Natural Bodybuilding News

HOUSTON, TX–(May 28, 2009) - FAME World Tour - On May 21, 2009 Daryl Gazey, Director of Operations for the WBFF (World Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation), published a “Rant” and stated, “It is safe to assume all top level athletes are taking performance enhancing drugs”. Mr. Gazey continued by stating “using performance enhancing drugs is a personal choice and the WBFF sees no reason to test their athletes”, which is a direct contradiction to their website’s FAQs #5 (as of May 23rd, 2009 - SEE BELOW) stating the WBFF does test their athletes, which was actually changed as of May 24th, 2009.Jason C. Powell, Director of Operations for the FAME World Tour, sanctioned by the World Natural Sports Organization (WNSO) released an official statement in direct rebuttal to the WBFF’s rant stating “As the largest worldwide natural organization, our official policy on the use of sports enhancing drugs is that they are illegal,unhealthy and we take every measure to test, identify and expose ‘using’ athletes within our organization.” Mr. Powell adds, “It is unfortunate the WBFF suggests all their own athletes are ‘users’ and I would personally like to know the thoughts of the sponsors of the WBFF now that they know they are directly supporting a federation that openly advocates the use of sports enhancing drugs.”

Kim Ortiz feels the weight everyday.

She feels the weight of being a good mother to her daughter Jessica, 14, and son Caleb, 11, and wife to her husband of 18 years, Ernest. She feels the weight of running her own business, C & J Traders of Moriarty.

She feels the weight thousands of American working moms experience everyday, pressure to do it all. Or as she calls it, to be a super woman.

She also feels the weight of a four-wheeler as she pulls it with her body on her farm near Willard as part of her training.

Ortiz is preparing for the OCB Natural Southwest Classic, a figure and fitness competition, held June 6 at the KiMo Theatre in Albuquerque.

For the past 12 weeks of intensive training before the competition, she spends 45 minutes a day lifting, targeting certain parts of her body, and no more than 30 minutes of cardio five days a week. Her life has also changed, in more ways than one, by what she calls clean eating.

Ortiz knows a thing or two about coming back.

She has lost every hair on her body three times due to an autoimmune disorder, the first time at the age of 21. Eight months into her marriage, while studying civil engineering at the University of New Mexico, Ortiz decided she’d compensate for her hair loss. That’s where fitness came into play. She attributes her hair re-growth to eating clean. In other words, cutting out drinks with artificial sweeteners, and eating frequent, healthy meals. She eats every two to three hours, loads of veggies, sweet potatoes and whole chicken breasts.

Within three weeks of eating clean, she started seeing her eyebrows and lashes come back, and within three months she could go out in public without a wig.

“It was amazing,” she said. “Eating clean is so much more than looking good. I just turned 38, and I look better now than I did when I was 20. But I don’t just look better, I feel better.”

Ortiz wasn’t always the fitness model she is today.

“That’s what I’ve learned, everybody’s got something,” she said. “A lot of times it’s about weight. In high school, I was the girl who was a little overweight and unpopular. But I was standing in a bathing suit and heels at my first competition when it all of a sudden hit me. I’m not the fatso, bubble-butt I’ve been called all my life.”

Those names still haunt her from time to time, she said, but it’s what keeps her going. The secret to doing it all, is to find happiness within oneself, she said.

“In order to be the best wife, mom, friend, whatever it is, you have to make yourself happy,” she said.

For her, it’s taking 20 minutes for herself in the morning to run in her horse training arena, and spending time with her family hiking, riding and training horses, anything outdoors. Also, setting goals and reaching them, which is why she competes.

In the 12 weeks before a competition, Ortiz works out five days a week at Lifetime Fitness in Moriarty, with little to no cheating. She also gets a workout in her daily life. At the business she runs with her husband, Ortiz lifts hundreds of heavy hay bales and feed sacks. At home, she runs in their horse arena, and her husband made her a harness to pull their four-wheeler like in a “World’s Strongest Man” Competition on ESPN.

At the competition in June, she’ll be competing in fitness model and figure. She throws her own spin on the competition by designing and sewing her own fitness attire. In September, in honor of her martial arts background she made an outfit that said Knock Out Fitness, KO for her initials, and wore boxing gloves. For this competition, she and her daughter sewed cut-off jean shorts to biker shorts and will compete to “She’s Country” by Jason Aldean.

Her hard work is paying off. Since her first competition in 2002, she has about eight trophies for fitness and figure competitions. She won the American Natural Bodybuilding Conference junior division national title 2003 in both overall fitness and figure.

It seems Ortiz has it all together now, which she attributes to healthy eating habits, exercise and the confidence that comes with both. Her children are also an inspiration to her.

Jessica, her daughter, also lost all her hair, which has begun to grow back with help from clean eating.

“My daughter said to me, ‘It’s just hair.’ It’s one thing when it happens to you, but when it happens to your child it’s just devastating. But she was right, and it was so inspiring to me. That’s our philosophy; it’s just hair,” Oritz said.

Source - www.emtelegraph.com

NaturalBodybuildingEvents.com provides the most comprehensive and up to date list of Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contests from those organizations which actively promote a drug-free lifestyle. Also provides information on Natural Organizations, Seminars, Trainers and Competitor Resources.

Local bodybuilding is in for a major boost when the 2009 World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) Mr. Universe and Ms. Universe Figure Championships comes off next month.

Participants will contend in the men’s bodybuilding and women’s figure categories, as well as the INBF Barbados Grand Prix pro-qualifier. For further information, contact Ivor Worrell at ruffhousew@hotmail.com.

Source - www.barbadosadvocate.com

BODYBUILDER Benson Milgate hopes his South West Sports Assembly award will help raise the sport’s profile.

Milgate won the open male honour at the Sports Star Awards in Warrnambool on Wednesday night, acknowledging his achievements at state and national level in natural body-building events.

The 22-year-old personal trainer believes he is the only bodybuilder in Warrnambool but is hopeful the exposure received at the assembly awards ceremony will spark broader interest.

“I think so because it’s not really recognised as a sport, more a lifestyle thing,” Milgate said.

“It’s a slow process and a lot of it is in nutrition.”

Milgate took up the sport three years ago after attending a seminar in Melbourne.

“One of the guys (George Mariolis) I met there is my best mate now,” he said.

“George is like the guru of bodybuilding in Victoria.

“For the first two years I relied on them (Melbourne connections) with phone calls every day.”

Milgate’s 2008 competitive achievements included back-to-back victories in the Victorian Natural Bodybuilding Championships, fifth at the national titles and qualifying for the world titles.

He is preparing to defend his state crown in October.

Milgate said he was prepared to assist anyone interested in joining the bodybuilding ranks.

