After Losing 10lbs This Triathlete Started Building Her Body!

Vital Stats

Name: Jessica Brantley
Email: jibrantl@gmail.com
Website: leanmeanfightingmachine

Before: Age: 23 Height: 5'7" Weight: 150 lbs Body Fat: 25%	After: Age: 25 Height: 5'7" Weight: 125 lbs Body Fat: 13%

Why I Got Started

I was dissatisfied with my physique and overall fitness. I started exercising by training/competing in triathlons in 2009 and even completed in a half-ironman in the summer of 2010. I lost 10 pounds but still was not happy with being "skinny fat."

I also become very burned out with endurance events and doing up to 15 hours a week of straight cardio! I needed a new goal, one that involved looking like the athlete I had become. After talking to some friends and meeting a wonderful trainer, I decided to compete at NPC States in April 2011.

After 6 months of lifting (minimal cardio) and clean eating, I lost an additional 15 pounds and 7% body fat. I have never felt so great about my body and have developed a whole new level of self-confidence!

How confident is Jessica? Even the highway is her gym.

How I Did It

It was huge challenge for me coming from an endurance background and therefore having little muscle mass. The first 4 months I spent bulking - eating 6 substantial meals a day (including 2 cheats every week), and absolutely no cardio. The diet was definitely the hardest part for me.

The first few weeks were tough, but I finally established a routine of bulk cooking every Sunday. It eventually became habitual; I would just cook a ton of chicken, sweet potatoes and vegetables and was good to go for the entire week!

In February, I started losing cheats, but I did not incorporate cardio until 2 weeks prior to the show. I also started posing practice with my trainer, Leigh Ann Yeager, which was another huge challenge. I had never been on stage or even seen a competition before mine in April.

Every Sunday we would go through the poses after an hour of circuit training. I would also send her "progress pictures" so she could tweak my diet and exercise as needed. I was fortunate to have a trainer like Leigh Ann. Because of her structured training, I was able to stay away from hours of the unnecessary cardio.

Hot body, and a hot rod to boot!

Supplements

Diet

This included 2 cheat meals per week (Wednesday and Saturday) and 5L water per day.

Training

Suggestions for Others

Stop thinking about it, and just go for it! Every day you spend unhappy with your body is another day lost. You will not only gain phenomenal physical benefits but will see overall improvements in your state of well-being. I feel like completely new person.

I have also picked up some part-time modeling, which I would have never dreamed of happening. I know that if I can do it, anyone can. Yes, it takes determination. Yes, it is a challenge. Yes, some people will tell you you're crazy. But is it worth it? Absolutely!

Photographic Credit:
John Martinez, www.johnmartinezphotography.com