This was something I worked so, so hard for, focused on and finally achieved. But, it's been a long road. I started training in 1993, right out of high school. From my first workout under the direction of Terry Bryan I was bitten by the bodybuilding bug. I'd played soccer, was a cheerleader and also participated in dance during school, so physical activity was not new to me. But, seeing the photos of Penny Price, Marla Duncan, Tanya Roberts and Cory Everson … on the walls of Terry's training studio inspired me beyond anything I had experienced in the past.
Soon, I was not only training, but also taking courses to be a trainer. I'm now certified as both an aerobics instructor and as a personal trainer. I've even taught aerobics courses at the University of Cincinnati. I now own my own personal training business. I've participated and learned from every new fitness trend that has come along - Taebo, Kickboxing, Spinning, Yoga - you name it … I did it!
I felt great, had built some decent muscle and increased my cardiovascular fitness and flexibility but there was something missing - big time! I didn't look anything at all like those pictures on Terry Bryan's wall. What was the missing link? In a word - Nutrition!
I learned all that I could about nutrition and tried every system out there - high protein and vegetables, high protein and high fat (I even ate peanut butter on cheese) and high carbs with low fat. All worked - a little. But I still didn't look anything at all like those pictures on Terry's wall. In fact, I just looked like an athletic female with a stocky build.
Finally, I realized the answer had been right in front of me the whole time. Heck, I'd been familiar with Beverly International ever since my friend Kristen had introduced me to Sandy a couple of years ago. Show after show I'd seen how the Beverly International clients were the best-conditioned athletes on stage. It was time for me to get on the Beverly International program myself.
Here is exactly what went down. I went to Beverly International for my first appointment on January 15, exactly three months out from the Ms Cincinnati. I weighed 158 pounds at 22% bodyfat - I was carrying 35 pounds of bodyfat! In less than a week I knew I made the right decision in putting my full faith and trust in Beverly International. I lost four pounds the first ten days and felt great! I knew the diet and supplement program were exactly what I had been in search of.
Each day I wrote my diet and supplement intake into a journal. I weighed every ounce of food throughout the entire contest preparation. My first diet program was based around six meals supplying approximately 1850 calories. Here are three days from my journal illustrating the exact diet that Sandy recommended for me at this stage. I also kept a daily tally sheet to make sure that I took all of my supplements in the proper amounts. I had been doing one-hour cardio daily before starting the Beverly International program and Sandy advised me that I should not add additional cardio. She said, " Just continue with your current program and let your diet and supplements do the work." That was fine with me.
Results were quick. I received a "star" from Sandy at my third visit, February 8. My weight had dropped to 150, my bodyfat percent to 17, yet I actually gained a pound and a half of lean muscle during those two weeks - GREAT! Yea! For Ultra Size, Mass Aminos, Ultra 40 and Beverly's special, pharmaceutical grade L-Glutamine.
My progress continued. I received another "star" on March 7. My weight dropped below 140 for the first time in years to 139 and my bodyfat to 12.4%. But now with just over five weeks to go, the fun ended. Sandy changed my diet at this point - my goal was to compete at the Ms Cincinnati at 8.7%. To reach it Sandy explained that I would have to take my nutrition and supplement schedule up another notch.
I'm not going to kid you; the last five weeks were the hardest thing I've ever experienced! Instead of eating six meals, I was now eating five. I'd go in the gym each morning at 5:00 A.M. after taking 6-GH Factor and 2-Energy Reserve. I'd get on the bike and sometimes say to myself, No way I can start peddling!" But then I'd start meditating, (even talking to myself) and I'd find it somewhere inside myself to get started. Once I got going the GH Factor, Energy Reserve and my endorphins would all kick in and I'd get through it.
Another challenge I faced was the temptation to add just a little more food to the meals I measured out and prepared each day. "No, each time I was tempted to add a little extra portion, I said, No!" I didn't even consider eating anything that was not on my diet. Sandy told me from the very beginning that I had a lot of work to do and every day would count. This was it! I was going to give it all I had. And I did!
Finally, at ten days out, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. My weight was below 130 at 129 lbs. My bodyfat percentage had dropped below 10 to 9.3%. Now I knew I was going to make it. But instead of letting up I doubled up on my cardio for one week, doing morning and evening sessions. Sandy kept my diet the same until the final week and focused on proper posing during my appointment.
My last appointment with Sandy was the Thursday before the show. I weighed in at 124 - a total loss of thirty-four pounds in just three months. She then measured my bodyfat for the last time. My fingers were crossed. Did I make our goal of 8.7%? YES! 8.4%!
