Why I decided to transform
I grew up as a competitive dancer, so keeping my body and weight in check wasn't hard. I ate what I wanted when I wanted it and was fortunate to burn it off. I kept my eating habits up through college.
A series of very stressful life events made me turn to food for comfort after college. When times got tough, I got fluffy. My love for carbs, coupled with a newfound desk job and sedentary lifestyle, made me balloon to a weight and body shape that I wasn't comfortable with.
It crept up on me until my wakeup call hit like a bucket of ice water over the head. I knew it was time to do something.
It sounds cliché, but I was uncomfortable in my own skin. I didn't love myself.
How I accomplished my goals
The desire to change put my gears into motion. I began by joining a gym and dedicated myself to working out regularly. I became a cardio bunny and spent at least an hour doing steady-state cardio five days per week. I lost ten pounds but was still skinny-fat. After doing research, I decided to step it up and lift some iron. That's when my body really changed.
In November 2012, I decided to take it to the next level and enter a NPC bikini contest. I joined a team with coaches that provided meal and workout plans. With their guidance, I shed 25 more pounds. I wanted to prove to myself and the world that I had what it took to succeed. I trained six days per week with a mixture of weights and cardio. Training was different every day, but my diet remained mostly the same throughout.
In spring of 2013, I stepped onto the stage for the first time and placed top five. I did four shows this past spring and summer and became a nationally-qualified bikini competitor. During the course of my journey, I shed the weight that bogged me down and built confidence.
What aspect challenged me the most
The toughest part was forgoing social outings that revolve around food. My friends love to dine out and it just wasn't possible for me anymore. Weekly cheat meals kept me sane.
My future fitness plans
I plan to return to the stage in 2014 with a much better package. I hope to become an IFBB pro. I'd love to become a certified personal trainer so I can help others transform.
Suggestions for aspiring transformers
- Create a plan and stick to it. Failing to plan is planning to fail.
- Ladies need to lift weights. It won't make you bulky.
- Create incentives when you reach goals to help motivate you along the way.
How Bodybuilding.com helped me reach my goals
Bodybuilding.com has always been my go-to for supplement needs.
The trackers on BodySpace help me keep track my body stats.
Adina's Top 5 Gym Tracks
- "Berzerk" by Eminem
- "Lets Get It Started" by Black Eyed Peas
- "Applause" by Lady Gaga
- "Work B#tch" by Britney Spears
- "Sexy And I Know It" by LMFAO