Debut win tops off physical transformation for Morgan
GOING to bed dreaming of baked goods is becoming a habit for Morgan Hayward.
The 22-year-old made the decision to enter the world of competitive bodybuilding two years ago and hasn't looked back.
Under the guidance of long-time partner and novice bodybuilder champion Tyson McCrea, the former Caboolture resident won the state novice figure division at the National Amateur Body Builders Association competition on September 29.
What is even more impressive is this was Morgan's first attempt at competing in the industry.
"It took me two years to put 8kgs of muscle on, last year I wasn't ready (to compete)," she said.
"My emotions were going crazy backstage before the comp. I wanted to cry, my hands were shaking.
"It was very overwhelming because everyone competing looks amazing and I was so scared."
Hearing her friends cheering for her in the crowd allowed Morgan to relax, strut her stuff and pull out the poses she had learnt through meticulous study of DVDs and copying them in front of a mirror.
An awe-struck Morgan admitted she never expected to come away with a win after her first attempt, but was looking forward to taking it to the next level at the nationals in Adelaide last weekend.
"I really hope to do well at a different federation like the Organisation of Competitive Bodybuilders so I can turn pro and start winning money," she said.
"It will take a few years, but I won't stop until I get there."
Making a break into bodybuilding had been something Morgan and high school sweetheart Tyson had talked about since they were 15 years old.
While Tyson has been competing successfully for six years, it wasn't until he took Morgan along to a competition that she truly caught the urge to pump iron.
The health supplement representative is the first to admit the journey onto the stage was a hard slog, with training seven days a week and a strict diet for weeks leading up to competition days, but she would not swap her lifestyle.
"I go to bed dreaming of a muffin, but I feel it is the ultimate test of your fitness and mental stamina because you are deprived of everything you want to indulge in," she said.
Morgan's typical training day
- Wake up and do an hour of cardio
- Breakfast is sweet potato and 100g chicken
- Morning tea is 100g chicken or fish with green broccoli or beans and 50g sweet potato
- Lunch is the same without the sweet potato
- Afternoon tea the same with sweet potato
- Train with weights for an hour and a half followed by 45 minutes to an hour of cardio
- Protein shake snack
- Dinner is 100g of meat with green vegies
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