Body Transformation: From Fat Track To Six Pack

Nine months ago, I never thought I would trade in my Steve Maddens for Nikes, soda for protein, or my dresses for gym shorts.

I have been pretty active throughout life by attending dance classes and cheerleading meets. I never thought I would have a problem with my weight. My problem was that I was social butterfly in college after pledging into a sorority during my freshman year. I was the life of the party and often indulged in late-night food runs and binge drinking.

I continued on this fat track post-college and decided to move to Las Vegas. The city got the best of me and I stopped caring about my body. Stepping on the scale and watching it hit 150 was a huge eye-opener. I was on a path of destruction and it was miserable.

I was fairly active already and knew my way around the weight room, but my nutrition was out of whack. About nine months ago, I contacted a fitness mentor and coach who helped me create a meal plan and workout regimen that fit my body.

I was about to change my life, but never to the extent I thought. My late-night bar runs turned into late-night cardio.

After training for two months, my trainer showed me a picture of a girl who was a figure competitor. My brain immediately lit up and I looked at him and said, "I want to look like her. I want to compete."

Immediate change can be tough, so I made a deadline for myself: to compete in my first bodybuilding show on November 3, 2012. My training was tough; I did two-a-day one-hour cardio sessions and felt like I was going nowhere. I was determined, though, and knew consistency was the key. Others around me noticed changes before I did, which was motivation enough.

On days when I was hanging from my last thread, tired and unmotivated, I looked to the people who looked up to me. I had no idea so many people were following my journey until the emails and phone calls started. People asked formade me an NPC national qualifier. I don't plan to stop there. I want to build a tips and workout ethics so they could look the way I do.

Going into my first show with only nine months of conditioning, I was a bit worried, but I ended up placing first in my fitness category, which nd grow physically and mentally.

I can honestly say I would never be where I am today without the tremendous amount of love and support I get daily from friends, family, and complete strangers. I'm motivated because I inspire others to change their lives for the better. If that's not enough, then I don't know what is.

Now fitness defines me. I'm no longer the girl who does 20-second keg stands; I'm the girl who can bench 135 pounds. I believe every great story starts with the ability to try and challenge oneself.

Every disciplined transformation requires a strict diet. I eat a clean diet and go by the saying "Eat clean, train dirty." Most of my diet consists of lean meats, fish, lots of vegetables (the greener the better), and complex carbs to keep me going longer. I also carry a jug of water with me. It's very important to keep your water intake up to 1/2-1 gallon of water per day.

Like most people, I have cravings. Try to find the best possible choice to curb cravings. I'm a peanut butter addict. I recently discovered PB2, which has 85 percent less fat. It satisfies the peanut taste that I crave.

I train on a five-day regimen and do two body parts per day. I perform cardio six days per week, leaving one rest day for my body to relax and rebuild.

The complete lifestyle change was a major shock at first. When my friends went out for drinks or dinner after work, I felt down because I couldn't attend. I lost a few friends along the way because my goals and ambitions went in a different direction. I doubted my decisions at times because I was afraid of standing alone.

Looking back, I may have lost a few friends, but I gained many more supporters and followers of my newfound goals. The more positivity you put into this world, the more positive people fill your life. I'm the happiest I have ever been, and for that I'm truly thankful.

I'm currently in my offseason. I will start preparing for my next show in Sacramento, California in March. This show will help me practice and prep for nationals, which are in July.

I hope to obtain a pro card and inspire even more individuals to live healthier lives, be confident in their own skin, and be the best they can be. The only person you should be competing with is yourself.

Never compare yourself to others. I swear great things will come of it.

I come to Bodybuilidng.com daily. It has everything I need; great products, workout ideas, and food recipes. I love reading the inspiring stories from others. They help to push me along the way.

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