Out with the old and in with the new, right? So, how do I do that??

It's been a little over a month since my competition and it's been a roller coaster of ups and downs.  I felt the need to share these emotions not only as help to me getting it out but in off chance someone out there is or has felt these same feelings it may help them.

Since the show I have seen my nutritionist and gone up to 24% body fat and weigh about 112 lbs.  I haven't been totally bad with meals like some of the stories I have heard but my old habits have come back and that's been really scary for me.  The mind is really funny how it tricks you into convincing yourself you deserve to have a certain meal or treat of your choice.  I have lacked the motivation to get into the gym until now only because I am just now starting to feel the snug feeling of my size 2 pants and beautiful 00 dress my boyfriend bought for me for my birthday that I've never worn.  I LIKE being smaller and really haven't had time to get used to my new body and it's already changed once since the show and I don't want it to change again.

I dropped weight so quickly in those 20 weeks that I didn't really "see" myself until now.  Weird to say that but it's true.  I saw the numbers decreasing every two weeks but still was very critical of my loss and was driven to keep dropping to my goal of 12%.  When I look back I can objectively see myself now and I was very small and alot more tone that I gave myself credit for at that time.  12% is not a manageable body fat for me but I think 20% is and that is my new goal.

When I saw Kim before Thanksgiving I was 24%, I have missed meals and drank here and there and haven't had as much water as I should but like I am constantly reminded today is a new day and it all starts with the next meal.  I have tried motivating myself in different ways and figure out what my "next thing" is going to be.

Competing was really hard on me mentally if I am being completely honest with you.  Coming from a much different background than most competitors I have met I wasn't naturally muscular under all of my fat. Once my body fat was gone and show day came and went I had to have an honest meeting with myself on what is practical for me right now.  I love the look of the competitor's but that requires a lot more muscle than I have right now and a lot more time in the gym and more food!!

I think my goal at this point is to get used to this new body and learn to love it and how to maintain it.  Over the past month I have struggled with my old habits and mentality.  Eating out...Mexican food to be specific or telling myself I can have something because I am still a size 2 and still weigh 112 lbs.  Those are NOT good reasons to justify eating out more than once or twice a week or missing meals.  That mind set is what got me to 147 lbs and a size 10, it creeps up on you when you're not looking.  I have also battled feeling like I have deprived friendships and my social life so I have had a really hard time figuring that out.  I haven't found a balance of eating out once and telling myself that's it for the week like my friends have been able to do.  Eating out is a HUGE weakness for me and always has been.  I used eating out as a comfort for myself and a way to reward myself.  That's why I stayed away from eating out and drinking the 20 weeks of prep because I knew it was my weak spot.  Now with a new body I am having to address all of this and re-wire my association with eating out and drinking. 

I wish I could tell you my next show date or next BIG thing I am doing but I don't have that for you.  I started this blog as a real girl, with real goals and real struggles so I will continue on that path.  I will continue to update on how I am doing and how am finding ways to motivate and keep myself going in this maintenance stage.  If I could guess I would say body fat wise I have gone up from 24% since my last appointment.  Thing is this time around I know what to do and how to do it....that's a priceless feeling.  I feel like this new goal for me is realistic and will be achievable.  Who knows, in 2013 I will have just graduated and be turning 30 years old....may be a good time to dust the suit off and give myself an awesome birthday gift!  By that point I will have adjusted and built up what I started and have a much stronger mind going into it, so we'll see ;-)

So many of you I have met are just like me...real people with real goals.  I hope this entry has helped you in some way...thanks for reading!!

--Dee

Mission Complete....Now what??

Greetings!!  After some much needed R & R and some delicious meals I am back to the blog to share my last couple of weeks with you.  I am just now kind of feeling back to normal mentally so I have had some time to really soak up my experiances and gather how to share what I have been going through.

Competing is both mentally draining and physically draining not only the week of but the week after as well.  I wanted to share some of what I experianced and break it out in the time frames for those who may someday down the road compete and can read this and not feel so alone...or just help you know what to expect.

