Welcome to my web site
My name is Anne Probert. I am a bodybuilder, doctorate student and company director.
I live in Taranaki, New Zealand – an awesome place which is home to Mount Taranaki and also borders the sea. It has the most spectacular coastal walkway only a few minutes from my home, which I frequently use for walking or jogging. Click here to watch a cool 90 sec video which showcases the Naki.
As a full time doctorate student, I spend the majority of my time focusing on my PhD which is dedicated to researching the experiences of competitive bodybuilders in New Zealand. From time-to-time I undertake specialist commercial projects through my company, Red Eye Limited.
The purpose of this web site is to provide free and ready access to my bodybuilding research. As far as I am aware, it is the largest study ever undertaken on competitive bodybuilding in New Zealand. It will take three years to complete and during this time, I welcome your input, interest and involvement in my work.
You can find out more about my research by clicking here.
In terms of my own background, I certainly don’t consider myself to be an elite bodybuilder. I am a proud but typical Kiwi, who has competed in four bodybuilding competitions.
Until recently I was a senior executive working in a fast-paced, rapidly growing organisation. I really enjoyed my job with its constant challenges, demands and pressures. But, one day I noticed in a photo how tired, physically soft, hunched and frumpy I was starting to look! Time was moving on and “middle age” was rapidly creeping up on me.
Although I belonged to a local gym, I decided to become more focused with my workouts and also clean up my diet. I didn’t eat much junk food, but I ate a lot of bread, muffins, cheese …oh… and ‘healthy treats’ like carrot cake!
At the time, my body fat measured 30%.
Six months later I looked more toned and my body fat had decreased to 25%. That year I attended our local bodybuilding show and was amazed to see a friend on stage. Once very over-weight, she was now in awesome shape, competing in the masters section and looking every inch a proud, confident women who knew how to kick ass !
I was truly inspired and decided to set a new personal goal to compete the following year.
Enlisting the help of a personal trainer, my workouts and diet became more structured. Supplements, such as protein powder, were added. I was taught basic bodybuilding poses and a competition routine.
Competition preparation was much harder than I had envisaged !
Cardio before work, weights after work, food preparation, posing practice, routine practice, the impact of training and eating on my social and professional life, the requirements of tanning, waxing ….where do I end ?!
Some days I seriously asked myself “why was I doing this?”
After a while my desire to compete became less about “getting in shape” and more about fulfilling a difficult and ambitious personal goal.
In November 2003, I made it to stage and placed third in my first bodybuilding competition.
The following month I celebrated my 40th birthday. I felt great. In fact rather invincible (physically and mentally). I wondered what other goals in my life I wanted to achieve.
In 2004, I decided to compete again. I entered and placed in three more competitions.
I also decided to exit the corporate ladder, to undertake new projects including embarking on doctorate studies at Massey University. There was very little academic research available on bodybuilding in New Zealand, so it presented an ideal way I could combine my personal and professional interests.
So here I am !
Although I have only just begun my studies, competitive bodybuilding is proving to be a fascinating subject to research. The purpose of this web site is to document my journey and to keep you up-to-date with my progress.
Thank you for visiting my web site and I hope you find it of interest.
My Stats:
Name: Anne Probert
Born: 1963
Competition weight: 54kg
Off Season: 60kg
Weight routine: 4 days per week
Cardio: 6 days: 40 mins-60 min walking or light jogging.
When training for a competition, cardio increases to 1 hour/6 days per week walking on the treadmill.
Diet:
Although I indulge in junk food after a competition, overall I try to eat pretty clean off-season.
This is what I typically eat:
Meal 1: Omelet (5 whites & 1 full egg); 1⁄2 cup oats
Meal 2: Protein drink, piece fruit
Meal 3: Lean protein, veges, tbsp flaxseed oil, kumera or potato. A few extra rice cakes.
Meal 4: Protein drink, piece fruit
Meal 5: Lean protein, veges, tbsp flaxseed oil, kumera or potato
In the weekend I add wholemeal bread as my source of carbs (instead of potato or kumera), and have some low fat cheese.
Once a month, I go out for a nice meal which is often a smorgasbord breakfast !
During competition preparation, I substitute protein drinks with real food.
Competition Record:
2003: 3rd NZFBB Novice Physique Over 52kg Taranaki Champs
2004: 2nd NZFBB Novice Physique 52-57kg Wellington Champs
2004: 3rd NZFBB Novice Physique 52-57kg NZ Nationals
2004: 2nd NZFBB Physique Masters (35-45yrs) Taranaki Champs
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