In January, I began my weight loss journey at Sport&Health, weighing 209 pounds and wearing a too-tight size 18 pants.  Over time, my workouts became my “me” time and I actually began to enjoy it. I ate clean, practiced portion control and drank lots of water. In addition to lifting weights, I did my cardio and got plenty of sleep. Wanting to be healthy, watching my body change and believing results would come kept me motivated. 

When I learned of bodybuilding figure competitions, I started working with my personal trainer, Laszlo.  He has meant the world to me, he not only helped me get competition-ready but he showed me how to properly eat and train. He also helped me deal with the negative feedback I received from others during the training process. 

In August 2012, I placed 4th in my category at my first bodybuilding competition, the N.G.A. Potomac Cup. I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun! I was nervous but with each time I had to go on stage, it got easier and I was confident. I could not have done it without the encouragement from Laz, as well as my morning friends and the front desk staff at the club.

This sounds cliché, but if I can do it anybody can. The journey from having trouble walking up stairs to competing in a figure competition was not an easy one, but it can be done!