Two weeks before the show...
I had alot going on in my personal life leading up to my show so I was a busy girl!!!  I am a full time employee, part time night student that right there sounds like a lot but I am used to it now as I have been balancing it for 5 years.  That is the awesome thing about competing because you meet so many "normal" people that learn  how to balance such busy and demanding lives along with training and preparing meals.
For me personally I found myself with a shorter fuse and VERY tired.  I often napped in my car on lunch breaks and in the moment never "heard" my short fuse responses but soon after realized and immediately apologized.  My boyfriend recieved the brunt of the blows but I didn't use dieting as an excuse to make it okay, it's not.  Being rude or short tempered isn't me and I don't like making others suffer because of my choice to compete.  Remember this when you find yourself close to show and be aware of it.  I kept being told it was just going to happen but there HAS to be accountability on your end to know that it's not okay or an excuse.

The Week of the show...
Yikes, I basically had a breakdown here.  I am a multi-tasker at heart and never get overwhelmed.  That week I just had way to much going on for my brain to process as every time I thought I had a "plan" it would some how take a slightly different path.  I had a hard time wrapping my thoughts around how to execute simple tasks that would normally be easy and mindless things to do.  Combined all of these things just caused a massive and epic brain fart for lack of better words!  My grandmother and boyfriend gently pealed me off of the floor and reminded me of all that I had accomplished thus far and put my situation into perspective for me...things could be alot worse basically.  By the way, they were right....I ended up making an A on a paper that was due that week and made a B on a very hard test that week as well.  So with half a brain cell I still somehow managed to work well under pressure.  I wanted to share this with you so that if you find yourself overwhelmed....look back on your progress and where you were and then where you currently are.  Also, gather those around you that you can lean on to help you get up and move forward....YOU CAN DO IT!!

Show Day...
Best way to describe this day to compare it to a dream.  It's like your there but you're not.  Your body is just getting by....at your show you're waiting most of the day on your turn to show what you've worked so hard for the past 12+ weeks.  Truthfully, I enjoyed the whole day and seeing all my family and friends that came out.  I got to meet several fitness peeps from Houston that I follow on Facebook and was just thrilled to feel like I was supposed to be there.

I feel like my attitude was spot on for the whole experience I have had.  Two years ago I went to Vegas with a bunch of girlfriends and we went to a very exclusive pool party at one of the hotels.  This day and like most pool days I kept my wrap on the whole day...I sweat ed my butt off and felt insecure all day.  I used to find ways to either stay in the pool all day, grab a towel to throw around me or kept a wrap on while around water.  Below is a picture from that day I am referring to. 

The point I am trying to make is that 2 years ago I couldn't be at a pool with 200+ people with out a cover up on and on show day I stood in a dressing room with so many beautiful competitors and felt proud to be there in my suit with them....that's what this was all about for me, loving myself completely.  Taking the time to focus on me for a bit and learning to love myself inside completely.  The outside will come and go, looks, clothes and the material things but to have been able to listen to my body and learn as much as I have along the way has made this whole journey more than I could have ever asked for.



Vegas--2009



Post Show...Well hello FOOD!!!!

Honestly the past week and a half has been really hard on me.  I see my nutritionist next week to kind of evaluate where I am at body % wise and how to proceed from here.  The thing about post show is that now you can tell yourself YES....watch out for the little Yes gremlin, she's a little monster!!!  I indulged the week after mainly in the evenings...I didn't miss meals but did not drink as much water as I should have.  I am having a really hard time with food and just getting back to the gym fully this week...my mind just isn't there.  I have done alot of my eating in moderation for the most part but my brain and body are just tired of the routine I was in.  I know Kim and the other wonderful women competitors I am friends with will be able to help me better understand how to proceed, my advice for now is to just take it slowly and ease back into it.  This was the great advice my boyfriend gave me and so I am just trying to do that right now until I see Kim and go on from here.

Future Goals...

