vizslavegan

I recently contacted a well known training organization for women's figure/bikini competitions and was turned down as a client because of my vegan diet. She said, "Just re-read your email and unfortunately with the vegan thing it won't work. It really isn't possible to create the round, full muscle bellies you see on our girls on a vegan diet." Any thoughts? Is it just a lack of expertise? I honestly don't know many vegans, and certainly don't know any body building vegans personally, so I just was wondering about this statement. Especially the "round, full muscle bellies" part. Trying not to get discouraged, but it's pretty much like someone saying, "hey, you're never going to make it" and I refuse to believe it. Thanks! Crystal

I've been helping my mom with a benefit for her friend with cancer so I didn't get to really give too many details when I first posted. Now that I have a minute: I'm a 35 mother of 2, I'm 5' 4.5" about 117 lbs. I have an appt. to get my body fat checked, but I'm estimating about 20% due to the numbers of the last 3 times I had it done a over the summer. (I was in a contest for body fat loss and went from 24.5% to 18% in 2 months!) I haven't started hard core counting calories, grams, or lifting in the gym yet. I lift and do cardio at home rebuilding my base level of fitness and strength before I delve into a more specific program for my goal. I was wondering how many of you have personal trainers and how many do it on your own? And if you do it on your own, where do you get your training schedules? One other question: Do you follow the water and salt loading then depletion for competition? Ladies: If you don't, how do you get rid of period bloat before competition if it happens to fall that way? Thanks for all of the help!

I've been vegetarian for 16 years before going vegan for the past 3. I've worked out sporadically for years, but have decided to buckle down and train for a bikini competition. I have a LONG way to go, but I'm excited and looking for support and advice from like minded people.