2008 Transformation Contest

I just want to take a quick moment before I go workout to thank Bodybuilding.com for the opportunity that they gave me with this contest.  For some of us, this web-site means more than to others.  For the past two years since I became a member, Bodybuilding.com has become a tremendous part of my life.  

Many of us feel misunderstood at times, whether we are accused of overexercising, or of eating disorders.  In a world that values television over exercise, the french fry over good health, we are most definitely out of the norm.  Eating is social and to be different in one’s eating habits sets one up for ostracization.  It takes a strong mentality to be able to deal with this.

Looking at the bodies of those of us who choose to live this way, (at all the different levels we are at), I believe we should shoot for making this lifestyle the new normal.  Just because something is accepted doesn’t make it right.  

We do this not by preaching, or even with a single word.  We do it with our example.  Be healthy, be happy, be strong.  And others will want to know what you are up to.  Let them come to you.

Thanks again Bodybuilding.com for giving me a voice.  Thank you for giving us all a healthy community.

Again, I just want to salute my fellow contestants.  Each is a terrific person.

My final pictures were a bit late.  Traveling was a bit tough on me and you can see it in my weight gain and bloating.  

I want to thank BB.com and the sponsors for this contest.  It showed me how far I must go and gave me the impetus to post pictures and journal my journey.  Without the contest you would never have seen my fat belly in print.  These pictures have done a great deal to motivate me and keep me going when I felt like eating everything in the house.  The pictures make it easier to get back on the wagon even during times of deep depression, like I am in today.  I know that it is tough to post pictures, but it is the best way to see progress and to keep your fat burning in the fire.

I also want to thank my fellow contestants.  I said it before and I say it now, I have no business being in the same contest with these guys.

Mali, you are a stud and I hope to see you on stage one day soon.  I hope all your hard work and dreams come through for you.  

Fusion, don’t quit man.  I know how debilitating network IT can be.  Strange hours all spent on your ass with tons of stress thrown on top of you.  You stuck it out and you are a champ.

Maddi, you were already sleek and beautiful but now you are rock hard.   It is obvious that you are so very close to the stage.  Great job.

Dare, you are my personal winner of this contest.  You have made such great changes and show yourself to be such a strong woman.

You have all been so supportive and caring.  

As for me, I have gone from 366 to 339 in this contest.  I wanted to lose 35 pounds but am happy with the 27 that are gone.  I am down about 40 pounds since last November.  This is just the beginning for me, as Mali pointed out.  My next 12 week stint starts Monday so keep following my personal bodyspace.  I will not join a contest again until I am closer to my goal weight.  It was very tough to stay motivated in competition as I saw Maddi and Mali looking so good so quickly.  For now I continue to try and focus on NOW.  

I will continue to use products from our sponsors.  They proved themselves to be quite helpful.  

I will be fit for him.

Well its over, and here are the final pics.

Here are weeek one pics…

I notice the most in the side shots.

Thanks again to all the great Sponsers…you gave us all a great kick start..

My losses are minimal…I almost feel bad my team name was Team Xtreme…yikes!But I put on some great strength, dropped approx 5% BF, and put 25 lbs on my bench…not to shabby..looking forward to the future to come.

Its been fun!

Yes I can, but my shots are dreadful, I did managed to make one clear, but I guess you can see the point, the camera still sucks LOL

Here is the good one

and the bad ones:

and the newspaper shot

and before shots, just as comparison

Starting Weight:  157
Ending Weight: 130

Starting Bodyfat: 24.7%
Ending Bodyfat:  17.4%

Before Waist:  32″
After Waist: 28″

Yes I had 3 pieces. 

This is it. The moment we have been working towards.  Here are my final stats.  I must tell you that my original scale is messing up so I have to use my old one.  My moving guys dropped some furniture on it. I didn’t think it was hurt but apparently I am wrong since I cant get the same reading twice in 10 tries.  As a matter of fact all were different.  I know I could just pick one but I know my other scale at home has been consistent and I like to play fair.  I really doubt I am down to 178 pound.  LOL   The only thing is I cant get my final fat percentage.  I will use last week’s number for that.  I will tape the actual weigh in tonight when I get home for proof as well as take the pics.  All will upload first thing in the am.

Here are my measurement results:

Starting Weight: 227.4
Ending Weight: 212
Difference: 15.4 lost
I will have video posted in the am.

Starting Bodyfat %:51.5
Ending Bodyfat%: 44 as of last week.  
Difference:  7.5%

Measurements:
Starting chest: 44 7/8
Ending chest: 42 ½
Difference: 2 3/8 inches lost

Starting Rt bicep: 16 1/8
Ending rt bicep: 15.5
Difference: .63 inches lost

Starting lt bicep:16.5
Ending lt bicep: 16
Difference: .5

Starting waist: 38 ¼
Ending waist: 36
Difference 2 ¼ inches lost

Starting Thigh: 29
Ending thigh: 27.5
Difference: 2.5

Starting hip: 50.5
Ending hip:49.5
Difference 1 inches lost

Starting high hip:  50 ¼
Ending high hip: 47
Difference: 3 inches lost

Starting Calf: 17
Ending calf: 16.75
Difference .25 lost

Grand total of inches lost: 12.51 inches gone.  WooHoo

Much love to my fellow contestants.  Much love to you all.  Everyone keep reaching for those dreams, and never say goodbye.

