“Bodybuilding is not only about going to the gym. It’s a lifestyle,” says Anna Lajourdie (above left), the owner of Polished.ca in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and an educator and distributor for Akzentz Nails. Lajourdie is a natural bodybuilder. “In natural bodybuilding, the competitors are drug-tested. Hormones, steroids, diuretics, and certain fat burners are banned,” she explains. “The look is more natural. The women look athletic. They’re very lean, but also very feminine.”
A big part of attaining this look comes down to diet. She eats every three hours and tracks her calories and carb-fat-protein ratios to meet her goals. “Before a show I go on a very strict diet for three months. The goal of this diet is to “lean out” (to lose fat and retain muscle) and to look very proportional and symmetrical on stage,” she says.
Her diet is simple: oatmeal, brown rice, chicken breast, fish, lean beef, and lots of green vegetables. “I also have fruit every day and I drink about a gallon of water daily.” When she’s not training for a show, she allows herself to gain 15-20 lbs and indulges in the occasional “cheat” with favorites like cheesecake, pizza, and brie.
To perfect her physique, Lajourdie weight trains four times a week for an hour. In the months prior to a show she adds daily cardio sessions. She also practices the mandatory poses almost daily. “Being able to pose properly on the stage is very important. Holding each pose is not as easy as it seems,” she says. “The judges are not only looking at the body, but also at the stage presence and the ability to show off one’s best features.”
A fellow natural bodybuilder, her boyfriend also works with her in her nail endeavors. The two are hoping to compete together for the first time this coming November at an INBA (International Natural Bodybuilding Association) event in Los Angeles.
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