gained weight, lost body fat

Prior to my competing days I battled with an eating disorder, anorexia, off and on for about 10 years which was stress-induced. I had it in my head that food, or lack thereof was the only thing I could control in my out-of-control life. Six years ago I weighed in at 125 pounds, wearing a size 2-4. I was feeling good but at that point I hit a very stressful time in life and unfortunately, the stress induced anorexia got the best of me and I lost 25 pounds in less than 3 months. As a result, I was extremely underweight and my ribs and hip bones were prominent. Over the next 3 years I struggled to put the weight back on, dipping as low as 98 pounds. At 5’5” that was just not acceptable for me. Nor was it good for my family. I want to be a strong role model for my babies and set a positive, healthy example for them. That part of my life was very scary and I never want to go back to that dark place again! Finally, after a lot of hard work and dedication I won the battle and gained back the 30 pounds I had lost. The summer of 2011, I was 125 pounds in a size 6 with a body fat of 24%. I was finally in a good place and was happy with my weight, health and fitness.

When I made the decision to start competing I wanted it badly. To prepare for my competition, I hired a trainer in July 2011 and worked with him one day a week and on my own the other 4-5 days. I started training dirty and ate cleaner than I ever had before. In the beginning, per my trainers instruction, I had to increase the amount of food I ate from just 1 or 2 meals a day to 6 meals a day in order to be able to bulk up. Once he felt I had bulked enough, he moved me into the “leaning out” phase six weeks prior to the show where I completely cut out all processed foods like fast and fried foods, dairy, sodas, juices and alcohol. Through the whole process my weight fluctuated to bulk up to 130 pounds and then back down to 125 pounds in a size 2 with a body fat of 18% for my 1st show, November 2011.





November 5, 2011


Shortly after my 1st show, I was in a terrible car accident, which kept me out of the gym for nearly 4 months. I was mad, sad, distraught, upset, angry, etc., but I didn't let that be an excuse. As soon as I was allowed back in the gym, I went and went as hard as I could push myself. By my second show, September 15, 2012 I was 123 pounds wearing a size 2 with 16% body fat.

September 15, 2012 (yes, same suit - I had issues with the one purchased for this show and didn't have time to order a new top)


This was supposed to be the suit for my 2nd competition







Before anyone makes any remarks, the tattoo did not magically move or get Photoshopped or anything else. Some pictures were taken by others and some were selfies with my cell phone in a mirror.