Body Transformation: Fat Met Its Match!

AGE 33 HEIGHT 5'3" WEIGHT 145 lbs BODY FAT 26%	AGE 34 HEIGHT 5'3" WEIGHT 115 lbs BODY FAT 10%

After having kids, I really let myself go. I was active in the gym, but treaded water. I thought I was eating healthy and my workouts were productive, but over time I realized a need to educate myself, which opened my eyes to a new experience. In fall of 2011, I became unhappy with my health and appearance.

The doctors said my pre-diabetic state needed to be medicated, and I decided right then to avoid medication and defeat type II diabetes. The unhappiness was enough to make me depressed and irritable constantly. I was consumed and self-conscious about my body.

I was bound and determined to change, so I started doing research and found Jamie Eason's LiveFit Trainer on Bodybuilding.com. I became infatuated with it and started the diet and workouts immediately. I enjoyed my newfound passion but was unable to follow it exactly and didn't see the results I hoped for. I lacked knowledge to make sound judgments and didn't understand that increasing weight was what my body needed.

In March 2012, my husband decided to join and we began doing Kris Gethin's 12-Week Hardcore Trainer. We combed the web for information to learn and understand the different approaches and methods to live healthy and balanced. We made it a family affair and spent weekends in the kitchen prepping and measuring food for the week. The kids did their part, too, and started requesting healthier choices for dinner.

We saw huge results and decided to push forward on Jim Stoppani's Shortcut To Size. My husband and I loved time together in the gym and couldn't wait for the next session. It has become our passion and helped us fall in love again. I'm a true believer that women shouldn't be afraid to lift heavy.

Knowledge is power. I spent hours combing through many articles on Bodybuilding.com to teach myself to eat a healthy diet with enough calories to fuel my fitness. I relied on fitness icons to help me understand there are no exact rules to live healthy. There are different approaches to obtain and maintain health and it's important to understand how they work with each individual.

Being healthy and fit led to the physique I desired. This journey isn't a 12-week program completed when a goal is obtained. This journey is for a lifetime to better serve my children and teach them to love and care for their bodies at a young age and set a solid foundation for their future. It empowers them (and adults around us) to see us set goals and work hard to reach them.

It's true happiness. I want to be the best role model I can for my family and friends. There is no better way to do it than to practice what I preach.

In January 2013, I decided to take it to the next level and hire local trainers Jon and Shawna Buettner at Big Jon Fitness to help me prep for my first figure competition. I had a good base of muscle, but needed help to dial in the diet. After we started, I had medical issues and underwent a full hysterectomy on January 29, 2013. I was initially heartbroken that it could stall my goals, but the surgery went well.

With the help of my amazing trainers, I was able to compete for the first time on May 3, 2013, followed it up with a second stage appearance on May 11, and placed third in my class of 15. The journey taught how to be a strong, beautiful woman. Saying that makes me smile. I never felt like that before.

Our journey is never ending and our goals continue to grow and steer us in our new lifestyle. It's not always easy or fun, but we learned to embrace the trials and grow from them as a family. I live for daily challenges and would love to help others as I continue to conquer mine. I love the natural high from pushing weight. There's nothing more rewarding than pushing beyond your limits and reaching new PRs. Our minds are our worst enemies!

The diet is most challenging. Keeping it simple was the best solution for me. It was challenging to stay disciplined with a full-time job, two kids, and a husband, but you either make time or excuses! Finding balance was difficult, but it became more natural.

I'm not sure what the future holds. I will continue this journey and aspire to be better today than I was yesterday. I want to be the best role model I can be for my children.

Bodybuilding.com has been a major resource for my success. I log on daily to access the free workout programs and nutrition information. I love that they continue to add new information and tools. I don't know another site that offers the amount of content Bodybuilding.com does.