Name: Shari Richter
Birth Date: June 2
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 120lbs on-season  128lbs off-season
From: Texas  USA
 
 
CONTEST HISTORY
- all NPC contests -
2010 Ronnie Coleman Classic - 5th Place in Masters Figure 45+
2007 Ronnie Coleman Classic - 5th Place in Masters Figure 40+
2006 Lone Star Classic - 3d Place in Masters Figure
2006 Ronnie Coleman Classic - 3d Place in Masters Figure 40+ & 8th Place in Figure B
2006 West Texas - 1st Place in Masters Figure & 4th Place in Figure B
2005 Heart of Texas - 5th Place in Masters Figure & 7th Place in Figure C
2005 Europa - 5th Place in Figure Open  
2005 Louisiana - 2d Place in Model Search, 4th Place in Masters Figure & 6th Place in Figure A
2005 Lone Star Classic - 2d Place in Novice Figure & 8th Place in Open
 
 
RFOS Q&A
 
How long have you been training?
I got involved in fitness when I was 18 years old. I am now in my late 40s and have never stopped working out! I began my competitive journey in 2005. I competed for three years and took three years off (time flew by). In December 2009 I decided that I wanted to start training again, but needed a reason. The NPC Ronnie Coleman Classic was coming the following spring. As that was the last contest I did in 2007, I decided it should be my first to start with again. I gave it my best and trained on my own this time. Finances are a big concern in our home right now, but I still needed to do this for me. I pulled out my old diets, workouts, and pictures. Got online and started researching my division.
 
 
What would you like to see done to help improve or promote the sport?
I think the rules and judging criteria for Figure need to be clearer and more consistent. Preparing for a competition is made all the more difficult when you find yourself compared against the physiques of those present instead of a standard that all can train to attain. As popular as Figure has become within the sport of Bodybuilding, I think our sport would find far greater acceptance from women in general were it to emphasize a lean, athletic look. I would also like to see more recognition for my age category (and older), especially as regards sponsorship, magazine articles, etc. Most contests focus on the young athletes, and that's great, Keep in mind, though, that us older gals work a lot harder to achieve our goals.
 

 
What would you like to share about your last contest?
The 2010 NPC Ronnie Coleman Classic was awesome! I had a support system in the audience, which made a big difference. A lot of people from three years ago recognized me and wondered where I had been. That was very flattering and encouraging.
 
 
Do you get negative comments from people with regard to your muscles?
Yes, I have been told that my back is not large enough and my legs could be leaner. I work very hard on trying to accomplish this.  
 
 
Have you ever surprised yourself with you own strength? Like you forgot you were THAT strong???
Yes, definitely. Especially when training back! It's like "where did that come from?" I do believe that I am stronger when my diet is in check. And when I am regularly taking the right supplements.
 

 
How have you used your physical strength outside the gym, when it has come in handy?
To be honest. I am not much for outdoor sports, but I do like to garden. Gardening is hard work: dirt, stumps, etc,, can be really heavy at times. I have two huge labs and have to wrestle them down sometimes. I feel I am better off with my weight training for that. Stamina more than anything. Some of my friends wonder where I get my energy from. I was in Boston in 2010 and ran 7 miles two days in a row. That is not usual for me at all. I am not a runner. It was great!
 
 
Any message for fans?
Find a sensible workout regimen and stick with it. Change it up every couple of months. Read articles and get educated. Everyone can always learn from someone or something. Never think you've got it down, even when you are in your best shape. Mostly, enjoy it. One of my trainers once told me, "If you enjoy the journey of competing, then do it for that reason. Don't do it for the trophy". Of course, everyone wants to win, and I am as competitive as the woman next to me. The more I have thought about that trainer's advice, the more I am convinced that he was (and still is) right!
 

 
What is the best way to contact you?
Message me on RFOS:
http://messages.rfos.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?action=imsend;to=LiveToPump
 
 
Where can you be found on the web?
Another profile:
http://www.bodybuilders.com/shari-richter.htm - Over 40 Bodybuilder of the Week!
 
 
What else you would like to share?
I am a certified personal trainer. Anyone who is interested in recipes or training ideas, I am happy to share. For those interested in personal training, I am open to discuss our options with them. Just message me on RFOS (link above).
 
Our children are both athletic. Our teenage daughter is a competitive senior level 5 cheerleader on two squads and cheers for her high school. Our son golfs for the college he is attending. During my training, my husband who coaches varsity lacrosse was needing to watch the scale. He has since dropped over 40lbs — commitment, that is all it is. Some small changes in his eating plan and a little more cardio. He can't believe he had carried all that extra weight. He feels so much better now — truly like a different person.
 
Thanks to Jeff Dewelle, Jenny Lynn, and all the trainers who stood by me at the gym. With all my whining and complaining, they stayed on my side. Ryan, one of the trainers, wrote me words of encouragement each week. I kept every one of those sticky notes!
 

 
Thanks as well to these talented photographers for the courtesy of using their pictures:
Photos 1-3 - Dan Ray of http://rxmuscle.com
Photo 4 - Dan Ray of http://musculardevelopment.com
Back - my friend Lisa