I plan on continuing my blog and help ya'll with the mental issues I just referred to and how I worked through them and the advice I received.  I plan on updating pictures post show and giving you realistic images of what to expect from your body.  Meanwhile, I do plan on competing again!!!  I will be working on building more muscle mass and understanding my work outs more fully!  I am so excited to keep you posted!!!

Also most of you know my boyfriend Michael-David...we'll he's blogging now his 1 year journey to compete in bodybuilding so check him out for all you guys out there!!!  http://idecideiam.blogspot.com/



Week 16-- Progress Pictures & Update

"Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want."  --Jim Rohn

I have 17 days left and boy am I ready for the day to come.  As you can see I haven’t been as diligent with my blog posts as I would like mostly because I have been unsure of what I wanted to share.  The past six weeks has been hard mentally, physically and emotionally.  I moved to two a day work outs along with my full time job, school four nights a week and balancing family, friends and some what of a personal life.  Thing is I look at people like Jennifer Hennessey, a full time Mom of two that is married and works as an Emergency Vet three days a week on little to no sleep and still produces amazing results so I have to keep reminding myself that if others can do it so can I.  I have found myself being guilty at times of unintentionally being what I like to call a “Debbie Downer” because of what I am doing and that is unfair.  It gives the lifestyle a bad wrap and unfair to others around me.  Waking up for cardio in the mornings and go back in the evenings really isn’t appealing at this point if I am being honest!  I miss the random Happy Hours with my girl friends and the social aspect of my life.  Not to say that I am not social right now but there is a difference in having the choice to drink or eat something rather than just totally not able to indulge.  I don’t anticipate I will ever be the same after all of this is over, I have just learned too much about myself to go back to my old ways but finding a good balance is my goal.
If you are reading this and competing use this time to really prepare yourself of what your goals are after the show and how you’ll maintain the BEST you.  Being three weeks out right now this is the hardest time for you as you’re just anxious to show your hard work and balance back out.  Also, I have been guilty of this and it refers to the quote above but don’t compare yourself to others.  Be happy with what your body has produced and be confident in that…I am working on that myself.  You’ll probably freak out like I did and worry you’re not ready but just stay focused and trust those around you of your progress.  I just want you to know that this is where it gets hard and where doubt sets in so be prepared for it and surround yourself with people who will support you and encourage you.  I have been lucky to have this which is a blessing.  Just hang in there and stay focused.
 I am now at 13.5% body fat as of 9/26/2011 and so that means in 3 months I have lost a total of 16.8% body fat….which is totally crazy and honestly still shocks me.  My skin hasn’t quite caught up and tightened up but it’s going to take some time to get there.  I have met and surpassed my personal goal totally so for that I am extremely happy.  My focus now is to embrace my results thus far and build on them for the rest of my life.  The competition has been the fire under my booty to get me here but the biggest challenge is to find my realistic body fat to maintain and a balance in my social life as well.

Results....
9/26/2011-
Body Fat:  13.5%
Body Weight:  108 lbs
Fat Pounds: 14.58
Lean Body Mass: 93.42

Love,
Diane

Front at 13.5% body fat, 108 lbs

Side at 13.5% body fat, 108 lbs

Back at 13.5% body fat, 108 lbs

Week 12--Progress Pictures & Update

Well, I am 6 weeks out and have 41 days to go!!!  I missed my post two weeks ago but needed to take a little break from the blog.  It’s kind of strange having everything so exposed of myself and what I am feeling or going through.  Kind of had a hard time with wrapping my head around kind of what I want to do with all of this after my competition and what I will do as I move into my maintenance stage.

I have enjoyed thus far the challenge of dedicating myself to a goal and truly being able to stick with it and not be tempted to fall off the path.  Everyone in my life, my friends and family and other competitors I have met all have been encouraging along the way and that is the only way I have been able to be so focused honestly.

