Heather Britz

Hello...My name is Heather , I am 52 and in November 2011 became  ANB Grand Masters Over 50's Physique Champion.....a feat that I had not planned on until 2012.

I live in Tamworth so  its a little bit unknown for Body Builders..and more for Country Music.

A single mum who, @ 24 was told to strengthen my back after finding out I had arthritis and spent too much time at a Chiropractor, decided to gym it. Early impressions left me cold so I walked and swam and rode my pushie instead.

In 1992 a new Gym was opening and I decided to try it again. For 2 years I experimented with different types of training and cardio work until one of the Instructors asked if I was interested in teaching Circuit classes.  I trained for my Cert 3/Cert 4 as it is now called in 1994 until I found a friend who was a Junior Powerlifting champ.

This was the only way I hadn't trained so I took it on and loved it. Still with back injuries I had my ups and downs however persevered while also raising my son and studying @ TAFE for Diploma in Fine Art.

At 44 I decided I wanted to compete when a friend was going to so we trained together...unfortunately I became sick on the diet proving that it wasnt for everyone ...or maybe just not my time. I never forgot the dream.

When my Son was getting married 3 years ago I wanted to be fitter and in good shape for the photos so I talked to a Trainer about getting started. This actually didn't happen straight away however.

Wedding over and training started I had a couple of goals in mind...to run 5 km and do 1-arm push-ups...both of which I achieved in really hard training circumstances!!!!! But there was one more thing to be done so casually I mentioned to my Trainer what it was. The come back..'seriously???.... we can do that ' so I set a date and we aimed for it.

The competition was 2010 DUBBO INBA in which I enterd in the Figure Masters and placed 3rd!! Bonus!! It was an eyeopener too ....so much to learn. A friend who helped me (and also entered) suggested that I go and compete @ Shellharbour/ 2010 ANB South Coast Championships so I did this and placed 1st Physique Open.

This was funny as I hadn't learnt all the poses for Physique  and was in the carpark learning how to flare and strike and show off the 'most muscular'!!

It was at this Competition that I met lovely Jackee Martinez and we talked about the Newcastle Classic in September the same year. So I came home and trained harder in an effort to do well in Newcastle. Unfortunately I didn't place but that was okay as it was a learning curve for me. I was happy to see what the others on stage  (and more of them) looked like so I could guage my appearance.

I came with a Medal and set my sights on 2011. Working casually for the whole year while training  became hard but I stuck it out.. even going through injuring my hips and back and not being  able to train legs for a while. 

Finding hard to include proper meals at set times I found a couple of training diets that I had been given and adapted them to fit my times at work at night and sought help online too. ..During this time my Trainer also had things on....Fight study and training in Japan and other things to attend  to.

I entered the Classic and I won!! Worth every bit of training, sweat and pain that I went through. 2011 Newcastle Classic Physique Champion. Happy happy!  It was while at this I was asked to then go to Gosford/Central Coast Competition.....thought about it and originally said no cause I thought it was too hard to maintain diet. Changed my mind or should I say someone helped change it for me.and off I went  and came 2nd ...bonus  as I had put on weight . More tough training sessions!!!

It was here there was talk of maybe going to the Australian National Championships in Sydney IF they added a Grand Masters Division in Physique. It was and I said I would go. Asked  by Barbara Greentree and Jackee..who rang me and said 'pack your bikini you're doing it!' I suffered 'groundhog day at home training harder as I knew it was a bigger competition overall....2 days.

All the sweat was worth going through all over again as I placed 1st and became ANB Grand Master Over 50's Champion 2011. Dream achieved in 2 years.  I feel that I am going to continue this for as long as I am able and hopefully be of inspiration to other 50 plus women to change their lives.

 Whats next????

To train harder and keep reading about all the other Inspirational People who I admire. <3

Thanks ....Heather Britz