Tosca Reno

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Thursday, June 21, 2012

Re-Entering the World of Competition for Robert with Trainer Rita Catolino


My before!

So this is it folks! I am taking the plunge and RE-entering the world of competition... it's been quite a few years! I will train, and train hard for a Physique Competition in honour of my late husband, Robert Kennedy.  This new adventure may not seem new at first glance, but this journey will be unlike any other.  I invite you to travel along with me as I navigate the way through the good, the bad and the ugly of contest prep. BUT I won’t be doing it alone; I will have a new wingman at my side.

Meet Rita Catolino, from London, Ontario Canada. Rita not only helps people change their lives on a daily basis through her passion for fitness and proper nutrition, but she also lives and breathes what she preaches.  After struggling with weight issues her whole life Rita finally made the decision to make a change in 2007 after giving birth to her daughter.  For the last 5 years, Rita has been working as a certified trainer at GoodLife, an online coach, a fitness model and is now embarking on this new journey with me.

We are so excited to share our experiences with you and invite you to be a part of this journey that will hopefully inspire, motivate, make you laugh, maybe even cry and hopefully make you choose water over wine and push that much harder at the gym.

Training: Through this first phase of training, Rita has me on a volume training block which will help strengthen ligaments and tendons and keep my heart rate high while working in an anabolic state.  The goal is to keep cardio to a minimum in the first block of training, and build some lean muscle tissue.

Food: After experimenting with my diet, Rita has decided to eliminate most grains for the time being and increase my healthy fat consumption, allowing my energy system and cognitive function to rely on fats as opposed to carbohydrates.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts including: Rita’s show choice for me, training videos, progress pictures, sneak peeks at workouts and food plans, recipes, surprise local gym visits and much, much more.

We promise not to disappoint!

Read more about Rita in her bio:

Photo Credit: Paul Buceta
The first time Rita Catolino modeled for Oxygen, her photo shoot prep time was a little less than ideal. “I was filling in for a last-minute cancellation,” she says. “I had less than 24 hours’ notice, but it was the best experience ever.” She definitely made an impression, seeing as she’s shot with Oxygen a whopping six times this past year alone! Since 2008, this fit mom has kept busy setting up a successful business as a personal trainer, landing numerous modeling gigs, training for Bikini competitions and racking up a number of Bikini titles. But that’s not all. Did you know that she also happens to be gifted in the arts? Fluent in Spanish, Italian, French and English, she also sings and plays the organ, piano and violin. Truly a woman of many talents!

You can also visit her at RitaCatolino.net, on Facebook & on Twitter.

25 comments:

  1. Yay! I'm so excited for you, Tosca. Can't wait to follow this journey and hear all about your training, diet plan etc. You already look amazing, can't wait to see you in September at our event! If you are a Tosca fan in Southwestern Ontario - don't miss our event that Tosca is headlining! www.rechargeyourlife.webs.com
    Dawn :)

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  2. Way to go Tosca! I am so proud of you and can't wait to follow along on your journey...I so enjoyed reading your blog entries the first time you competed. I met with you last year at the Arnold Classic and asked you if you'd be competing again. The sparkle in your eyes told me the answer. :)
    p.s. your fans in the U.S. still want to watch and/or purchase your 'Tosca Flexing at 49' videos if they ever become available!! I'm tempted to move to Canada just to be able to watch them! Love always, Lauren from Virginia

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  3. I think it's great that you are working towards something for you personally and to honor your late husband. You have amazing strength. I look forward to following your journey!!

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  4. Yay Tosha! Extremely proud of you and want a great honor for your love! I already think of you are pretty perfect, but I imagine you will grow even more and share that with us.
    Blessings!
    Wendy

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  5. AWESOME!!! I am SO excited to be able to follow you on this journey!! Also looking forward to getting the nitty gritty insight on the whole fitness competition world. BEST of luck Tosca!!

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  6. Woo hoo! Go Tosca!!! I'm so excited for you. I'm starting my own journey into fitness and nutrition and to see you competing again gives me an extra push!

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  7. So happy to be following your journey! Best of luck, you are an inspiration

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  8. That is awesome news! Looking foward to reading about your journey!

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  9. Tosca, you know I am cheering you on, today and always XOXOXO We are all extremely proud of you! I can't wait to travel this journey with you to see your transformation in honor of Bob. You inspire so many of us every single day, pretty lady. Cheers to you, and many blessings on your new adventure. XOXOXO ~Kymberly "Kaptain" Morgan & Family <3

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  10. Can't wait to follow along. Please post diet and workouts!

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  11. I am so proud of you Tosca. I look forward to keeping up with your progress. I would like to compete next year. I would also like to thank you immensely. For posting your before pics. Of course you look good but it helps to see that even fitness gurus like you arent Shredded at all times! Your candor and honesty are what draws so many to you. You have a beautiful soul. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your whole self with us. I also was extremely touched by the article sharing Bob and your love letters. You two were very blessed. I know he would be so proud of you:) You have my deepest admiration. Shanti

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  12. What a wonderful way to pay tribute to what Robert stood for! I hope this journey helps you during your grieving period, and by sharing this journey, you inspire MORE people to follow your lead! (Not necessarily competing, but making the biggest and best change in their lives physically) :) much love to you and your family from a Georgia Peach!

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  13. Good for you Tosca! You will do great as always! You are a truly remarkable woman.

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  14. I cannot WAIT to see your amazing transformation! You are ONE FIERCE LADY! I definitely look up to you!

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  15. I am gonna do a mini version of your journey. So it will be great to do it at the same time :-)

    Thank you for being such an inspiration.

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  16. Can't wait. You are an inspiration and thank you for sharing your journey with everyone.

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  17. I'm right here with you, Tosca! Masters' rule!! :)

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  18. Can't wait to see your transformation as you prep for the contest. I followed you for your last one and was so inspired. Best of luck. xoxo

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  19. I will be 55 in November so very excited to see you show others our age - well, you are younger - but in the 50's that we can still rock it - THANK YOU!!!!!

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  20. That's amazing Tosca!! You truly are an inspiration.. and what a great way to dedicate this to Bob! Any advise on the steps to take if interested in figure competitions. I'm nowhere near close to having the body I want, but want guidance and possibly a goal to aspire to. I've thought about competition before, but don't know where to start or people to contact to get me on my way. Are there trusted trainers in southern ontario who specifically train their clients for competition? Any books or links that you would recommend I follow?

    Thank you for your time!! All the best on ... I'm sure you will knock everyone's socks off!

    Nadya

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  21. Wow, Tosca, what an inspiration. Bob will be looking down and will be smiling at you, I am sure of it! I feel like I know you and the entire family at Oxygen, from the magazines and personal email responses from you when I had questions. I, too, am particpating in my first competition in October here in Houston, and it will definitely give me a pep in my step when I think of you, Bob, and our Oxygen family all stepping together for health, and for Bob, who gave us so much.

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  22. Can't wait to see the transformation and after shots. You are such an inspiration!I'm in my 50's if you can do it maybe I can too! Thanks!

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  23. Way to go Tosca...a true inspiration and role model...I am hitting the stage for the 1st time at age 43 after an almost 100lb weight loss...did it by eating clean and sweating hard....

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  24. owwww!! nice!

    www.larasulianno.com

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