Q & A with IFBB Pro Tracy Bodner (aka IslandGirl)

[sassy69]

Before 'stage' goodies. Ooooo! My coach tells me to have what I want. What makes me happy. I usually choose 2 things. Dark chocolate raisinets and also lays bbq chips. Those are the 2 things that make me happy and lifts my spirits. You just want to make sure you don't go overboard on the goodies.

Pretzel m&ms!

I had been seeing commercials for pretzel m&ms in late summer of 2010 and they kept sitting in the back of my miind while I'd been in contest prep for my show in October. Then I finally found them (I forget which store). I bought a 1 lb of them for post-show. I broke into them between the AM & PM shows, and let me tell you about CRACK! ADDICTED FOR LIFE!

They are still my go-to when I want junk!

My other fav thing to have on show day is grapefruit in a jar. OMG! When you're already dried out, NOTHING is more refreshing!

 

[Gymgirl130]

Pretzel m&ms!

I had been seeing commercials for pretzel m&ms in late summer of 2010 and they kept sitting in the back of my miind while I'd been in contest prep for my show in October. Then I finally found them (I forget which store). I bought a 1 lb of them for post-show. I broke into them between the AM & PM shows, and let me tell you about CRACK! ADDICTED FOR LIFE!

They are still my go-to when I want junk!

My other fav thing to have on show day is grapefruit in a jar. OMG! When you're already dried out, NOTHING is more refreshing!

mmmm... that does sound good. I have been craving so many things I just don't want to go over board after my show.

 

[sassy69]

mmmm... that does sound good. I have been craving so many things I just don't want to go over board after my show.

Just set a time limit on it - eat whatever you want thru the weekend, and come Monday, get back on your diet and ease your way back into a maintenance diet. I would say just don't make the post-show all about all the food you didn't get to eat. Eat what you want, enjoy it and call it quits when you've gotten the taste taken care of. Gorging yourself probably isn't your goal.

 

[IslandGirl]

Hard part is getting back into things & an ongoing problem is lack of "atmosphere" at my gym. There's a handful of guys I see earlier in the night, but I do most of my training on my own, and its getting old. (Waaaah.... LOL!)

Oooo one more reason to consider a move to Denver! Armbrust Pro Gym. The minute you step foot into this gym, something just takes over you. The iron weights, the music, the gym rats, the equipment....everything about this gym is so awesome! Phil and Alina trains here too. There is never a lack of motivation ever.

 

[IslandGirl]

Oh dang my back is my best feature. Okay thanks for the tips very much appreciated! now I just have to decide what I want for my treat before I step on stage..

Well, you can always move up to figure in the future!

If you need help on suggestions for contest day treats, just holler.

 

[IslandGirl]

Pretzel m&ms!

I had been seeing commercials for pretzel m&ms in late summer of 2010 and they kept sitting in the back of my miind while I'd been in contest prep for my show in October. Then I finally found them (I forget which store). I bought a 1 lb of them for post-show. I broke into them between the AM & PM shows, and let me tell you about CRACK! ADDICTED FOR LIFE!

They are still my go-to when I want junk!

My other fav thing to have on show day is grapefruit in a jar. OMG! When you're already dried out, NOTHING is more refreshing!

Mmmm I've had those Pretzel M&M's. They are good. It's light and can totally be addicting.

Seriously, I've never had grapefruit in a jar. LOL I've seen it but never bothered to pick it up and look at it. I'll need to next time I go to the store. So, it's that good huh? lol <chuckle> I guess anything is good on show day.

 

[IslandGirl]

mmmm... that does sound good. I have been craving so many things I just don't want to go over board after my show.

Yup. Do not learn the hard way. It stinks and hurts. lol I've been there, done it and I regretted it everytime.

 

[IslandGirl]

Just set a time limit on it - eat whatever you want thru the weekend, and come Monday, get back on your diet and ease your way back into a maintenance diet. I would say just don't make the post-show all about all the food you didn't get to eat. Eat what you want, enjoy it and call it quits when you've gotten the taste taken care of. Gorging yourself probably isn't your goal.