He stressed the importance of receiving specialist advice.

“Just because you do personal training doesn’t mean you can do it,” Milgate said.

“It’s a lifestyle change too. You train one to two hours a day and the rest is pretty much about diet.”

Open female winner Jessica Moulden capped a successful awards program for motor sport.

The Cobden-based formula 500 driver followed the success of Skipton junior sedan driver James Gardiner, who was joint winner of the junior male award.

Moulden welcomed the strong presence of speedway among the award nominees before confirming her plans to spend a fourth season in formula 500 ranks in 2009-10.

Source - www.standard.net.au

NaturalBodybuildingEvents.com provides the most comprehensive and up to date list of Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contests from those organizations which actively promote a drug-free lifestyle. Also provides information on Natural Organizations, Seminars, Trainers and Competitor Resources.

Named after a 13th century warrior who routinely knocked the teeth out of his Teutonic Knight opponents, Russian film star Alexander Nevsky, 35, grew up a book nerd studying history, philosophy, science, mathematics, economics, art, music and literature. Of course, like most young people in the former Soviet Union, Nevsky also learned his share of Marxism, too. As for athletics, there was little time for such trivial activity in such an academically focused home. After all, he was the son of an economist and an engineer. Then again, the skinny young Alex was barely more than a sack of bones − not exactly suited for that kind of thing anyway.

But at age 13, something happened that would forever change Nevsky´s life and the lives of countless others.

“It was 1986 and things were really starting to open up under Mikhail Gorbachev and perestroika. All of a sudden we were being exposed to things from the West in ways that had never been possible. Well, that year my mother bought some tickets to the Moscow International Film Festival, and I saw Arnold Schwarzenegger on the screen for the first time. I was blown away and thought to myself, ´If he can do it, so can I.´”

The skinny book nerd began weight lifting and learning everything he could about physical fitness and nutrition. Staying clear of steroids and all other artificial muscle enhancers, Nevsky also began intense training in the martial arts and kick boxing. Seven years after his first Schwarzenegger movie, Nevsky´s massively muscular 6´7″ 320 lbs., steroid-free frame earned him the title of Biggest Bodybuilder in Russia. Two years later, at the ripe old age of 22, the man with 23″ arms was crowned Mr. Natural Olympia.

Despite his amazing accomplishments as an athlete, Nevsky´s thirst for academia never abated.

“In 1997 I wrote a book, How to Become a Schwarzenegger in Russia, and it became a best seller,” said Nevsky, who now has five best sellers to his credit in his native land. Nevsky, who is as comfortable discussing Dostoevsky and Solzhenitsyn as he is filmmaking or health and fitness, has recently earned a Ph.D. in economics.

“My doctorate has helped me a great deal in understanding the business end of producing movies,” quipped Nevsky.

The book and the weightlifting titles led to Nevsky´s quick rise to fame as a television and movie star in Russia. In fact, Nevsky not only became Russia´s leading film star, but his weekly television show began drawing over 50 million viewers.

Still, there was a chapter in the star´s life that had yet to be written.

“From that moment as a 13-year-old seeing Arnold, I wanted to come to and live in America.”

Finally, in 1998 Nevsky began living out that dream – the American Dream.

“Almost as soon as I got off the plane, I felt right at home. The American people are great people and I love them.”

Shortly after his arrival in the United States, Nevsky headed to Southern California. But the Russian action hero and world weightlifting champion was not content merely to live the good life. Intent on honing his acting skills, he quickly enrolled in the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in Los Angeles. It didn´t take long for Nevsky to make a statement in Hollywood as word spread quickly among directors and producers alike about Nevsky’s brute strength, extraordinary athletic ability and captivating screen presence.

He also began perfecting his English skills with the help of UCLA´s renowned Extension Lifelong Learning program. Although he retains a modest Russian accent, Nevsky has definitely mastered his new language.

These days, Nevsky has settled in comfortably to the Southern California lifestyle. He holds a “green card” and lives in Los Angeles 8-10 months out of the year. Nevertheless, he remains steadfastly loyal to his Motherland.

“I love Russia and am very proud to be a Russian. I´ve been asked many times to bash my country and my leaders to gain publicity for my films, but I want no part of that. What I do want to do is to bring our two countries together. We have differences, but we are two great nations. We need to stand together as an example to the world.”

Nevsky isn´t just blowing smoke. Twice the star has turned down potentially lucrative roles offered by big time Hollywood producers out of his unwillingness to play the “Russian bad guy.”

“There are stereotypes that Russians and Americans have of each other that are rooted in years of distrust. Unfortunately, the media and many moviemakers seek to exploit these myths. In America the Russian is usually the bad guy, and in Russia the American typically plays that same role. In my movies, I will always show Russians and Americans standing together to fight evil. That´s how we defeated the Nazis, and that´s how we will defeat the next great enemy.”

With regard to World War II and his country´s role in the destruction of the Third Reich, Nevsky speaks passionately about the incalculable sacrifice of his parent´s and grandparent´s generations during what Russians proudly refer to as “The Great Patriotic War.”

“Russia is changing every day for the better, but none of it would have been possible if it had not been for the sacrifice of over 20 million of my countrymen.”

Nevsky´s determination to be the best he can be is a tribute to those who have gone before him. And like the highly-paid action hero he aspires to be, he is keen to show that he really is the good guy – and a Russian good guy at that. In keeping with his “White Knight” role, whenever provided the opportunity Nevsky unabashedly assails the taking of steroids and adamantly professes the merits of education.

“Brains are every bit as important as muscles,” said Nevsky.

As for his source of inspiration in going forward, the action hero need look no further than his beautiful Russian wife, Katya, who also appears in his soon-to-be-released film, Treasure Raiders.

“I am so proud to have Katya in the film,” said Nevsky. “Now my mother and mother-in-law can be proud together,” Nevsky laughed.

With regard to the new film, Treasure Raiders features Nevsky as a Russian street racing star who is challenged by a sly American racer. As they both rival for control on the streets of Moscow, they are compelled to put aside their differences and band together to search for a lost Templar treasure. With time, police, and the mafia against them, the dynamic duo is cast into a life or death struggle to find the treasure. Directed by Brent Huff, the action thriller combines heart-stopping special effects and top-shelf acting with the help of co-stars David Carradine, Steven Brand, Sherilyn Fenn and Olga Rodionova. Distributed by Maverick Entertainment Group, Inc. (www.maverickentertainment.cc), the film won critical acclaim at the recent Delray Beach Film Festival (www.dbff.us), and its scheduled release date is Tuesday, June 2.

