First Powerlifting Meet! (AND losing 12 pounds with 0 cardio!)

xiamjackie

Hi Everyone,

So I'll get right into it. I decided in July to sign up for my first powerlifting meet. I had just really gotten into powerlifting and wanted to sign up so that I had a goal in mind and couldn't back out of it.

I was literally so nervous this weekend leading up to the meet. First of all, I cut 12 pounds over a 3 month period to get into my weight class (went from 133 to 121). They say never to cut for your first meet, but I was already cutting anyway to lose weight so I figured I'd make the best of it and cut to make a weight class. I was so nervous about making weight though, that it's all I thought about for like 4 days leading up to weigh ins! I weighed in on Friday morning and the meet wasn't until Saturday, so after I made weight (woo hoo!) I was able to go stuff myself with pancakes and pasta the rest of the day.

On Saturday, I was so stinking nervous I was shaking. I woke up at 4 in the morning and couldn't fall back to sleep. I was just ready! It was a long day but yet everything went so fast at the same time.

Well, without going into it too deep and making this super long, I got first place in my class! (not hard to do, as there were only a few girls in my class) but I also achieved my goal of getting a 605 lb total (was aiming for 600!) I got a 220lb squat (PR), 95lb bench, and 290lb dead lift (PR) at 121 pounds body weight. I also went 8/9 on my lifts, which was another huge achievement for me.

I was lucky that the federation I competed in (Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate) was very friendly and welcoming to new competitors. Everyone was super nice and helpful in warming up, getting ready, and helping select 2nd and 3rd attempts. There was a huge crowd and everyone got excited and yelled when someone was really struggling on an attempt, they really wanted them to succeed! I was also really lucky that a friend I met on MFP was there and helped me through everything! I have to say, going with a seasoned competitor is a great idea since they know everything that will go on.

Here are some videos of my lifts from Saturday (didn't happen without proof!):

220 lb squat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQkrgBI338A&list=UUB-S6ReH2BX-7kIkp6SbIww

95 lb bench (not impressive):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-qgO4cY3HY&list=UUB-S6ReH2BX-7kIkp6SbIww&index=2

290 lb dead lift:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKIT2apDaFk&index=3&list=UUB-S6ReH2BX-7kIkp6SbIww



Also wanted to share some pictures:

Here with my first place trophy



Here is how powerlifting has completely destroyed my body and made me bulky. Also, just an FYI for women out there who are so concerned about doing hours of cardio and no weights- For the last 3 or so months I did 1 day of cardio a week (I'm a Zumba instructor so I had to do my Zumba class) and THAT WAS IT. Plus 4-5 days of heavy lifting per week.






This just makes me even more motivated for my next meet! I think I'm hooked now.
I am going to make a post eventually about tips for first time competitors. I'm absolutely no expert, but I know that reading blogs/ forums/ articles etc. really helped me before I went to my first meet. If anyone is into powerlifting and nervous for a first meet, feel free to friend me!



TL;DR: If you are thinking of competing in a powerlifting competition, DO IT.

If you are worried that doing 0 cardio and only lifting heavy will make you bulky and manly and whatever, STOP WORRYING ABOUT THAT.

Lena1967

Wow!!! That is very inspiring. Congratulations on your win!

1moretimetho

You are AWESOME! I'm just excited about eventually getting to the big girl plates (45s). CONGRATS on first place!!! Nice to know that you don't have to kill yourself on cardio. I'm not lifting as much as you (only 3 days), but then again I'm not training to compete. You rock!

kirianna55

That is amazing!

Anniebotnen

Totally awesome! Congratulations!

CallMeCupcakeDammit

That is fantastic, congratulations!!! You made that squat look like it was nothin'!

arditarose

I want to do this.

970Mikaela1

CallMeCupcakeDammit wrote: »

That is fantastic, congratulations!!! You made that squat look like it was nothin'!

Dem legs!!!!

Unknown

This content has been removed.

spirit095

That's so awesome! Congrats on your meet! My goal is to have nice strong legs like yours.

zombie_meg

Girl! This is awesome. I have a serious lady crush! Great job!

RHPSgirl1984

Awesome!

McCloud33

that's awesome for 121 lbs! Wilks score of 328...That's about equivalent to me lifting 1100 lbs at 190. How long were you lifting before you decided to try the competition?

berto23

Excellent job. Your legs look strong. no wonder you can squat 220!!!!! keep the good job

jsecret

Damn those legs! And your back for that matter!!! Great job girl! I jsut started weight lifting a couple months ago and LOVE it! I'm only at about 110 on squats and 150 on deadlift but getting there! thanks for the inspiration.

juliebeannn

this is awesome. i'm looking to do my first comp this year!! 605!! you rock!!

lishie_rebooted

I might have a new girl crush!

Awesome job!

