Angela Komis
September
2005 - "I started lifting
when I was in high school gym class, but I really wasn't
that consistent. I worked out on and off for a couple of
years with
my brother and sister, but I didn't get serious until after
I quit smoking and gained about 20 lbs. (eww yes, I used
to smoke) at the age of 23.
"I
guess I was lacking in motivation because
I was always very active and super thin my whole life,
but when I gained weight I got scared. I didn't like the way
it looked
on me, and I was determined to change it.
"Fortunately
for me, I found enjoyment in lifting, and it became a part of
my daily
routine.
"I
never did like doing cardio, and I found that lifting burned enough
calories for me to stay slim. And
the added bonus
of getting stronger and muscular were becoming more
apparent each year. I eventually got into nutrition through a course
at Nassau Community College, and earned my Bachelors
degree
in 2003 from CW Post University. I also began taking
personal training courses to learn more about exercise and to see
if there were anything I was lacking in my own training
and lifting
philosophy.
"I
have just begun my Masters degree at Queens College and have started
the Dietetic Internship program,
so when I
am finished I will complete the board exams and
become a full-fledged Registered Dietitian. I am hoping to tie in
personal training,
bodybuilding and nutrition counseling to help others
achieve
health and fitness beyond anything they've ever
personally
known.
"I first began competing after the insistence of
a close friend of mine, Rob Lopez. When we met,
I was
somewhat
buff, but didn't
have any creative outlet to share my physique beyond
wearing skimpy clothes and going clubbing. I didn't
even know
Figure existed!
"He
helped point me in the right direction, and I am
forging further and further each year. I've
become friends with several women that have been
competing
for more
years than I
have, and they've been mentors, idols and inspirations
to me. These women are Grace
Rivera, Tara
Scotti,
and Jennifer
Searles.
"Grace
has been such a good friend and ally in this competitive field of
figure, and she has a heart
of gold. I like
to give credit where credit is due, and it's
because of her
help (and
her boyfriend Tony) that I am getting where
I want to be. I am passing on her karma to my younger sister
Alex,
who has just
started competing down in Florida.
"I
am predicting she will be competing with me next year on a national
level. I have learned
that bodybuilding, fitness and figure is not
about competing against others, it's about measuring
yourself with yourself,
and making improvements in your own physique
through dedication, heart and power of will.
"So far, I have only been hearing positive comments
from people wherever I go. I think that most
figure competitors
probably
feel the same, because we strive for that
perfect balance of muscle and femininity, power and
grace, strength
and beauty.
I always have strange but friendly women approaching
me, grabbing my biceps and saying how awesome
my arms are
and asking me what
exercises they can do to get theirs
like
mine.
"I
get looks and double-takes from men and women alike,
and
often get
approached
by men saying how they wish more women would
look like me and get in shape.
Never once has anyone
said anything
rude or derogatory
to me, maybe they're afraid or maybe they
are keeping it to themselves. All I know is that
I don't really
care what other
people think - I am doing this for myself
because I love to lift, I love the gym environment,
I love how
it makes
me feel and
look - and I love being able to show off
my hard work on stage in front of people who really
enjoy muscle!
"I
am hoping that the future will bring women's bodybuilding, fitness and
figure together,
and that the sport
will grow in a positive manner. I see judges
asking for
less muscularity
in womens bodybuilding, but maybe they should
be asking for
more femininity instead? After I go as far
as I can with Figure, I am contemplating
entering bodybuilding
in a
few more years.
I just can't see myself ever stopping lifting,
and am always challenging myself to lift
heavier, diet
harder,
and run longer
(ok, that last one stretches the truth a
bit).
Angela
Komis' stats:
Height: 5'1½"
Off-Season Weight: 118 lbs., Contest: 108 lbs.
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Brown
Heritage: ½ Greek, ½ British
Location: moving to Las
Vegas
Marital Status: Single
Pets: dog, Jet ("She's a mutt, and I love
her!")
Lifts:
Seated Cable Rows: 120 lbs for 10 reps
Tricep
Skullcrushers:
60 lbs for 10 reps
Barbell Squats: 175 for 8 reps
Barbell Curls:
60 lbs for 8 reps
Leg
Extentions: 110 lbs for 10 reps
Shoulder
Dumbell Presses: 40 lbs each for 8 reps
Incline Dumbell Chest
Press: 45 lbs. for 8 reps
Donkey Calf Raises: 360 lbs. for 8 reps
Leg
Press:
400 lbs. for 8 reps
Hobbies: snowboarding,
mountain biking, playing roller/ice hockey, travelling, nightclubbing
and reading fiction
Contest
History:
2003 NPC Long Island Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championships:
2nd place
2003 NPC Met-Rx Figure Nationals, NYC: 16th place
2004 NPC Muscle Beach Bodybuilding and Figure, NJ: 1st place
2004 NPC Empire States Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure, Staten Island:
2nd place
2004 NPC Women's Extravaganza Figure and Bodybuilding, NJ: 1st and
Overall
2004 NPC Eastern USA Figure, NYC: 4th place
2005 NPC Jr. Nationals, Chicago: 10th place
2005 NPC USA's, Las Vegas: 2nd place
2005 NPC Met-Rx Figure Nationals: 5th place
Upcoming Contests: 2006 NPC Jr. Nationals, USA's and
Met-Rx Figure Nationals