If you seriously want to avoid making the mistakes that we’ve done that stopped us from getting closer to our goals quicker, then read on as some of us open up about the mistakes and oversights we’ve made over the years when it comes to our bodybuilding preps. Which can hopefully help you all not make the same mistakes we did on our journeys to the stage.

Danni Bosworth

I think taking a longer period of time in an improvement season phase before entering a fat loss phase for my first prep would have been beneficial. I didn’t have enough muscle tissue entering my first prep to be truly competitive on stage or get into true stage condition and would have been able to produce a much better end product if I had invested more time in setting myself up for a successful prep beforehand.

Kerry Sexton

I would say one of my biggest mistakes would be in 2018 when I held myself back with self-doubt and fear thinking I’m not good enough to compete in other federations and I think no one would ever do that So if I could give any advice, don’t go for just one federation, don’t be scared to switch it up!

Another one I’ve learned is that it’s always best to keep your energy expenditure up at the beginning instead of like panicking towards the end when your food and energy is low. So I would say keep your expenditure consistent and started at the beginning if you can.

Jasmin Jeffery

I know it’s tiny but I can remember worrying WAY too much about whether I should get a 4 or 5-row bracelet - for real. I remember spending sooo much time thinking about this one decision. When in hindsight, I should have gone for my personal preference and that be that as it would have saved me quite a bit of time, also in this photo I ended up going for the 7 row so there you go! 😝

Katie Da Silva

When I first prepped in 2017 I remember doubting myself SO much and was comparing myself way too much. I would scroll through Instagram for ages looking at other bikini competitors, some of which were pros and think I wasn’t good enough. Why was I comparing myself as a complete first timer to these girls that have competed for years? They were so far ahead of me and had worked so hard to be the best they can be, and I wish I could have told myself that at the time.

I also have memory of searching up hashtags #Xweeksout and #ukbffjuniorbikini to try and work out who I was going to be on stage with. Which again was a completley pointless activity and just made me nervous unnecessarily! I soon realised after competing a couple of times that everyone looks their absolute best in pictures and poses. It’s so easy to think you everyone’s better than you on social media but in reality that’s all a highlight reel and someone can look very different on the day!

Our most important words of wisdom…

While jewellery and shoes matter, it’s your physique that matters overall. Don’t get too cut up or stressed over what accessories to get. Just go with what you like and focus on bringing your best physique!

However, how well your bikini suit fits does matter. You want it to flatter your physique and fit correctly, as well as abiding by federation rules so that you are allowed to go on stage!!

Sleep is Important! It’s mad how much sleep can help your hunger levels, energy levels and body composition levels. If I didn’t get a good nights sleep, my body felt puffy and the scales would reflect that too. So make sure you sleep!

Focus on being kind to yourself! Don’t compare yourself to others and be appreciative of what your body is doing for you. Give yourself a clap for how much of an amazing job you’re doing - contest prep is a challenging thing!!

Make sure you’re organised! Prep brain is a real thing, you will forget random stuff a lot more as prep goes on! So make sure you stay organised and get sorted as early as possible.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help! You’re not being a burden and if you don’t ask you will never know!

Learn how to say “NO”. Learning how to say 'NO' to work commitments etc - as much as you want to be superwomen, there will come a point that your body won’t be able to keep up with your busy schedule, and ultimately this will affect your body composition due to the build-up of accumulative stress.

You can NEVER practise posing enough! The more and more you practice the more slick and smooth it’s going to look and it will become second nature to you. You want to look elegant and polished overall and making sure that posing is nailed is the only way to do just that!