For many people working out is something that is seen as a bit of a chore.
Sure, it's good for you. But it's also tedious, boring and quite often monotonous.
But for one former Yorkton resident, working out and fitness has evolved from a daily routine into something much deeper.
Holly Weselowski (née Legge) first began really working out with one goal in mind: she simply wanted to get into better shape before she married the love of her life, her then fiancé, now husband Daniel Weselowski. "Originally I started training and getting into the field of fitness and dieting because I was getting married in September so I wanted to get in shape for my wedding," laughed Weselowski via a phone interview on Sunday. "That's why I started training kind of rigorously; I just wanted to look better for the wedding."
That, of course, makes sense. After all that's what the majority of the people do, both male and female, before they get married. They work out for two reasons: One, to make themselves look better for the wedding and two, to relieve stress and tension caused by planning for the upcoming nuptials.
However, once Weselowski began to work out it didn't take long for her trainer to notice that, not only did she pick up on weight lifting and working out easily, she also had the perfect physique for fitness competitions.
So the trainer made a suggestion that maybe she should give the world of competitive fitness a try. "I just decided that I would take the leap and go ahead with it (competitive fitness)," said Weselowski, adding that her first step outside of working out was to increase her calorie intake in order to bulk up during winter before adding more weight to her daily reps. "Then when it came to spring time I started to cut down a bit to have a leaner physique to compete."
Her first competition, a Novice competition that took place in the spring of 2014, saw Weselowski place 14th overall; a good start for a competition rookie and just enough of an experience within the competitive fitness world to get her completely hooked on competing.
So the following week Weselowski entered her second competition and first ever UFE show in Calgary where she placed fourth overall; a placing good enough to earn her a spot at the 2014 UFE World Championship in Toronto on November 9, 2014.
It was at that point and time, following her first ever UFE show, that Weselowski made the decision to stick with UFE as her main organization, despite having a large amount of respect for the IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness) and other competitive fitness organizations.
And the reason, at least according to Weselowski, was simple. "I was really attracted to UFE for the fact that they not only had a bikini division, they also had a fitness model division which also allows you to showcase your physique in not only a bikini but also fitness attire," mentioned Weselowski, continuing, "That is something I am really interested in because sports bras and shorts are something that I work out in regularly so obviously I'd like to showcase myself in what I look like in the gym, not just in a bikini."
However that wasn't the only reason that Weselowski decided to stick primarily with UFE.
Another reason is because Weselowski, who works part-time as a paramedic while working towards finishing her nursing degree, agrees with the fact that UFE is an all-natural organization. "UFE emphasizes athletes that are natural. When I say natural I mean ones that are not using drugs. Not using steroids or diuretics of any kind," said the 25-year-old fitness star. "Some other organizations might not advocate drug use, but they also don't test for it often either.
"UFE routinely tests their athletes to make sure that they are natural."
So UFE became the go to organization, although Weselowski herself admits that before she took part in the UFE World Championship on November 9 she had entered and won the Bikini competition in an IFBB event in Saskatoon in preparation for the UFE World Championship.
And the preparation worked as Weselowski, first competing in the Elite Championship in the morning, finished second overall in both the Bikini and Fitness Model Divisions. This meant that she had qualified for the UFE Pro Championship later in the day.
However Weselowski never expected to find the podium at any time during the Pro competition. After all, the two women she had lost to in the Elite Championship were competing once again.
But just like it is in every sport, that's why they play the game.
Because Weselowski didn't just find the podium, she took first place in the Bikini division despite not expecting to be contention at all. "I only placed second in my Fitness Model and Bikini divisions in the Elite division so I decided that I would go to the pro show and basically just give it a shot and see how I would do," said Weselowski, continuing, "I actually had no expectations of winning because obviously the two girls that had beaten me in the morning would be competing again and I anticipated that they would beat me again.
"However the two girls from the morning that were competing in the Pro show definitely exhibited some very nervous tendencies. They were shaking a lot on stage, they tripped up a couple of times while posing and I felt very confident and not nervous at all because I had no expectations of winning."
But win she did. In fact, because of her results at the UFE World Championship, Weselowski became the first ever UFE Pro from Saskatchewan, signing her Pro card moments after the Elite competition was over.
Not only that, she now has the opportunity to take part in competitions all throughout North America and even into Europe.
In addition, Weselowski is currently working on helping UFE host a Saskatoon show for the first time since it was founded in 2007. "Professionally there is quite a bit in store for me. Right now I'm working on hosting the next UFE event in Saskatoon which is a really important milestone for me because I've always wanted UFE to come to Saskatoon," offered the former Yorkton resident, who now resides in the Bridge City. "It's always been hosted in Regina but now they have the opportunity to utilize a pro in their province to help host and make things work in Saskatoon for them."
For as much as there is in store for her professionally however, there is even more in store for her personally. "On a personal level I do have the opportunity to be submitted into many magazines. I've already had some photos submitted and then they obviously evaluate them and decide if they like your style, physique and stuff like that," said Weselowski. "UFE guarantees that you will be marketed and that they will market for you which is a great reason to compete with UFE.
"And then on my own personal agenda I am obviously submitting for and trying to get sponsorships because now I have this great opportunity because the doors are wide open."
For now though, Weselowski is back in the gym working hard on her physique.
After all, she is now the reigning and defending UFE Pro Bikini champion and she has to defend her title at the 2015 World Championships.
For more information on Holly Legge, check out her Instagram at holly_legge or her Facebook athlete page: Holly Weselowski Ufe Pro.
