Ask Misty by Misty Green

I’m preparing to do my first show this year and I’m just realizing how expensive competing can be.  Do you have any tips on how to cut costs without looking like I cut costs.
Melany, Arkansas

Misty Green

Competing can be very expensive and you really do have to set up a budget for yourself.  One of the best ways is to lay it all on paper.  Write out everything that has a cost associated with it so you can plan accordingly.  I have to give it my girl Catherine Andersen.  On her website she lays out an expense list with all of the costs associated with her competition schedule in 2007.  Now, don’t let this scare you.  She went pro in 2007 and there were a lot of various expenses associated with that journey.  You can adjust the amounts to fit your competition expenses. 
Her is the link to her site:  http://www.catherineandersen.com/
expensesheet.doc

Some ways you can cut costs are by substituting the very expensive items for the lower priced items that will work just as well. 
Such as jewelry, you can easily get some basic rhinestone jewelry from places like claires boutique’s in most malls or even target. 

Stage competition color, jan tana has a great package you can buy that is do it yourself.  If you are planning on doing at least 2 shows you can buy the 2 color kit and it’s a better bargain that will last through both shows.  The link for that is:  http://www.jantana.com/competition.html

Competition suits- you don’t always have to go new, you can buy some great used suits, ready made suits and also plain suits you can stone yourself on sites such as:

http://www.proconsignonline.com/home.html    (used suits)

http://www.cryscorner.com/               (made for you, good rates)

http://www.ccfitwear.com/       (used, ready made and plain suits)

http://www.suitsyouswimwear.com/figure.php?
PHPSESSID=c1c13bacd79dcca7405e41ade54c85ba  (can get some basic suits for a reasonable price on this site as well)

  The actual competition-if it’s your first show, or even first couple of shows, try to find local competitions in your area to cut costs on your travel expenses.  For a list of competitions you can visit:

http://www.npcnewsonline.com/new/
PDFfiles/JanFeb08_NPCcontentList.pdf

(make sure the heading at the top of each page is for the type of competition schedule you want to see.  They are broken out by bodybuilding, fitness and figure schedules.

Have a wonderful April everyone and I look forward to seeing many of you at upcoming events!

"The future belongs to those 
who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
Eleanor Roosevelt

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