From Fluffy mom at 35 to IFBB Physique Pro at 38. --w/ PICS :)

_bellator_

venicebeachbabe wrote: »

Do you have a fitness instagram? I'd love to watch your journey especially if you're going to be doing ifbb shows! Thanks for the motivation. I use to lift and play with the idea of competing then life took a turn for the worst. I lost all my muscle mass and gained plenty of fat. After mentally pushing myself to fix my life I got back on track in late June. My muscles are coming back and my fat is coming off but I have to remember it takes time! Your post is so encouraging!

Sorry, I'm not currently on Instagram, I'm trying to lessen the amount of time I spend online, but I still do Facebook grudgingly.

ldrosophila

that's awesome we are the same age how old was your youngest when you started getting serious?

Do you work full time in another job outside of the gym (or did), and how did you schedule time between being a mommy to toddlers and other obligations?

renbys

You look unbelievable!!! Thanks for posting these.

I'm 34 and post-baby as well, and this blew away ALL of my complaints and excuses ... and inspired me so much today. You rock!

One question . . . were you an athlete prior to taking the 3-year break? This kind of transformation must take incredible discipline!

_bellator_

ldrosophila wrote: »

that's awesome we are the same age how old was your youngest when you started getting serious?

Do you work full time in another job outside of the gym (or did), and how did you schedule time between being a mommy to toddlers and other obligations?

Good question. My youngest was 3 when I started back getting seriously into this. I did some workouts at the gym when they had childcare, and also did some when he was napping. It got a lot easier when he started school. I worked as a personal trainer BEFORE I had kids...so it's not like I didn't know what to do. But sometimes there's a huge gap between "knowing" and "doing."

Once I got back in shape and my kids were both in school, I started training again. Right now I am blessed to be able to work on a limited basis, because I won't take evening clients, since that's the only time I really have with my kids.

I freely acknowledge that this lifestyle is easier when you work in a gym like I do. I train several ladies who compete, and they all have full-time jobs like nursing or police work, so it's harder for them. Somehow they make it work though.

_bellator_

renbys wrote: »

You look unbelievable!!! Thanks for posting these.

I'm 34 and post-baby as well, and this blew away ALL of my complaints and excuses ... and inspired me so much today. You rock!

One question . . . were you an athlete prior to taking the 3-year break? This kind of transformation must take incredible discipline!

I was not an athlete, but I was in decent shape. I was thin, but mostly focused on cardio, and my diet was pretty poor, so I was a lot softer than I am now.

Weight training with a cleaner diet has let me dramatically reduce the time I spend on the gym, and with much better results. I only spend 6 hours in the gym per week now, and it's a relief to not be constantly trying to out-run a bad diet. I tried that for many years...Lot of "running" (I.e. Cardio) with little visible results. My goals are clearer now, and my training is designed around my goals. Smarter, not harder, ya know?

auddii

Fantastic transformation, and congrats on the show!!! Love that last photo!

_bellator_ wrote: »

ninerbuff wrote: »

Oh and did you do Master's or Open? Qualifiers are so hard to compete in.

Thanks!! I competed in Open physique and Master's Over 35 at the NPC Universe. I don't have any sponsors yet, I'm terrible at marketing myself, and kind of prefer to make my own way anyway. I don't want anyone telling me what to do (authority problems much?) ;p

Oh and yeah my hubs is crazy strong. He used to compete in bodybuilding and Strongman comps. He's 52, and I'm trying to convince him to do a BB show, but he's not a fan of the diet, but who is?!? Gotta suck it up buttercup!! Lol!

Definitely made me lol!

lpatriquin

Absolutely amazing transformation. You give this "fluffy mom" some hope! I have been following a lifting routine now since January and am starting to see results. It's really difficult when trying to lose weight (fat) and build muscle at the same time. But my body is starting to take better shape and I would do anything to have a physique even remotely like yours... gorgeous! This gives me the motivation I need to stay the course.
Thank you for sharing your story.

ldrosophila

_bellator_ wrote: »

ldrosophila wrote: »

that's awesome we are the same age how old was your youngest when you started getting serious?

Do you work full time in another job outside of the gym (or did), and how did you schedule time between being a mommy to toddlers and other obligations?

Good question. My youngest was 3 when I started back getting seriously into this. I did some workouts at the gym when they had childcare, and also did some when he was napping. It got a lot easier when he started school. I worked as a personal trainer BEFORE I had kids...so it's not like I didn't know what to do. But sometimes there's a huge gap between "knowing" and "doing."

