Spotlight On NPC Bikini Competitor: Kelly Morales
Category you compete in: NPC Bikini 
Date of birth: 05/05/1981
Hometown: Haverstraw, NY (Current City: Denver, CO)
Career: Software Development Coordinator, EchoStar
Competition history: NPC GNC Natural Colorado Open, October 12th 2013: 6th in Novice and Open
NPC Met*Rx Rocky Mountain Championships, November 16th 2013: 13th out of 31 in Open Class D
What do you feel is the WORST part of contest prep?
Still being a ‘rookie’ in the competition world, I really have enjoyed every aspect of contest prep. I’ve tried to use everything I have gone through as a learning opportunity to help make preparation even easier in the future. I started my fitness journey in January of this year and my initial goal was to lose weight and not necessarily become a bikini competitor. But as the idea of competing became more of a reality, everything I was asked to do for prep work was new and exciting to me, so I approached it with an open mind and have loved every step of the way.
Would you please tell us a little about your workout schedule?
With the amount of work that we put in throughout the year, my workout schedule now is really to focus in on fine tuning and sculpting my physique. My current schedule consists of the following weight training and HIIT activities:
Sunday: 30 minutes of HIIT using an inclined (15%) treadmill and body weight exercises
Monday: Leg day w/ trainer, followed by 45 minutes of boxing
Tuesday: Group class focused on full body weight training / conditioning
Wednesday: Leg day w/ trainer, followed by 45 minutes of bootcamp
Thursday: Upper body day w/ trainer, followed by 45 minutes of boxing
Friday: Rest Day!!
Saturday: Competition (heavy weights) leg day w/ trainer, followed by re-feed meal
If you had to lose one of your 5 senses, which one would you prefer to lose and why?
I would probably be ok if I lost my sense of smell… after 9 months of a nutrition plan including egg whites, I would enjoy not smelling micro waved egg whites each morning!
If you co
uld change one thing about this sport what would it be?
The competitions are an amazing way to show the hard work and dedication it takes to compete in this sport. One thing we are not able to see is the start to finish physical transition many of the competitors have made in order to get to this point in their lives. Myself included, there are so many competitors who had to overcome lifelong poor eating habits and hatred of the gym to find the willpower to commit to a sport which requires absolute dedication to a healthy way of living.
If you had a time capsule what would you put inside it and why?
I would place in it my before and after pictures, as a reminder that who you are today does not mean it is the person you have to be tomorrow.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina! Many of my closest friends from college live there so I make it a required vacation trip every year. Between great friends, amazing beaches, old Southern hospitality and some of the best food around, it’s hard not to fall more in love with this place each time I visit.
What advice do you have for women who would like to get involved in and compete in the sport of bodybuilding?
The best piece of advice I could give someone is that they truly don’t know what their body, and more importantly their mind, are capable of until you push them both towards a goal like these competitions. Although the nutrition and workout schedules can be tough, there are few things in life that can have such a long last reward as training for and competing in the world of bodybuilding. Along the way, you will make great friends and have memories you will cherish, but the most amazing result is knowing that after all the work you put into this, there is nothing you can’t do if you set your mind to it.
What is a day-in-the-life of Kelly Morales like?
My day usually starts off with a handful of pushes on the snooze button, eventually getting out of bed around 5:15am. Roscoe, my 4 year old Border Collie mix, and I then take off on a 30 minute walk to get our bodies going for the day. While he starts on breakfast, I get in an abs’ set which includes around 400-500 reps. After getting ready, I grab my already prepped food for the day and gym bag. I drop Roscoe off at day camp and I head into work for 8-9 hours. Throughout the day I’m making sure I am getting in all my meals and snacks in between meetings and conference calls. Often times these meals coincide with the guys at work chatting me up about my contest prep and counting down the days for when we can go out and have a cheat meal together. After work I head straight to the gym and get in the day’s workout plan. Swing by and grab the pup from day camp, then head home for the night to start on homework. I’m currently balancing my career, full time school and my contest prep. Before I head to bed, I prep all my food for the next day and re-pack my gym bag. Then it’s off to bed to make sure I get at least 7 hours of rest, to then start it all again tomorrow.
Favorite Motivation
al Quote:
He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life. – Muhammad Ali
In closing, Who would you like to give a shout out to?
The biggest thanks goes to my trainers Jennifer and Courtney Samuel, who have provided the motivation, guidance and support to get me through this journey, knowing this is just the start of something amazing. I’d also like to thank my gym family at Bodies by Perseverance in Denver, CO. And to my friends and family as they have been supportive and patient as I continuously had to back out of dinners and happy hours this past year.
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