I already feel like a winner really.  I have unconditional love and support from the people that matter the most and I have my health.  I feel strong both inside and out and going forward it will be a bit challenging to learn the balance of how my body reacts to certain foods again but the main thing is I have learned a lot about my body and what it is capable of producing.  Going forward I know the right and healthy way to make eating and being social a lifestyle for ME. 

My diet hasn’t changed since the last time I posted yet my work outs have.  Nessa S. is amazing and has got me on the right track in the gym.  I have been really blessed to come in contact with some very knowledgeable individuals that genuinely just want to help me succeed and I truly appreciate that so much.  I am like a sponge and just soaking up everything I am learning!!!  

RESULTS……

8/29/2011-
Body Fat:  15.12%
Body Weight:  111.5 lbs
Fat pounds:  16.85
Lean Body Mass:  94.65

Total % fat loss of 10.53% since 6/20/2011. 

- Dee

Front at 15.12% body fat, 111.5 lbs

Side at 15.12% body fat, 111.5 lbs



Back at 15.12% body fat, 111.5 lbs



Week 8-- Progress Pictures and Update

This entry is a week over due as now I am in week 9 of my journey and have 10 weeks until my competition.  The time frame from week 6 to week 8 was honestly pretty rough for me so bear with me as this entry has been really hard for me to pull together over the past week.  I hope that for those reading that hope to compete one day or are close to competing read this and use it as a tool to help them understand the changes that your mind goes through along the way.  For all others I appreciate your patience and understanding as I have struggled a bit but you still continue to love and support me.

STARCHES!!!  This one word can make you or break you and unfortunately it broke me down in the past two weeks.  Starches as you know are your fuel, that part of the meal that blast you through the day and keep you moving.  Well for me I interpreted my meal plan as I wanted and started eating these things called Moon Pops with sugar free syrup and shooting my egg whites basically 4 out of 5 of my meals.  Therefore, I was under eating and on a liquid diet essentially.  High protein low carb diet which caused my body to loose fat at a lower rate and caused my energy levels to drop very low.

When I went to Kim on August 1st it was on my lunch break and I had dark circles under my eyes and couldn't stop yawning.  I hopped on the scale and got my measurements and although I saw some loss and I knew it would slow down some when I was in the teen body fat range Kim still was concerned about my eating.  She believe I should still be loosing a little more and then we discovered after going through what I was eating I was basically not getting enough starches to fuel me through the day.  From there we made a quick adjustment and got me back on track.

When I got home that evening I literally went to bed at 6 pm and slept through the night and woke up feeling alot better and got back on my good eating and getting my meals balanced out helped alot.  I will be honest though I just wasn't in the frame of mind to blog and give my progress as I was just so discouraged after having my progress pictures taken I had a major break down.  Since I only had lost around 1.5% body fat I couldn't actually see the changes as I have in the other pictures and it just really frustrated me and just had me panicking if I could get where I wanted to be in 10 weeks.  After a funky week mentally and getting back to my old self and a couple awesome peps talks from a couple girls that have competed I realized just why I am really doing this.  After talking to a new friend, Nessa, and hearing her calm me down a bit and explain why she decided to compete it really made alot of sense to me.  Like she said in this sport the draw is that not everyone can do it and make the sacrifice it takes to get to the end result, this sport can make or break you.  It's a mental and physical test that you have to work through and lean on those closest to you to help keep you grounded and sain along the way with out loosing yourself through it all.

The reason I continue to push through is for ME and me alone.  Not to prove anything to others or gain notoriety but to push myself further than I ever have and know that in the end with the help of God, friends and family I was able to conquer the "old" me.  The me that was self conscious for so many years, the me that never stood up for herself when she should have, the me that always just sold myself short.  For some this comes in many forms.  Some choose to be tri-athletes, crossfit champs, competitive sportsmen, professional cheerleaders or dancers.  All of these things and more take sacrifice and some sort of change socially and some can end up loosing themselves in it.  My main goal through all of this is to rely on family and friends to keep me grounded and I just always make a conscious effort to really appreciate all of the love and support around me.  My goal long term is to be fit and healthy and make it a lifestyle for myself.  The challenge of the competition is exciting and a goal and like anything else takes making some temporary changes but I still remain me...actually I think I am a better me as the inside has been changed so much.  My trophy will be my results when my competition day comes along with knowing how much love and support has been with me during it all.

