Prepare for a bacon-eating contest

Joe Lawler, left, and Manni Balignasay enjoy last year's inaugural Bacon Fest. (Credit: Metromix File Photo)

Manni Balignasay (Juice’s “Ask the Trainers” columnist and a personal trainer) is the two-time defending champion in the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival bacon-eating contest. Balignasay will be defending his title this year, but the champ was willing to share some bacon-eating tips.

Build up to it: “Earlier that day I had some bacon at the taste-testing and some bacon breakfast sandwiches. I actually had pizza that night with bacon on it as well. I don’t think I ate bacon for a good month after that.”

Go easy on sensitive areas: “I really didn’t feel that awful until later. My mouth was really raw from the crunchy bacon."

Work it off: “I tried to balance it out the next day with a lot of cardio. I stay in fairly good shape normally, so one binge doesn’t hurt all that bad.”

Have the hunger: “You need an insatiable hunger for bacon, but having a bottomless pit for a stomach helps, as well as a competitive side. The guy who came in second was one of my best friends. He usually eats more than I do, but I came out on top for this one. I would also recommend some practice sessions and not to eat so much before the actual contest that day.”