A New Life Chapter { My Transformation Story }

Growing up I was a fairly active kid, mostly dancing all throughout my teenage years into college. "Working out" was something very foreign to me by the time I hit my early 20's. My body had a different metabolism and the weight started to climb right on. By the age of 23, I weighed in close to 145 lbs at only 5'1".




Age 25 (2007) - 122 lbs

 

I asked my friend who knew his way around the gym for some help. I started to lift weights regularly with him and found a fun cardio "dance class" to keep my body moving. I also started to eat a "better" diet with more protein and less junk. Within a year or two, I was able to slowly shed roughly 20 lbs. off of my very short frame. I had never felt better and I started to look much younger as I got "older" in my twenties. I used the photo on the right as a head shot for a NBA Timberwolves Dance Team Audition and it also marked my new found "healthy" body.

Fast forward a couple of years. I was currently working full-time when I had an onset of chronic wide-spread pain and fatigue. I was so crippled by this disorder that I had to quit my job and couldn't really "move" myself at all. Over the next 2 years, I struggled with having fibromyalgia and I was forced to get my "Fizzy Glassware" business up and running because I couldn't hold a job.

While I was busy painting away I wasn't "working out" from my constant pain and the weight quickly "re-visited" my body. By last summer, I was back at 135 lbs and it took a photo of me with my friends at my birthday lunch (see below) to realize that my body fat had gotten out of control once again.

NEW BEFORE PHOTO - Last Summer

Age 28 (May 2010) - 135 lbs and 24% Body Fat



I knew I had to change some things quick! I really focused on eating better with more fruits and vegetables. This started to give me more energy and my pain began to let up a little. I was slowly able to be more active as well. By last fall, I had a new major onset of pain and made a discovery. GLUTEN had been attacking my body. I have been gluten free since Thanksgiving and my pain... ALL of my chronic pain/fatigue has vanished from my body. Yes, the diet can be hard, but I feel like I got my life back! After seeing the changes in my physical health once I took gluten out of my diet I decided to take on a new life challenge. Enter my first FIGURE/FITNESS COMPETITION! So about 12 weeks ago I began a specific diet of protein while I rotated my carb intake along with working out 5-6 days a week.

NEW AFTER PHOTO - Fitness Training

Age 29 (2011) 110 lbs and 10% Body Fat

Meet My
Personal Trainer:

AL NORBY

The biggest support I've had through this journey has been my consistent weight training sessions with my personal trainer. Al Norby has kept me motivated, encouraged and challenged throughout this whole adventure. He also kept things interesting with quick and intense sessions that were only 30 minutes long! If you are looking to achieve some personal goals for yourself, I STRONGLY recommend investing in a personal trainer who will show up when you don't "feel" like doing the work. Al trains at a Snap Fitness Club in Minnetonka, MN. It is one of the largest Snap Fitness clubs in the Twin Cities and has access to excellent cardio and free weights, cables and other fitness equipment.

"Specializing in motivation, accountability and expert strategies my passion is simply seeing clients ENJOY success." - Al Norby

Thank you for checking out my Fitness Blog!

Check back for new posts about my training,

diet tips and special features!

- Bethany