A year of intense workouts and a strict diet paid off in a big way for Katie Duncan.
Duncan, 41, and long-time resident of the Sunshine Coast, competed in the Sandra Wickham Fall Classic Bodybuilding/Fitness and Figure Championships on Nov. 12 in Burnaby.
She placed second in the Women's Middleweight category (114.6 pounds to 125.5 pounds) and fourth in the Masters Women category (over 35). The event was well attended by both competitors and ticket-holders with a sold-out crowd at the Michael J. Fox Theatre.
Duncan was judged in terms of muscularity, symmetry, proportion, balance, shape, definition and femininity. She performed mandatory poses as well as a polished 60-second posing routine. She trains at Coast of Sunshine Fitness in Gibsons where Charlene SanJenko, her coach and friend, has guided her competition, dieting and training since October 2004.
Duncan admits that she has always thought of competing but never knew if she could.
"I've been working out for 10 years, but never dreamed of competing," Duncan said. "When I first met Charlene, she said you should think about competing. I decided to give it a try. The diet was the hardest, but when you get closer to the show and see the results, it's just an awesome feeling."
For the competition, Duncan trained at the gym Monday to Friday for two hours starting at 5 a.m. After work, she'd head back to the gym for another hour or two at night. There was also training on the weekends and of course her regimented diet, which included a balance of chicken, fish, egg whites and no sugar or dairy products.
"It was hard at first, but after a while I got used to the schedule and the diet," Duncan said. "Charlene is just a super person. She was there every step of the way. She's been to shows herself and is so knowledgeable. She spent the whole weekend with me in Burnaby. I could never have done this without her help and support."
Duncan plans to take some time off and hopes to go to another competition sometime in April.
"Charlene says I can pig out a bit," Duncan said. "It's going to be nice to take some time off from the gym. You need time to recovery physically and also mentally."
In January SanJenko and fitness partner Ben Smith will launch a competition-ready group for men and women who are interested in competitive bodybuilding or alternatively reaching their personal potential.
"Whether you ever decide to step on the competitive stage is your personal decision," said SanJenko. "We're just going to ensure that you can. Our goal is to grow the competitive interest here on the Coast in hopes of hosting our very own local Coast of Sunshine Fitness naturals, bodybuilding, fitness and figure championships within the next few years."
For details on the new program, call SanJenko at 604-886-0745 or email [email protected].