^^^in agreement

 

[Gena Marie]

I love you!

Now what's your question?

Most likely if you are busy this evening..

Good luck with your competition this weekend Tracy. You look amazing and are so beautiful. Bring it girl.

Love you

 

[IslandGirl]

Most likely if you are busy this evening..

Good luck with your competition this weekend Tracy. You look amazing and are so beautiful. Bring it girl.

Love you

Thank you so much!!! So super duper excited! I'm gonna rock n roll in the desert! And then after I rock n roll, I'm gonna have dessert in the desert. lol

Love you too!

 

[Arnold]

Thank you so much!!! So super duper excited! I'm gonna rock n roll in the desert! And then after I rock n roll, I'm gonna have dessert in the desert. lol

Love you too!

Good luck Tracy, love the new pics too!

 

[Gymgirl130]

Just set a time limit on it - eat whatever you want thru the weekend, and come Monday, get back on your diet and ease your way back into a maintenance diet. I would say just don't make the post-show all about all the food you didn't get to eat. Eat what you want, enjoy it and call it quits when you've gotten the taste taken care of. Gorging yourself probably isn't your goal.

I hate the feeling of being stuffed. I have done it plenty of times in the past and I do not want to start all over, just continue to look even better. I am definitely going to enjoy a few days off then get right back to it.

 

[Gymgirl130]

My initial goal was figure but then switched to bikini. Hopefully I can do figure in the fall.

I was actually just going to do some honey right before I step on stage but now I am leaning towards a mini twix candy bar.

Well, you can always move up to figure in the future!

If you need help on suggestions for contest day treats, just holler.

 

[bigbenj]

Good luck at the Desert Classic today!

 

[ParadiseCup]

YouTube Video

 

[Gymgirl130]

You look awesome! Love the routine

 

[ParadiseCup]

some photos http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/bodybuilding-gossip/156785-iml-ifbb-womens-physique-pro.html

 

[ManInBlack]

look tremendous

 

[IslandGirl]

My initial goal was figure but then switched to bikini. Hopefully I can do figure in the fall.

I was actually just going to do some honey right before I step on stage but now I am leaning towards a mini twix candy bar.

Bikini is a great start. No rush right? There's plenty of time to move up a division. Most importantly is, Have fun!

I love twix bars! But my fav, is anythink dark chocolate.

 

[IslandGirl]

Good luck Tracy, love the new pics too!

Good luck at the Desert Classic today!

You look awesome! Love the routine

look tremendous

Thank you everyone! I had a blast! Next stop, IML representing in St. Louis!

Thanks Cam!

 

[BP2000]

Good job on the show. How long do you typically diet for a show?

 

[IslandGirl]

Good job on the show. How long do you typically diet for a show?

Thank you. I like to give myself at least 16 weeks, but that doesn't mean at that point I automatically drop calories. It just gets myself in the mindset and helps me to focus. I probably do pretty ok with only 12 weeks and maybe even 8 weeks "strict dieting", but I like giving myself a couple weeks. I keep in cheats every week until about 2 weeks out. But again, it all depends how I'm looking.

 

[Arnold]

Thank you. I like to give myself at least 16 weeks, but that doesn't mean at that point I automatically drop calories. It just gets myself in the mindset and helps me to focus. I probably do pretty ok with only 12 weeks and maybe even 8 weeks "strict dieting", but I like giving myself a couple weeks. I keep in cheats every week until about 2 weeks out. But again, it all depends how I'm looking.

I have honestly never seen you "out of shape", you always seem very lean year round, why so long on the dieting?

 

[Gymgirl130]

Thank you. I like to give myself at least 16 weeks, but that doesn't mean at that point I automatically drop calories. It just gets myself in the mindset and helps me to focus. I probably do pretty ok with only 12 weeks and maybe even 8 weeks "strict dieting", but I like giving myself a couple weeks. I keep in cheats every week until about 2 weeks out. But again, it all depends how I'm looking.

Are your cheats under a certain amount of calories, of whatever you want and only once a week?