Once I got back in shape and my kids were both in school, I started training again. Right now I am blessed to be able to work on a limited basis, because I won't take evening clients, since that's the only time I really have with my kids.

I freely acknowledge that this lifestyle is easier when you work in a gym like I do. I train several ladies who compete, and they all have full-time jobs like nursing or police work, so it's harder for them. Somehow they make it work though.

Thank you for the answer! If you want something bad enough you'll find try to find the balance of time in your life.

You are beautiful and putting out positivity in the world.

nickisalpha123

_bellator_ wrote: »

Hey guys, I'm Darla. Some of you may remember me from MFP days gone by...I started logging with MFP in 2012, (after having 2 babies back to back and being out of the gym for over 3 years) ...and have used this app almost every day since.

Last year, I qualified to compete nationally in Women's Physique...so I took a huge leap out of my comfort zone, and flew from Texas to New Jersey to compete in this year's NPC Universe, where I earned my IFBB Pro Card. (Some of you may have no idea what that means, but some of you will.

It took me about 4 years to transform my body. I haven't missed a single workout since I started back lifting...if I miss a workout, I make it up the next day, period. I'm 38 years young now, and I have never felt better, not even as a teenager...never. Weight training and competing is my way of life now, and I can't imagine any other way.

This journey has taught me many things over these years, but the things that I'm really grateful for are:

1. This isn't a diet, it's your LIFE. You are only accountable to yourself.
2. Less is not always better. Under-eating is just as destructive as over-eating.
3. Success comes from consistency, intensity, and time...not perfection.

But the MOST enduring things I learned are these 2 quotes, and I learned them well...

~~"Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use."
--Earl Nightingale

and

~~"Your biggest challenge isn't someone else; it's the ache in your lungs, the burning in your legs, & the voice inside you that yells, "I can't!" But you don't listen, you push harder. You hear the voice whisper "I Can"...and you discover that the person you thought you were is no match for the one you really are." --unknown

I'll let my pictures tell the rest of my story.

This was where I started, in Jan 2012.



And this is my total transformation, which took almost 4 years...




Some contest shots...



















And a couple of me and my guy, just for fun...

This post almost made me tear up, very inspirational. I am prepping for NPC while getting ready for medical school so I definite know the struggle. Respect

ninachang3

Wow! Just wow! Such inspiration!

_bellator_

Thank you guys so much. I appreciate all the kind words

nataliewalters5851

Wow!! You are really an inspiration. I was at my heaviest 10 months ago and have lost 40lbs since then. My ultimate goal is to compete so seeing your story is really inspiring to me. Thanks!

Noelv1976

*slowly puts down the beer*

You look badass!

_bellator_

Noelv1976 wrote: »

*slowly puts down the beer*

You look badass!

lol!! Thanks!

Asher_Ethan

Damnnnnn mama!!! You look incredible!

shvrondvblvck

WOW!! what an inspiration! You just gave me so much hope. I, too, had my children back to back. It has left me a little "fluffier" than I would like. I want to eventually compete, as a Bikini competitor. I also want to become a CPT. Like many of the women you train, as a full-time student and full-time mom I also have to MAKE time to get to the gym. My biggest pit fall now is nutrition, but slowly I am trying to get on the right track w/ meal prepping. I love your quotes, as well. A favorite of mine: "A fail to plan is a plan to fail". Again, awesome job!

amitglinkedin

Only One word "SALUTE", you are an inspiration

_bellator_

shvrondvblvck wrote: »

WOW!! what an inspiration! You just gave me so much hope. I, too, had my children back to back. It has left me a little "fluffier" than I would like. I want to eventually compete, as a Bikini competitor. I also want to become a CPT. Like many of the women you train, as a full-time student and full-time mom I also have to MAKE time to get to the gym. My biggest pit fall now is nutrition, but slowly I am trying to get on the right track w/ meal prepping. I love your quotes, as well. A favorite of mine: "A fail to plan is a plan to fail". Again, awesome job!

I feel your pain, the meal prepping is brutal, but I promise it gets easier with time and practice. You can definitely do it, it's just a matter of getting your mindset strong enough to grind through the whole prep.

50andfabu

O................................M................................G..............................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AMAZING!

_bellator_

50andfabu wrote: »

O................................M................................G..............................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AMAZING!

Thank you