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| AGE 37 HEIGHT 5'2" WEIGHT 186 lbs BODY FAT 37% |
AGE 40 HEIGHT 5'2" WEIGHT 132 lbs BODY FAT 12% |
Why I Got Started
I never really felt comfortable in my body; even as far back as high school I had low self-confidence. I wasn't happy with how I looked, how I felt, and how my clothes fit but had no knowledge to change it. For years my weight yo-yo'd, never getting to a place I was happy with.
When I met my husband he got me into cycling and I really liked that, it felt good and I liked what it was doing to my body. But, in 2003 I was diagnosed with a very rare and serious lung disease caused from mold.
For the next 7 years I would be in and out of the hospital, on numerous medications that not only caused me to gain weight but put me in the hospital on a couple of different occasions.
Finally in July 2009 the medicine was destroying my liver so the doctor said there was no choice but to have a lobectomy, the upper lobe of my left lung removed. I was scared.
I thought my life would be horrible; that I would be forever overweight, tired, and out of breath but after watching my mom die from lung cancer I decided I was going to fight to get my life back.
How I Did It
In January 2010 I went with my sister to the gym, which was the first day of my new life! I was overwhelmed and scared at first but hired a trainer, Zack, who helped me overcome those fears; he pushed me harder than I would push myself and wouldn't let me quit.
I read a lot on Bodybuilding.com and various other sites about eating right, learning about supplements, and new ideas for workouts. In 1 ½ years I not only surpassed my original goals but entered a figure competition with my sister and Zack; something I never in my life thought I would do.
The show was WAY out of my comfort zone; I didn't do well but I definitely learned a lot, not only about competing, but how much I am capable of doing when I put my mind to it and push myself.
Some days are harder than others. Acts as simple as breathing are taken for granted. Cherish every breath. Fight for it.
Suggestions For Others
Turn your "I can't" into "I CAN!!" Determine that you ARE worth it, that everything worth having is hard work, and if you don't know how to work out and how to eat right find a good trainer!
Stop making excuses, they will rule your life if you let them. Each day is a new day toward a healthy lifestyle; small changes every day eventually lead to big changes.
It doesn't matter how old you are or if you have limitations, you can do it!