From Fluffy Mom to NPC Women's Physique Competitor w/ PICS

liftnlove_

I joined MFP in Jan 2012. My goals were modest, I just wanted to get out of my maternity pants and have some energy again. I had been in decent shape before I had 2 children, but having 2 babies 13 months apart threw me for a loop in many ways. I loved being a mom, but no one prepared me for the sleep deprivation and exhaustion that comes with being a new parent. If I had 20 extra minutes, I collapsed in the bed...exercise was the farthest thing from my mind. But worse than that...I ate...and ate. The worse I ate and the further removed I became from my former active lifestyle, the more it seemed like I just needed to accept my fate. I just needed to accept the fact that I was a mom blob now, living with a haze of exhaustion and an ever-growing rear end. That's life...Just live with it.

And I did. For 4 years, I gave up on myself. I stopped caring. Denial was my biggest ally... I stopped reading food labels. I stopped looking at the scale. I stopped looking in the mirror. I just...gave up. I developed high blood pressure at age 35, but I didn't do anything about it except pretend it didn't exist. At the end of 2011 I had a breaking point when I climbed the 17 stairs to the 2nd floor of my house. 17 whole steps, and I was winded and dizzy. I had to sit down for several minutes because I was so out of breath. That. Was. IT. I sat there and cried while my daughter asked me what was going on. I couldn't explain it to her, but in my head I was screaming "NO MORE! This will NOT be my life! I'm 35 years old and I can't walk up my own damn stairs without resting!! This is NOT my life." I made a decision that day that I would take care of myself, no more excuses...no matter what. I would take care of myself for my children, for my husband, and for ME. I didn't care how long it took, I didn't care how much it hurt...and I still don't.

I reached my weight loss goal in about 8 months, but I wanted more. I wanted muscle. I wanted strength. I wanted to push my body to the limit and see what I could do... And that's what I continue to do every day. I competed in my first ever bodybuilding show in March. I chose the "women's physique" category because I like the fact that you get to flex and pose and do a routine...plus I really can't walk in high heels Anyway, I placed 3rd in Master's Physique and 5th in Open Physique at the Phil Heath Classic in Houston, TX, which qualifies me to compete nationally in the Master's category. I don't know if I will yet--travel time and cost of doing these kinds of shows are pretty extensive. However, I am going to compete again in August at the Texas State Championships, so that should be fun. I learned more than I can share here just by doing my first show, and all the prep work involved in getting there. It was definitely a learning experience, and it made me realize how much mental toughness I have inside me...that alone was worth all the sacrifice.

I want to share my story here for anyone who can relate to it, but mostly for all the moms...all the moms who feel like they are stuck being "mom blobs" forever. Don't believe that lie. You may not want to take the path I have chosen, and that's okay, it's not for everyone. But whatever path you choose, just know, without a doubt, that you ARE capable of changing your body and your life.

If you want to see my "in between" progress pictures you can look at my blog here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/liftnlove_/view/2012-my-year-in-pictures-623916
If you want to know the way I workout, you can find that here, though I need to update it: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/liftnlove_/view/my-workouts-past-and-present-623920
If you want to know how I ate to lose the initial weight vs. how I eat now, you can check my profile. The way I eat evolves as I learn and grow, but I always eat to feed my body, not to deprive it.

The rest of my story, I'll just show you....all my "before" pictures are from Jan 2012. All the "after" pictures are from Feb/March of this year...so 2 years of work is represented here.

















Random Biceps Pic:



Finish Line of my First Tough Mudder, Dallas Oct 2013 (2nd from left)



Phil Heath Classic, Women's Physique, March 2014...

LilynEdensmom

Congrats ...

and you've given me hope I know its been a really really long time since I've really looked at myself in the mirror, been avoiding it for way to long

Emedina1987

You look amazing! I just had my 2nd baby in January and I have a ways to go before I am happy with my body. My kids are 18 months apart. Awesome pictures! I need your discipline!

ironanimal

Amazing stuff. Congrats!

blakedebo

Amazing! You look beyond fantastic, congratulations!

rollng_thundr

Awesome!! You definitely have shown what's possible with hard work and dedication!

Cranquistador

glad to to see you back... and WOW:drinker:

EvgeniZyntx

Incredibly impressive. Congratulations on all your achievements and evident dedication!

Phoenix612

Holy.....


Those legs....

Those abs...


You look incredible!!

sun_fish

Dayum. Congratulations, very inspiring, not only the transformation, but how you shared the "moment" of enough.

QuietBloom

Wow. Just WOW.

DavPul

Simply Amazing. Congrats on everything

The only thing this thread needs us your "This is what lifting did for me" poster. I love that one.

george7527

wow you look fantastic such commitment needed to achieve what you have done

krawhitham

You're gorgeous! And, your before looks exactly like what I look like right now (and I'm the same weight.) What an eye opener

Keep_The_Laughter

You look wonderful and your pictures just shine. Here's hoping you are feeling as happy and healthy as you look! Cheers to you :drinker:

tedrickp

OMG! Amazing job! You are absolutely inspiring! :flowerforyou:

Will_Thrust_For_Candy

Welcome back! I never tire of seeing your pics! Just beautiful :drinker:

SugaryLynx

omg! You're AMAZING! ♡♡

She_Hulk

You look fantastic! Congratulations to you. So impressive and amazing. Well done!!!!

sweetcurlz67

Good Gawd woman!!! LOL you have done AMAZING!!!

proves my point from my thread that excuses are just that... excuses. we need to get over ourselves and just DO IT!!! it has to come from within.

YOU ROCK!!!! :flowerforyou: :drinker:

westendcurls

Beautiful!!!

Hendrix7

great job op, very impressive.

KazzBeDoinIt

Can you seriously not be so beautiful? No, honestly ... Shine Girl!

moya_rargh

Wowza! Incredible! You rule! I love this site, inspiring story after inspiring story.

What's your lifting routine? EDIT: Seen the link in your post.

SapiensPisces

Incredible transformation!

Vini9

Wowza!!!!

empressichel

That's 2 years of hard work right there! Fantastic! Love it! You look amazing.

psmd

Hi you look great!!!!! Just wondering, how do you manage getting your workouts in with also managing your kids? (I saw on your blog some of your cardio was while your son napped but that's it). Thanks and keep up the good work!!

Ely82010

Congratulations and well done! I really like your workout routine, ti reminds me of what I was doing long time ago with good results. I may try that again even if my results will not be as impressive as yours, EVER!. I am way too old for that now.

Keep up the good work and good luck in your next competition.

haroon_awan

Holy shizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

laurie04427

Thank you for the detail in your blog about the workout you did. I look like the before picture so it gives me some hope to see what you did in two years.

Congratulations on your success, you look awesome.