Body Transformation: Calculated Competitor

AGE 24 HEIGHT 5'5" WEIGHT 141 lbs BODY FAT 19%	AGE 24 HEIGHT 5'5" WEIGHT 129 lbs BODY FAT 11.5%

After my volleyball career and during my master's exercise science program at the University of South Dakota, I came across Bodybuilding.com and was hooked. I wasn't concerned about making my own workouts during volleyball. After four years, it was challenging to come up with workout routines, diets, and supplementation plans. I Googled workout plans and found Bodybuilding.com, which had tons of information on nutrition, workouts, blogs, and recipes. I've been hooked on Bodybuilding.com since.

As a group fitness instructor, I always encourage my clients to set goals. It's a great feeling as a trainer to watch a client reach a goal they thought was impossible. After seeing this for years, I decided it was time to set goals for myself. Early mornings, hard workouts, and choosing chicken over pizza paid off. I saw changes in my body and the final outcome was greater than I imagined.

I never thought I'd have the courage to step on stage in a tiny bikini with insane lighting in front of hundreds of people, but I did. The knowledge I gained from Bodybuilding.com gave me confidence to compete in my first bikini show. It was an amazing, uplifting experience, and I cannot wait to do it again.

My confidence, energy level, happiness, and knowledge have improved during this challenge. I don't have to look at women in fitness magazines and wish I looked like them. Now, I look in magazines for the next step to become a fitness model and inspire others to overcome the fear of failure. I didn't let the fear of failure stop me from obtaining goals or stepping onstage and I don't plan to let it stop me. Lifting weights and exercising on a regular basis is something I will keep in my life forever.

I attended my husband's first bodybuilding show and was amazed by the confidence and swag of the bikini girls onstage. I added it to my bucket list right away. The courage and commitment of these beautiful women kept me from committing immediately. I didn't want to tell everyone that I was going to compete if I couldn't be 100 percent dedicated.

Months of debating passed. After my husband's third bodybuilding show, I decided it was time to do a show and reach my bikini goal. My husband was ecstatic about my decision to compete and decided to do the show with me so we could diet and exercise together. I cannot thank him enough. It made the process easier.

The diet was the most important measure I took to reach my goals. I never fully believed that abs are made in the kitchen, but it's right on. I saw results after three weeks of clean eating. I didn't change my workout routine, so I knew the results were coming from food choices and limiting my alcohol consumption.

The most challenging part is finding the energy to put myself through hard workouts. Since I lowered my carb intake, it has been a struggle to push myself. I've been attending more fitness classes to drive me through workouts. I love doing yoga on active rest days.

I want to continue my fitness journey by competing in more bikini shows, receiving a pro card, and earning a spot in a fitness magazine. I love inspiring and helping others achieve goals. I want to do that through teaching group fitness classes and personal training.

Bodybuilding.com had the workout programs, supplement guides, and motivational articles to get me where I am today. I'm thankful I found it and will continue using the site for the rest of my healthy life.