April 15, 2004

Lorena Funk: Ambition from Alberta

• Name: Lorena Funk
• Height: 5’ 3"
• Competition weight: 106 lbs.
• Off-season weight: 120-130 lbs. ("it depends")
• Residence: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
• Competitive level: CBBF National
• Competitive highlights: 2003 Alberta Figure Championships (1st-place Short class and Overall title), 2003 CBBF Canadian Figure Championships (3rd-place Short class)

Fittingly, the first time I met Lorena she was busy doing cardio -- getting ready to compete in an ABBA bodybuilding competition. Little did I realize that this was where I would find Lorena most often -- if not doing cardio, then hitting the weights at the infamous Hardcore Gym on Edmonton’s south side.

Have you ever noticed that the busier fitness/figure athletes are, the more successful they seem to be? As a graphic designer and advertising assistant for a national sports retail company, Lorena has to be organized -- add in planning for a wedding and you know this girl has only succeeded through hard, disciplined work.

The reason you find Lorena so focused at the present time is that she is preparing to compete in July at the CBBF Canadian Figure Championships in Brantford, Ontario. As in many cases, Lorena wasn’t necessarily gifted with great genetics, nor did she have the opportunities that were available to young people in larger centers. "In my teen years there wasn’t much to do except drink and eat," remembers Lorena. After meeting with a family doctor in the winter of 1997, Lorena was faced with a stark reality. "I went to the doctor and she told me that for my height I was very overweight and, in fact, according to her height and weight charts, I was obese. Those words were the words that changed my life forever. That day I decided to change my eating habits and vowed to never let myself get overweight again."

As with many new athletes, learning how to train properly can take some time. Lorena recalls, "…at first, like many newcomers, I would go to the gym and try to lift as heavy as I could. I don’t know who I was trying to impress. I was probably not using the right technique and was asking for injuries. I was not getting the results that I was looking for. Finally, I realized I didn’t want to be a weightlifter or powerlifter; I wanted to be a bodybuilder and sculpt my body. So I began to change my training techniques, and combined lifting heavy weight with proper form. That’s when I started seeing changes in my physique -- of course, combined with the right diet."

Being one of the first girls to train out of Hardcore in 2000, Lorena noticed that a couple of Canada’s top personal trainers, Brian and Donna Logue, were training clients at the same facility, and she had heard of their reputation for dieting bodybuilding athletes. "After going it alone for several months," Lorena confides, "I finally contacted them and told them I was interested in competing, and the rest, as they say, is history. I got ready for the Northern Alberta Bodybuilding Championships in 2001 and I came in second in the lightweight class."

When asked what memories she had of her first contest, Lorena reminisces, "Oh, gosh! I was so excited and anxious to start dieting. I wanted my trainers to train and diet me hard. I was extremely careful of what I ate in the months prior to dieting. I didn’t have any expectations that year. I just didn’t want to be disappointed and I wanted to do it at least once. I’ll never forget that day -- it was one of my most memorable days! The girls backstage were so great -- everybody was helping each other, exchanging numbers and e-mails and taking pictures, sharing their make-up and Saran Wrap… ha! That’s a little trick we were using so we wouldn’t get the paint on our suits during touch ups. The only thing I had second thoughts about was the Dream Tan we had to put on for the stage. The night before, when my boyfriend was putting it on, I was almost bawling because it didn’t look right. Of course, the fact that I was carb-depleted didn’t help things, so anything small became this big emotional scene. I thought it was going to look horrible and streaky, and I didn’t want to go on the stage looking like that after working so hard for the show. Fortunately, someone explained to me that this was normal and that I would look fine on the stage. I laugh about it now but it wasn’t so funny to me that night."

Living a health and fitness lifestyle takes careful scheduling -- and support from family and friends. In Lorena’s case, her fiancé Ed is her biggest supporter and fan. Here’s a brief look into Lorena’s day:

5:00am or 5:30am: Get up (depends on how long I have to ride the bike as competition day gets closer and closer.)

8:00am: Start work and have meal #1.

11:00am: Have meal #2.

2:00pm: Have meal #3.

