Last Visit: Jun 30, 2008 7:34pm Last Forum Post: Jun 30, 2008 7:33pm Last Photo Upload:Never Last Profile Update: Jun 29, 2008 12:50am Last Blog Post: Mar 18, 2008 2:25am
I've always loved exercise...I was a dancer in high school and was a frequent visitor of the latest cardio classes in the gym. But it wasn't until my brother gave me a copy of Body for Life in 2003 that I started lifting weights.
Why I Love It:
I love how empowering pushing and pulling the iron is - especially as a female. I love watching my body transform. Henry Rollins wrote: "I believe that when the body is strong, the mind thinks strong thoughts." When my body is strong, my mind has no use for negative, self-deprecating thoughts.
How I Stay Motivated:
I stay motivated by bodybuilding forums just like these. We're a unique group - with like minds - and while often misunderstood (esp for us gals) - it is nice to get those "envious" looks at the gym (admittedly, that helps me stay motivated too!)
BB Accomplishments:
My favorite accomplishment last summer was when I was squatting on the Smith machine. Each week, my trainer would add more weight but he doesn't let me see how much he's adding on. One week, after I completed 10 grueling reps, he said, "How much does your husband weigh?" I
replied, "About 190." He said, "You just squatted your husband."
Forum Signature:
Last Updated: Mar 19, 2008 11:10pm
Progress Pictures
This member has not uploaded any progress pictures yet.
My 2008 goal is to FINALLY step on stage in my first Figure competition in September.
Goal (Long):
I was training extremely hard in 2007 to transform my 5'3", 160+ lb, 34% bf body to compete in the INBA Forever Natural competition in Venice Beach, CA.
I worked with a trainer 4X a week who helped me tremendously by showing that I CAN lift heavy...that I AM an athlete (something that I never ever called myself growing up)...that I can do well in this sport.
By July 2007 - in only 7 months - I transformed into a lean and muscular machine that was unstoppable...my avatar picture was taken July 4, 2007 - and I was 140 lbs - and around 15% bf.
I was about 8 weeks out from competition...and then...our family moved from Southern California (my home for 34 years) to Utah the end of July. I knew the move was coming up...I had lofty plans of continuing with my training and had even contacted a figure coach in Utah to help me with the final weeks of prep. My first order of business the day we arrived in Utah was to join the local Gold's Gym. I was planning to fly back to Los Angeles in September to do the competition.
But the move and the acclimation to our new home took more of a precedence and my dream took a back seat. Getting my 3 young kids accustomed to our new home and their new schools and activities was more important at the time...so I decided to put the competition on hold.
Unfortunately - the clean eating went out the window too. So with the move and the holidays...I'm definitely not as lean as I was back then. I've been in the gym off and on but it was definitely inconsistent.
My lifts are not nearly as high as they were over the summer and all of the great clothes I bought back then don't fit anymore...I was grouchy all the time and my poor kids take the brunt of it.
I finally realized that I need to get back in the game - I need to do this - it's not just about "getting in shape" - for me...it's about honoring and achieve a dream I've had for 5 years now - ever since I started lifting.
I'm slowly starting to climb out of the hole again and ROCK THAT STAGE in September!
We went to the competition tonight. It was fun! Inspiring but a little intimidating as well. I don't think I would want to compete but it does give me hope that progress is worthwhile.