As for the future, Nevsky is not at all ready to sit back and relax. In fact, he is already putting together his next project. His next film will once again feature Russians and Americans standing together in a noble cause by focusing upon the historic meeting of the U.S. and Red Armies at the Elbe River in the closing days of World War II.

In the meantime, if you´re walking down Rodeo Drive or Wilshire Blvd. and happen to run into Alexander Nevsky, don´t be afraid to ask him his opinion about Obama´s economic recovery strategy or the future of Russian-American relations. You see… It´s a funny thing. Not only is he a heck of a nice guy, but when confronted with sophisticated questions about politics and economics…unlike so many of his Hollywood contemporaries…Alexander Nevsky has something meaningful to say.

Source - americanchronicle.com

NaturalBodybuildingEvents.com provides the most comprehensive and up to date list of Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contests and Results from those organizations which actively promote a drug-free lifestyle. Also provides information on Natural Organizations, Seminars, Trainers and Competitor Resources.

This year marks the 40th Anniversary for the Southern Alberta Summer Games. In keeping with this theme, “40 Events for 40 Years” has been chosen. As well as the regular sports, there have been additions to the sport/event list. The events are as follows:

Athletics
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Beachvolleyball
Bowling *
Cribbage*
Cycling
Cross Country Mountain Biking*
Downhill Mountain Biking*
Golf
Gymnastics*
Handgun
Horseshoes*
Indoor Rock Climbing*
Martial Arts*
Mini Soccer
Photography
5/10 km Run
Slalom Canoe*
Slalom Kayak*
Slo Pitch*
Small Bore
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Trapshooting

*All starred events are new ones! Ask us for more information if you are interested!!

Registration will take place on June 8 and 9, from 8:30am to 4:30pm in the Council Chambers at the County of Lethrbridge, 905 - 4th Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB.

Registration may also be submitted to the County during office hours before June 10th, 2009.

For more information: www.southernalbertasummergames.com

NaturalBodybuildingEvents.com provides the most comprehensive and up to date list of Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contests and Results from those organizations which actively promote a drug-free lifestyle. Also provides information on Natural Organizations, Seminars, Trainers and Competitor Resources.

The pervasive myth causing women to forever swear off weight training is the belief that lifting weights causes bulging muscles. The reality? Women simply do not have enough of the hormones that allow for increased muscle mass. In fact, women have ten to thirty times less of those essential hormones than their male counterparts. Unlike most men, women who seek to gain muscle mass certainly do not have an easy time accomplishing this goal. It takes serious dedication, a scientifically engineered diet, a technically precise weight training schedule, rigorous dietary supplementation, and for some, chemical enhancement.

The truth is that muscle mass does not suddenly appear because you dare to lift weights. However, women that simply accept this myth without scrutiny, miss out on all of the benefits that strength training offers.

Women who incorporate moderate strength training into their workout regime increase their muscle tissue. Yes, this means that when you step onto the scale, you will note an increase in your overall “weight.” But don’t stop reading! The bottom line is that muscle tissue weights more than fat. Thus, as you increase your muscle tissue, your “weight” will necessarily increase. Muscle by its very nature is “thermogenic.” This means that it burns fat. So, you may increase your “weight” as you gain muscle tissue, but do not become disheartened. Understand what this means and put it in perspective. The increase in relative weight, equates to an increase in muscle tissue not fat. And, an increase in muscle tissue translates into an increase in your resting metabolism. The simple truth is that muscle burns calories.

The denser your muscle tissue, the more calories you will burn even at a complete stand still. Those with dense muscles burn more calories by just engaging in their regular daily activities. In fact, research shows that for each pound of muscle earned, you will expend 35 to 50 more calories per day. So, if you gain three pounds of muscle, you will burn 40 more calories per pound, which equates to 120 additional calories per day, which translates into 3,600 additional calories per month and ultimately results in a weight loss of 10 to 12 pounds in a single year.

 Another reason that women should engage in strength training is its effect on the bones. Indeed, weight training is a powerful weapon against osteoporosis, a disease characterized by porous bone and low bone mass. Those plagued with osteoporosis have an increased susceptibility to fractures of the wrists, hips, and spine. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 28 million Americans suffer from this disease, 80 percent of which are women! In fact, statistics show that one in two women over the age of 50 will suffer from an osteoporosis-related fracture during their lifetime. So, women, especially, should seriously consider weight training as a type of insurance against becoming represented in these startling national statistics.

NaturalBodybuildingEvents.com provides the most comprehensive and up to date list of Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contests and Results from those organizations which actively promote a drug-free lifestyle. Also provides information on Natural Organizations, Seminars, Trainers and Competitor Resources.

1.  Set a Goal. Decide what you want to get out of your workout. Are you after Jennifer Aniston’s arms or a job with World Wrestling Entertainment? Are you lifting weights to improve function, health, appearance, or sports performance? Once this has been determined, you can better tailor your routine, choosing exercises that will target the proper muscles.

2. Be Consistent. Once you commit to weight training, stick with it. True, a long day at work doesn’t provide much inspiration, but resist the urge to skip sessions. If you can’t do a lot, do a little. Something is better than nothing.

3. Learn Proper Form and Technique. Exercise is like medicine, it’s based on science. If you have no experience with weights, experts recommend investing in a couple of sessions with a personal trainer. One thing to keep in mind is to avoid hyper-extending or locking out any joints. This allows the muscle to relax, which is counterproductive. Also, be sure that your whole body is properly aligned in order to protect the lower back.

4. Get Tired. While many theories exist on the best ways to build muscle, recent research indicates that a single set of 12 repetitions with the proper weight can build muscle just as efficiently as three sets of the same exercise — good news for people trying to squeeze weight lifting into a busy schedule. Do a single set of exercises using a weight heavy enough to tire the muscles after a dozen repetitions. When you work a muscle to fatigue, you are releasing factors that build endurance and strength.

5.Muscles Are Sexy. Many women avoid weight lifting because they are afraid of looking too buff and muscular, opting instead for the treadmill or the elliptical machine to burn calories. In truth, weight training converts fat into lean muscle. Lean muscle burns more calories, aiding in weight loss. “It’s like having a V-8 engine instead of a 4-cylinder. You have a bigger engine to burn more calories because it takes calories to keep that engine running.

6. Vary Your Exercises. You can fall in love with your trainer but don’t fall in love with any one exercis. If you repeat the same exercise, you will overdo a particular muscle group. Everyone undoubtedly has a particular asset they may want to develop, but don’t overdo it. Use a full variety of exercises, machines and resistances. Try lifting free weights, water, household items, and even your own body weight. Changing it up will shock the muscles, challenging them to lift the weight.