BettyDares

like woah. you are my hero!!!

keithw2013

Great job!!!

carolinamombo

WOW!! That's great! Very inspirational And you are so stinking cute with that trophy! Way to go!

xiamjackie

Thanks everyone I really appreciate all the good vibes! Since the competition I have lost a few more pounds. Still eating the same and little to no cardio (walking at an incline once or twice a week for 20 minutes at 2.5 speed... basically just gives me alone time on the treadmill to catch up on How I Met Your Mother lol).

Also since the competition I took two weeks off of lifting/ exercise over the holidays, ate whatever I wanted, and still continued to lose. Benefit of having lean body mass






First time I've ever had quads! Also first time I've fit into these shorts since 2010.

Right now I'm working on perfecting my form with lower to moderate weights before I dive back into prep for my next powerlifting meet in April. I'm looking for that 300lb deadlift at my next meet and a raw total of 650. I have high dreams, I know haha.

If you would've told me 5 years ago that I'd be fitting into jeans I haven't fit into in years and would be the fittest I've been in my life by NOT doing hours upon hours of cardio a day, I wouldn't have believed you. But it's true, and it happened

If anyone needs some help or inspiration, feel free to friend me. I'm not very inspirational but I can be funny at times......

AliceSwarthout

Wow! Great work!

nataliebordeauxx

Wow... you are a BEAST! Congratulations, girl! I read the thread & checked your profile, didn't see it... how tall are you?

TR0berts

Nice. I competed with RPS last year, I've got another one coming up end of March.

Keep up the good work!

Boobietrap1337

Do you do the 5x5 training? I was thinking of starting that.

PS you should try roller derby

Nightfly01

I think you can bench press way more if you work on your form. Your hands are out very wide. Look into technique for powerlifters and bench press. You will be much more efficient. Very impressive lifts at your body weight. You have a talent.

xiamjackie wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

So I'll get right into it. I decided in July to sign up for my first powerlifting meet. I had just really gotten into powerlifting and wanted to sign up so that I had a goal in mind and couldn't back out of it.

I was literally so nervous this weekend leading up to the meet. First of all, I cut 12 pounds over a 3 month period to get into my weight class (went from 133 to 121). They say never to cut for your first meet, but I was already cutting anyway to lose weight so I figured I'd make the best of it and cut to make a weight class. I was so nervous about making weight though, that it's all I thought about for like 4 days leading up to weigh ins! I weighed in on Friday morning and the meet wasn't until Saturday, so after I made weight (woo hoo!) I was able to go stuff myself with pancakes and pasta the rest of the day.

On Saturday, I was so stinking nervous I was shaking. I woke up at 4 in the morning and couldn't fall back to sleep. I was just ready! It was a long day but yet everything went so fast at the same time.

Well, without going into it too deep and making this super long, I got first place in my class! (not hard to do, as there were only a few girls in my class) but I also achieved my goal of getting a 605 lb total (was aiming for 600!) I got a 220lb squat (PR), 95lb bench, and 290lb dead lift (PR) at 121 pounds body weight. I also went 8/9 on my lifts, which was another huge achievement for me.

I was lucky that the federation I competed in (Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate) was very friendly and welcoming to new competitors. Everyone was super nice and helpful in warming up, getting ready, and helping select 2nd and 3rd attempts. There was a huge crowd and everyone got excited and yelled when someone was really struggling on an attempt, they really wanted them to succeed! I was also really lucky that a friend I met on MFP was there and helped me through everything! I have to say, going with a seasoned competitor is a great idea since they know everything that will go on.

Here are some videos of my lifts from Saturday (didn't happen without proof!):

220 lb squat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQkrgBI338A&list=UUB-S6ReH2BX-7kIkp6SbIww

95 lb bench (not impressive):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-qgO4cY3HY&list=UUB-S6ReH2BX-7kIkp6SbIww&index=2

290 lb dead lift:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKIT2apDaFk&index=3&list=UUB-S6ReH2BX-7kIkp6SbIww



Also wanted to share some pictures:

Here with my first place trophy



Here is how powerlifting has completely destroyed my body and made me bulky. Also, just an FYI for women out there who are so concerned about doing hours of cardio and no weights- For the last 3 or so months I did 1 day of cardio a week (I'm a Zumba instructor so I had to do my Zumba class) and THAT WAS IT. Plus 4-5 days of heavy lifting per week.






This just makes me even more motivated for my next meet! I think I'm hooked now.
I am going to make a post eventually about tips for first time competitors. I'm absolutely no expert, but I know that reading blogs/ forums/ articles etc. really helped me before I went to my first meet. If anyone is into powerlifting and nervous for a first meet, feel free to friend me!



TL;DR: If you are thinking of competing in a powerlifting competition, DO IT.

If you are worried that doing 0 cardio and only lifting heavy will make you bulky and manly and whatever, STOP WORRYING ABOUT THAT.

TR0berts

Nightfly01 wrote: »

I think you can bench press way more if you work on your form. Your hands are out very wide. Look into technique for powerlifters and bench press. You will be much more efficient. Very impressive lifts at your body weight. You have a talent.

xiamjackie wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

So I'll get right into it. I decided in July to sign up for my first powerlifting meet. I had just really gotten into powerlifting and wanted to sign up so that I had a goal in mind and couldn't back out of it.

