Body Transformation: Disappearing Body Fat!

AGE 31 HEIGHT 5'5" WEIGHT 175 lbs BODY FAT 40%	AGE 35 HEIGHT 5'5" WEIGHT 114 lbs BODY FAT 12%

My story began six years ago when I started my surgery internship. I worked 80-plus hours per week, survived on hospital cafeteria food, had high cortisol levels, and zero interest or energy to exercise. I gained weight easily and weighed my heaviest in 2009 at 175 pounds after two pregnancies nine months apart.

I was a soccer player through high school and during my first year of college. I enjoyed being active and fit, but was never lean. Being overweight was frustrating and I was embarrassed about my body. I quit practicing medicine to care for my children and had regrets about the decision. As an overachiever, having no goal to work toward was depressing. I became unhappy and settled into being an overweight mother.

The turning point and catalyst to start my fitness journey happened when I picked up a Muscle and Fitness Hers magazine and saw pictures of competitors in the back pages. I had no idea that the fitness industry and competitions existed. I saw stories of women who made physical transformations and became competitors. I decided then, in May 2012, that I was done being overweight and set a goal to compete in a bikini competition within one year. I had a goal, a newfound determination, and was extremely excited to obtain the results I saw in the magazines.

Preparing for a competition required me to change my daily nutrition and be dedicated to training five days per week. As a mother of two and a wife, my family was affected by my changes on a daily basis. It was a struggle in the beginning, but my family was supportive and now we enjoy the emphasis on healthy eating and exercise.

My husband and I often look back on our previous lifestyle and are amazed by the way we used to eat. We couldn't be happier with the changes in our eating and physiques.

In 2009, I weighed my heaviest after the birth of my second child and slowly started to eat clean and do cardio. I saw results during the next two years, but still weighed 145 pounds. Despite the effort, my weight loss came to a standstill, so I researched weight loss, nutrition, and training.

Then I saw fitness magazines and Bodybuilding.com and found the inspiration and tools needed to start Jamie Eason's LiveFit Trainer. I loved the challenge and the mental strength required to stick to my plan and push through the tough workouts.

As my results became visible, I became determined. There were times when it was difficult, especially when I wanted to indulge in my favorite food. I wanted to compete, but without a specific goal and timeframe it was difficult to stick to my plan. So on my birthday, May 7, 2012, I created a Facebook page and announced my goal to friends and family so I could inspire them to take the journey with me and stay accountable.

Two months later, I joined a team and started to prepare for my first competition. Four months later, I stood on stage at 111 pounds in the best shape of my life and accepted my second place trophy. While standing on stage, I realized my journey wouldn't end after one event.

Fitness and competitions became part of my life. Looking back on the changes I made in my physique pushes me to keep going and to strive for greater improvement. I shared my story and transformation with others through social media and received great feedback. Inspiring others drives me to keep going and serves as motivation for my greatest goal.

The competition diet is the most difficult aspect and took the longest to adjust to. I have a horrible sweet tooth and used to enjoy sweet treats. Cutting out sugar and processed carbs was difficult, but as time progressed my body became used to the healthy diet. It's been an adjustment that gets easier with time.

Now my entire family eats healthier, but we still enjoy a cheat meal once per week. I learned failure is okay. Just forget about it and get back on track. Beating yourself up only makes it feel worse.

My weight loss and fitness road haven't been easy, but the information I learned and the mental and physical growth has been worth it. I plan to continue competing and want to focus on sharing my story and inspiring others to start a fitness journey.

As a former physician, I want to write articles about health and fitness and serve as a source of quality information on nutrition, training, and supplementation based on scientific research and personal experience.

I want to spread the message that it's never too late to change. No matter your age or size, you can choose to be healthy and fit. It takes hard work and time, but if you decide to be what you want to be, it will be worth it.

During the past six years, I realized that no success or failure defines me and no man or woman can make or break me. Age doesn't limit me. I am who and what I choose to be.

If I can do this, so can you. Make a decision to start and never stop. We all stumble, but if you keep going you will get to where you want to be. Believe in yourself and anything is possible.

Set a specific goal that has a timeframe and tell people about your goal. This will hold you accountable and give you drive to succeed.

Finding Bodybuilding.com was the most helpful event in my transformation. I learned lots from Jamie Eason's LiveFit Trainer and read many articles on training and supplementation. It even spurred me to do literature searches and review scientific studies on supplements and training protocols.

Having an actual training and diet plan to follow eliminated the guesswork in the beginning and made it easy. I would still be lost if I hadn't found Bodybuilding.com.

I would like to thank my amazing husband, Dr. Jason Itri, who is my utmost supporter and best friend. Changing my lifestyle meant he had to change his. It has been a tough road and he always walked next to me. In moments of self doubt, he's there to cheer me on. I couldn't ask for a better person to share this fitness journey with. It's amazing to grow and change with someone who pushes me to be my best.

I would also like to thank my sponsors TrueStar Health and Fitness, Twenty Four Seven Clothing, and Bronze Beauty Spray Tanning for seeing my potential and having confidence in me to represent their brands.

Photo Credit: Mike Cadotte