For eight years, Makeda Blackett had been diligent about working out, but sometimes she got bored.
She mixed it up with a step aerobics class, a bootcamp session, kickboxing or spinning class, usually resulting in heavy cardio workouts. She even took up running.
A couple of years ago, a friend led her to HD Fitness, where she “accidentally” fell into bodybuilding, and took her workouts to a whole new level.
Coached by HD’s DeAnthony Moore, she began to prepare for her first show – the North American Natural Bodybuilding Federation St. Louis Naturals at the Sun Theater, garnering three first place medals.
She said there were three things she had to do different in order to complete: lift heavier weights, eat more and clean up her diet.
The key was to eat more of the right foods.
“I said, ‘OK, I can understand this in mathematical terms (she works as a financial analyst),’” Blackett said. “We could calculate the right combination of proteins, carbs and fats, to help me build more lean muscle.”
Was there pain along the way? You bet. A dancer in high school, Blackett has had knee pain since that time due to a chondrul defect and missing cartilage, which her coach helped her train around.
She participated in the National Physique Committee Midwest Naturals in Arnold, Missouri and placed first in Figure C Class Novice and Figure C Class Open – which was a national qualifier. She made her International Pro Elite debut in Overland Park, Kansas, where she felt good about “getting her feet wet” nationally.
Originally from Arkansas, she attended the University of Arkansas, earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, interned at AT&T in St. Louis, earning her MBA at Webster University, and made the city her home. She is currently a financial analyst at Centene.
In December, Blackett and her husband, Teddy, welcomed a new baby, and she continued to work out and eat healthy throughout her pregnancy.
“My routine remained about the same throughout my first and most of the second trimester. I modified a few exercises and decreased the amount of weight I lifted to accommodate my growing belly,” Blackett said. “I also increased my caloric intake and added more variety to my food. I lifted weights three or four days each week and walked two or three times a week. I really enjoyed the pregnancy, and I am happy that was able to maintain my routine.”
