Mark Andrews likes to stay in shape and take care of his body.
Andrews has been a personal trainer for nearly 20 years, and is presently working with people locally at Fitness Zone.
However, he decided to take on a different task this past June - bodybuilding. Even though it was a new venture, Andrews was excited about the opportunity.
"I have always stayed in good shape," Andrews said. "I didn't even think about competing until the summer and it was my son-in-law (Alex) that told me I needed to do it. It never appealed to me. I have trained people and thought, 'OK, I need a new challenge.' I hired a guy to do my diet prep. It is a whole different ball game when you are on stage in posing trunks."
Andrews said the biggest change he had to make was to his diet. He noted to get his body in the right shape it was 90 percent cardio and diet, where he was eating the right foods.
"It's anywhere from chicken, turkey, fish, hamburger and steak," Andrews said. "When people think of diet, they think you are starving. The last thing you want to do is lose muscle. You are still taking in the proper amount calories and it can sustain the muscle when you are doing the cardio. You still have to eat clean. What you put in your body is the result you are going to get."
Andrews, 53, noted that he would eat six or seven times a day and he set aside 12 weeks to get ready when decided he wanted to compete. In 11 weeks, he lost 34 pounds and went from 15 percent body fat to about five percent.
"I tell people I am 53 and if I can do it, anyone can," he said. "If you put your mind to it, are dedicated to it and are consistent you will be OK. What you do in the gym is the easiest part of the day. It is what you do in the other 23 hours. You have to take care of yourself. It is day in and day out and it takes a toll on you."
Andrews competed in his first event in August at the the NPC/IFBB Tahoe Show, the premier bodybuilding contest in California and Nevada. As part of the event, a competitor must go through 12 compulsory poses and that is what they are scored on. In the night show, competitors do 60-second posing routines for the crowd. He finished first in Masters over 50. He entered the middleweight class and placed fifth.
"I was with guys half my age in the middleweight class," he recalled. "I went in with no expectations, because I have never competed before. I didn't know what to expect. I said to myself, 'I am going to go and enjoy myself.'"
During the night show, Andrews went with Thriller to pose in front of the crowd.
"I wanted to use something I grew up with," Andrews said. "I went with it and had a good time. The music started and the crowd went crazy. The guy that was helping me told me the crowd tends to appreciate the older guys more, because they have to work so much harder. I thought I would be nervous. I was eager. I would spend an hour a day before the competition posing. The more you practice, the easier it gets. There are not many people over 50 competing."
Just six weeks later, Andrews entered the Best of the West Championships that was held at the Nugget in Sparks.
"The first three weeks of training wasn't too bad," Andrews said. "The last three weeks, I began doubting what I was doing. I thought it would be easier, but it wasn't. I told myself that I was going to come into Reno in better shape than I was in Tahoe. Every show I want to do, I have to strive to get better. Otherwise you become complacent and think it's good enough. Everyone else is getting better as well."
Andrews competed in the Masters over 50 class once again and took home first place. He also took part in the Masters over 40 and middleweight and placed second in both classes.
"The hard part was they did the classes right after another," he said. "You have to get right back in line for the next classes. It takes a toll and your body is taxed. You are shaking. I only drank 16 ounces of water from Friday morning to Saturday afternoon and you are eating the same meals. You are trying to draw out as much water as possible out of the muscle and bring as much definition as you can. You get to the point where you are in a fog and can't do that to your body anymore."
Andrews' second-place finishes were by one point and he looked back and noted there were some little things that he could have done different to allow him to win all three divisions. From there, he said he got the bug, but added that he will only do two shows a year because of the mental and physical toll it takes on the body.
"It was a great experience for me," Andrews said. "There were some kids in high school that came along and they got interested. I have a client that is interested, but it is all in the mind. If you set your mind to a certain goal, you can do it."
The victory qualified Andrews for the Masters Nationals in Pittsburgh, Penn. However, he will not go to the East Coast and compete.
"I don't feel like I am ready, since I am new to it," he added. "I want to get a couple more shows in before I get to that level. The only ones that can compete in Pittsburgh are other champions from NPC shows. I don't feel I am at that level and I need more seasoning."
Andrews says he wants to continue to compete and wants to challenge himself. His next show will be in June 2015 at the Nevada State Championships. He will start his prep for the event 12 - 16 weeks out, where it will not be as tough on his body compared to the first event. If the success continues, Andrews said he would consider moving on to the national stage.
"If I don't step up my level of competition, I am just cheating myself," Andrews said. "Maybe I won't win, but it lets you know how much more you have to work. That is how I look at it. I am critical of myself and where I need to improve."[[In-content Ad]]