I want to thank my family and friends as I always do because with out them I couldn't do it alone and especially the past two weeks MD, Nessa, Kelsey, Steph M., Kim P, Steph R and so many others who have encouraged me and given me my little "come to Jesus" talks as I like to call them when I was having my break down.

For those competing or plan to compete:  stick to your diet and follow it to a T!!  Don't interpret it how you want or else you may cause yourself some serious trouble!!  Also, at 10 weeks don't be nervous just stay consistent and focused and remember why you decided to compete in the first place.  Consistency is what will get you to that stage!!  Best of luck to you!!

8/1/2011-
Body Fat:  18.63%
Body Weight:  112 lbs

Front at 18.63% body fat, 112 lbs

Back at 18.63% body fat, 112 lbs



Side at 18.63% body fat, 112 lbs

  "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13

Until next time....

Love Dee

Week 6--Progress Pictures and Update

Well, if you're still reading this blog I want to thank you!!  I am now in week 6 and doing great!!!  Don't get me wrong I have had some opportunities to eat out and all that but I have a goal and so I am sticking to my guns and staying very focused.  I am a total nerd shooting my egg whites & Crystal Light and carrying around my cooler full of food but as long as I am prepared I am able to stick with it and that's key.

This past weekend was the Branch Warren Classic in Spring, TX so I attended to scope out a show now that I am competing.  What a huge difference it made being at a show with the mind set of a competitor.  I watched every detail of the girls walks, bathing suits, posing & the way they carried themselves on stage.  I now have such a better idea of what to expect and what I will encounter in October.

In the past month I have made some awesome connections during this journey.  One person in particular is Michael-David, he's been such a encouraging figure thus far and has just a genuine compassion towards those he allows into his life.  He's an athlete and understands the struggles that my mind is going through right now but also respects the dedication and I really appreciate that about him.  His campaign of "I DECIDE" definitely applies to my decision to step out of the "norm" and go big with doing this competition.  As his poem of "I DECIDE" goes I choose everyday to wake up and stay focused on my goals and push through all obstacles along the way.  There is a reason I met MD when I did and just very thankful our paths crossed!

I am so thankful as I say every post to just have so much support from first my family and then my friends.  I am so thrilled every time you all take the time to ask how things are going and are genuinely interested in my journey.  There are so many people that I have met and know that have made changes in their own lives that weren't supported or understood but the fact that I have the complete opposite just overwhelms me with happiness.  This journey is changing my heart everyday, opens my eyes to things about those in my life that maybe I haven't seen before and for that I am so grateful.

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
--Isaiah 26:3

7/18/2011-
Body Fat:  19.71%
Body Weight:  113 lbs
Fat pounds:  22.37
Lean Body Mass:  91.13

Total % fat loss of 11.07% since 6/6/2011. 

Front at 19.71% body fat, 113 lbs

Side at 19.71% body fat, 113 lbs

Back at 19.71% body fat, 113 lbs



See ya in 2 more weeks!!!!  11.07% down...only 5% more!!!  Wow, it's going so fast...the fat that is ;-)  Hehe!!!

Love,

Dee

Week 4--Progress Pictures & Update

Hey everyone!!  So, it's been 4 weeks since I started my journey with loosing % of body fat for my competition and I am doing great!!!  Just had my 4 week visit with Kim and I am still loosing at a pretty rapid rate, my body is really responding to the consistent eating and the meals themselves.

During this phase of my meal plan I think I mentioned I have eliminated beef, dairy, alcohol and eating out.  If I am being honest I have had some moments socially lately that a glass of wine would be nice however it's funny how the thought is nice I am not tempted to grab one.