I owe my Amazing Transformation to the fantastic supplement and nutritional program that Sandy at Beverly International set out for me - I used a tally sheet in my journal to make sure I did not miss even one prescribed amount of a given supplement. My program for the first seven weeks was: 1-Ms Power Pak daily, 2 scoops Ultra Size twice daily, 4-Ultra 40, 3-Mass Aminos, and 2-Lean Out six times daily with meals; 1-C 1000 and 10 grams L-Glutamine twice daily and 500 mg L-Tyrosine with 1 St John's Wort tablet three times daily to help with food cravings.
It was fantastic to win my class and the overall title at the Ms Cincinnati, but just as important was how this experience has completely changed my life. I have become much more organized with a focus on goal achievement. This process was so mental! I know now that I can achieve whatever I put my mind to doing.
I've developed a wealth of confidence in my personal training knowledge. I knew that I had to take responsibility for my own training for this show. So, four days per week I trained myself just as I would a client - concentrating on impeccable form on every exercise. Needless to say it worked! I also learned the tremendous value of a good nutrition and supplement program. I can't emphasize this enough. People just don't understand that working out by itself is not going to get it - it's all about your diet. Period.
Now I can't talk to my clients enough about the benefits of a good nutrition program. I love telling them how important it is in making a difference in their appearance and health. Even though my entire prep period was during the cold and flu season and everyone around me was sick, I didn't even get a sniffle. I had more daily energy during this period than ever before. All credit goes to my Beverly International supplements.
In closing, I would like to thank God for helping me through this. I undertook a 10-week Bible study, "A Heart Like His", on my own to help me occupy my time during my contest preparation. (I also did a lot of cleaning and organizing during this time in addition to my personal training business which I conducted each day from 6:00 A.M. to 8:30 P.M. with only an hour or so in the middle for my own training.) Thanks again to Beverly International, I couldn't have done it without you. I finally found the nutrition system that really works.
January 15, 2000 - 3 Months Out Meal #1 3 egg whites, 1 yolk 4 oz. turkey breast, chicken breast or fish ½ grapefruit, kiwi, ½ apple or ½ pear Supplements (see schedule elsewhere) Meal #2 5 oz. turkey breast, chicken breast or fish (before cooking) 2 cups salad (lettuce, tomato, carrot, cucumber, green peppers, etc.) 2 TBS Paul Newman's Oil and Vinegar dressing Supplements Meal #3 Protein Drink: 2 Scoops Ultra Size and 12-oz water Supplements Meal #4 3-oz chicken or turkey breast or snack pack can of tuna, 4-oz broccoli, 2 egg whites Supplements Meal #5 Protein Drink: 2 Scoops Ultra Size and 12-oz water Supplements Meal #6 5oz. 93% lean beef, chicken, turkey, fish and once or twice weekly sirloin steak 2 cups (8 oz.) vegetables 2 tsp. Flax Oil Supplements Monday and Thursday: Substitute the following for your 6th meal at the end of the day: 1 cup oatmeal or rice, 6-oz. sweet potato or red potato, 4 oz banana, 1 cup vegetables, 1 TBS butter March 7, 2000 - Five weeks out Supplements: 6-GH Factor and 2-Energy Reserve) Meal #1 4 oz. turkey breast, chicken breast or fish 3 egg whites, 1 yolk 1/2 grapefruit (grapefruit is best but you may substitute ½ cup omelet type vegetables or 4 strawberries) Supplements Meal #2 Protein Drink: 2 scoops Muscle Provider, 2 tsp. Flax Oil, 3 strawberries, 12-oz water Supplements Meal #3 5 ounces chicken (weighed prior to cooking) 2 cups salad (lettuce, tomato, carrot, cucumber, green peppers, etc.) 2 TBL Cider Vinegar and 1 tsp. Sunflower Oil (or other vegetable oil) for a dressing Supplements Meal #4 Protein Drink: 2 scoops Muscle Provider, 1 tsp. Flax Oil, 3 strawberries, 12-oz water Or 3.25 oz can tuna, 2 egg whites, 1 small carrot Supplements Meal #5 5 oz lean meat (chicken breast, turkey breast) or 6 oz Cod Fish 1 cup vegetables (green leafy is best here - spinach, asparagus) Supplements Monday and Thursday: Eat in place of your 5th meal at the end of the day: 2 Servings Cream of Rice or 2/3cup cooked rice, 6 oz. sweet potato, 4 oz. banana, 1 cup vegetables, 2 tsp. butter or oil - no supplements with this meal
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