10 NewZealandFitness,August/September2008

It is no surprise Amanda, 31, has won the Ms Australasian Fitness title for her second year running. She definitely put in a lot of hard work towards successfully defending the title. The competition for the event was tough and on the day, three of the

top girls who had competed against Amanda last year pulled out at the last minute. While this obviously increased Amanda's chances of winning, she was very disappointed about the decision, saying: "You train to be the best, therefore you want to compete against the best."

Back home she is now focusing on training for the New Zealand Federation of Body Building (NZFBB) South Island Championships in Christchurch in October and the NZFBB National Championships in Wellington in November.

One of the major changes for Amanda this year has been her decision to move from Auckland to Christchurch where she shares a flat with a friend. Another major change is that she no longer does stunt work for film and television. Originally from Gisborne and basing herself in Auckland up until last year, Amanda made the move to Christchurch, after experiencing the lifestyle down there while doing stunt work for the film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

"I really enjoyed the slow pace of the city, compared to Auckland."

I'm surprised at Amanda's decision to give up stunt work, so ask her why and how this came about?

"Stunt work involves long hours and it's quite hard on your body. I'm getting to the age where my body can't easily repair itself after injuries. I really enjoy working with people one-on-one, so personal training was the way to go for me."

Amanda now works for EAS as national sales representative and also gets involved in client product training. In addition she works as a part-time personal trainer. She makes use of her lunchtime breaks by training towards major fitness bodybuilding competitions.

There are a few success stories coming out of Amanda's work in personal training, including two of her clients who have lost an amazing 52kg between them and are now looking at competing in the NZFBB South Island Championships at the end of this year. Amanda helps them by giving nutritional advice and they are currently training with her towards the event.

"Seeing the changes in them after weight loss is amazing. When you lose a lot of weight, your whole persona changes. They're definitely a lot more confident now."

Amanda's training regime includes American-style gymnastics

Not only did she become the first Kiwi to win the title of Ms Australasian Fitness last year, Amanda Foubister has also won the title again this year! SARAH WEEKS meets up with one very dedicated fitness champion.

Ms Australasian Fitness, yet again!

"I like to push myself to the limit," says Amanda Foubister.

ty

NewZealandFitness,August/September200811

Amanda Foubister – two times winner of the Ms Australasian Fitness title.

NewZealandFitness,August/September200811

12 NewZealandFitness,August/September2008

(with a cheerleading focus) twice a week. This helps Amanda for her performance during the routine round in fitness competitions.

Although fitness and figure competition bears a close resemblance to female bodybuilding, there is significantly less emphasis on muscle size. Fitness and figure are two distinct forms of competition. However, the physique guidelines are similar, and many women cross over from one to the other. Amanda started off competing in figure, but made the move to fitness three years ago.

Fitness competition consists of a swimsuit round and a routine round. In the swimsuit round, the competitors wear two-piece swimsuits with high heels and present their physiques with a series of quarter or half turns. The routine round requires a performance including aerobics, dance or gymnastics. Figure competition is a newer division of fitness that excludes the fitness routine. The competitors are judged solely on symmetry and muscle tone.

"You've got to be lean and do a two-minute routine which demonstrates flexibility, power and strength."

Amanda also does weight training for one hour each day, five times a week. She splits herself between two gyms, Platinum Sport and Fitness

Canterbury. This is because she has to fit in her training schedule with training partner Jaimie Callagham, who will be competing at the National Amateur Body Building Association (NABBA) Nelson Bays Championships in November, along with Mr Universe Mark Anderson.

Each of her training sessions focuses on different muscle groups - back, chest, shoulders, legs and arms.

Pro-Fitness results based trainer Mike Debenham has been coaching Amanda since October last year, when she first moved to Christchurch. He organises a strict healthy diet for Amanda, which involves high-protein, carbohydrates at breakfast and lunchtime with fibrous vegetables and salad. She also takes supplements such as EAS protein powder and Body Armour, which helps build muscle and assists with recovery. EAS are major sponsors for Amanda and she also works closely with them as a sales representative, visiting schools and running seminars to educate people on the benefits on EAS products. She is also their national spokesperson in New Zealand.

"I believe fitness is really important. Fitness is a lifestyle that can be incorporated into anyone's life, no matter how busy they are."

After the National Championships, Amanda will be focusing on

"Fitness is a lifestyle that can be incorporated into any one's life, no matter how busy they are."

12 NewZealandFitness,August/September2008

"You get a quick buzz from

performing on stage at

competitions, but what

I really love to do is

challenge my body during

training sessions."

NewZealandFitness,August/September200813

training towards her first International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB) World Women Championships in September 2009. But she will have to win the National Championships to qualify for this international event.

"I'm pretty confident about the National Champs. I'm putting in all the hard work but it all depends on the day - you never know what could happen. You just have to prepare yourself."

Her support network within the fitness industry is great. Husband and wife team Mark and Jo Stewart are keen supporters of Amanda. Mark is NZFBB president and Jo recently won Masters at the World Championships.

"Jo's a real inspiration for me!"

Amanda's long-term goal is to eventually compete on the Ms Olympia stage, something she would like to achieve by 2010 or 2011. While her personal goal is to grow as a person through personal training and to help others achieve their own fitness goals.

"What I love most about bodybuilding is the training. You get a quick buzz from performing on stage at competitions, but what I really love to do is challenge my body during training sessions."

Amanda says her biggest strength is her competitiveness. "I like to push myself to the limit." But when it comes to organising her food plan each day, she says she'd like to improve on this, something she is working on with Mike's help.

Her advice to others hoping to get into bodybuilding themselves is to start off slowly.

"If you haven't been to the gym before, start off slowly with consistency and start building your exercise routine up. For some people it can seem quite overwhelming to completely change your whole lifestyle. The key is to make it a routine and then build it up when you get used to it to make it more challenging."

Amanda is one dedicated lady and in the year ahead all indications are she will win the Ms Australasian Fitness title for the third year in a row,

Amanda's long-term goal is to eventually compete on the Ms Olympia stage.

"You get a quick buzz from

performing on stage at

competitions, but what

I really love to do is

challenge my body during

training sessions."