Natural Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness News

Regina Figure Competitor Melanie Oberg a Natural Winner

REGINA — Melanie Oberg’s everyday life, from diet to exercise, follows a strict routine that involves significant sacrifice. As a result, winning awards has also become routine for the Regina native.

On Saturday, Oberg, 33, finished first in the Canadian Figure championship at the 2011 Canadian Bodybuilding Federation national championships in Saskatoon.

Figure competitions are under the same umbrella of bodybuilding, but they are judged on the overall presentation — the amount of muscle, overall physique and appearance.

“We get marked down if we’re too big or lean ... or look like a man,” Oberg said laughing.

She started training in 2005, two years before her first competition.

“I’ve always liked the look and I’ve always liked fitness competitions,” she said. “I knew it was something I wanted to get into. So when figure came out, I thought, ‘OK, I can do that.’ ”

Her confidence to succeed in the sport was justified very early in her career.

She won the provincial championship her first time competing in the event, which also earned her a lifetime invitation to the national championship.

Oberg finished second overall in her first year at nationals.

“It was pretty nerve-racking, but also very exciting,” she said. “At the national level, Saskatchewan doesn’t have good representation. Out of the four years I have gone to nationals, I am maybe one of two people from Saskatchewan. This year, Ontario brought 30 girls with them.”

Harvey Viteychuk, chief judging official and past president for Saskatchewan Amateur Bodybuilding Association (SABBA), said the sport is growing thanks to people like Oberg.

“The last couple of years, we’ve seen a lot of growth, especially on the women’s side of the sport with figure competitors like Melanie.”

He said one reason the sport is growing is because women aren’t expected to be overly muscular or lean.

“The contest preparation is somewhat easier, but I’m not going to say it’s easy because Melanie puts in a lot of hard work to get ready for her shows.”

Kirk Oberg, 36, Melanie’s husband, trainer and coach, knows the exhausting amount of effort needed to succeed — he’s been bodybuilding for about 15 years.

“I never do as well at the nationals,” said Kirk. “So for her to do well makes me feel really good.

“When she competes, I do pretty much whatever I can to make it easier for her,” he said. “And when I compete, she does the same thing.”

Melanie said it’s beneficial to have her trainer available 24 hours a day.

Together, they develop training plans for the entire year and 20 week diets before competitions. However, training is all about sacrifice.

“I carry a cooler around with me and I have feeding times,” she said laughing. “Basically, it got down to me eating three fish meals a day. Last year, I ate all salmon and now I can’t eat salmon.”

This year, she switched to tilapia.

Luckily, the couple sometimes enjoys one cheat day a week to eat whatever they want.

“That’s a happy day,” she said. “Usually we’ve been making breakfast — like hash browns and sausage — and we’ve been going for sushi ... and lots of chocolate.”

Despite Melanie’s dedication to year-long training, Viteychuk said she’s a rare athlete in the sport.

“She was pretty much a natural,” he said. “She didn’t win the overall title (this year), but I think it’s only a matter of time.”

Overall national champions earn a pro card, which allows athletes to compete at international events for money.

“The ultimate, Super Bowl of bodybuilding, figure, and bikini is the Olympia,” she said. “That’s the one that Arnold (Schwarzenegger) won like seven times. That’s what everyone is going for.”

Everyone except Melanie.

“This is kind of a hobby for me and I just can’t stop doing it because I’ve always placed top three,” she said. “It’s fun and fulfilling.”

Source - www.leaderpost.com