Last Visit: Today, 6:49pm Last Forum Post: May 1, 2009 7:31pm Last Photo Upload: Mar 29, 2009 6:14pm Last Profile Update: Yesterday, 7:28pm Last Blog Post: Yesterday, 2:58pm
Ventura High Attended 1970 to 1973 Ventura, California United States
When I Started:
1986
How I Started:
I always loved hanging in the gym but girls were not welcome for many years. It wasn't until the 1980s I had a chance to lift "real" weights and loved it!
Why I Love It:
It fits my personality like no other sport. Only you can take responsibility for your progress and you get to do it at your own pace instead of being in a sport that has winners & losers (like tennis, baseball, etc).
How I Stay Motivated:
All I have to do is look at my starting photo to remember how crummy I felt with all that middle-age spread and low energy levels to keep me motivated to go back to my weights. I really want a chance to have the body I worked so hard for in my 30s.
BB Accomplishments:
I competed in 2 AAU contests: 1988 Tri-Cities Class (Richmond,VA) where I placed 2nd in the Womens Tall Division and 1989 Neptune Classic (Virginia Beach, VA) where I placed 3rd in the Womens Tall Division.
Forum Signature:
"Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived."
Captain Jean-Luc Picard played by Patrick Stewart, from the film "Star Trek: Generations"
This was the photo that made me realize how I had gotten fat and unfit. I had try on dresses for a wedding and nothing fit! It was awful to think I weighed at 160 lbs, all flab! I started dieting the very next day!
Here I am, several months after my mom's sudden death, finally getting my act together. I ate a lot of comfort food and didn't go to the gym. It shows! I'm back lifting 2-3 times a week and working on losing 2 lbs a week. Hope to survive the holidays without too much overeating! :)
Reach my goal weight of 135 lbs for my 55th birthday in March.
Goal (Long):
I was really into BB in the 1980s. Worked out 6 days a week and even had a chance to compete in 2 contests. Then marriage and 3 children came along. I could have still worked out some but after working a full-time job all day then coming home to the housework and children was too time consuming for me. I stayed active but slowly became more out-of-shape. Then, whamo, menopause hit like a ton of bricks and the fat just popped out all over me. Yuck! I got depressed and just thought I was stuck with it.
It wasn't until I saw the photo I posted here of me trying on dresses for my daughter's wedding that I told myself that I had enough of that crap! I started dieting the next day. After losing about 15 pounds, I joined our local community health center. They aren't a complete gym but it is better than nothing. I kept losing weight but most importantly, I started building muscle. Enough muscle that I found myself thinking of doing the BB thing again.
BTW, I have chronic lymphocytic leukemia, diagnosed 7 years ago. No chemo so far (cross your fingers) which gives me hope for several more good years. Average life expectancy is 6-10 years after diagnosis so I've done pretty good considering. I would dearly love to compete one more time before I really get sick, just to prove to the docs that it can be done.
Tim is living proof that a bodybuilder competing at the National level can be a "real" person too. He has a full-time job and is raising his 3 children alone after his wife passed away in 2003. Tim is a perfect example of bb dedication to working out hard & following his diet. His photos tell the truth of his living the bb way. Tim inspires me to hit the gym and never look back!
Bronwyn has overcome serious illness and kept her commitment to the sport of bb. Lada is the 2009 National benchpress champion, 2nd place NABBA Nationals competitor and 4th place NABBA World championship competitor. She is a wonderful person, inside and out. I want to look like her so I keep her physique in mind when I go to the gym. She is a very inspiring example for all us gals!
I had put them away after my mom died and I was so bummed that I didn't have the motivation to workout at all. Got them out and dusted off my bench then did some shoulder work. Oh man, I forgot how much I like lifting iron dumbbells! The feel of the pump is sooooo good!
Starting over again... what a drag! Don't want to overdo so I'm doing strength training class 2 days a week with cardio right after. Walking every day. Baby steps for now along with starting my diet. Woo-hoo... watch out!
Thanks Sue. We ordinarily use 2 tables...and thats just for our kids and their spouses/boyfriends. And grandson! This yr, my daughter offered to have everyone come to her house. Mama's no fool! Thats where I'm going! Be thinking of you during the holiday..:)
Thanks Sue, it's so good to know you're back at it again. And you look great.... Our snow season just started,so you know where I'll be every weekend for the next couple of months...
Thanks for preaching Sue. Just looking around at our family, friends & coworkers shows the veracity of that article. Americans are addicted to food. And not good food.
I am incredibly honored as well as truly humbled that you said you find me inspirational. It is people like you here at Bodybuilding.com that keep me inspired as well as allowing me to continue believing that fitness truly can make a difference in people’s lives.
Stay strong, focused and determined & may God bless.
Yeah.... You're back... I'm sooo glad you're ready to hit it again. I think you still look pretty darn good there woman... Hit it hard, and you'll be back where you want in no time.
I just stopped by to wish you all the best. I am sorry to hear of your loss but am happy to hear that you are back and ready to work out. If there is ever anything that I can do to be of assistance please feel free to give me a yell. I would like nothing better than to see you achieve all you dream of on your fitness journey. Stay strong, focused and determined & may God bless.
Thanks so much. You are absolutely right....we need to stick together. I wish more women in our age category would see the benefits & put out the effort of weights.
Understood completely, went through something like that when my Dad passed away unexpected a few years ago. It takes some time to get the mind and heart back. Take care Sue and I do wish you grace still and all the best to you and your family.
I came across your space and was impressed with your attitude. Good for you..... you look great. I absolutely love seeing women realize their strengths in the gym. It's nice knowing I'm not alone.
great avi!! great progs as well.enjoyed the bio. solid all around great stuff! kudo's to you!!:) stay strong and |||---||| hard and heavy! best of luck!