7. Move Slowly. Don’t cheat by racing through your exercises. Remember, it only takes one set so be sure to get the most out of your time in the gym. Take one to two seconds to contract the muscle, hold the contraction for half a second, and then lengthen the release to three or four seconds. You are 20 percent to 40 percent stronger on the way down so following this time breakdown will maximize strength gain.

8.  Work Balanced Muscles Groups. People generally work out only what they can see, says Laskowski, “it’s as if they have a ‘Cadillac in the front, and a Volkswagen in the back.’” But too much time devoted to one side may create posture problems. Since, every muscle has an opposing muscle, be sure to work the entire pair. For example, follow stomach crunches with back extensions and bicep curls with tricep kickbacks.

9. Find Female-Focused Exercises. Women should pay particular attention to building strength in the upper back and shoulders. This will protect against poor posture later in life, a common problem related to osteoporosis. And don’t neglect your lower body — females are five to six times more likely to suffer a knee ligament tear. To protect against knee injury, focus on building the hamstring muscles.

10) Choose a Get-Buff Buddy. A lifting partner is helpful not only for spotting but for motivation as well. When your arms are feeling like Jell-O and you think you’ve got nothing left to give, a little encouragement from a friend may be all you need to push out that final rep.

11. Drink Caffeine Before Lifting. Although optional, a little caffeine may give you an extra boost of energy to lift after a long day. You may be surprised by the effects a cup of coffee or can of soda can have on your performance.

12) Be Patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day; you won’t be either. It takes time to incorporate the benefits of weight lifting. Changes in muscle fiber won’t show until four to six weeks, but in the meantime, your muscles are learning how to act more efficiently.

NaturalBodybuildingEvents.com provides the most comprehensive and up to date list of Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contests and Results from those organizations which actively promote a drug-free lifestyle. Also provides information on Natural Organizations, Seminars, Trainers and Competitor Resources.

Calling all Body Proud FAME Athletes!

Spread the word about the FAME World Championships and win CASH!
As the 2009 FAME World Championships approaches, we have two great ways for you to help spread the word and win CASH in the process!

Option 1:

Create your own video talking about the FAME World Championships and upload it to the FAME World Championships Group Page on BodyProud.org and to YouTube.com The video can be funny, serious, artistic, informative, or inspirational! You can document your own training for the show, or talk about why you are planning to go! Tell the world why your Body Proud physique will be on stage at the FAME World Championships and show us how you got there! If you are competing, creating your own video will help promote YOU and build YOUR fan base. Create a new following and have the fans screaming in the audience when you take the stage!

If you are a spectator and fan, tell the world what the FAME World Championships means to you. Help build the excitement and fill the audience with fans to cheer on the competitors. Your support from the audience provides the energy and excitement to help the competitors on stage be their best!

Once you have uploaded your video to YouTube.com and posted it to the FAME World Championships Group Page on BodyProud.org, send an email to Promotions@BodyProud.org with links to both posts. The winning video will be selected based on it’s creativity, originality, and promotion of the FAME World Championships and Body Proud ideals! The winning video will be chosen on June 5th and will be featured on the front page of BodyProud.org. The creator of the winning video will be paid a cash prize of $100!

Create your videos today and promote the FAME World Championships and yourself to the World!
Option 2.Post the 2009 FAME World Championships Poster on your Facebook, MySpace, or other web page and tell the world about the show! Use the poster as your avatar or post it on your wall or home page! Let the world know you will be competing or cheering on the athletes on stage from the audience. Once you have the poster up, email us a link to Promotions@BodyProud.org

We will choose 1 winner per week from the entries submitted to win a $50 cash prize, just for putting up the poster!

Click the link below to download the poster and start putting it up all over the web!

Download the 2009 FAME World Championships Poster!

Take advantage of these two great promotions to help us spread the world about the 2009 FAME World Championships and to win some CASH in the process!  

Right Click the Poster Above and Select “Save Picture As” to Download Or Click the poster to open the poster in a new broswer window and save.

NaturalBodybuildingEvents.com provides the most comprehensive and up to date list of Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contests and Results from those organizations which actively promote a drug-free lifestyle. Also provides information on Natural Organizations, Seminars, Trainers and Competitor Resources.

March 28, 2009

Buena High School
Sierra Vista, AZ

Model Search
1st place: Carol Dehasse

Teenage Girls
1st place: Gabby Bustamante

Teenage Boys (13-16)
1st place: Nico Zazueta

Teenage Boys (17-19)
1st place: Cory Saranick
2nd place: Maverik Hand
3rd place: Chance Dutton
4th place: Anthony Arguellas
5th place: Greg McConnell

Women’s Jr. Masters
1st place: Trish Valesquez
2nd place: Errika Wilkins

Women’s Masters
1st place: Eileen Thomas
2nd place: Susan Silberstein
3rd place: Sandy Scott
4th place: Marsha Norris

Women’s Grand Masters
1st place: Linda Simmons

OVERALL MASTERS WOMEN
TRISH VALESQUEZ

Men’s Jr. Masters
1st place: Mike Stonesbraker

Men’s Masters
1st place: David Silberstein
2nd place: Marcus Sykora
3rd place: Rick Soto

Men’s Grand Masters
1st place: Wes Epperson
2nd place: Jerry Gallegos
3rd place: Joe Rollins
4th place: David Buckmaster

Men’s Ultra Masters (60-69)
1st place: Bob Denton

Men’s Super Ultra Masters (60-69)
1st place: Bill Cunningham
2nd place: Rick Harrison

MASTERS MEN OVERALL
DAVID SILBERSTEIN

Ms. Figure
1st place: Trish Valesquez
2nd place: Marsha Norris
3rd place: Sandy Scott
4th place: Carol Dehasse

Women’s Novice
1st place: Susan Silberstein
2nd place: Cinnamon Stuckey
3rd place: Errika Wilkins

Men’s Novice 1
1st place: Andrew Pieprazewski
2nd place: David Silberstein
3rd place: Joshua Hagerich
4th place: Stephen Jones
5th place: Trevor Thornburg

Men’s Novice 2
1st place: Dave Modica
2nd place: Robert Woods
3rd place: Garrett Ellis
4th place: Marcus Sykora
5th place: Mike Stonesbraker

OVERALL NOVICE MEN
ANDREW PIEPRAZEWSKI

Ms. Physique
1st place: Trish Valesquez
2nd place: Sandy Scott
3rd place: Marsha Norris

Women’s Open Lightweight
1st place: Eileen Thomas
2nd place: Susan Silberstein

Women’s Open Middleweight
1st place: Ahlisha Newton
2nd place: Linda Simmons

Women’s Open Heavyweight
1st place: Cinnamon Stuckey
2nd place: Errika Wilkins

OVERALL OPEN WOMEN
AHLISHA NEWTON

Men’s Open Lightweight
1st place: David Silberstein
2nd place: Oliver Chenault
3rd place: Rick Abril
4th place: Maverick Hand
5th place BusterEmerson

