Sheri's ProfileHow I Began Competing in FigureIn April of 2005 I began lifting weights again and started competing in bodybuilding in 2007; figure in 2008. I was in competitive gymnastics from age 6-16- I am convinced it was the reason that I was able to develop the strength and symmetry I need to compete on stage. Why I do Figure?I love to lift weights. I write down everything I do each workout on a spreadsheet and track my progress- each time I go to the gym, I try to meet or exceed what I've done the previous week. I love that challenge. Participating in shows is a bonus- I get to challenge myself, and ultimately, show myself (and others) my progress. Then I work hard for next season to see how much I can grow. Watching your body change is so interesting and rewarding. I want to take what I've learned and help others achieve their success in preparing for a show, or just learning how to eat properly and maintain a healthy lifestyle. My Successes On StageI am a WNBF professional bodybuilder, figure athlete, and Ms. Fit Body athlete. I won my WNBF pro bodybuilding card on May10, 2008, at the NANBF Nutri-Sport Central Midwest & Natural Iowa Bodybuilding, Figure & XTreme Fit competition. The following year, on May 22, 2009, I achieved my goal for the season and won my pro Figure card at the INBF Natural North America in Falls Church, VA. After winning my figure pro card, on June 20, 2009, I competed in my first professional figure show: The WNBF Natural Ms. Universe- Figure in Bridgetown, Barbados, where I placed 2nd-- and won my Ms. Fit Body pro card. What do I attribute my success to?Success comes from 1) good genes (thanks mom and dad!) and 2) being goal/detail-oriented, as well as very hard working-- and participating in a sport that I love. You have to love it to work this hard and stay with it- you have to challenge yourself with every meal you eat, with every trip to the gym. I focus on improving myself, not only in the gym, but with my diet, the organization of my daily routine, and trying to balance a social life (and sneak in some cycling!) I know that whatever happens on stage is not in my control to an extent: If I come to a show as prepared and well-dieted as I can, and I know that I am better than the last show I participated in, then I have met my goal. I consider that success. What we eat (a.k.a "dieting") is so integral to the way we look, the way we feel, the way we perform. I never in my wildest dreams imagined that eating the right foods would take me to where I am today. I thought all you had to do was exercise-- boy, was I wrong. Food is almost more important than lifting itself! I have learned so much about nutrition and workouts from my trainer, Colette Nelson- herself a professional bodybuilder. She is THE most important factor in my nutrition and training program-- Our success, not just my, but OUR success has been so fulfilling and rewarding.It's a very exciting time! I look forward to seeing what the future holds for me in Figure competition as a pro. Thank you to all of the show's sponsors for making this THE best show I've ever attended. It was an incredible experience. My Education / CareerI have a BA in German and a BFA & MA in Graphic Design, with 1.5 years of MFA work at St. Joost School of Fine Art & Design in the Netherlands. I worked in the Netherlands for four years as a graphic designer / information designer after I graduated with my master's degree before moving back to the United States. Currently, I work as a Senior Information Architect at IFMC in West Des Moines, Iowa, which involves analyzing cognitive, behavioral, and emotional processes of users, and in turn, creating site maps, flow charts, and design screen prototypes for Web sites and/or applications. My HobbiesCycling with my team, Tall Dogs, is one of my favorite pastimes. I am going on my 4th RAGBRAI this year. Interested in Germanic languages. Fluent in Dutch and German. Want to expand my knowledge in nutrition for contest preparation. Other things I enjoy are: traveling, sewing, and rollerblading. About TimMy best friend, Tim, sparked my interest in getting back into lifting. He took me to watch my first bodybuilding show in Des Moines in May of 2005. Had it not have been for him, I don't know if I ever would have participated in a show, or even knew that they existed! Unfortunately, he passed away suddenly at age 40 from brain cancer in October of 2006. Until then, I hadn't even entertained the idea of doing a show. A friend of mine encouraged me to participate in the Nutri-Sport Natural Iowa bodybuilding show. I decided it would be great to be able to do this in remembrance of Tim. I had no idea what I was doing, so I just lifted, learned to diet and had fun-- and I won first place in my class in my first bodybuilding show. I didn't have any idea that I would even be competitive--It was at that point that I got the bug to try for my bodybuilding pro card, which I won in May of 2008. At that point, I decided I wanted to try Figure instead of Bodybuilding and see how I would do. I began competing in figure last May, at the same show where I won my bodybuilding pro card. I placed first in my class-- and had the bug again to try to win my Figure pro card. That was my goal this year, and I accomplished it, and I won my Ms. Fit Body pro card as well. I really wish Tim would have been there to see me compete. I think he would have been very proud-- and hopefully, encouraged to get up on stage himself and give it a go! But I think he may have been watching from above!
Contact Sheri Hofhuis at: sherihofhuis.figure@gmail.com
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