After being involved in the health and fitness industry for more than 20 years, Dina Windsor decided to take her goals to the next level and entered her first bodybuilding competition in 2016.
She said the biggest motivator was being a good role model to her four sons.
“I wanted to make sure we were modelling healthy behaviours and healthy lifestyles for them,” said Windsor.
The second driving force was simply to do something she had always wanted to try, and hopefully inspire others to do the same.
“Whatever it is you think you’ve lost the opportunity to do because life happened, it’s never too late,” she added. “Just get up and start doing it.”
When Windsor began preparing for her first show, she attended a provincial competition as a spectator. Watching it left her feeling daunted about what she had signed up for, she said.
“I thought maybe it was completely out of my league and maybe I needed to hire a coach.”
The coach told her competitors usually need at least 16 weeks of preparation before an event. However, with half that amount of time, Windsor ended up surprising herself.
“I came in second in both of my classes and I qualified for provincials the following year,” she said.
Going out on the stage for the first time was both intimidating and exhilarating, she added.
“I portray as a type-A, super-outgoing person,” said Windsor. “But there’s something different about walking out on a stage in five-inch heels and four inches of fabric and trying to smile and pose.”
This summer, Windsor will participate in three competitions over a four-week period. Doing that many shows in such a short time frame is not usual, she said, as maintaining her lean competition physique for that long can be a challenge.
There are two distinct stages to a bodybuilding competitor's life. During most of the year the athlete trains hard and builds muscle mass. In the weeks preceding a competition diet and training is changed to help the competitor become very lean. Weight can fluctuate up to 15 pounds during this time.
“It is to show off what you’ve built underneath,” said Windsor. “You are maintaining your muscle and stripping your body of the fat.”
At any time of year, Windsor leads a highly disciplined lifestyle. She is up at 3:30 am for her first workout on the treadmill before starting her workday as a personal trainer and is usually in bed by 8 pm.
When it comes to finding time to work out and prepare healthy meals, Windsor said she has the same excuses as anyone else.
“I’m busy, I have four sons, a grandson; I have multiple things on the go all the time,” she said. “If it’s important to you, you’ll be able to figure out a way to readjust your schedule to make it work.
Aside from the thrill of competing, Windsor said the camaraderie and inspiring women she has met along the way have made the competitions a great experience. Participants of all ages compete, from 18 to women well into their 60s, she added.
“It’s so awesome because it’s super supportive.”
At the end of the day, each woman is really competing against herself, said Windsor. The long hours of hard work and sacrifices made are individual; the accomplishments are celebrated together, she added.
Windsor said she hopes others will join her in healthier lifestyle choices and going after their own passions.
“Just try whatever you’ve been longing to do,” she said. “It might be learning to play a violin; go out and try it. We only live so long; what’s stopping you?”
