A few weeks ago I publicly announced on social media that I began training again for round #2 of Woman's Physique Bodybuilding competition. I am now in my 4th week of training/ competition prep and just under 9 weeks away from hitting the stage! For this "Transformation Tuesday" (mixed with a little throwback)
I thought I would re-share my transformation story here on my blog.
I thought I would re-share my transformation story here on my blog.
In the spring of 2013 I began a journey in fitness and nutrition that would change my life forever. Before this I had plenty of struggles maintaining consistent habits of healthy eating & exercise. So what really changed? My perspective! Now it is a passion and a lifestyle.
I continued my fitness journey that year with an opportunity that I never thought possible, to compete in Woman's Physique Bodybuilding. In 10 weeks time my trainer/coach Heather, with Gymnut Fitness , encouraged me and pushed me to limits I never thought I could ever go. In this journey I faced challenges that allowed me to grow and change physically but also spiritually as well as in my self-confidence. On November 23, 2013 I took the stage at MT. RODGERS BIKINI, FIGURE, PHYSIQUE, AND BODYBUILDING COMPETITION WOODBRIDGE, VA. and was an Overcomer of many things!
But this is how it all began.........The day my life was forever changed!
I continued my fitness journey that year with an opportunity that I never thought possible, to compete in Woman's Physique Bodybuilding. In 10 weeks time my trainer/coach Heather, with Gymnut Fitness , encouraged me and pushed me to limits I never thought I could ever go. In this journey I faced challenges that allowed me to grow and change physically but also spiritually as well as in my self-confidence. On November 23, 2013 I took the stage at MT. RODGERS BIKINI, FIGURE, PHYSIQUE, AND BODYBUILDING COMPETITION WOODBRIDGE, VA. and was an Overcomer of many things!
But this is how it all began.........The day my life was forever changed!
My journey with Gymnut Fitness began April 29, 2013. I walked into Heather Traves’s Fit-in-6 Boot Camp class a stressed and overwhelmed mama of 2 little ones, feeling overweight and (dare I say out loud) struggling with anxiety and depression. I was desperate for change.
Just over a year prior my life had also faced change. At this point my struggles involved decisions of reluctant and heartbreaking sacrifice. I had decided to give up my business after six years in which I had invested my heart and soul. Though extremely difficult my motives were pure, focusing on my two “loves” (my son and daughter) was simply more important. The transition was hard, my busy creative mind just would not shut down and I struggled as a full-time stay-at-home Mom. Still more than a year later I wrestled with my purpose and feeling overwhelmed most of the time.
The first weeks of Boot Camp were grueling. My body screamed “out of shape”!Sore muscles, dizziness, and Oh let’s add some hyper-ventilation to that! After a visit to the Doc to make sure I didn’t have serious issues I still went back for more. Nothing like a $25 co-pay to say you are just simply out of shape.
I wish I could say my anxieties and stress dissipated with my intense workouts. But they didn’t, at least not right away. Now adding to the monstrous pile of stress was the end of the school year, moving to a new house (with my two kiddos in tow) and some family struggle. I recall one morning in mid-June on my way to class, tears streaming down my face , I did not know how I would get through it without an emotional breakdown. But you know what, I did! That day I took all my frustrations and I pushed through hard. And each class following I kept pushing harder. I used Boot Camp as an outlet to help me through my struggles. At that time I wasn’t thinking (much) about the weight I was losing or the physical changes my body was undergoing. I was still hiding under my yoga pants and baggy t-shirts.
It was in my second six weeks of boot camp that I decided to actually set a goal for myself. In seven weeks I was turning thirty-five, my goal was to reach a total loss of twenty pounds. I was already about half way there. I felt confident that I could lose the rest. Heather advised I adjust my diet cutting out all processed foods, eating GOOD carbs., proteins, and fats.