Men’s Open Middleweight
1st place: Andrew Pieprazewski
2nd place: Joshua Hagerich
3rd place: Wes Epperson
4th plave Jerry Gallegos
5th plave Stephen Jones

Men’s Open Light Heavyweight
1st place: Mike Stonesbraker
2nd place: Marcus Sykora
3rd place: Sarbaz Abdulla
4th place: David Buckmaster

Men’s Open Heavyweight
1st place: Dave Modica
2nd place: Robert Woods
3rd place: Garrett Ellis
4th place: Cory Elmore
5th place: Joe Rollins

OVERALL OPEN MEN
ANDREW PIEPRAZEWSKI

For more information - www.naturalbodybuilding.com

NaturalBodybuildingEvents.com provides the most comprehensive and up to date list of Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contests and Results from those organizations which actively promote a drug-free lifestyle. Also provides information on Natural Organizations, Seminars, Trainers and Competitor Resources.

2009 FAME West Natural Competition Results

March 28, 2009

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Presented by FAME PRO Leite Kusch

BODYBUILDING
1st - #25 John Leke - Masters
1st - #26 Philip Shaffer - Novice
1st - #22 Pierre Moise Lajoie - Open
1st - #24 Patty Cruickshank - Physically Challenged

FIGURE
1st - #33 Erin Elizabeth Crawford
2nd - #345 - Kristen Johnston
3rd - #35 Carly Louise Illes
1st - #28 Helene Novak - Masters
1st - #32 Rhonda Linsay - Novice

FITNESS
1st - #37 Megan Pollock - Novice
1st - #38 Willa Potter - Open

FITNESS MODEL MALE
1st - #366 Andy A Stillin - Masters
1st - #367 Xavier Truillo
2nd - #368 Alfred Arnold
3rd - #370 Brandon John Lanthier

FITNESS MODEL FEMALE - SHORT OPEN
1st - #339 - Jenny Vanderbeld
2nd - #377 - Megan Dumas
3rd - #342 - Brittany Goldhawke

FITNESS MODEL FEMALE - TALL OPEN
1st - #353 - Ashley Misky
2nd - #356 - Kristin Hopper
3rd - #354 - Lindsay Boue

N)FITNESS MODEL FEMALE - SHORT OPEN
1st - #35 - Carly Illes
2nd - #333 - Andrea Morin
3rd - #346 - Mireille Goyette

ADVANCED FITNESS MODEL
1st - #330 - Teena Gudjohnson
2nd - #24 - Patty Cruickshank

MUSCLE MODEL - FEMALE OPEN
1st - #24 - Patty Cruickshank
2nd - #345 - Kristin M Johnston
3rd - #351 - Rene Koerner

MUSCLE MODEL - MALE OPEN
1st - #379 - Jamille Wall
2nd - #368 - Alfred Arnold
3rd - #370 - Brandon John Lanthier

FITNESS MODEL FEMALE MASTERS
1st - #333 - Andrea Morin
2nd - #351 - Rene Koerner
3rd - #28 - Helene Noval

SWIMSUIT MODEL FEMALE OPEN
1st - #378 - Vanny Vay
2nd - #350 - Tanya Geisinger Mckie
3rd - #361 - Nyla Nguyen

SWIMSUIT MODEL FEMALE MASTERS
1st - #372 - Donna Cirigas
2nd - #355 - Karen Schwartz
3rd - #358 - Kim Slack

SWIMSUIT MODEL FEMALE NOVICE
1st - #377 - Megan Dumas
2nd - #380 - Andrea Banford
3rd - #37 - Megan Pollock

MUSCLE MODEL FEMALE MASTERS
1st - #332 - Rene Koerner
2nd - #374 - Corrine Rothwell
3rd - #351 - Patty Cruickshank

Thanks to all the Judges & Staff. You guys were amazing!

To Fatima Leite Kusch, Kailey, Kevin, Aruna and Meghan for all your work. . Thank you so much for your extreme dedication in Inspiring Body Proud and making this show possible! Thanks to you these amazing FAME Athletes now have the opportunity to share their passion for health and fitness in a fun and entertaining format. You are an incredible Team and we’re thrilled to have you as part of the FAME Family!

To Head Judge Serge Chhabra Thanks for flying in to ensure the success of the show. Your commitment to this industry and the Body Proud beliefs are outstanding.

For more information - www.bodyproud.org

NaturalBodybuildingEvents.com provides the most comprehensive and up to date list of Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contests from those organizations which actively promote a drug-free lifestyle. Also provides information on Natural Organizations, Seminars, Trainers and Competitor Resources.

April 18, 2009

Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Presented by Mike Clement

The 2009 Fame East was a complete success. On behalf of Jeff and Mindy we want to congratulate everyone who participated. The athletes were truly amazing, the camaraderie backstage was second to none. Also a big thank you to the audience who supported all the athletes!

Here’s just a quick recap of the actual contest placings. Please add your photos, stories and memories here!

* All Athletes – Just stepping on stage after months of dieting, sacrifice and effort is a victory in itself.! This makes you all winners!
Most Amazing Accomplishment of the Night!!!!!

* Martial Clermont – Martial was very confident on stage. The consummate pro, always smiling and projecting to the audience. His Hunter / Bow and Arrow outfit was incredible. Martial knows how to sell himself on the stage and won 1st Place in the Male Fitness Model (Open and Masters) divisions.

* Genevieve Girard – A classic swimsuit beauty Genevieve displayed the right amount of tone and shape to easily capture the Female Swimsuit Model (open) category. She complemented her amazing physique with a very cool electric guitar.

* Guylaine Rochon – With incredible Cat Like Eyes and an amazing physique that balance a classic X – Frame (nice shoulder width with a small waste), great muscularity, great conditioning and a Spectacular cat woman outfit that was second to none as Guylaine won the Muscle Model Female (open) division hands down. We hope to see her competing in the advanced category at the World Championships. Guylaine also placed 2nd in the Figure Physique (open) division.

* Maggie Dumoulin – Winner of the Figure Posing and Routine division. Maggie’s routine was outstanding. She rocked the audience and the judges all at once. Her finishing move was a spectacular finish that sealed her win along with an awesome physique! A definite contender for the top sport at the World Championships! Maggie also placed 2nd in the Female Fitness Model (Novice) division.

* Patrick Corriveau – Patrick demonstrated an almost flawless physique with great stage presence with a very handsome appearance. It was obvious that he was a crowd favourite (especially with the ladies). Patrick captured the Male Fitness Model (advanced) division and 2nd in the Muscle Model Male (advanced) division.

