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At 47, Debra Dunn is just hitting her prime as a physique competitor
October 22, 2008
Seven minutes may not seem long to most, but when you're posing for that amount of time during a physique competition, under intense lights, standing in four-inch heels in front of critical judges, it can feel like an eternity.
National physique competitor - and champion - Debra Dunn, 47, takes it all in stride.
"It only takes one show to know if you really want to do this or not," she said.
Ten years ago, she knew she did.
She started competing in the sport not long after she moved to Jacksonville in 1992. She grew up with love for athletics, playing volleyball, softball, soccer and track as a high school student in Arkansas and Hawaii.
However, it wasn't until she was in her late 30s and after a visit to a local fitness center that she discovered the activity she feels she was born to do.
"I was in the gym working out and I saw a flier and girl with a beautiful swimsuit on," Debra said. "When you're active you're always looking for things to do."
After several years of training and learning the ins and outs of bodybuilding and fitness, she entered her first competition at the Armed Forces Competition in Norfolk, Va. in 1998 and learned that physique fitness, a form of bodybuilding, was something she wanted to pursue.
Debra continued to learn more about the sport and continued to compete, logging in well-muscled poses and earning recognition at the International Bodybuilding and Natural Fitness Federation in Greensboro, The National Gym Association, or NGA, in Woodbridge, Va., and the Organization of Competitive Bodybuilders in Baltimore.
In 2008, Debra has won three professional qualifiers or "pro-cards," and has competed in the National Physique Committee (NPC), in New York, where she placed 3rd out of more than 200 competitors in her division. She's preparing to compete in the NPC Bodybuilding Championship in Atlanta on Nov. 22. It will be one of the toughest shows of her relatively young career.
"The (competitions) I've won I was very happy about," Debra said. "It's very exciting and it's very satisfying to know the hard work I put into it finally paid off."
A category of bodybuilding, physique and fitness competitions have becoming increasingly popular over the decades, allowing female competitors to present an overall package of beauty, strength and excellent health.
Debra said that it is possible to earn a pro-card after the first time competing, but on average it takes three to five years.
"It's like being in the Olympics - you're competing against the best of the best," she said.
Debra said the competitions are both mentally and financially rewarding. Top winners can walk away with up to $23,000 in prizes. Competing is a bit costly, and Debra depends on local sponsors for travel, training and attire.
And make no mistake - competition is the name of the game. The stone-faced looks of the judges can be intense on stage, but Debra simply focuses on one thing."What goes through my head is presenting the best way possible, making sure I smile and maintain my pose," Debra said. "It's about how you walk, how you stand and having a good presentation."
During a competition, judges look for proper balance, symmetry, toning and poise. Also having the perfect tan, hair, makeup, nails and swimsuit can propel a competitor's shot at taking the top prize.Judges typically choose the top five competitors during a morning show, and rank those five during an evening show.
"Everything has to complement each other," Debra said. "You have to live in the mirror and practice walking and standing for long periods and holding poses."
Training is also a major part of a physique competitor's preparation for a show.
"My daily training is get up in the morning, go to gym either to do weight training or cardio, then I go back to the gym in the evening and do cardio," Debra said.
As far as her diet, Debra believes that eating healthier shouldn't be viewed as a punishment.
"Think of it as a lifestyle instead of a diet," she said.
Her diet consists of high protein and medium to low carbohydrates, little sodium and up to two gallons of water daily. Debra said that she diets for a minimum of 12 weeks before a competition.
"We do eat very healthy; it really cleans your body up," she said. "You can't eat a lot of junk food or drink alcohol; we have to watch what we take in."
When Dunn isn't giving graceful poses on stages across the country, she is a transportation specialist at the traffic management office aboard Camp Lejeune. She is also a proud wife, mother of three and grandmother of one. Her husband, Terrance, 51, is a retired chief warrant officer for the Marine Corps and is a computer programs coordinator for the continuing education program at Coastal Carolina Community College.
"I'm extremely pleased with her accomplishments," Terrance said. "She's been dreaming of becoming a pro for several years."
She often brought the whole family along with her to competitions, including her children, Anatesha, 27, Marques, 25, and Whitney, 23.
"I'm there for support because she followed me around for 20 years for Marine Corps and put some of her goals on hold," Terrance said. "I told her, ‘You're going to get my total support because you were there for me.'"
Terrence says he helps Debra prepare for each competition by offering words of encouragement.
"We hear all the time about marriages failing because of lack of support," Terrance said. "It takes a special dedicated athlete to do that plus training and dieting. She's been training since February for the competitions."
Physique and fitness competitions have great health rewards for women, Debra said, such as building muscle strength and preventing bone loss.
"Women get scared that it will bulk them up, but weightlifting helps to tone the body and burn fat for you," Debra said. "If you want to compete, age is not a factor. It's about you wanting to get up on that stage and do it."
She also feels that persistence is the key to getting and staying in shape.
"There was a time I was going to quit because I couldn't get it right. You will learn your body as time goes on," she said.
Now that Debra has finally reached success as a professional competitor, she feels that she is also ready to share her success with the community.
"I'm also a certified personal trainer. I help people train for shows or just for themselves," she said. "I want to start fitness camps here and help people get fit (after) injuries and surgeries."
She recently spoke to the Onslow County Sports Commission about fitness and physique competitions and explained common misconceptions about the industry.
"I want to start a competition team for those who want to compete for military and their dependents and a fitness camp for anyone who wants a good challenge," Debra said.
She feels it that takes strength of the mind and love for the sport to be a winner.
"You have to be dedicated and committed to it whether you are competing or just to change your life," she said.
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