I went to a wedding this past weekend and had THE BEST time.  Not only because of the old friends from high school I got to reconnect with for a while but the conversations that occurred through the night.  I am finding myself having more in depth conversations with people and their goals and what excites them and that just gets me fired up!  Being sober Sally, as I like to call it, wasn't a downer at all nor did I feel out of place or unable to let loose and dance like an idiot!!  It felt so wonderful to be myself and feed off of the adrenaline rush that I was on and just enjoy the company around me.

Three nights this weekend I stayed up very late for someone not drinking but I was engaged in either a fun activity such as celebrating my best friends birthday, celebrating a wedding or just staying up to have a genuine and interesting conversation that I may not normally have with someone.  I feel like the moments I used to take for granted or just let slip by I am able to grasp and hold on to a little longer and really LIVE!  What a great gift that is to receive!! 

Now, back to the meal plan.  Okay so basically I have eliminated unnecessary fats right now and my starches are limited as well.  I found myself in a funk last week for a day I think it was my body adjusting to the meal plan and had to give myself a little pep talk.  I don't want my brain to think I am depriving it and then splurge on something I don't really want or need.  I have been missing the crunchy foods I usually enjoy, chips and salsa **drooling**!!  Haha!  So, I got the crunch back by getting rice cakes with no fat and low sodium.  Kim told me that Randall's sells salt and pepper rice cakes too...I will be making a stop there tomorrow fo sho!!!

I have been so overwhelmed with friends reaching out to me and telling me about their recent weight loss success and new goals and I am so proud of them and for sharing their story with me...I can totally relate!!!  I have been so lucky to have my journey be so well received by others and I am so excited to keep going!!  Thanks for your support!!  ;)

7/5/2011-
Body Fat:  21.87%
Body Weight:  116 lbs
Fat pounds:  25.47
Lean Body Mass:  91.03

Total % fat loss of 3.78% since 6/20/2011. 

3% down.....9% to go!!!

Front at 21.87% body fat, 116 lbs

Side at 21.87% body fat, 116 lbs

Back at 21.87% body fat, 116 lbs

Love,

Dee

Help and Inspiration Along my Journey

You'll notice on the right side of the page I have three links listed as my "Help and Inspiration Along the Way".  You've got to have the right tools to get you where you want to be and these are my tools!!

Kim Porterfield-
I started seeing Kim in May of 2010 and over the past year her knowledge and reassurance has pushed me to really succeed with I.E.M.  She will continue to guide me as I train for the competition in October and advise me of work outs as well.  I couldn't be doing this with out her!!

Kelsey Byers-
Two words...best friend.  Kelsey and I have become so close over the past 5 years and I truly cherish our friendship.  She has big dreams and even bigger goals for herself and I will always support her 100%.  She has in a way paved the way for me during this journey as she knows the ropes and I can totally depend on her advice and support.  This tribute is not to take away from my close friends and family that are also supporting me but to get to compete and go through an experience like this with a best friend is just priceless.  She is my fitness partner in crime :)

Jamie Eason-
So, one day at work Kelsey and I were cruising through the world of Myspace and came across Jamie's page.  We were so amazed at her physique and beauty, her personality just bursted through the photos.  Kelsey reached out to Jamie and inquired on "where to begin" to become as lean as Jamie was.  Jamie and Kelsey corresponded a couple times and Jamie was just an open book and told Kelsey about Kim Porterfield.  Well, about two years go by and after many conversations between Kelsey and I and her and her husband the idea of going to Kim sounded more realistic than impossible so Kent and Kelsey scheduled their appointment in March 2010.  I followed shortly after in May 2010 and we have been blown away with the lifestyle change we all adopted and the results that followed.  We have followed Jamie's success ever since and have been so grateful for her sharing her knowledge and getting our compass in the right direction.