 

[IslandGirl]

I have honestly never seen you "out of shape", you always seem very lean year round, why so long on the dieting?

Well, last year was an exception of staying lean year round. I never ever plan to do more than 1 show a year and 2 if I have to re-qualify. Last year being the first year of Women's Physique and only at the national level (so I didn't have to do a local contest to qualify), I planned right off the bat to do 2 shows. I ended up doing 3 and the 3rd time was a charm, getting my pro card in Cleveland. That was Sept.

I was ready to get in "off-season" mode and enjoy some foods and get off the diet at that point, but I was asked to guest pose in Nov here in Colorado and we also had a trip planned for the "O" so I wanted to look cute for that. haha So I basically stayed on diet the entire year and then going into this year for my pro shows.


I actually don't mind the "dieting" as it's a lifestyle for me. So the foods I eat is what I eat all the time regardless if I am in prep mode or not.

 

[IslandGirl]

Are your cheats under a certain amount of calories, of whatever you want and only once a week?

Nope, I get whatever I want for that meal. My eyes are always too big for my stomach though. I want to order everything on the menu. I have to have self-control.

During prep mode I will usually have 1 cheat meal a week, but again it all depends on how I am progressing and how I'm looking.

During off-season, I've have 2 cheat meals a week. That is totally ideal for me. I love that! I do miss it too.

 

[Arnold]

Well, last year was an exception of staying lean year round. I never ever plan to do more than 1 show a year and 2 if I have to re-qualify. Last year being the first year of Women's Physique and only at the national level (so I didn't have to do a local contest to qualify), I planned right off the bat to do 2 shows. I ended up doing 3 and the 3rd time was a charm, getting my pro card in Cleveland. That was Sept.

I was ready to get in "off-season" mode and enjoy some foods and get off the diet at that point, but I was asked to guest pose in Nov here in Colorado and we also had a trip planned for the "O" so I wanted to look cute for that. haha So I basically stayed on diet the entire year and then going into this year for my pro shows.

I actually don't mind the "dieting" as it's a lifestyle for me. So the foods I eat is what I eat all the time regardless if I am in prep mode or not.

 

[sassy69]

I hate the feeling of being stuffed. I have done it plenty of times in the past and I do not want to start all over, just continue to look even better. I am definitely going to enjoy a few days off then get right back to it.

Its not even the feeling of being stuffed. The problem is after you finished w/ the 'enjoying the eating' part, the water retention starts as your body tries to find some sort of homeostasis going from the tight, restricted diet, to the high sugar, high sodium, high fat, high carb shitload that usually follows a show. And its ALL from your knees down to your feet. I imagine its like being pregnant - there's nothing more miserable than the feeling of your feet & ankles being strangled by your socks. The first time I did this (first show, immediately .. like during the 4 hr drive home from the show venue, bf breaks up w/ me... didn't even stop at home first. Went straight to the grocery store and spent $60 on every type of junk food I ever wanted to try.)

 

[Gymgirl130]

Bikini is a great start. No rush right? There's plenty of time to move up a division. Most importantly is, Have fun!

I love twix bars! But my fav, is anythink dark chocolate.

yeah there's no rush. Eventually I will get there but for now I am just going to have fun with it!

 

[Gymgirl130]

Its not even the feeling of being stuffed. The problem is after you finished w/ the 'enjoying the eating' part, the water retention starts as your body tries to find some sort of homeostasis going from the tight, restricted diet, to the high sugar, high sodium, high fat, high carb shitload that usually follows a show. And its ALL from your knees down to your feet. I imagine its like being pregnant - there's nothing more miserable than the feeling of your feet & ankles being strangled by your socks. The first time I did this (first show, immediately .. like during the 4 hr drive home from the show venue, bf breaks up w/ me... didn't even stop at home first. Went straight to the grocery store and spent $60 on every type of junk food I ever wanted to try.)

whoa... lol I know people keep telling me 'don't do what I did' and 'don't over do it' slowly increase you calories. That's easier said than done. Someone told me that his friend gained back so much weight in the week after his show that he had to go to the hospital because his kidneys were failing!! Why would you do that to yourself.