‘Baddie’ transformation with Petite Sue
TO THE outside world, Petite Sue is known as a leading glam make-up artist, vlogger, model, influencer and all-round fashionista. But this uber-chic agent recently embarked on a covert mission, fitting a unique healthy lifestyle into her trendy mix. With operation ‘Baddie Transformation’ now complete, the thirdplace Miss Jamaica Bikini Fitness 2018 (short class) shares her challenging yet rewarding journey. Sue-Ann Gordon-Pitter initiated her exploration into the wonderful world of fitness back in 2016. With the influence of her friends, Pitter enrolled in the gym to get her body in shape for her big bridal debut. The progressive path continued after she said ‘I do’, and by October of that year, she began going harder physically, lifting weights in the process. It paid off in accentuating her hourglass figure.
In 2017, however, she saw a shift in perspective. The owner of Fit Farm approached her and encouraged her to enter the annual fitness competition. Pitter initially shied away from the idea, noting that while she was doing well for herself, she didn’t think she could be able to achieve such a feat. But then, it wouldn’t hurt to challenge herself: all she needed to do was push a little harder and eat a little cleaner. And so, she did. By November, she decided to give it a try and make it her focus. March of this year was when the prep work truly began.
The task at hand, for the aspiring athlete, was easier said than done. “It was rough. Four weeks out, I wondered why I even did it. It made me moody. I started second-guessing
everything. My trainer, Alford Green, told me it was too late to turn back now. Gym dominated my life. I was in there as often as I could be,” she told Flair.
Hip-thrusting three plates of 45pounds each on each side of a 45 pound bar, squatting two 45-pounds on each side of a 45-pound bar and going up to eight 45-pound plates on each side of the leg press machine give an insight into her workout regime.
While that was taxing enough on her body, the hardest part she faced was with food. She had to execute clean meal-prepping techniques each week: sticking to chicken breast (baked) and tuna, with no seasoning added, alongside string beans or baked sweet potato, (little or no carbs were consumed) as well as fruits, vegetables and only water – no sugar and very low sodium.
After two days, Pitter was over the repetition. She recalled her days of savouring the indulgence of Sunday dinner, no matter what. “My family loves to cook and they cook well so I looked forward to rice and peas and chicken or oxtail.” Once she began training, she cut that tradition out of her diet. Giving that up, she says, was the most difficult thing she had to do, and her family didn’t help at first, luring her with the tasty temptation. Over time, they jumped on board and helped her to monitor her intake.
TWO DAYS WITHOUT WATER
On stage, she admitted that she was tired, sleepy, and felt like the weakest person because she was so light. She didn’t drink water two days prior and the big night just to drain the water out of the body to control sweating or create a lack thereof . “I had to go up there and be stylish with my poses – I took a lot of posing sessions with posing coach, Stacy-Ann Spencer.”
The 5’1” gym fanatic who started out at 119 pounds ended up competition night at 105 pounds. And even though she looked thicker in size, it was all muscle mass. She confessed that she has no regrets. “It was overwhelming but amazing. I believed in winning all through training. After doing all that hard work, how could I settle for anything less than first place? But when I was called up for third place, I was so grateful!”
She continued, “This competition made me tap into a side I never knew I had, and it also made me silence the naysayers who were always so negative, saying I was only doing this for show on social media.”
She has gone up to 118 pounds in weight and is almost sure that she will compete again in the future. Her advice to aspiring competitors is get inspiration. For her, it was fitness videos on YouTube, block out the noise, get professionals to guide you, stay consistent and build mental toughness. “I know it’s all about working on the body, but you have to be mentally fit too.”
‘This competition made me tap into a side I never knew I had, and it also made me silence the naysayers ...’