Aright, let’s get it done, I have my last video update and I honestly hope you will enjoy it

Best of luck to everyone

Well it’s been one hell of a day.  I let stress and fear get to me.  I binged.  I am not proud, but I am human.  I would still be human if I had not binged.  Just a stronger less vulnerable one.

I am working on this thing daily.  Honestly, I can say, I am not there yet.  I believe I can find what it takes in me to be a competitor someday.  This contest has been the warming up for me, the springing forth into action, and dusting off the cobwebs of my psyche.

So dusting off those cobwebs what did I find?  I found this.  A woman with both strengths and weaknesses.  A woman who can kick ass.  And a woman who can crawl into a corner and cry.  

Even heroes have weaknesses.  For Superman it was kryptonite.  And Jesus cried tears of blood at Gethsemene.  Yet ultimately he did finish what he came to finish.  And so shall I.

Going for a workout now.

Three days left.  I want to end this contest with a strong finish so I will post my last video. The videos are not something that I will miss.  I dreaded them every week.  We all know that my favorite exercise is the bench press and I might as well finish on the right bench with a personal best.

Number 1 song goes to everyone out there doing this thing

We belong to the world we belong to the wind
We are the spirit of the competition’s end
Turning hours into days burning muscles feel the pain
The heart and soul of discipline my friends

We are sending you a challenge it’s very clear
We came to win that is why we are here
Demanding to be tested, tested by the best
Not to be forgotten like all the rest

The time has come all the training done
The muscle and the blood will come to pay

Let the game begin hear the starting gun
Play from the heart today we will overcome
When the game is over all the counting’s done
We were born to win number 1

Today is the day all the training through
We have come for the number one not the number two
Let the contest begin play hard fight to win
Immortality victory and fame

The time has come all the training done
The muscle and the blood will come to pay

Let the game begin hear the starting gun
Play from the heart today we will overcome
When the game is over all the counting’s done
We were born to win number 1

Today is the day all the training through
We have come for the number one not the number two
Let the contest begin play hard fight to win
Immortality victory and fame

Let the game begin hear the starting gun
Play from the heart today we will overcome
When the game is over all the counting’s done
We were born to win number 1

============================================
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Finally got the camera, but not a good one, anyways here is me today with 233lbs

Mm.  6 days left.  

I don’t know if this is a good time for me to start playing around with medium chain triglycerides or not.  lol  I bought some coconut oil last night, as it is actually supposed to be good for your metabolism and increase energy output.  It is a bit scary, as it is pure fat.  And delicious fat at that.  Dipping into the tub of it last night I felt like the naughty little girl who used to sneak grandma’s butter.

I have felt good about this contest.  In the end it turned out to be exactly as I expected.  There have been real challenges along the way.  Both internal and external.  Both equally difficult to maneuver around.  

THIS IS PART OF THE PROCESS. 

You think those who make it to the top do not have challenges?  They have just learned how to climb mountains.  They have learned through trial, effort, and persistence, how to overcome obstacles.  How to not give up.

I am not unusual in my personal demons.  So many overweight persons out there share similar mental struggles as the ones I have been through.  The unexamined mind is what leads to stagnant lives, and putrid bodies.  I encourage EVERYBODY to search their personal history, and their mind, for what it is that holds them back in life.

IN THE END, THIS IS IT.  

This is YOUR expression on earth.  This is YOUR story and I encourage you to make it your own.  Have a brave heart.  BECOME a braveheart.

We all have battles.  This is our common denominator.

But like any good protagonist, YOU CAN come out victorious in the end.

It’s a matter of hope.  It’s a matter of faith.  

It is a matter of self-estimation, and what you believe you are deserving of. 

Finally, please never hold yourself back for anyone around you.  

There is such a thing as reverse discrimination.  In your quest for excellence there will be battles.  There will be struggles for dominance.

YOU ARE THE HERO IN YOUR OWN EPIC NOVEL.

  Heros don’t back down.

Unless it’s a strategic reversal.

The choice is this:  

You can stifle your best for acceptance.   Or, you can shake these people off of you.

Personally, I say, SHAKE, RATTLE, AND ROLL!

It’s been one week since you looked at me
Cocked your head to the side and said “I’m angry”
Five days since you laughed at me saying
“Get that together come back and see me”
Three days since the living room
I realized it’s all my fault, but couldn’t tell you
Yesterday you’d forgiven me
but it’ll still be two days till I say I’m sorry

Hold it now and watch the hoodwink
As I make you stop, think
You’ll think you’re looking at Aquaman

I summon fish to the dish, although I like the Chalet Swiss
I like the sushi
’cause it’s never touched a frying pan

Hot like wasabe when I bust rhymes
Big like LeAnn Rimes
Because I’m all about value

Gonna make a break and take a fake
I’d like a stinkin achin shake
I like vanilla, it’s the finest of the flavours

How can I help it if I think you’re funny when you’re mad
Trying hard not to smile though I feel bad
I’m the kind of gal who laughs at a funeral
Can’t understand what I mean?
Well, you soon will
I have a tendency to wear my mind on my sleeve
I have a history of taking off my shirt

It’s been one week since you looked at me
Threw your arms in the air
and said “You’re crazy”
Five days since you tackled me
I’ve still got the rug burns on both my knees
It’s been three days since the afternoon
You realized it’s not my fault
not a moment too soon
Yesterday you’d forgiven me
And now I sit back and wait til you say you’re sorry