Nicole Ruttig has found a new passion participating in body figure competitions.
While having similarities with body building, and organized through the provincial body building association, Ruttig said body figure is decidedly different.
"Body figure competition is more about a total look," she said.
Ruttig said body building, at least in her mind is more about "lean and big," whereas body figure wants a more feminine total package.
In body figure competitors wear five-inch heels, add jewelry to enhance the feminine look, and are judged on factors such as hair style and make-up.
"It's more about the pretty, about still looking like a woman," she said. " I'm all about the pretty."
For Ruttig it has been something of an evolution to get to the point of entering the April competition.
"I've always had a fascination with muscle and body building. It's always been there since I was a teenager," she said.
Initially Ruttig said she began training to run a half marathon, something she said she agreed to "at six in the morning. I was half asleep and didn't know what I was getting into."
But she persevered, training under Joanne Hudy, running a local 10K run, and then doing a half marathon in Las Vegas with Sawn Lutz. Rutting came in with a time of two-hours-26-minutes, about the same time as the winner of the full marathon held at the same time.
At the same time Ruttig considered the BF competition, but the commitment of time, her career, and simply not wanting "to change my life at that time," kept her from pursuing it.
Then this January Ruttig turned 39, and decided to take the plunge.
"I started this training on Jan. 17 Right after my birthday," she said.
To help in her training Ruttig began working with Erik Ledin of Lean Bodies Consulting in Ontario. She said it's basically online training with Ledin providing work out routines and diet which she follows.
When she started training in January Ruttig weighed 132 pounds, with 39-inch hips and 29-inch waist.
Through her training regime and diet the fat disappeared, she said.
Ruttig is down to 114-pounds, 31-inch hips and a 24 3/4-inch waist.
While body and looks count, Ruttig said little things matter, so she took a posing class in Regina with Nadine Dumas, and plans to take another before provincials at the end of May.
It's little things, like pulling the bathing suit higher on the thigh to give the illusion of a longer leg which can be the difference, she said.
"It's all about little tricks you can do," she said.
In her first competition in Saskatoon the last weekend of April Ruttig did well, finishing second among 12 competitors in the beginners short class - up to 160-centimetres.
Ruttig also competed in the Masters Class for those 35-and over. Initially she was placed fourth out of eight, but a scoring error would be found which lifted her to third.
When she learned she was moved up a spot Ruttig said "I was flying around the room like a chicken with my head cut off."
Ruttig said she is definitely hooked by the sport/competition.
"It's something she likes to take further," she said.
Short term that is provincials in Lloydminister May 28, and a top finish so she can qualify for the Canadian championships to be held in Saskatoon July 23.
"The ultimate goal is the Arnold Schwarzenegger Championship in Ohio," she said, adding that may take a few years to achieve.
"This has been the best experience of my life," said Ruttig, adding she is taking it very seriously. " Every single day I visualize the competition" to the point of seeing her son and daughter in the audience. "It's to the point I cry."
Ruttig said while locally support has been thin, with people asking if she is sick, or whether she plans to lose more weight.
"There's not a lot of encouragement around here," she said.
Ruttig has found a network on Facebook which helps her keep going. She said people on her page (Words that Move U) have been very encouraging, with one woman saying she has become her inspiration. "That made me cry," she said. " I love that I can be people's encouragement."
It has never been a case of Ruttig regretting her decision.
"Once you see your body changing it's great," she said, adding having a stubborn streak helps too.
And, Ruttig said she likes the changes in her life and her body.
"Every day I'm so totally grateful about what my body has done," she said, adding she tells everyone they should look in a mirror daily and feel good about some aspect of their own body. She said she does that every morning and every night too.