October 16, 2010 Kelsey entered this same competition we will be competing in again and non other than, Jamie Eason, was there as a spectator and a presenter.  We had the absolute pleasure of finally meeting her after the show and talked to her for about 30 mins and took a few photos with her.  Her heart is so big and it really shows that she truly loves what she does.  She is an inspiration to me for the fact that she is still so humble and stayed true to herself amongst her large success.  With out her encouragement and compassion to share her knowledge I wouldn't be here right now.  Thanks Jamie!!!



From Left to Right- Kelsey Byers, Jamie Eason & Me
2010 NPC Texas State Fitness Bikini Competition



Week 2--Progress Pictures

***WARNING!!!  OBJECTS MAY APPEAR LARGER UP CLOSE!!!***

Not very happy with posting these progress pictures after gushing about the great results I had today with Kim.  I think this is the point where most of us get with results though.  We feel so good and look great in certain outfits and then we see our selves in a different angle and BAM...we are discouraged and grab the first fatty meal we can get our hands on.  I am lucky to have a nutritionist that does my % of body fat measurements by caliper pinches.  I can see exactly where I am gaining and really find out my problem areas.  Most of us unfortunately rely on the scale too much and misjudge our results if the scale is standing still.  Be patient my friends the results will come to you but you've got to give your body time to adjust to the meals you're eating and/or the exercise you're engaging in...I have to remind myself of that constantly.
Today at my appointment Kim suggested that I borrow a competition suit to use for my progress pictures so I can see the results in a similar suit I will be wearing in October.  I called my bestie, Kelsey up after the appointment and picked up a suit from her this evening to take these unfortunate photos.

Once I started thinking about it, if you're a good friend that has been pool side with me lately...more than likely you've seen the full moon I got going on!!  Unfortunately, these competition suits leave little to the imagination and in my case they cover very little of the surface area I got goin' on!  Alot of us use humor to mask our bodies, I know I have for a long time....heck I am still doing it!  However, my goal is to look back on this blog and read through all of the stages I encountered and really learn from them for the future.

I am only posting these because I know they will help others and they also help hold me accountable.  In a couple months I will have this suit on again and will scroll through the before and after photo's and just be amazed with this whole process.

Here goes....

Front at 25.65% body fat, 121 lbs

Side at 25.65% body fat, 121 lbs



Ugh....the back side!!!  The nickel fairy got me good!!!  25.65% body fat, 121 lbs

  Show is over for now....check back on Tuesday July 5th.  I will be updating photos from my results with Kim at 4 weeks into the training!!

Thank you for your support :) 

Until then my friends......Ciao!!

Two Week Update--6/20/2011

I just got back from my first follow up appointment with my Nutrionist, Kim.  She was as blown away with my results as I was and I'm so excited to share!!!

6/20/2011-
Body Fat:  25.65%
Body Weight:  121 lbs
Fat pounds:  31.03
Lean Body Mass:  89.97

Total % fat loss of 5.13% since 6/6/2011.  An average of 3.72 fat pounds per week!!


5% down.....13% to go!!!

I will be posting my progress picture tonight!!!!


Wahooooooo!!!!!  Fat blasting machine!!!

Some Before Pictures over the years....



Christmas 2007--
I had lost some weight on my own...always in a yoyo with my weight.  I think I was 136 in this picture.



Summer of 2008--
I think those were size 12 jean shorts.  I didn't weigh myself alot back then but I would guess around 160 lbs.  Notice the beer in my hand!!!

May 2010--
Two weekends after I started with Kim 37% body fat, 147 lbs.



June 18, 2011

So, my first visit with Kim was June 6, 2011 at which point I committed to my first competition!!  Here were my stats starting out with my competition meal plan.

6/6/2011-
Weight:  125lbs
% of Body Fat: 30.78%
Fat Pounds: 38.47
Lean Body Mass:  86.53

Meal Plan is eating 5 times a day 2-3 hours apart.  5 days of cardio and 2 days of weights.

Me at 30% body fat

My Fitness Journey

Whew!!!  Who would have thought that I would have ended up training for a State Bikini Competition???


