 |
Before: 123 lbs |
 |
After: 118 lbs |
Vital Stats
Name: Belinda Benn
Email: enquiry@belindabenn.com
BodySpace: surf_bella
Height: 5'6"
Before:
Weight: 123 lbs
Body Fat: 20%
After:
Weight: 118 lbs
Body Fat: 14%
Chest: 36"
Waist: 26"
Hips: 33"
Why I Got Started
Last October 2007 I had been working around the clock for 3 months, I was "skinny fat" and quite unfit. I finally had a beach holiday and got to wear my bikini again! After seeing the photos I decided it was time to get into shape and in January 08 I started swimming 1 km 6 days per week.
Gradually I started to tone up and then in May I set myself the goal of getting into the best shape of my life. I had heard about the Flex Magazine Bikini Model search online. I knew nothing about bodybuilding or fitness modeling but decided to have a go.
Click Image To Enlarge. I Decided It Was Time
To Get Into Shape.
How I Did It
I started researching on the Internet and found Bodybuilding.com. I set up my own profile on BodySpace as a way of tracking my progress and staying motivated. I hired a personal trainer and began my 2-month program. I guess it was a crash course in fitness and bodybuilding!
Click Image To Enlarge. It Was A Crash Course
In Fitness & Bodybuilding.
Without this site I wouldn't have achieved the same results. I found articles on everything I needed: training programs, diet and even preparing for photo shoots! But most of all, the advice and encouragement from the BodySpace members helped me continually stay focused and positive.
Click Image To Enlarge. The BodySpace Members Helped
Me Stay Focused & Positive.
Supplements
Diet
I made up this diet by researching articles on bodybuilding.com!
Morning:Protein shake:
- Freshly brewed & chilled coffee
- 2 bananas
- 2 tbs flax seed
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 scoops of protein powder
Mid Morning:
- Almonds
- Dried figs
- Fruit
- Yogurt
Pre-Workout:
- 6 hard boiled egg whites or a serving of protein (chicken or tuna)
- Salad
- Nuts
Post Workout:
- Protein shake
- Mixed fresh fruits
Pre-Dinner:
- Hard boiled egg whites
- Nuts
- Yogurt
Dinner:
- Tuna/Chicken
- Salad
- Olives
- Low fat mayo
- Mustard
Weekend:
- Two dinners of whatever I wanted including dessert and a glass or two of red wine!
Training
My training changed a lot over the 2 months. I started off doing high intensity interval training (swimming or elliptical machine), 6 times per week. But this gradually declined as I dropped body fat and my muscles demanded more energy.
I found my upper body responded more quickly to the weights so I trained 4 days lower body and 2 days upper body. For the first 6 weeks I concentrated on building muscle with higher weights/lower repetitions and sets from 15-12-10-8 with increasing weight increments.
Then for the last 2 weeks I switched to lower weights with high repetitions. Each session of weights was different from the last and sometimes included intense circuits.
Click Image To Enlarge. My Training Changed A
Lot Over The 2 Months.
I had a lot to learn, especially about the importance of resting, recovery and having the right diet. In retrospect, during that first month, I would have trained weights every alternate day, done less cardio and eaten more carbohydrates.
Suggestions For Others
For me, the first step in transforming my body was accepting the physique I had to work with. I found photos of fit people with a similar height and body type to help me set realistic goals. I tried to listen to my body and not follow a rigid program.
By joining this website I learnt about the world of bodybuilding - I was able to track my progress and I found there were lots of girls out there just like me. Lastly, even though I trained hard I always tried to enjoy myself!
Click Image To Enlarge. Even Though I Trained Hard,
I Always Tried To Enjoy Myself.
At the end of my 2 months training, my boyfriend said I looked like "a ripped piece of barbed wire." I didn't quite expect those results but after all that work it would be fantastic if you would kindly take a moment to vote for me in the August Flex Online competition. Thank you for your support and good luck with your training goals and dreams!
