3 Weeks until Nationals! by Kristi Wills

Kristi Wills at Team Universe

After competing at Team Universe in August, I took 1 ½ weeks off before preparing for the NPC Nationals. Back in August, I knew I had 13 weeks to readjust my diet and training programs to try to move myself up from 4th place at Team U to 1st or 2nd at Nationals in order to earn my Pro Card in fitness. As many competitors know, by the end of the season most people start to feel mentally and physically drained. We've been dieting for months now and our bodies have had very little rest. The question then is, how do you stay focused for another 3 months? The answer….if you have the fire inside you and the love to compete, you are more driven than ever to reach your goal. Remember the saying, “What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!” I have taken Team U and all of my previous shows as learning experiences and lessons in life. I quickly learned you have to have tough skin for this sport and be open to feedback. You have to make yourself known and you have to make yourself better than the show before.

To begin with, my choreographer Cathy Savage and I started developing a whole new fitness routine as soon as I returned from Team U. I found my past routine to be “too jammed packed” and almost rushed. This time around, I've developed a routine that allows me to include some original strength moves and to give myself more time to show them. To be honest, it’s the most fun I've had out of any of my past routines and I can’t wait to entertain the audience with it. No matter how tired I am at the end of the day, I love practicing it because it’s a brand new routine that I feel fits my personality. In addition, I have a brand new costume, made by Sylvia Tremblay. She is very detailed oriented and made a costume that fits my theme exactly. The new routine and costume have definitely helped me to continue to work as hard as I can, to leave my mark in Atlanta in 3 weeks.

Kristi Wills at Team Universe

My nutritionist Kim Oddo has also played a major factor in me not letting up speed as I train for Nationals. He analyzed my physique and readjusted my diet and training programs accordingly. This time around, I've included more carbs and less protein in my diet which has helped me to have a softer, fuller look, along with giving me a lot more energy for my fitness routine. I have developed more symmetry from top to bottom, and this time around, I truly feel like I'm in the best shape of my life. However, the biggest thing is the support I've had from Cathy, Kim, and my family and friends.
As soon as Team U was over, Cathy and Kim made it clear to me that they would do all they could to help me to reach my goal of earning my Pro Card. Cathy started choreographing my routine in her sleep and when she was driving. Kim was analyzing pictures and finding all of my areas that needed to be tweaked. However, the biggest thing that I have from them is the confidence they have in me. They know that whatever they tell me to do or eat, I will do it. We are a team and all work together. They have given me more help, support, and advice than I ever could have asked for and they have made me the competitor that I am today. In addition, I am very fortunate to have family and friends who have been helping me practice my routine, do cardio right by my side, and even rearrange their schedules so they can be in Atlanta. My staff at work has been cheering me on since day one. Members of my gym have been giving me the encouraging words that one needs to hear when he/she is starting to get tired and some workouts seem like an eternity. I have become friends with other competitors and simply e-mailing each other with supportive words makes a world of difference. This is a sport you cannot do alone!

As I come to the 3-week mark, so does my whole support system. Because I have so many people cheering me on and believing in me, the fire inside of me is eternal. Whatever my placing may be at Nationals, I know I did all I was capable of doing to prepare. No matter how hard it was some days, I stuck to my diet and training, and I forced myself out of bed at 4:30 am, to do my first session of cardio, head to work, and then be back at the gym for round two. The funny thing is most people think I'm crazy with the schedule I lead, but I couldn't imagine what my life would be without fitness. Fitness competitions have made me a strong person in all aspects of life. Now, it’s time to continue to push forward and to thrive on the supportive energy that's all around me so that I can step on stage knowing I never gave up, but instead, will be bringing the best package I have to offer.

Good luck to all the bodybuilding and fitness competitors who will be competing in Atlanta. You re almost there and Thanksgiving dinner is right around the corner!!

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