Yes, I did reach my goal losing twenty-five pounds and sixteen inches overall, to date! And, it has been an amazing journey. Hard but amazing! I have lost the weight but gained so much more. I can’t even believe the results that I have seen. Physically I am stronger more flexible and in better shape that I have ever been. It is no coincidence that God put me on this path. Heather Traves and Gymnut Fitness has been so much more than an opportunity for physical change. For me it has been a mental transformation as well as spiritual journey. Heather and the girls pushed me and encouraged me to do better each class. Seeing the tremendous results helped me gain more self-confidence, and motivation. OK, so maybe the added bonus is the killer arms, legs and abs to go with it!
Though I've completed my first goal it’s just the beginning. I am now working towards my new goal, Women’s Figure Competition. Yep, you heard it! This girl went from an overweight and overwhelmed mama, to training for Figure Competition. All with the guidance and support of Heather and Gymnut Fitness!
Just over a year prior my life had also faced change. At this point my struggles involved decisions of reluctant and heartbreaking sacrifice. I had decided to give up my business after six years in which I had invested my heart and soul. Though extremely difficult my motives were pure, focusing on my two “loves” (my son and daughter) was simply more important. The transition was hard, my busy creative mind just would not shut down and I struggled as a full-time stay-at-home Mom. Still more than a year later I wrestled with my purpose and feeling overwhelmed most of the time.
The first weeks of Boot Camp were grueling. My body screamed “out of shape”!Sore muscles, dizziness, and Oh let’s add some hyper-ventilation to that! After a visit to the Doc to make sure I didn’t have serious issues I still went back for more. Nothing like a $25 co-pay to say you are just simply out of shape.
I wish I could say my anxieties and stress dissipated with my intense workouts. But they didn’t, at least not right away. Now adding to the monstrous pile of stress was the end of the school year, moving to a new house (with my two kiddos in tow) and some family struggle. I recall one morning in mid-June on my way to class, tears streaming down my face , I did not know how I would get through it without an emotional breakdown. But you know what, I did! That day I took all my frustrations and I pushed through hard. And each class following I kept pushing harder. I used Boot Camp as an outlet to help me through my struggles. At that time I wasn’t thinking (much) about the weight I was losing or the physical changes my body was undergoing. I was still hiding under my yoga pants and baggy t-shirts.
It was in my second six weeks of boot camp that I decided to actually set a goal for myself. In seven weeks I was turning thirty-five, my goal was to reach a total loss of twenty pounds. I was already about half way there. I felt confident that I could lose the rest. Heather advised I adjust my diet cutting out all processed foods, eating GOOD carbs., proteins, and fats.
Yes, I did reach my goal losing twenty-five pounds and sixteen inches overall, to date! And, it has been an amazing journey. Hard but amazing! I have lost the weight but gained so much more. I can’t even believe the results that I have seen. Physically I am stronger more flexible and in better shape that I have ever been. It is no coincidence that God put me on this path. Heather Traves and Gymnut Fitness has been so much more than an opportunity for physical change. For me it has been a mental transformation as well as spiritual journey. Heather and the girls pushed me and encouraged me to do better each class. Seeing the tremendous results helped me gain more self-confidence, and motivation. OK, so maybe the added bonus is the killer arms, legs and abs to go with it!
Though I've completed my first goal it’s just the beginning. I am now working towards my new goal, Women’s Figure Competition. Yep, you heard it! This girl went from an overweight and overwhelmed mama, to training for Figure Competition. All with the guidance and support of Heather and Gymnut Fitness!
Now that I have gone through the process once before and working on my second journey, my goal and heart is still the same......this is about the growing process! In my original blog post I said this in which still stands true in my current journey as well.
My plan is to blog about the good, the bad, the sweaty and painful! I understand that this decision may raise some eyebrows . But I believe that the journey of this challenge is not just physical but also mental and spiritual! As I prayed about this I was concerned that as a Christian woman my choice to compete would be misunderstood. It is important to me that those following would not see it as a goal to just win a contest but a "growing" experience. So I hope you will join me on my journey through the next 9 weeks.
God's desire for us is not to be idle but to grow and learn in a way that we will become more like Christ, servants for God's glory! My hope is also this, that by sharing my story, someone will be encouraged,inspired, and motivated for their own transformation story!
Unpolished but His,
Melissa
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