Wiedeman makes splash on fitness scene

Joyce Wiedeman may be somewhat of a newcomer to the fitness scene, but she is quickly making a name for herself on the Canadian circuit.
Born in B.C. but currently a Fort Frances resident since March with her boyfriend, John Cooper, Wiedeman hasn’t skipped a beat in her fitness journey, competing at the provincial level in Manitoba and in national and North American competitions throughout the spring and summer.
She took first in the Women’s Fitness Short division at the MABBA (Manitoba Amateur BodyBuilding Association) Novice Championship in March, and recently placed third at the 2008 CBBF (Canadian BodyBuilding Federation) National World Qualifier June 14 in Winnipeg.
She may move up a spot as well, after one of the competitors tested positive for steroids.
“I’ve always done sports and was a tom boy growing up and I wanted to bodybuild at 16 but things kept coming up and I just kind of left it,” Wiedeman recalled.
“Then my trainer [Janie Keith-Goodman] approached me in 2006 and asked me to do a show, and in two weeks and three days I was on the stage at a FAME World Tour competition in Winnipeg and took first place in Novice.
“Two weeks later I decided I was going to go to Toronto and take part in the advanced division just to see how I could do. And I took first place there as well, and after that I just got the itch to do it more and more,” she added.
That early momentum carried over, and she followed that up with a strong showing later that year in Miami, finishing sixth in a field including one of her idols, Sylvia Tremblay, who is one of Canada’s most renowned fitness models.
“It’s like Sidney Crosby going up against [Wayne] Gretzky,” Wiedeman said. “You meet so many amazing people who become lifelong friends and who you make a connection with for different reasons, and it’s awesome.”
Despite the obvious success she has achieved in the sport, Wiedeman believes the journey to get there is what it’s really all about.
“The highlight is just getting on the stage and accomplishing a goal that you worked for, and the results, regardless if you’re first place or last place, don’t matter so much as it’s just getting that courage to step up on the stage and do something for yourself,” she said.
Despite all the work she has had to put in individually with consistent dieting and training, she said it wouldn’t be possible without the support of family and friends.
“John came to my provincial event [June 14] which was great, because you need that support from your partner, especially when it comes to dieting. He has to put up with what I call ‘dieting rage’,” Wiedeman said, laughing. “In the summertime, friends are going places and you can’t eat out because those last two weeks are crucial. No sugar or salt, it’s basically like going back to being a baby and tasting food for what it really is.”
Wiedeman said the support she has received from Jackie Lampi-Hughes and the rest of the staff at Energy Fitness here locally has been a big boost to her progress. She uses the studio upstairs to practice her dance routine, and usually focuses much of the last six to eight weeks prior to a show on getting it synchronized and rehearsed.
Fitness competitors go for a leaner, slicker look than those in the bodybuilding division, and are judged on symmetry and their 90-second dance routine.
The symmetry round features competitors in swimsuits, and the judges look for good muscle tone, posture and symmetry between all the muscle groups, keeping an eye on charisma, projection, and confidence as well.
The routine round gives athletes 90 seconds to perform a choreographed dance to music of there choice, demonstrating athleticism, creativity, and their personality.
Her next big event is the CBBF Canadian Figure and Fitness Championships Aug. 9 in New Westminster, B.C. and based off her prior successes, you might expect she’ll be needing to expand the size of her trophy case sooner rather than later.