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Before: 190 lbs |
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After: 115lbs |
From Fat To Fit
I always envied the fit girls who could wear cute 'n' sexy bikinis to the beach while I avoided the beach at all costs.
Vital Stats
Name: Christine Dobrocky
Email: cmdobrocky@hotmail.com
Height: 5'4.5"
Before Weight: 190lbs
Before Body Fat: approx. > 28% ( never really had it measured at my heaviest)
Before Age: 19
After Off Season Weight: 130 lbs
After Competition Weight: 115lbs
After Bodyfat: approx 9% (competition) 12-15% (off season)
After Age: 21
Why I Got Started
Throughout my entire teenage years I was that chubby girl. Although I was active I never was concerned with what I fed my body. As I entered my first year of university things only got worse. Life for me was living off cafeteria food and binge drinking. As my studies took over my life, my physical activity slowly started to become less of a priority for me.
Click Image To Enlarge. I Wasn't Concerned With What I Fed Myself.
I had asked a boy out for a coffee to only find out he had told his friends he'd never want to be seen with flipper in public (a nickname they had for me). Hey, at least they picked a smart animal - thanks boys! Sad to say this was the turning point for me.
I realized how unattractive I was to boys, but more importantly how unhealthy I was. The next day I purchased my first ever fitness magazine - Oxygen - and surfed the net to find BB.com. Both sources of information got me started in the right direction and continue to motivate me and teach me a lot about diet and training. From that day forward I told myself I would do anything to be a fitness girl ... and that is exactly what I did.
My Journey
After reading magazine articles and articles on BB.com one thing became obvious to me - I needed to change my eating habits BIG time! It took me a long time to understand and realize how eating smaller portions more consistently throughout the day would kick start my weight loss.
In the beginning I was naïve and thought starvation was the answer - I was wrong. I started to gain more weight - my size 34 waist slowly crept up to a size 38 and the scale kept increasing in numbers as well. I wanted to hire a professional to help me, but being on a student budget that wasn't an option for me. So instead I looked into workshops and seminars at the gym I joined.
It was in February of 2005 that I met my now good friend and fitness role model, Stephanie Worsfold. Throughout her entire seminar she taught me about nutrition, supplementation and gave me the motivation and confidence to start my own journey into the fitness world. She's the one who got me started into a new lifestyle and continues to help motivate me on a daily basis. Without Steph I wouldn't be where I am today!
Click Image To Enlarge. Stephanie & I.
Why I Chose A Figure Competition
After having successfully lost a solid 30 pounds, this new lifestyle was becoming addicting to me. I wanted something I could work toward that would challenge me.
I started a new job at a local supplement store to expand my knowledge on supplementation and later continued to do supplement demos at bodybuilding/fitness shows. After working at a show I knew I had what it takes to get on that stage. I set a date and started to prep for my first ever figure competition - May 27th 2006.
How I Did It:
My First Contest Prep.
I began dieting and training 20 weeks before the show date to ensure I gave my body enough time to lose weight and be contest ready in the healthiest way possible. This is me at the beginning of my contest prep weighing 146 pounds and 18% body fat.
Click Image To Enlarge. Beginning Of Contest Prep.
My Advice To You
If you want something bad enough you will find a way to accomplish it. When things may seem impossible look at it as a challenge and in the end the reward is priceless.
Surround yourself with only positive people. Ignore any negative comments or people who don't support you. Whether you are looking to compete or just wanting to lead a healthy lifestyle believe in yourself and anything is possible.
Click Image To Enlarge. Believe In Yourself & Anything Is Possible.
What Is Next?
After doing my first figure show I have the competition bug. I will do another show in the future but need some time to do some hard work in the gym. Genetically I have well built legs (thanks mom and dad!) but need to focus more on my shoulders/arms/back.
Once I feel I have improved this area of my physique I will hit the stage again. Until then I want to pursue some fitness modeling. At my first show I had a photographer take some pictures and loved the whole experience!
Click Image To Enlarge. I've Got The Competition Bug Now!
Thank You To:
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Steph Worsfold - Thank you for the late night posing practices, the diet advice, taking me to my first Arnold show and being a wonderful friend - you rock!
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Ryan Swan (writes for BB.com!) - Helped me with my diet and pushed me when I thought I couldn't compete - thank you so much your articles and our chats helped more then what you will ever realize.
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Tosca Reno - Your articles in Oxygen helped me become motivated and the regular emails motivated me and gave me the confidence I have today.
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All my fitness friends - You know who you all are without your support I wouldn't have been able to do it all on my own.
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My friends and family - sticking by me and believing in me no matter how much I weighed or what I looked like!
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Ryan - My boyfriend, who had to put up with my dieting for the long 20 weeks, thanks for everything and your support.