Karen Sessions' Biography

Dreams CAN turn into a reality with a will, dedication, and effort. I embarked on bodybuilding at an UNHEALTHY weight of 90 pounds at 5'4". I was in early stages of Anorexia Nervosa, a serious illness of self-starvation.

How Weight Controlled Me

It all began as a simple quest to lose a few pounds to go to the beach for spring break. My weight-loss strategy was simply cutting my meals in half and exercising a bit more and, viola, weight loss. With my unhealthy weight loss I felt a sense of power. After my beach trip I remained on my unhealthy diet and continued to lose weight. I became leaner and thinner. Others began to notice my new thin and unhealthy body.

As the illness progressed I slowly began to fear food, thinking that anything that I put in my mouth would make me fat. My eating virtually ceased, my skin was dry, my hair was falling out, I was weak, and I began passing out. The closest people to me were blind to my illness.

Finally, a friend confronted me. I was in dismay and denied at the accusation. I was scared to death that she knew, but I was also grateful that someone was aware of my situation. I knew I had an eating problem, but I did not know how to overcome it. Sure, in my mind I knew how to conquer it, but defeating such a condition by yourself is not as easy as it may seem. It wasn't until my friend called my parents that I made the inner decision to make a change, simply because I didn't want to be sent away to a clinic or hospital.

My Recovery Journey

I wanted to recover the right way so I went to the gym to gain the right king of weight, muscle weight. Since I was underweight, the muscle gains came quickly and easily. Others in the gym began noticing my drive and physical changes and took me under their wing, introducing me to more advanced training techniques. Then, one day someone suggested that I compete in a bodybuilding contest. Now, I must admit that I admired the muscle goddesses that ruled the competitive stage on ESPN's female bodybuilding, but I NEVER thought I had it in me to get in such condition. I always said that I would never do such a thing, simply because I didn't think I could.

A top-ranked national bodybuilder/trainer, Jessie Lipoma, at the gym suggested that I get an idea of what female bodybuilding was all about so I went to a local competition. From that moment on I was addicted and wanted to be a part of the competitive sport of female bodybuilding.

When I returned home from the bodybuilding contest I had a quest to compete and I began my new training program. I had no idea of where to begin or what to do. I failed my first attempt because I had no guidance or direction, but when someone said that I would never make it, oh, well that just fueled the fire. I was on a quest to Do It no matter WHAT!

My First Bodybuilding Competition and My Quest for Success

In 1995 I competed in my first bodybuilding competition, placing 4th in the Women's Novice Light Weight. I did well for my very first show with no help, but I wanted a higher placing, and a trophy. I competed two more times that season, placing 3rd in each competition, collecting 2 trophies.

I kept a log of everything, stats, diet, training, cardio, etc. for that off-season and contest prep.

I realized that I needed to add more muscle in order to place higher. I trained hard for the next competitive season. During my first off-season I was sure to eat a small complete meal every three hours and not to overtrain.

I competed again in 1996 and received a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th places in various shows. However, I still was not satisfied. I wanted first place.

Again, I kept a log of everything, stats, diet, training, cardio, etc. for that off-season and contest prep.

I began my second off-season training course for the next competitive year. To add more muscle mass I dropped my training back to three days a week and cut out a lot of the processed food items.

As my show approached I started my pre-contest training. I started a 2-day on, 1-day off training split and began moderate cardio, which progressed weekly. I introduced carb-cycling and added more essential fat to my diet. I was seeing changes WEEKLY, which kept the motivation in high-gear.

In 1997 I won 1st Place in the Women's Open Light Weight Division and Overall! Finally, I got what I was working so hard for, and it was well worth the small sacrifices.

AGAIN, I kept a log of everything, stats, diet, training, cardio, etc. for that off-season and contest prep.

I went on to compete for two more consecutive years, focusing on making certain body parts better. In 1998 I wanted to have killer legs, a body part I thought was always under par for me. I hit Periodization in that off-season and built an awesome pair of wheels that turned heads on the street, as well as the competitive stage. I won 1st Place again in the Women's Open Light Weight Division and received 1st Place in 2 National Qualifiers that year.

AGAIN, I kept a log of everything, stats, diet, training, cardio, etc. for that off-season and contest prep.

In 1999 I wanted to experiment with competing in the middle weight division. I moved up an entire weight class, making my appearance in the Middle Weight Division. I received two 2nd Places that year, both in National Qualifiers.

AGAIN, I kept a log of everything, stats, diet, training, cardio, etc. for that off-season and contest prep.

I was headed to the Junior USA the next season, but I was burned out after four years of consecutive competing, with constant trial and error to see what works the best competing in 2-3 contests a year. I took a break in 2000 and went back to school to advance in other areas of my life.

I decided to compete again in 2001 just to test the waters and reclaimed my 1997 Overall victory at the NPC Bayou Stage Bodybuilding Competition. I placed 1st in the Women's Open Light Weight Division and won Overall again.

After that contest I moved to another state. After I got settled I started my online business, www.FigureCompetitionSecrets.com, wrote a Best-Selling eBook on how to successfully enter and prep for figure and bodybuilding competitions, and I even coach e-clients one-on-one online.

History has demonstrated that the most notable winner usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats” – B.C. Forbes

By proven track record below you can see how I spent YEARS testing and re-testing countless ways to prep for competitions. I wasn't afraid to take chances. My failure AND accomplishments have been put through the ringer to bring YOU the BEST program EVER to take you from a total beginner to owning the stage in just one shot.

Karen Sessions Placements and Awards

	1995 - Pelican Iron Classic - 4th Novice Women's Light Weight
	1995 - Bayou State Classic- 3rd Novice Women's Light Weight
	1995 - Acadian Extravaganza - 3rd Novice Women's Light Weight
	1996 - Natural Louisiana - 2nd Novice Women's Short
	1996 - Natural Louisiana - 3rd Open Women's Short
	1996 - Bayou State Classic - 4th Novice Women's Light Weight
	1997 - Bayou State Classic - 1st Open Women's Light Weight and Overall
	1997 - Southern Louisiana - 1st Open Women's Light Weight
	1998 -Louisiana - 1st Open Women's Light Weight
	1998 - Greater Gulf States - 1st Open Women's Light Weight
	1999 - Louisiana - 2nd Open Women's Middle Weight
	1999 - Power Lifting Contest - 1st Place Women's Division
	1999 - Greater Gulf Sates - 2nd Women's Middle Weight
	2001- Bayou State Classic - 1st Women's Light Weight and Overall
	2001- Louisiana - 2nd Women's Light Weight
	2004 - Infomercial for the NuWave Oven
	2005 - Writing for Physique and Fitness Magazine
	2005 - Platinum writer status on fitness at EzineArticles.com

© Karen Sessions Inc. 2002 - Present. All Rights Reserved.