I was literally so nervous this weekend leading up to the meet. First of all, I cut 12 pounds over a 3 month period to get into my weight class (went from 133 to 121). They say never to cut for your first meet, but I was already cutting anyway to lose weight so I figured I'd make the best of it and cut to make a weight class. I was so nervous about making weight though, that it's all I thought about for like 4 days leading up to weigh ins! I weighed in on Friday morning and the meet wasn't until Saturday, so after I made weight (woo hoo!) I was able to go stuff myself with pancakes and pasta the rest of the day.

On Saturday, I was so stinking nervous I was shaking. I woke up at 4 in the morning and couldn't fall back to sleep. I was just ready! It was a long day but yet everything went so fast at the same time.

Well, without going into it too deep and making this super long, I got first place in my class! (not hard to do, as there were only a few girls in my class) but I also achieved my goal of getting a 605 lb total (was aiming for 600!) I got a 220lb squat (PR), 95lb bench, and 290lb dead lift (PR) at 121 pounds body weight. I also went 8/9 on my lifts, which was another huge achievement for me.

I was lucky that the federation I competed in (Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate) was very friendly and welcoming to new competitors. Everyone was super nice and helpful in warming up, getting ready, and helping select 2nd and 3rd attempts. There was a huge crowd and everyone got excited and yelled when someone was really struggling on an attempt, they really wanted them to succeed! I was also really lucky that a friend I met on MFP was there and helped me through everything! I have to say, going with a seasoned competitor is a great idea since they know everything that will go on.

Here are some videos of my lifts from Saturday (didn't happen without proof!):

220 lb squat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQkrgBI338A&list=UUB-S6ReH2BX-7kIkp6SbIww

95 lb bench (not impressive):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-qgO4cY3HY&list=UUB-S6ReH2BX-7kIkp6SbIww&index=2

290 lb dead lift:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKIT2apDaFk&index=3&list=UUB-S6ReH2BX-7kIkp6SbIww



Also wanted to share some pictures:

Here with my first place trophy



Here is how powerlifting has completely destroyed my body and made me bulky. Also, just an FYI for women out there who are so concerned about doing hours of cardio and no weights- For the last 3 or so months I did 1 day of cardio a week (I'm a Zumba instructor so I had to do my Zumba class) and THAT WAS IT. Plus 4-5 days of heavy lifting per week.






This just makes me even more motivated for my next meet! I think I'm hooked now.
I am going to make a post eventually about tips for first time competitors. I'm absolutely no expert, but I know that reading blogs/ forums/ articles etc. really helped me before I went to my first meet. If anyone is into powerlifting and nervous for a first meet, feel free to friend me!



TL;DR: If you are thinking of competing in a powerlifting competition, DO IT.

If you are worried that doing 0 cardio and only lifting heavy will make you bulky and manly and whatever, STOP WORRYING ABOUT THAT.

Wide(r) grip is fairly standard for powerlifting. Less ROM to have to deal with. Really, whatever is comfortable is best, but wider is typical. Also, look at the chalk on the bar. That's where just about everyone had gripped the bar - it's normal.

iwillsucceed0444

Wow you look so amazing!!!! Congrats!!!! :-) Lifting really is so good!

xiamjackie

countjassula wrote: »

Wow... you are a BEAST! Congratulations, girl! I read the thread & checked your profile, didn't see it... how tall are you?

I'm only 5'0. SHORTY!!!!

xiamjackie

TR0berts wrote: »

Nightfly01 wrote: »

I think you can bench press way more if you work on your form. Your hands are out very wide. Look into technique for powerlifters and bench press. You will be much more efficient. Very impressive lifts at your body weight. You have a talent.

Wide(r) grip is fairly standard for powerlifting. Less ROM to have to deal with. Really, whatever is comfortable is best, but wider is typical. Also, look at the chalk on the bar. That's where just about everyone had gripped the bar - it's normal.

As I learned the lifts in Powerlifting and really got into benching, I learned that a wide grip bench is typical for powerlifters as TR0berts stated, because it reduced range of motion. Bench is by far my weakest lift and I have been working on accessories and finding the right hand placement for me to capitalize on my strength. Still a work in progress!

xiamjackie

Boobietrap1337 wrote: »

Do you do the 5x5 training? I was thinking of starting that.

PS you should try roller derby

I actually did not do 5x5. I kind of got into my own programming by combining knowledge from a couple different programs. I did a TON of research in order to come up with (what I thought) was the best programming for me for the goals I was after and that's how I dictated my training.

There were some things I took from 5x5, some things I took from different bodybuilding.com articles, some accessory movements I chose by reading articles and stalking my favorite powerlifters on IG lol.

And I think I would die at rollerderby! That's insane stuff! Huge kudos to you!