4:30pm: Get off work and head to the gym. I try not to do weights longer than an hour, and then if I have to do extra cardio, I‘ll do it there at the gym -- this gives me a chance to chat with friends.

5:00pm: Have meal #4.

7:30pm: Get home, cook the next day’s meals, and get organized for the next day. To relax, I play with my cat, return phone calls, check e-mails, and, if time allows, watch a little TV.

When asked if the old adage "early to bed, early to rise" is true, a smile crosses Lorena’s face, "I usually go to bed late, which is a big no-no when dieting and getting ready for a competition, but I find I have so much energy at the beginning of my diet that I’m usually up pretty late. I try not to overdo it. I tend to go with how I feel and try to listen to my body as much as possible, which sometimes includes a final meal before going to bed. I like to go to bed with a full stomach." Lorena’s smile gets bigger.

What steps does Lorena see as contributing to her success? Pondering for a moment before replying, Lorena proceeds to say, "I don’t know if this is necessarily in the right order, but I try very hard to stick to these points.

1. I think it’s important to understand and be true to yourself and ask why you’re doing this extreme sport in the first place. Even if you’re not honest with anybody else, at least be honest with yourself.
   
   
2. You have to know your limits and goals and be prepared to give it 110%.
   
   
3. Believe in yourself! If you don’t, why should anybody else? Do it for yourself and nobody else.
   
   
4. Be confident, but humble and modest.
   
   
5. Recognize and thank all of the people who have helped you along the way.
   
   
6. Most importantly, have fun and make sure you enjoy what you’re doing. If you’re not having fun, why are you doing it in the first place?"

Maintaining a pace that sees you compete year after year and sometimes more than once a year does take its toll. Lorena has considered taking some time off. "Last year I was pretty burnt out. I was more tired mentally than physically. There were many days where I wanted to quit. I thought about taking a year off to refocus. This sport can become so self-involving when we’re dieting that our loved ones get the back burner and it becomes all about us. However, it was my boyfriend who kept me going. He would remind me how much work I’d put in so far and that if he knew anybody that could do it, it was me. Of course, I didn’t want to let him down, or myself, or my trainers for that matter. I stuck with it and it all worked out for the best."

Lorena continues, "I have learned that you have to listen to your body. You do need to take time off and give your body a break both mentally and physically. The variations in body fat between on- and off-season plays games with your mind. My first couple of years, I let things get out of control -- this definitely wasn’t healthy! Some people can handle 40 additional pounds in the off-season. I can’t. It was a difficult time for me but I’ve learned now, with careful attention, to keep my off-season weight within 20 pounds of contest shape. I’ve kept a diet that is somewhat similar to my pre-contest diet. I try to eat as clean as possible and focus on gaining lean mass as opposed to general bulking up."

There are many benefits to the fitness lifestyle and from these come the inspiration to push on. "Watching my body change through the whole diet process is motivating and exciting. Seeing room for improvement motivates me. Feeling and looking fit by following such a lifestyle is motivating." Lorena continues, "When I get e-mails from people asking for tips or advice and saying that I inspire them -- that is very rewarding. The fact that I’m in an elite group of people who can follow through with the diet of competing is motivating." As for additional benefits, Lorena adds, "I think I’m more focused. When you’re dieting and training you have to be very organized and follow a schedule. I think training overall is a great way to improve one’s health -- not just to look good, but to stay feeling young and healthy."

Like every athlete whose ambition is to step on a competitive stage, Lorena has set goals for herself. "For the moment I’m concentrating on nationals this summer. I’m very psyched and excited to start dieting. I’m focused on improving my physique from last year and improving my third placement in the Short figure class. I’m trying to take it one step at a time so that I’m not disappointed if things don’t go as I plan. To get first in my class or overall would be icing on the cake. Winning a Pro Card would definitely be a dream come true."

As for additional avenues of sport involvement, Lorena is busy working on her website, which should be going live about the time you read this profile. This is a service she hopes to make available to other athletes. A personal website can play an important role in marketing yourself -- and Lorena knows a thing or two about marketing.

...David Ford

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