Michele Mayberry
Resides: Federal Way, WA.
Age: 42
Height: 5ft 7" 
Weight: 130 pounds
Favorite Bodypart: Abs!

How did you get into fitness?

I’ve always been somewhat athletic, and competed in gymnastics for 8 years growing up, and a couple years of track in high school. I really missed the competition after I was done with my sports, and longed for something that adults could compete at.

I got involved in this industry of Figure/Fitness back in 2003 when I saw the results of a Pro show in Oxygen Magazine, and I thought “I could do that”. So I found a trainer in my area, IFBB Fitness Pro Tanji Johnson, and went to work. With the help of Tanji, and my nutritionist Pete Grubbs, I won my Figure class AND Overall in my very first show. There’s been no looking back after that, because I was hooked. I started competing in Fitness in 2004, and even placed 4th at Fitness Nationals last November.

I have found through training and proper dieting, I could sculpt my body to look better than I ever looked in my 20’s or 30’s, and to be the strongest I’ve ever been. I want to spread the word to everyone that you can feel so much better if you take care of your body, and you’re never too old or too out of shape to get fit. I hope the fact that I started training at 39 years old is motivating to people everywhere, and that I can help you on your journey to be fit whether you just want to lose some weight, put some muscle on, compete or whatever.

         

What Workout Plan Worked Best For You?

I tend to stay fairly lean all year long, and maybe gain 5-7 pounds at the most during the off season. During competition season, my workouts are 7 days a week of 2x 30 minute cardio sessions. I find that if I vary the types of cardio I do, my legs get better conditioned. I use the treadmill for jogging and walking uphill, I run through my very hilly neighborhood, stair stepper, stadium stairs, elliptical and I play soccer usually 1 -2x per week.

Weight training - In the earlier stages of my competition training I lift 6
days per week with heavier weight on just one body part per day.

Then towards the middle, I reduce the weight some so I can do 4 sets of 15 reps for 4 to 5 exercises per body part. Then the last couple weeks before a show, I go lighter and hit 4 sets of 20-30 reps depending on what body part I'm training. I also try to get 3 days of abs in.

What Nutrition Plan Has Worked Best For You?

Originally, I was on a fairly low carb, low fat diet which works well in the early stages of training. But I've found that as I get down in body fat, I actually look better if I have a few extra carbs during the day, and I have extra energy for my evening workouts.

I tend to have a hard time keeping muscle in my upper body and it seems that I've been able to put on more muscle since I've added in a few more calories and carbs to my daily diet. I get my carbs from oatmeal, yams, red potatoes, Low carb tortillas, berries, grapefruit and granny smith apples. I get my protein from chicken, fish, ground turkey, egg whites, and fat free cottage cheese. I eat about every 2.5 to 3 hours and I don't eat carbs after 4-5pm. One new thing I've been doing this season is to have steak twice a week for dinner along with a baked potato. I know that sounds strange, but it helps me retain muscle. Just when I start looking depleted, I have a steak and potato and the next day, I'm all filled out again.

What Supplements Have Given You The Greatest Gains?

That's a hard one to know for sure, but this season I've been using BSN Nitrix, and I do feel that I've had more gains this year than before. I think that with the combination of extra calories/carbs, I've been able to notice some gains.


Why Do You Love Fitness?

I started out just wanting something to compete in, and once I got involved with it all, I fell in love with it. It's hard to say what I enjoy more, the competitions or seeing all the friends I've made around the country. When you walk into a show, it's like a whole different world filled with people involved in fitness. You have an instant bond with all these people that you've never even seen before. We all work very hard and we are so different than most of the people we see in our daily lives.

I feel kind of like a freak at work eating chicken and yams out of Tupperware every 3 hours, and working out at lunchtime while they all go get their burgers and fries. For me, staying in shape is just part of my life, and the fact that I can have a Fitness competition to show off my hard work and hopefully motivate others is so rewarding.

Also, being a little bit older competitor and being able to hold my own against the "kids" keeps me feeling young . It's funny, I get to thinking sometime that I'm old enough to be some of these girl's mother. I love the fact that no matter what age I am, that by training and eating right I can stay young.


What Are Your Future Fitness Plans?

I'm hoping to get my pro card at Team Universe or Nationals this year and then compete at the Pro level as long as my body will hold out. If I don't get my Pro card, I'll continue competing in 2-3 NPC shows per year. I am currently a Washington State NPC judge, and LOVE judging the local shows, so that will  definitely be something that I can continue for years to come. I am also starting to help others prepare for shows and am teaching adult gymnastics classes.

Good Luck with your Program

Michele

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