Our Interview to Kick Start 2012 is with Phil Kuklinski.
I know you have all been waiting patiently for this interview.
It has been worth the wait.
Enjoy learning a little more about the mind and body of a Champion.
How many years have you been training now?
I’ve been weight training for 30 years. The first 10 years it was for rugby training and the last 20 years specifically for bodybuilding.
Now that you are older have you had to change things up at all with your training program?
With my training programs, not much has changed
, although I'm still learning more each year. I probably mix the exercises and repetition range around a little more. These days I'm lifting even heavier that I did 5 years ago but I'm also more careful about which exercises Id will max out on. As I get older I'm far more conscious about injury prevention, so everything is done with perfect form.
Is the fat burning part of your contest prep the same or do you have to work harder like women do to get the results as we get older?
I have noticed in the last couple of years that it does take longer to get into the low single digit body fat percentages. 10 years ago I could do it in 8-10 weeks but now I do a slower taper and take about 14 weeks, but there is no crash dieting. At the most I would lose .5 kg a week. I try to stay 5 to 6 kg from contest condition. Any more than that and you’ve just getting lazy. What's the point of being a fat bodybuilder?
How daunting is it doing a huge international comp like the NABBA Worlds?
It can be daunting at international level but you go into it with your game face on. I walk onstage confident, knowing I've done the preparation and I'm up there to compete for one of those big trophies.
Do you get nervous?
Has anyone ever siked you out?
You can get a little nervous but that's healthy. A good warm-up backstage while you’re checking out the opposition usually takes care of any nerves. I have had Russians growl in my face like a bear to try to upset me. I didn't react; in fact I took it as a compliment as he figured I was his main competition.
Do you think you are still learning things about bodybuilding and competing after all this time?
Every year and every contest you will learn more. When you stop learning you will stop improving. One important thing is to log everything, write it down. Log your training programs. Write down every workout, rep and set. I have years of diaries of every workout I have done and quite often refer back to them.
Do you have bad days where you just don’t want to train?
Bad days for me luckily are few and far between. Generally a bad day is self inflicted. You need to think back what you did over the previous few days. You may have had a late night or two, burning the candle at both ends, been slack on your diet and haven't had enough good nutrition. Whatever it is, try to identify what it was and then eliminate it.
Have you ever thought about giving it all up?
Those kind of thoughts pass through your mind in the last few weeks leading up to a contest, but you're a long time retired. Whenever you get an injury (and it happens) you always wonder if you can recover and get over it. I like to think that I would give it away when I stop improving.
Has your fitness etc rubbed off on your kids? Do they pop out the odd double bicep pose?
I tell our kids "Don't take up Bodybuilding because there's no money in it". They are into all sorts of sports and on the go all day. I'm sure they will do some weight training when they get older to help improve the sport that they play.
What are your goals for the future?
At the moment I'm still deciding. My lifetime goals of representing New Zealand at World Championships and getting to the legendary Mr Universe contest have been achieved. I have been asked to go to the World Champs in Dublin-Ireland in June so will have to decide soon
What would be your number one tip to encourage people to try weight training?
Build a little muscle and that will actually speed up your metabolism and in doing so will burn more body fat.
Have you suffered any major injuries that have interfered with your training?
Torn Hamstrings, Rotator Cuff Shoulder injuries, broke my neck playing rugby, torn right shoulder muscle completely from the bone. The list goes on.... but time, patience and bloody-mindedness usually get’s you through.
What’s your favorite food when you aren’t competing?
I don't think I have a favourite food, I just like to try a little of everything after a show. I've learnt that food will never completely satisfy you, you do need to exercise restraint. Food is a little over-rated; after all it's really just fuel for your body. The best thing is not to dwell on it and don't talk about it as most people do when dieting.
Thank you so much Phil. All the best for your goals and dreams for 2012.
Motivational Guest
This Week Julie Baines shares her Post Comp thoughts with us
How many comps you did this year?
5! 1 more than planned. The extra one which
was Ozzie and was a bonus. I went for the experience and WOW I got it !!!!
Your favourite and why?
Taupo, always my favourite, has a good feel about
it, also with it being a natural body building comp with drug testing. You
also get to go on stage a few times over the night, they add an element of a
stage show which makes it more entertaining for both athletes and spectators.
Whats the most important thing that you have learnt thisYear?
Stay at home as much as possible during the week up to a competition....
The week before Ozzie was school holidays and I needed to keep the kids busy
I found myself taking them out and doing silly things due to fatigue,
lack of memory with no carbs in my diet. Not a good look for the kids
watching on as they thought Mum had lost the plot. Ha ha...I couldn't park the car in the garage straight and reversed too far and scratched the paintwork.
My 7 year old would have done better than me.
I was too tired to
even listen to my 3 children when all talking to me at once. I had no
energy to peg out the washing, pick up toys, play games, make morning teas,
lunches, sort out fights ..... At least it was only for 1 week.. :)
This is a picture of the huge crowd at the Aussie
Competition,
about 1000 people watching and 350 competitors
Would you do anything different? I would cut back on number of competitions
by being more select. I would try and avoid back
to back competitions to
allow some body rest time in between.