*Christine Taylor – Christine shined in her first show capturing the Figure Physique division. Nice smile and personality. She handled herself well with a great physique. Christine also came second in the Figure Posing and Routine category,

* Emilie Baril– Emilie was dressed to impress. Go Habs Go! Say no more. With an awesome physique and awesome outfit Emilie captured the hearts of the judges and 1st Place in the Female Fitness Model (Novice) division.

* Linda Delormier – Sporting an amazing physique along with matching outfits Linda easily captured the Female Fitness Model (Masters) division. The judges were completely charmed by her smile and great stage presence. Congratulations Linda!!!!

*Martial Clermont / Isabelle Desrochers – The cherry on top of an amazing night. This couple WOWED the audience with an amazing routine that was choreographed to “All that Jazz!” Truly amazing! We would love to see this routine at the World Championships!

Marilyne Meunier – 1st Runner up in both Female Fitness Model (Open) and Female Muscle Model (Open) divisions. There is so much that can be said for stunning blonde who came so close in both divisions. Incredibly marketable with a great smile and presence coupled with an awesome physique! The judges struggled with deciding these divisions!

Adam Colorado - Coming in very close to 1st place as 1st runner up in Junior Bodybuilding, Adam who used to be picked on as a child, decided he needed to step it up and improve his confidence. Enter the magical world of natural bodybuilding! Adam showed great size, amazing lats and a lot of charisma on stage. No longer overweight or the focus of bullies, Adam explains he now competes because it’s “all about personal pride!”.

Isabelle Rochon – The judge’s reaction when she walked out was “WOW! What a smile and what a walk!” This girl knows how to bring it and she brought it. Isabel was a close 2nd in the Female Fitness Model (Advanced) division.

Jean Paul Tessier – Always a crowd favourite. Jean Paul locked down 2nd place in the Male Grandmasters (open) division with his Mass with Class. In his 70s Jean Paul displayed his experience with his always entertaining posing skills.

Eric Thifault – Enthralling the audience with his fireman theme wear and incredibly muscled physique Eric captured 2nd in the Muscle Model Male (open) division. He was a definite favourite with the ladies who were ready to cry “Fire!”.

Costa Zervos – Talked about sliced and diced. No one was even remotely close to the shredded and ripped look that Costa brought to the stage. Coupled with a Guns n’ Roses posing routine Costa placed 2nd in the Male Bodybuilding (advanced) division.

Chantal Contant – Chantal was obviously ready to ride with her amazing physique and motorcycle themed two piece leather outfit. The judges were along for the ride placing her in 2nd in the Female Fitness Model (masters) division.

Israel Cloutier – Placing 2nd in the Male Bodybuilders (novice) division Israel brought a wicked physique along with a fun energetic posing routine that had very nice transitions.

Dimitri Tchouprounov– Dimitri came out with his own brand of charm with platinum blonde hair and a signature Ivan Drago look (with theme wear and a boxing strut to match). He wasn’t joking when he said “I must break you!” as he broke into 2nd place in the Swimsuit Model Male (open) division and 3rd place in the Male Fitness Model (open) division.

In More Good News:
* Peter from Urban Stylz Photography got some amazing shots and is still able to get you a photo package even if you did not order in advance!
* Aponia Entertainment for the awesome music work and a special thank you to Christopher and Katharine Clement for their very hard work!!!!

For more information - www.bodyproud.org

NaturalBodybuildingEvents.com provides the most comprehensive and up to date list of Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contests from those organizations which actively promote a drug-free lifestyle. Also provides information on Natural Organizations, Seminars, Trainers and Competitor Resources.

March 28, 2009

Vancouver, WA
Promoter: Frank Bohm and Tanji Johnson
fbprod@pacifier.com

Junior Fitness (7 to 10 Yrs)
1. Samantha Grubbs
2. Morgan Clendenen
3. Savannah Clendenen

1. Tori Briggs
2. Laura Rudholm
3. Diane Rudholm
4. Nicki Easu
5. Honna Middleton
6. Sunny Beaman

For more information - www.northwestbodybuilding.net

NaturalBodybuildingEvents.com provides the most comprehensive and up to date list of Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contests from those organizations which actively promote a drug-free lifestyle. Also provides information on Natural Organizations, Seminars, Trainers and Competitor Resources.

March 22, 2009

Harborside Convention Center
Fort Myers, Florida
Promoter: Michael Ferencsik
mjf@rippednaturalbodybuilding.com

Figure Open
1. Katie Wercheck
2. Tonya Palermo
3. Julia Clark
4. Sherry Andre
5. Beth Abraham
6. Patricia Jenks

Ms Physique
1st/ Overall / Angela Beyer
2. Debra Leva

Grand Masters / Ms Physique
1. Debra Leva

Bikini Diva
1. Beth Abraham
2. Emile Plants

Male Sports Model
1. Domenic D’Agostino
2. Alek Kannelloppoulus

Teen
1. Joel Facchinello
2. Jared Figueroa
3. Jared Taylor

Novice Men
1. Matthew Stolz
2. Gary LeBeau
3. Dube Roseme
4. Scott McColuck
5. Joel Facchinello
6. Jared Figueroa
7. Jared Taylor

Open Mens
1. place Arthur Mahar
2. place Mathew Stolz
3. place Gary LeBeau
4. place Dube Roseme
5. place Scott McColuck
6. place Bill Banks.

Overall Open Men
Arthur Mahar

 For more information - www.fitandnaturalbodybuilding.com

NaturalBodybuildingEvents.com provides the most comprehensive and up to date list of Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contests from those organizations which actively promote a drug-free lifestyle. Also provides information on Natural Organizations, Seminars, Trainers and Competitor Resources.

Bianca Aiono is looking for a sponsor, preferably one who farms eggs.

In her bid to become one of the world’s best natural body builders the 27-year-old personal trainer from Glasshouse Mountains, eats 28 eggs a day, minus the yolks.

“I spend a lot of money on eggs,” Bianca jokes. “I just need to find out which restaurant is making a lot of hollandaise sauce and get the leftover egg whites before they get thrown out.”

Bianca competed at the International Natural Bodybuilding Titles on Sunday and won the Intermediate Figure Category.

The title has eluded her for the past two years as Bianca struggled to meet her strict diet and exercise regime.

“I didn’t believe I could do it, which meant I just wasn’t lean enough to stand up on stage in bikinis and stripper heels and have a group of strangers give me a point for every fault I had,” Bianca said.

“This time I started preparing months earlier and did a lot of soul searching and figured out accepting yourself and loving yourself for who you are is the best fat burner of all.”

