I had a revelation last News Years Eve 2012. After barely fitting into my News Years Eve dress, I felt very depressed and humiliated. I snuck out to buy spankx at a store that very night just to squeeze myself into my dress. It was a low point. But, I didn't want to let it ruin my evening so I decided then and there that 2013 was going to be the year I got into the best shape of my life. The next day I started researching gyms in Chicago and found one the specialized in bodybuilding. Bodybuilding had peaked my interest ever since my cousin starting competing. I thought, maybe this is what I need. I have juiced my way down to being thin, but had never been lean and mean. Ideally that is who I wanted to be, a leaner and stronger version of myself. So Ijoined the gym and began my journey to getting in shape. I knew it wouldn't be easy but when I set my mind to something I'm as stubborn as a dachshund, and quitting is not in my lexicon!

Bodybuilding is so rewarding mentally and physically, you get to see you body change and you can feel yourself getting stronger. When I first hit the gym in January a 5lb weight felt heavy, now a 12 lb weight feels heavy. I leaving meeting new muscles in my body that i never new existed, and feeling stronger and less helpless. As I women I have always felt a need to prove that I was as strong as my male counterparts, I never liked being told, "oh, that's too heavy, let a man lift it." I know am I strong and capable and bodybuilding has really made me feel unstoppable.