The Competition

Wow, the show I attended today was a little shock to the system. The issues: everyone looked great and there was a surprisingly large number of women competing. I lost count because there were so many groups and each group had about 24 women. For the figure competition, the contenders were divided into 3 ages groups, 35-39, 40-49 and 50 and up. The competition among the 40 year olds was fierce, meaning that a large number of competitors looked great. Among the 30somethings, there was a range of shapes, with some looking better than others, but those others didn't look too bad. The 50 year olds looked amazing, too. What qualifies as amazing? Lean and defined. The differences between competitors in any group related to proportions, some being more defined or better balanced overall. What I couldn't figure out is how the judges make their choices when there are so many people with everything together. But invariably, there are a few standouts. The judges frequently ask people to trade places so that they can compare the ladies side by side. From what I could tell, it looked like the majority of the women were nervous. Many seemed stiff and a bit like a deer in the headlights. I'm sure there were numerous first-time competitors up there. The ones that appeared more relaxed likely were more experienced, or they had a huge amount of confidence, or both. I didn't expect to see such simple hairstyles, although there were a few exceptions, but it honestly made no difference. Either you have the right figure or you don't - your hair won't save you. One interesting sighting was a spray-on tanning service off in a corner of the school where the show was held. And 99% of the competitors had fake tans, either from the spray technique or a bronzing solution. At first it looks very weird, then its novelty wears off and those without the fake tan are the odd ones. All the girls had the same style shoe, a high clear heel with minimal straps. I guess the idea is for the shoe not to distract. The bathing suits, however, were highly ornate with rhinestones and sequins glittering from all angles. The numbers participating in the bodybuilding were miniscule. Most of those women were clearly bulkier than the figure competitors. But a few didn't necessarily belong there. Maybe they got the same advice I did: you stand a better chance of placing in bodybuilding than you do in the figure competition, based on the number of entrants. I don't think my body type conforms to those demands, so I'm sticking with the figure category. A curious sight...women leaving the competition carrying full length mirrors, like the kind attached to the back of a door. Also, women hauling large duffel bags or luggage on wheels....what's in those things? What did they need besides some make up, a brush and a change of clothes?? The male competitors stood in stark contrast to the women...much more playful, looser and more disorganized with some guys facing left when others faced right during the posing. The women had frozen smiles the whole time they were on stage which made me think their faces must hurt once they strutted off. What I'm taking away from today is the knowledge that the competition is extremely tight, that some women have unbelievable genetics allowing for incredible muscularity and definition and that the key may be to not take it all too seriously because the majority of the people there will be losers. This is not a commentary or referendum on their looks. It's just that someone else had a little more here and a little less there. Right now, all I'm wondering is what I'm going to look like 6 months from now.