Jennica Kidd

November 27th, 2011 by

I’m going to start from the beginning back in 2008. I was currently training for my second figure competition, 12-15 weeks out, and was miserable. I was doing 5-7 hours of cardio a week and I was eating all my calories from protein and greens … besides 40g of oats in the AM. There was a client of Erik’s I would always watch train; she was also prepping and was about 8-10 weeks out from the North Americans. I would watch her workouts thinking she looks like she’s having fun and she truly doesn’t look miserable. I would watch her do her workout then leave eating skittles and doing no cardio. Yes, I thought this was the craziest thing I had ever seen. Considering I would do my typical workout (isolated muscle groups) then jump on the stairmill at level 6 for 45 min. I was so jealous. But, being the stubborn ass I am, I would never have let her know so, instead, I would give her crap about it. Lol

Then as her contest got closer I started to realize this girl’s coach is on to something. She was looking amazing. I mean really, and that’s saying something cause I’m honest. She ended up placing top 5.

I was dating a jerk at the time who insisted I would fail unless I did it his way. So being a dumbass I stuck with him and let him do my diet for 2 more years.

In 2010 I started to prep for Jr. Nationals. I used a local “prep guy”. His clients usually looked in shape up there and I happened to be friends with one of his clients who looked pretty good at her last show and placed well.

I decided to give it a shot with him for 16 weeks prior to Jr. Nationals. Let me just tell you after this prep I’m lucky I am even able to continue to compete at all. This guy only did my diet/cardio I did my own typical isolated muscle group type workout.

When I saw my diet for the first time I was surprised but I was motivated and ready to go for it and win Jr. Nationals (LOL). Well my diet was NO CARBS (super unique!!). None! Zilch! I did this diet for 16 weeks. He would give me every 3rd day with 3 servings of almonds with 3 different meals. I had no carbs for 16 weeks. Super low calorie, hours on end of cardio. It was awful. I literally developed an eye condition that was causing a layer of my eye to bleed and making it so I had a blind spot in my field of vision. This all started about 6 weeks out. I remember my mom actually crying and begging me to please eat a sweet potato!! I of course refused. I was checked for brain tumors and everything! Come to find out this condition was caused by malnutrition. I also had 2 root canals (one during and one a few weeks after). I ended up looking my worst ever at Jr. Nationals in 2010. Worst ever. I was sick my body was destroyed my metabolism was non existent and I was a mess.

I just wanted to get well so I asked around and was told again of Erik’s name by a few people. So I decided to go for it. I told myself after Jr. Nationals I was going to do things 180 degrees different from last time and I knew Erik was the one to guide me. Although, it scared the crap out of me. I had prepped the same way for 3 years (the hamster way).

I told Erik (started with him in Jan 2011) that I was going to compete in May at Pittsburgh then do Jr. USAs. Plenty of time!! I get my diet and it is so much food and one “hill” workout for cardio. Erik told me if I was ready I could compete. I wasn’t used to hearing that considering most so called coaches will say you’ll be ready even if it means irreversible damage to your metabolism.

Every week I would consistently lose about 1lb. It wasn’t the 2-3lbs a week I was used to but I felt so good mentally and physically. My measurements, howver, were pretty amazing. Every biweekly I was astonished by my progress. I knew by March I probably wouldn’t be getting on stage till later in the season but I didn’t care cause I knew this diet was easy. I wasn’t miserable and struggling to be compliant. I wasn’t spending 3 hours a day everyday in the gym.

I ended up getting on stage for the TN State show looking the best I ever had and winning my class. Then 3 weeks later I did North Americans looking even better than the State show winding up in the Top 6. I am in debt to Erik. I truly believe he saved me from a short career. I am so thankful that I took the leap of faith and changed my ways of prep. Erik showed me what it is to live a lifestyle not just prep for a show. I feel like an athlete again. Going in to the TN State show I know I was in the best shape of my life, I mean conditioning-wise and cardiovascularly. This is even including my college soccer days at Ohio State.

I will never prep any other way. This is the only way that makes sense to me. Erik is the best Coach I have ever had and I have had many not just for prep but for soccer, as well. Erik changed my life. I am looking forward to many more years of having the best Coach in the biz. I am also so glad to be a part of the LBC family. I love my Team. Thank you, Erik for everything you have done for me.

– Jennica Kidd, Hendersonville, TN