Since HS I have really never set a personal goal for myself as an adult.  My weight has always been an issue for me and going off to college I gained a freshman 40 instead of the traditional 15.  In May of 2010 I decided to make a change and reached out to Kim Porterfield at Institute of Eating Management.  My best friend Kelsey Byers had her own fitness journey with Kim going but mine was just beginning.  I would say this is when my adult goal began to develop.


My first visit with Kim was pretty rough.  I cried and poured my heart out into my disappointment with myself and my image of always being the "bigger" one of my group of friends.  However, I knew my bad habits of eating out several times a week and consecutive Happy Hours had caught up to me.  I was tired of dreading the summer and being at the pool and hated never being able to find outfits that were less than a size 10 or 12.  I mean I was 26, no kids never been married...why shouldn't I been enjoying my 20's??  I remember telling Kim...I look at other fit people and wonder what "clicked" inside their head to just make a change.  She told me they got to where you are now and made a change, that's all.  Kim set me up eating 5 times a day and kept everything really easy to follow.  In 2010 I lost 7% body fat and around  17 lbs going from 147 down to 130.


Well during the summer I started dating someone and kept the meal plan pretty strict but still drank and went to the gym like I was supposed to, however October until January 2011 I didn't see Kim.  Going back to her in January I had gained body fat back but maintained my weight, actually I lost weight and was down to 121...which is weird how that works but basically I lost all my muscle.  Dating is really hard when you're trying to meet fitness goals.  Simply because the main forms of entertainment these days is eating out and going out drinking.  So in January I put my focus goggles back on and got to work.  In the back of my head I was having a hard time staying motivated to be honest.  I mean making a goal of 20% or less body fat for bathing suit season just is kind of a hard goal especially since when I get in a bathing suit I don't feel like I look bad and I am more comfortable than I have ever been.


At this point I begin talking to my bestie Kelsey about my lack of motivation and just how its hard for me to stay focused on such a general short term goal of swim suit season.  She suggested booking a photo shoot with a local photographer kind of a gift to myself for reaching my goals and said it makes a difference when you're paying for it!!  So I pondered on that idea for about 2 months.  Meanwhile she also begins sticking a bug in my ear about competing, I pretty much write off the idea.  As of June 6, 2011 I was at 30% body fat...to compete I need to be 16% or less---yeah YIKES, that's what I said.  Well on June 6th I met with Kim and we discovered it is possible to do it....IF I really wanted it.  My body thus far has been extremely receptive to fat loss as long as I am consistent in the gym and eating clean so I said why the heck not then!!


At that point I mentally committed myself to competing October 15, 2011 in the NPC Bikini Competition in Stafford, TX.  My bestie Kelsey is also competing in a different height class of course since I am a midget and she's an amazon woman but I am so happy to be taking this journey with her and have her support.  The day after my appointment with Kim I sent and email to my friends and family sharing with them my goal and asked for moral support, I have been so overwhelmed with love and well wishes so early on...that's what keeps me going right now.


I will be seeing Kim every 2 weeks until my competition and she will be tweaking my meal plan, work out plan and measuring me along the way so I will be keeping up with my progress.  Monday June 20th will be 2 weeks from starting my competition meal plan and I have to say I feel great and I feel leaner already which is really strange to say.


I am excited to see the transformation over the next 16 weeks although right now my patience is really low...I want to be there already!!!  Keep me in your prayers!!!





I wrote this for those of you who maybe don't know my journey and to encourage you!!  I am not going to lie, it's hard and if you don't have support around you it makes it harder.  I consider my change in 2010 to have been a lifestyle change and I can't imagine ever going back to what I was doing before.  Who knows where this new path will take me but I am just excited for the journey and so thankful to Kim, Kelsey and my friends and family for their ongoing support and love.  Yeah the outside is changing but my heart, state of mind and attitude has changed the most really.  My perception of myself and what I want from life has become more defined over the past year and I value that more than the physical results I have experienced.  I can only wish these wonderful things for you too if you choose to make a change down the road as well!!  Best wishes!!



Love,


Diane