The Jambar

Issue date: 9/16/08 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Brian Cetina “I basically eat the same thing every day for two months” — Ashley Grimm

Ashley Grimm has devoured a medium pizza, half an ice cream cake and entire jar of extra crunchy peanut butter in one sitting.

As a body builder in training for an upcoming competition, Grimm, senior, has to follow a strict diet and exercise regimen. Pigging out after her competition is rightfully deserved.

Grimm, an exercise science major employed at the Andrews Student Recreation and Wellness Center said she eats five or six times a day and fills her meals with proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

“I basically eat the same thing every day for two months,” she said.

Common foods in her diet include chicken, oatmeal, tilapia, protein shakes, egg whites, puffed rice and salad. Grimm also admits to a severe addiction to peanut butter, which she allows herself to eat in an all-natural form.

When her next competition, the Cardinal Classic at Struthers Middle School, is over on Oct. 18, Grimm plans on giving in to her cravings.

“I want a Bob Evans pancake breakfast,” she said. “The next day I plan on getting a couple people together and going to Red Lobster and doing some damage.”

Food intake is not the only part of Grimm's life that has to be kept under control while training. She is devoted to waking up every morning at 5:30 to work out.

“There are mornings that I contemplate rolling over and hitting the snooze button,” Grimm said.

Although the temptation of getting a few hours’ extra sleep is in the back of her mind, Grimm said she can't start her day without working out.

To most, her version of “working out” probably sounds like a nightmare. She hits the gym six days a week and rotates between working on her legs, calves, chest, biceps, triceps, back and thighs. She also works on her abs and does a cardio workout every time she enters the gym doors.

All the hours that Grimm logs at the gym are obvious when you look at her. It's almost ironic to see her in her feminine pink T-shirt because her biceps look like they might bust out of it. There doesn't seem to be an ounce of fat on her body.

Her toned frame earned her a fourth place position in her first competition.

Just like the first time she competed, the Cardinal Classic will be a long day for Grimm.

Grimm will wake up at 6:30 a.m. to begin preparing herself for the day. After completing her hair and makeup, she will get painted with four or five coats of self-tanner.

“The tanner you are the more your muscles show,” she said.

Grimm said her faux tan feels similar to a greasy lube.

“I never wanted to take a shower so bad in my life,” she said about wearing the bronzer.

Once the tan is applied, Grimm changes into her suit and five-inch heels. She then goes over her poses before going on stage.

Grimm competes by performing different types of poses. She positions herself in a front, back and two different side poses. She also must complete a group comparison with her competitors and a “pose-down.”

At her side watching her every pose will be family and friends.

Although skeptical at first, her parents are now supportive of her time consuming past time.

“My parents were iffy about it at first,” she said. “They didn't really get it.”

While her parents may have been initially hesitant, Grimm said a good friend and co-workers from the Recreation Center were sources of motivation.

“They taught me the basics and have helped me out the most,” she said.

After all the training, dieting and competing, one might think Grimm would get burned out by body building, but it doesn't appear that she will be giving it up any time soon.

“I really do like this,” she said. “It's not easy, but it's really rewarding.”

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