them!
MemoriesOfTimesPast
This post was a little close to home- I have worked at Bodybuilding.com for the last 4 years, so this has been my life! I never competed (or really ever went to the gym…) But I am all to familiar with the food and tans- ack! Congrats to your cousin!!!
I’m so in awe of bodybuilders! The level of commitment is sooo high, you have to be so disciplined. There’s absolutely no way I’d have the willpower. Congrats to your cousin, she did so well (and looks amazing!) xxx
very fascinating! thanks for that little peek into the life of body building!
xo, elle from Living in Color.
The before and after look like two different persons. :O
Wow I have never felt so pale and chunky in my life as I do right this minute! Seriously a huge congrats to your cousin for making it to third place – what a massive achievement and well deserved too. I bet that cheeseburger never tasted so good too LOL. Amazing post, I really had no idea just how intense and how much preparation goes into something like this, I definitely have a new found respect!
Have an amazing day Dale!
SDMxx
http://www.daringcoco.com
Thanks Sonia and yea I was really proud of her and felt bad eating a Togo’s sandwich in front of her when she had just a bowl of chicken. Super intense
I only wish I could be as dedicated as them when it comes to clean eating! I actually think its the way we’re all meant to eat. I wish I never got the taste of chocolate lol
Congrats to your cousin! I love her butt!
I know Veronica, I don’t know how they do it either, I love candy too much.
wooow lol thats one sport i’ve never understood lol they look so funny
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WOW! Yovana looks amazing. When I was in uni, I worked as a receptionist in a gym, and know what a lot of work it takes to look like this. Kudos to her:)
I’m sure you saw lots of body building going on then Emmy, must have been interesting to see how it’s such a lifestyle
That sounds so insanely intense – and, wow, what an immense achievement. I can only imagine the amount of discipline that has to go into something like that!
Courtney ~ http://sartorialsidelines.com
WOW WOW WOW…I really loved reading this. I’ve always wanted to know what goes on behind these competitions and how they get so tan!! I loved finding out some of the “secrets” haha. Seriously, your cousin looks insanely amazing.
Allison
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Thanks Allison, I’m glad you were curious about it too because I’ve definitely always wondered about the tans too
Congratulations to your cousin! This post was so fascinating! I know nothing about body building competitions, so this was super interesting!
the-creationofbeauty.blogspot.com
Wow! This is so interesting!! Thanks for sharing!!
With Love From Hollywood, Kier
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Looks nice.
It is nice to meet you! I will keep watching it in future,
one more thing,If you have a minute,
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Congrats to ur cousin.
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Great job. She is super buff, but still pretty. I need to remember to use True Match.
Cheap Makeup Reviews | Beauty, Fashion and Seattle
Yea, I use a few different foundations and True Match is definitely one of them
Looks natural, but it seems to me there `ll be trouble when it wash out, usually with spots.
Yea, I think it takes about a week for the spray tan to come off
It looks like cool event
I really like your watch <3
Thanks Katie, it’s the Michael Kors watch so many bloggers have
Wow those have mussels!
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Wow! I’ve never seen before similar competitions…
I have never thought that even women can do thant
xxx
http://follementefashion.blogspot.com
Congratulations to your cousin – what an exciting time for her! Does this qualify her for a regional or national competition?
Also, you did a great job finding a makeup shade that works. That is so hard with spray-tans!
I will have to check with her because I know she is in the novice competition so I’m not sure how that works. Luckily they all had that shade of makeup because the pros told them that was the best one for a spray tan that dark
Wow! That takes an enormous amount of discipline! What a tan… GEEZ!! and those muscles.. extreme to say the least!
Leslie
Dale, your cousin and friend placed very well girl! Good for them! They really go through a lot (diet and exercise). I wasn’t aware of a lot of that, so thanks for pointing it out.
http://www.averysweetblog.com/
I wasn’t aware how tough it is either until I saw it
Thanks Kim, they did do well.
HOLY AMAZZZZING!!! Your cousin looks incredible! Totally WOWOWO! I can’t believe the before and after! And the tan..WOWOWOWO! She is glowing and looks sooo beautiful! And sooo ripped! AMAMAMAZZZZZZZING post!
kisses
xoThe Beckerman Girls
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Yea, they are all definitely sooo ripped
YIKES!!!! Nothing more I can say!
BLEURGH
http://www.say-bleurgh.blogspot.com
Congrats to your cousin and oy I gotta work out more!
xoxo,
Chic ‘n Cheap Living
Congrats to your cousin! Wow! what a change in her body! I wish I have that kind of discipline!
Vanessa
http://thepinkmateproject.blogspot.com/
Wow, congratulations to your cousin! It must take a lot of work to have a body like that.
Thanks for the comment on my blog!
WOW, they’re sooo muscular!!! I had no idea. And they’re really really tan. Is there a reason they have to be so tanned?
I was so suprised by the before and after shot too, thats great to see.
I could NEVER do this. I don’t have the diligence and determination to work out that much
idk how to say about your post . but its really cool !!! congratulation for your cousin .btw mind to following each other?
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Congratulations to your cousin
But I don´t really like woman look like this…
congrats it´s so cool!
Congrats to your cousin! This is some amazing stuff- feels like an alternate reality to me
This is definitely not my thing!! I’m more the dancer type!! However I admire their sacrifice and perseverance… Congrats to your cousin!
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Patricia
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congrats to your cousin for her achievement! I am sure it takes a lot of discipline and commitment for being so fit. Even though I am not big on muscles so much, but this post inspires surely to go for run right now;-)Hope you are having a wonderful day!
-Jyoti
Style-Delights Blog
I’m not a big fan of bodybuilders because I don’t like seeing all that muscle, but I must say, your cousin looks really good. She doesn’t look like she got too bulked up, which is a good thing, I think. Congrats to her and wow on the before and after pics. Her diet is insane. Kudos to her for the will power. That foundation trick is funny, but it’s even funnier that you knew that guy Nick from school. He is pretty ripped…too ripped for my taste. But I’m so happy he didn’t look like that as he threw a dodgeball toward you.
Wow, congrats to her, she looks great! I am not really into body building but she does look good. I cannot even imagine the strength and dedication it takes!
Congrats to your cousin! You are really supportive and she is lucky to have you. The post is very interesting and inspiring.
xx
Heel in Mint
Wow..look at the before and after. It’s amazing what the body is capable of doing! Congratulations to her!
It seems like a lot of hard work and dedication went into this. Very inspirational.