A promising gymnast as a child in Gulf Coastal Mississippi, Amanda Saussy has now made natural fitness her body building thing – no enhancements allowed. It’s about the beauty of health for women. She has, says her mom Raylene Scarborough, self-discipline and drive bundled with sensitivity that lets her lend a hand wherever it’s needed.
“The Fitness America Pageant, my first, judged everything from manicure to muscle,” Amanda remembers with satisfaction. “We wore bikinis with $1200 worth of gems on each.”
Bodybuilding for Women: Beauty or Strength
Amanda learned as a high school cheerleader that new challenges fuel her spirit. In 2007 she competed in natural fitness and placed well in her first FAP competition. Standing among other women who understood her drive and passion, she learned a lot and qualified for another show. She’s changing it up a little with National Physique Committee competitions, focusing more on muscle strength than on beauty.
Though not sure which federation she’ll pursue, Amanda is into strength. At 5’2” and 120 pounds of lean muscle, she sees herself as “large” by FAP standards. That “large” 5’2” frame, covered with lean muscle is practically her avocation. She lives on a four-ounce regimen. Her food is stacked in the fridge in four-ounce plastic bags. Tuna, chicken, veggies.
“It’s tough,” Amanda says, almost wistfully. “But worth it.”
On her path, an extra bit of body fat means the difference between reaching competitive goals or not.
Fitness and Body Building: Why Struggle?
Most people would give up, but Amanda likes the challenge of eating for nutrition. Full of life and sociable as any young woman should be, she enjoys puzzling how to eat dinner out with friends or family and still maintain her focus. And then she tightens the belt as a competition approaches.
“Twelve weeks before,” she says, “I cut out sugars and fruit, eat high protein and low fat. A week or two before, all dairy is out to get a bit of a hardened look. I measure and record everything so I can come back and decide how to do better.”
Amanda is a busy, productive gymnastics coach who loves working with children. She is so dedicated, she often works pro bono with a child having trouble learning a routine and will even pick up a young gymnast needing a ride to class.
Her boss and friends call her a bundle of boundless energy, an inspiration to students and parents. After work, Amanda heads for another school where she trains adults part time. In her spare time, she reserves workout time with her mom.
“I’m proud of her,” said her mother. “This takes extreme dedication. She chose a healthy lifestyle when she could have made very different choices. I love her commitment to children’s fitness and she’s a terrific role model. Amanda has an excellent chance because she pushes herself to her limits and is willing to go beyond.”
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