She trains at least 20 hours a week, incorporating weights and cross training.

Bianca represented Australia in swimming and volleyball before discovering body building. She was unhappy with her weight, which was 84kg, and wanted to trim down. She now weighs 68kg.

“When I was 24 I was overweight and wanted to improve my body. I got into bodybuilding and loved it – then it became an obsession,” Bianca said.

“Bianca heads to the Gold Coast on May 30 for the Asia Pacific Natural Bodybuilding Titles, where she is hoping for a win.

Brekky with Bianca

What Bianca eats every day:

Breakfast: Protein pancakes made from 10 egg whites and half a cup of oats

Morning snack: Grilled chicken breast with vegetables

Lunch: Omelette made from 10 egg whites and vegetables

Afternoon snack: Grilled fish and vegetables

Dinner: Grilled chicken breast and vegetables

Supper: Omelette made with eight egg whites

Source - www.thedaily.com.au

NaturalBodybuildingEvents.com provides the most comprehensive and up to date list of Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contests from those organizations which actively promote a drug-free lifestyle. Also provides information on Natural Organizations, Seminars, Trainers and Competitor Resources.

Eaton bodybuilder Grant Rayner is literally going from strength to strength in his sport since he started competing less than a year ago.

In March Rayner placed first in the novice division and came second overall in the 2009 Australian Elite Bodybuilding Fitness and Sportsmodel Championships held in Perth.

He also placed fourth in national competition last year and second in the State.

Rayner said he became involved with bodybuilding almost by accident.

“I was interested in becoming fitter and it became an obsession,” he said.

“I’ve been on a proper diet and nutrition for about three years now.”

Rayner works out at Rapid Bodz in Bunbury three times a week and daily when in training for a competition.

The 26-year-old said when it came to competition time his life revolves around training, work, eating and sleep.

He must also commit to a strict diet which includes eating 30 to 40 grams of protein every two and a half hours.

“Dieting is the hardest part,” Rayner said.

“Everyone’s around you drinking beer on the weekend and you just can’t have any.”

Rayner has ambitions on becoming Mr Natural Olympia one day but until then his next competition will see him take on the State’s best at the International Natural Bodybuilding Association competition in October.

If successful he will then go on to compete in the National competition.

While Rayner admits bodybuilding requires a lot of discipline and hardwork he said it was all worth it in the end.

“When you win a competition you realise all the work has paid off,” he said.

“It makes you train even harder and gives you something to aim for.”

Source - bunbury.yourguide.com.au

NaturalBodybuildingEvents.com provides the most comprehensive and up to date list of Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contests from those organizations which actively promote a drug-free lifestyle. Also provides information on Natural Organizations, Seminars, Trainers and Competitor Resources.

DOING it the natural way is the motto for two bodybuilders who are making waves at bodybuilding qualifier competitions in Cape Town.Evan Petersen was the overall winner at the Cape Peninsula Bodybuilding competition and won the light heavyweight division. His training buddy, Kenny Bisset , won the novice award, came second in the middle weight and was third overall at the same qualifier.

The shy 24-year-old Kenny Bisset of Parow Valley started studying panelbeating and started training just for the fun of it, while studying. This was in 2004 and he started training formally at gym in 2007.

His friends approached him to start entering competitions, because at this stage he was starting to take shape very well.

In preparation for the recent competition, he dieted for ten days and for two months he was following a low carb and high protein diet.

Currently this muscle-house works as an apprentice at a truck company in Bellville. For the competition he lost eight kilograms in 10 days, which was mostly water.

“One needs to lose water to improve the definition of your muscle,” he said.

Asked about his first competition he said: “I was so nervous during the first line-up.”

Sponsor Lloyd Martin of Fox Fitness and Leisure interjected saying: “You should have seen him, he looked petrified, but later on he started relaxing,” he laughed.

He continued: “Nobody comes close to Kenny’s biceps; the guys looked like school boys compared to him.”

Martin helps him along from competition to competition and finds this is all worth it. They take part in the category of bodybuilding which is 100% natural (Natural League). This means that participants use no steroids at all.

“It is such a pity that it is hard to get sponsorship for people like Kenny and Evan as bodybuilding is always seen as a sport where drugs are taken to enhance performance and muscle tone. I think this puts sponsors off.”

Petersen, the overall winner, who hails from Mitchell’s Plain, where he attended Spes Bona High in Athlone as an average-sized youngster, weighed in at 69 kg in his matric year.

“I was depressed, it seemed the ladies were making such a fuss over men with a big build in general. That led me to have an interest in shaping my body as well.

“Yes,” he laughs, “at first it was to impress ladies, but the competitive factor of the sport is what made me go further.

“My interest really started at 20 in 2005 where a guy from Mitchell’s Plain was placed first in the IFBB Amateur u.21 Bodybuilding Show in the world champs.

“Just then and there I felt I could do it as well.”

Source - www.news24.com

NaturalBodybuildingEvents.com provides the most comprehensive and up to date list of Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contests from those organizations which actively promote a drug-free lifestyle. Also provides information on Natural Organizations, Seminars, Trainers and Competitor Resources.

KAI GREENE, an emerging top bodybuilder, will be the feature guest poser when the 14th Annual Eastern Caribbean Championship takes place on Saturday May 30 at the Cascadia Hotel, Ariapita Road, St Anns.

For a $125 ticket (advanced), physique lovers will see the top bodybuilders and fitness athletes from Trinidad & Tobago competing against the best from 14 countries in the Eastern Caribbean, including from Barbados, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Guadeloupe, Martinique and both the US & British Virgin Islands. But undoubtedly, the feature attraction will be the appearance of the top American bodybuilder.

Greene, who has masses of muscle packed onto his frame, is currently one of the hot items on the IFBB Pro bodybuilding circuit in the United States having won his last three tournaments including the 2009 Arnold Classic and Australia Pro tournament.

Greene, 34, is known primarily as a natural bodybuilder. He has been a pro for the last five years and has made strides every year, including two years ago when he also won the Shawn Ray Pro tournament, beating Trinidad & Tobago’s own Darrem Charles into second.

Greene’s career is said to be one of the success stories in New York City. He grew up an orphan, had a really rotten childhood and became a ward of the state of New York due to a problematic home environment. For 10 years, he was bounced around the system moving through several foster homes and institutions. In an interview published a few years ago, Greene said it was within this environment that he found weight training a refuge.

“Deep inside of my soul, there resided many talents that few people were aware of, most importantly my burning desire to be a visual artist. My two worlds would eventually meet and interconnect as my own body became my subject of study. I became my own living model. I utilised my own physique to gain a greater understanding of space and movement, creating works of art that became increasingly detailed and complex over time.”

