From the Start by Tina Kellog

Tina Kellog

I’ve always been an avid fan of physique sports. After many years of watching my husband train for competitions, my curiosity was peaked enough to give it a try myself. The most appealing aspects of the sport were the structured diet, training and the 24-7 commitment that no other activities seemed to require. I grew up in a military family, so protocol was nothing new to me. I also had a good back ground in track and field and loved disciplined training.  I wanted to find something that would keep me physically active and focus on personal development.   Even though I really had no idea what I was getting myself into entering a figure competition just felt natural.

Tina Kellog

My first competition was the 2005 Alberta Provincials.  Having never followed such a strict diet I had no idea what my body would look like after 16 weeks.  My starting weight was 140 and in the end I stepped on stage 105pds. I achieved the condition I wanted but looked skinny and lacked the muscular development the Alberta judges were looking for. There were 80 girls in total, 33 in my class and I tied for 21st place along with 10 other girls. Seeking feedback I was told to pose better (which I found the hardest thing to do), develop my shoulders and create a more tapered back.  Essentially I was told I was too small and had to add more muscle to my tiny frame. As for the experience I thoroughly enjoyed it but felt unsatisfied for my hard work.  It was as if I had gone unnoticed.

Tina Kellog

It took 3 months for me to find the motivation to get back in the gym yet I still wasn’t even sure if I was going to compete the following year.  Then one day it was as if I woke from my lull and decided to take the advice to heart.   Having gone through the experience of the contest diet and training I knew with an even better effort I could really make the required changes to my body.  That was it, my mind was set, the goal this time was simple, BE NOTICED.  I felt if I could only achieve that, my dissatisfaction from the previous show would disappear and the final placing wouldn’t matter.    So with my husband as my trainer and my support system we kicked my ass in gear. I concentrated a lot more on the weights over the winter and quickly started to make gains. I found with a purpose behind the training my efforts seemed to matter more. It wasn’t just something to do anymore.  In the end, I reached an all time high of 150 pounds at 5’ 6 ½ “.  It was really weird to see those numbers on the scale and still not look fat.  I dieted again for 16 weeks and my contest weight this time was 130 pounds.  I went on stage with 18 girls and finished 2nd place. Yeaaa!!!!   Finally I had felt my efforts had been noticed! 

My future plan is to move up a tier for next years Provincial contest and hopefully qualify for a chance at the Nationals.  They are also being held in Edmonton for a second straight year.  But that is the long term goals….fingers crossed for now I just put in the best effort I can every time I’m in the gym.  I love the changes I see in my physique and take the sport a lot more serious.  I have definitely been bitten by “the bug”.  I am no longer just the spouse of a competitor but a competitor myself.  

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