What was the first thing you ate after it was all over in
Aussie ?
3 pieces of Pizza because it was provided backstage free and easy to
access from hand to mouth LOL also a cup of tea with milk, the biggest thing
I crave for during the decarb week.
Do you have a favourite picture?
I have a few, but if I have to pick one it
would be Taupo in my introductory pose.
What are you most proud of?
My Back, oddles of chin ups, which I love
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eating Pizza after the show
Will you do it all again?
another silly question .... yep if my body is
up to it!!!!!!!!!
Another highlight for Julie was the amazing new friends she made along the way.
Julie would l.ike to thank her trainer Brent and All her Family and friends for being so supportive.
Scroll down for Julies first Interview with Us
I would like to welcome Julie to our Motivational Guest section at RoCKBoDZ.
I got to know Julie when I helped her with a posing routine and her contest tanning preparation.
Julie believes in the positives of weight training for women and is sharing her story with us to help inspire and motivate others.
Name: Julie Baines
Age: 45
Children: 3, Erin is 11 and Cameron & Max are 7 (twins)
Occupation: Wife, Mum, bodybuilder, Personal Trainer
How long have you been training for?
I have been training for Bodybuilding 1 ½ years now. I have always loved pump classes, aerobics, spin and step classes before that.
What changes has the resistance training made to your body?
The weight training has strengthened and toned my body. I have more energy and good posture. I have built the upper body up and balanced top and bottom half out. I am enjoying not having a stringy look on top with always having been lean.
What made you want to compete?
Seeing pictures of other fellow bodybuilders on stage and appreciating the beauty of the body –
Art in a life form.
Knowing I could look like that if I wanted to.
My family genes have been a big influence for me. I picked the right mix of Mum and Dad.
How many competitions have you done now?
I have achieved competing 6 times now. 2 last year , 4 so far this year with one more comp to go.
My results so far:
CNI Tauranga 2010 3rd Novice short/figure
INBA Taupo 2010 1st Novice short/figure
INBA Taupo 2011 1 st Senior figure o/40
NABBA Wellington 2011 1st Senior figure o/45CNI Tauranga 2011 2 nd Senior figure o/40
NABBA Nationals 2011 4 th Senior figure o/45
What has this sport taught you?
I have learnt:
- How far I can push myself.
- How much I can fit into my life for me around my family.
- Found out what my limits are.
- How diet affects your training, building healthy muscle, healthy mind and body.
- Improved energy levels.
How do you cope with competing and being a busy mother and wife?
Lists and lots of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Focus on the big things, set lists up of daily goals, simple stuff like when to fit shopping in to ensure I have food available and cooked up, to avoid moments of just grabbing anything. Ensure I have children time, housework time allocated on a daily basis – includes contact with friends and time with my husband. It is easy to forget these when focused on a competition. Very important to keep them so they are there after the comps :)
Do a little at a time to work towards the big picture.
Can you give us a quick rundown on what a typical day looks like in your life?
I get up at 6.30am - shower, then breakfast for me and the kids.
Prepare for day and getting kids to school.
9am – Training
10am – Jobs; paying bills, washing and housework, school appointments, hair appointments (changes daily)
12noon – lunch
1pm – groceries or PT work. I have been doing a PT course since February- September and travel every other weekend to Hamilton and need to fit in study, assignments. My hubby has been a great support and help during this time :)
3pm- Pick up kids from school, homework, guitar lessons, soccer etc.
6.30pm – tea, doing up lunch boxes, sorting out washing, get kids ready for bed, time with kids and hubby, then kids in bed.
8.30pm – TV time, hubby time, prep work on next day, PT stuff
10.30pm – BED!!!!!
Is the weight training something you will do now for the rest of your life ?
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Silly question.. As long as my body can do it.
How do you stay motivated?
Always thinking of the next challenge – visualisation, belief in myself (this can be hard at times), writing down my goals, revisiting them often, staying positive no matter what……seeing the positive in everything.
Do you have Bad days where you just don’t want to do anything?
No not yet, I am very passionate about what I do, I love the feeling of being fit and seeing the outcome of hard work and discipline and being organised.
What advice to you give to women who want to try weight training?
Start easy and simple – build up slowly over time – do not expect instant results – be patient and you will be rewarded with a happy body and mind in time.
Stick at it – do not make up excuses not to do it.
Anything else you want to share?
Diet and Nutrition plays a huge part in some ones well being, especially busy mums.
Get that right balance and take control of food rather than it controlling you, so you avoid yo-yo dieting, mental punishment when eating bad and gaining weight.
Being happy in your own body is important.
Enjoy life without food being an issue.
It’s important to have a good support network around you if taking on a competition, a few key people will make all the difference, especially your family.
Stay positive about it and so will they (even if you are struggling on a hard day)
Set the goal and stick to it as best you can!
