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Odessa Contestants Train for Bodybuilding and Fitness Competition

by Diane Tuazon
NewsWest 9

ODESSA - Some women aren't training for a beauty pageant, but for a fitness competition, and one that most contestants say takes a lot of dedication.

"There's lots of sacrifices believe me, right now I would love to have a cheeseburger, french fries with ranch dressing, but I'm 18 days away, and there's no way I'm going to blow it," Contestant Laurie Dickie, said.

Men and women are competing for the title at the First Annual Blackgold Classic Competition, and with less than a month left of training, contestants say they are more than prepared.

"I needed a change, something to push me, something to make me more disciplined and wanted to feel better about myself, so far it has worked," Contestant Lisa Philen, said.

"I dropped from big 12 and now my size 4's are falling off me. I feel like a million bucks," Dickie said.

Contestants say it's not just about looking good; it's about building their self-esteem.

"We get a lot of compliments a lot of people don't believe, we have a 22-year-old and an 18-year-old. They think we're in our early 30s," Contestant Tracy Philen, said.

"I can wear dresses now, and of course I can do this, and not many people can do that," Dickie said.

For Deanna Webster, being in the competition is good enough.

"I'm taking this as a challenge. I've never done anything like this before, and I'm proud of myself. I may not win, but I'm proud because I stuck to it and didn't quit. I think I've done good," Webster said.