Christine Henwood has scored her first international bodybuilding competition win.
In November she won the Ms NABBA Universe Physique at the International Universe Championships in Cebu in the Philippines.
It was the first international competition for the Albany resident which she had been training for since June.
“Winning was just amazing and unexpected for me. The standard of the competition was very good,” Henwood says.
“New Zealand competitions are much more relaxed and small and really social.”
It’s important to stick to your game plan during the competition and not change things if something goes wrong, she says.
“You can work your butt off but you’re still never guaranteed you’ll win. It’s very much on the day about your performance and condition that wins it.”
After her win in the Philippines she then competed in the NAC Universe competition in Hamburg, Germany.
She didn’t place but says she is grateful for the experience, she also celebrated her 57th birthday while over there.
Henwood first started bodybuilding about 20 years ago, but then gave it up.
She took it up again about three years ago and has been training to get herself to competition level since then.
It was important for her to get back into it, she says.
“I went back to the gym because I wanted to be fit and strong. It’s vital I can enjoy retirement when I get to that age.
“If you can invest time when you’re younger you can keep going when you’re older. I’m at a time in my life where I can invest time in me.”
Off season, Henwood spends about seven hours at the gym each week. Pre-contest she’s at the gym for two one and a half hour sessions every day, six days a week.
It’s all about maintaining a good standard of nutrition. She typically eats things like egg white omelettes, salads, salmon, fish and chicken.
She says she has supportive family and friends, including her husband of 40 years, who encourage her in her sport.
“I don’t feel phased, I don’t get exposed to any stigmas people have attached to bodybuilding.”
Courtesy of: North Harbour News