The Elite Physique

Hope Hollinshead

How a 35 Year Old Mother Stole the Show in Her VERY FIRST Figure Contest Losing 9 Pounds of Pure Body Fat and Keeping ALL Her Muscle!

hope hollinshead before and afterStarting Stats: 105 lbs @ 17% body fat = 18 lbs fat mass / 85 lbs LBM

Ending Stats: 95 lbs @ 10% body fat = 9.5 lbs fat mass / 85 LBM

Total Lost: 8.5 lbs of FAT and Lean Body Mass Stayed the Same

What got you involved in Figure Contests?

I became interested in competing when I picked up a fitness magazine and saw all the fit and beautiful ladies posing with their trophies. It wasn’t until this past year at the age of 35 that I believed that I could be one of those ladies. A friend encouraged me to enter a figure competition with her. This inspired and motivated me to train.

Awesome.  Now, how long have you been into fitness and working out?

I been into fitness since I was a teenager. I became serious about my health and workouts for the last 4 years. I learned in those 4 years that I had adrenal gland fatigue. Learning proper diet, weight training and cardio greatly improved my health. I am more energetic, happier and have achieved the body I always knew I could have.

Sweet!!  What is your comp weight and off-season weight?

My comp weight is 95 pounds. My off-season weight is 110.

hope's back pose

Those are excellent numbers.  What motivates you to keep in shape?

After feeling fatigued for quite some time, lacking the energy to do things with my family and friends and always feeling drained motivated me to lead a fitter and healthier lifestyle. Setting a fitness goal, reaching it and loving the way I feel each day is what keeps me motivated to stay in shape.

Goals do the trick every time.  How do you stick to your goals?

Knowing that I am responsible for reaching my fitness goals that my trainer Ms. Karen, Figure Coach, set weekly goals and plans and had to check-in with her helped me stick to my goals.

Awww… Thanks. 🙂  What is your nutrition like off-season?

I eat a healthy diet but allowing myself one cheat me per week.

Good for you, great control  What is your contest preparation dieting protocol?

Lean protein, lots of vegetables, good sources of fat and sweet potatoes for carbs.

Excellent.  Now, what is a basic cheat meal for you?

My favorite cheat meal is a rice cake with almond or peanut butter and cinnamon, a protein bar or popcorn.

So Hope, are there any sacrifices? If so, how do you overcome them?

Not being able to eat at a restaurant with my family and joining in on the popcorn on movie night has been a sacrifice. The support of my family and there understanding of how important my fitness goal was to me helped me overcome these sacrifices.

I understand that.  What do you find to be the hardest part about getting into contest shape and how do you overcome it?

The hardest part of getting into contest shape was the cardio sessions and learning to control my appetite. Learning to recognize when I was hungry verses eating from emotion was hard. By writing down every meal and eating at the appropriate times helped to understand my body and what it was telling me. During cardio sessions I would imagine being somewhere else and listened to music that motivated me.

NPC Louisiana Championships figure front line up
NPC Louisiana Lafayette figue back pose

Okay, so what is your training split like?

I train with weights 2 days on and 1 day off. Cardio is done 5 days a week.

Good balance.  Do you track your personal best lifts and if so, what are they?

Yes, my personal best lifts are:

  • Squats: 270hope curling dumbbells
  • Deadlift: 195
  • Leg Press: 200
  • Pulldowns: 160
  • Low Rows: 100
  • Dumbbell Incline and Flat Press: 60 lb DBs
  • Dumbbell Curls: 40 lb DBs

Great numbers.  What do you do for cardio?

I do treadmill and plyometric intervals, bike and elliptical

A little bit of everything.  Do you have any future competition plans?

Yes, I plan on competing in one more this year and next year.

Nice.  Do you use supplements? If so, what are your favorite supplements?

Yes, I like BCAAs, Glutamine, Glucosamine, CLA for fat loss, Yohimbine and caffeine.

Good line-up.  Does your family support your fitness endeavors?

Yes, They are my biggest supporters. They keep me going and encourage me to reach my goals.

That’s awesome.  What hobbies do you have outside of fitness?hope posing on stage at the NPC Louisiana

I enjoy cooking, reading, spending time with my family and friends and teaching people how to lead healthier and fitter lives.

Good for you!  What advice would you give someone who wanted to get in such outstanding shape as you are in?

Take one day at a time. Change doesn’t happen over night but change will come if you stick to the goals you set forth. Believe you can and will reach them.

Great advice.  How has competing in figure changed your life?

It has taught me the value of setting goals, following through with your plans and the amazing feeling of accomplishment in reaching and obtaining them. It was given me confidence, a great feeling of self worth and to love who I am.

Yep.  Is there anything else you would like to share?

I’d like to thank Ms. Karen Sessions, Figure Coach, for teaching me that I can be a top-level Figure Competitor. Her knowledge and understanding of what it takes to get to the stage helped me through months and weeks leading up to the show. Her encouragement and willingness to answer all my questions was a great comfort to me.

I can’t express enough how much I appreciated her being there for my first competition. It was one of greatest days of my life and having her there made it even better. Thank you Ms. Karen so much!!! You have changed my life.

Do YOU Want to Enter a Figure Competition, too or Just Have the Body of a Figure Competitor? Stop sitting on the sideline…

Did you know that Hope is just like you and YOU can make the SAME type of Body Transformation! You can have all the same Diet, Training, and Prepping Secrets to transform your body, get on stage, and Win your Competition!

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Karen Sessions NSCA-CPT