Greene said that his growth and physical development attracted his seventh grade English teacher who encouraged him to get into competition.

“Since my school conduct was far below the expectations tolerated by the facility that housed me, I was introduced to the idea of teen competition. Because of my enthusiasm and desire to measure my physique against competitors my own age, bodybuilding became the behavior modification tool that would prevent me from becoming a so-called “statistic” . It was at this time that I was introduced to what would become my home and institute for competitive education, 5th Avenue Gym.

It was in this small basement gym in Brooklyn, NY that I met some of the most impressive natural athletes the world had to offer. It was here that I would soak up the knowledge that would provide me the ammunition necessary to destroy the biggest bodybuilding monsters.”

At age 19, he started competing in senior and was the youngest natural professional bodybuilder in the world. After 16 years, he finally made the transition to the IFBB Professional ranks. Now he is seeking to become one of the greats in the sport.

Source - www.trinidadexpress.com

NaturalBodybuildingEvents.com provides the most comprehensive and up to date list of Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contests from those organizations which actively promote a drug-free lifestyle. Also provides information on Natural Organizations, Seminars, Trainers and Competitor Resources.

Toronto, ON (PRWEB) May 20, 2009 - BodyProud.org is the prime stop for friendship, encouragement, and networking for personal trainers, bikini models, bodybuilders and fitness professionals. Launched by the organizers of the fast-growing FAME World Tour, BodyProud.org tells about the human side of fitness - not just long hours, grueling training regimens, and diet discipline, but the inspiring personal stories of mental and physical transformation that make each member a shining example for everyone. .“We have put together FAME World Tour events for a very long time and we knew that each competitor brings a compelling personal story and shows how people with determination and goals achieve the very best. BodyProud.org highlights those stories in a fun and interactive way,” said Jeffrey Kippel co-founder of BodyProud.org.

BodyProud.org presents social networking for the physically fit, a Facebook or MySpace like interface through which people can trade training tips, find workout partners, post personal training openings, share personal growth and transformation or relive experiences from recent FAME events. Members can complete a profile, post pictures, maintain a blog and integrate with Twitter and YouTube. Individual profile pages show how each member has embraced a Body Proud lifestyle. The site is quickly catching on. It’s currently in the top 140,000 of all Web sites in the world according to Alexa.Body Proud is both a noun describing the hot new community and a verb capturing each individual’s motivation for embracing health and fitness to enhance their quality of life.. I am Body Proud is a bold declaration of drive and determination to make being their best priority one.

Community member Alec Dewdney and Body Proud were recently featured on one of Canada’s most respected newscasts, CTV News with Lloyd Robertson. Competing in Ontario FAME as a super grandmaster, he took to bodybuilding so he could build strength as he got older. Sue, his wife, suffers from MS and the strength he builds is not only for self-improvement, but means he can bring his wife along on business trips.“Each BodyProud.org member has a remarkable personal story and is available to media outlets for interviews,” Kippel said. “Every individual’s story is a testament to the power of determination and commitment and proves that anyone, regardless of background, can achieve their most desired Body Proud physique.”

This June, many journeys that began on Body Proud and continued through the FAME World Tour, will culminate in the FAME World Championships, a three day celebration of the best FAME can offer. The best from around the world will converge on Montreal to compete in 11 categories, including fitness model, bodybuilding, bikini model and physically challenged competitors. Get FAME World Championships tickets to attend this celebration of both the human body and the human spirit.“The FAME World Championships attracts Body Proud individuals from all areas of the world who wish to showcase their physique and compete for elaborate trips, magazine photo shoots, cash and exposure,” said Blackstien . “It’s really inspiring for people to come out to see the actual, real people that they interact with on BodyProud.org; it demonstrates that fitness goals are readily achieved everyday by people just like you.

NaturalBodybuildingEvents.com provides the most comprehensive and up to date list of Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contests from those organizations which actively promote a drug-free lifestyle. Also provides information on Natural Organizations, Seminars, Trainers and Competitor Resources.

WASHINGTON— FDA has received a consent decree from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division, to destroy prohormone products worth $1.3 million. The decree included more than 23,300 bottles of three products distributed by LG Sciences LLC, of Brighton, Mich., marketed for use by body builders and distributed on the Web and at retail under the names “Methyl 1-D,” “Methyl 1-D XL,” and “Formadrol Extreme XL.” On behalf of FDA, U.S.Marshalls seized the products back in early April 2008, but the company was fighting the action, saying the products were DSHEA-compliant.

FDA said lab tests showed the products, which were marketed as dietary supplements, contain one or more unapproved food additives and/or new dietary ingredients (NDIs) and lacked scientific support for safe use. They found Methyl 1-D and Methyl 1-D XL contained 1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione, also known as “ATD” or 1,4,6-etioallocholan-dione; Formadrol Extreme XL contained ATD and 3,6,17-androstenetrione, also known as “6-OXO”—the substance at the center of the legal battle between suspended Phillies pitcher J.C. Romero and several supplement makers and retailers.

FDA stated both of these substances are steroids that inhibit the activity of the enzyme aromatase; they can be found in dietary supplements marketed as testosterone boosters. Also, 6-OXO was created by Patrick Arnold, the chemist behind many of the BALCO products involved in the Major League Baseball steroid scandal, which involved Barry Bonds and other key players.

The agency emphasized it has no scientific information concerning the safety of the condemned supplements or their ingredients and, therefore, cannot determine whether they represent a hazard to consumers. They advised consumers who use or have used the products to discuss their use with their health care professionals. They added anyone who has experienced an adverse event related to any of these products should also consult a healthcare professional, in addition to reporting the event to MedWatch adverse event reporting (AER) system.

At the time of seizure, LG Sciences called the FDA action “merely a preliminary step in determining compliance with food regulations.” The company disputed what it called a “temporary restraint of its products” but agreed FDA was only trying to protect consumers. Further, LG said an ambiguous DSHEA allowed for such a seizure, but the company was adamant the offending ingredients were not NDIs, as they have numerous studies backing their safe use and have been in competitor’s products for several years. At the time, LG said it looked forward “to assisting the FDA in clarifying this matter and the prompt return of its inventory.”

However, FDA won the consent decree. “The court order is the result of efforts by the federal government to protect consumers from products for which there is inadequate information to assure that they do not present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury,” said Michael Chappell, acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs at FDA. “It shows that the agency is prepared to use the necessary legal means to keep such products out of the marketplace.”

Source - www.naturalproductsinsider.com

NaturalBodybuildingEvents.com provides the most comprehensive and up to date list of Natural Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contests from those organizations which actively promote a drug-free lifestyle. Also provides information on Natural Organizations, Seminars, Trainers and Competitor Resources.