10 weeks out- What's your motivation???

All day long I train clients (including many competitors) and help them to get motivated and in shape.  Whether you're training for a contest, a special event, or just to get healthy you need to find your motivation.  For some people its easier than others but necessary nonetheless.  When I first start training my clients I ask them what they want to achieve.  Do they want a stage-ready body? To run a full or half marathon?  Or do they just want to tie their shoes without losing breath?  No matter what the ultimate goal is, you have a reason for changing your lifestyle.  

Many people ask how I got into doing contests.  For me, it started with a photo, well actually two photos...I'm really hoping you can tell which ones are my before pictures!  The one in my awesomely huge tank top was taken the day of my college graduation.  I was barely fitting into a size 14 at that time.  I never really thought that I was fat either.  My family and friends never mentioned my weight...obviously that was for a reason.  But, after seeing that photo, something inside of me clicked.  I went out and joined Jenny Craig (because I didn't know any better). Thanks to their lack of guidance, I was only running (or trying to run) and eventually got down to an unhealthy 107 lbs with 30% body fat.  Needless to say, I started putting weight back on over the next few years and eventually climbed back up to about 130 lbs. 

I stayed at this weight for about 5 years.  I met my husband at this weight and he always tells me that he never thought that I was unhealthy or needed to lose fat.  But deep down inside I knew that I wanted more of a challenge.  My workouts and diet were stagnant and I was bored!  I needed a reason to get the extra weight off and finally keep it off.   It wasn't until 2008 when a complete stranger (you may know who she is...Jamie Eason) encouraged me to compete that a light bulb went off.  She planted the seed and gave me the little push I needed to make "the switch".  It was six months later that I competed in my first bodybuilding contest and have been hooked ever since!  

So what's my motivation to get and stay in shape?  Simply stated, its bodybuilding.  I love the sport and the thrill of competition.  The mental and physical challenges that a competitor faces are unparalleled.  The sport keeps me in shape and motivates me to keep my weight in check.  After all, I come from a long line of short, fat (sorry family), Italians.  I know that genetically, I'm predisposed to gaining weight easily.  That's why I look to bodybuilding to strengthen me as a person, as a woman, and as a trainer.  Now it's time for you to realize what motivates you and go for it.  It's up to you to make it happen!  I'm giving you your "push"....