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I know that I've already discussed how I got into competing in my bio, but I figured I'd go into a little more detail.
Growing up I never really played any competitive sports. I did casual dance classes and horseback riding, but nothing that required me to train. Through high school I would casually workout, but I spent more time focusing on work and school. Once I graduated from Newport High School and began working full-time, I started gaining a lot of weight. Within about 5 months I had put on 40 lbs; I went from 120lbs to 160lbs. I remember the day that I went to the doctor because I was constantly feeling sick and exhausted. The doctor looked at me and said "Well Diane, you have put on a good amount of weight. Maybe that's why you're feeling this way". Even though it upset me at first, I was happy that he said this. It made me realize that even though my weight gain was small compared to some American’s, it was still destroying my health. So on New Years 2008, I took "Before" pictures and decided to make a change. I started eating completely healthy on Jan. 1st. I kept my diet very healthy from Jan-May without any exercise. That all changed when my mom got a family membership for all of us down at the Eastgate Snap Fitness.
I decided to head in there a couple times a week between classes at BCC. I would go in there and do 30 min of light cardio and then wander through the weights. After seeing me in there a few times, Pete (The Fitness Director) introduced himself to me. That's the thing that I LOVE about Snap Fitness...It's a small 24 hour gym and it's very personal. Since it is so small, the staff gets to know all of the members very well. But don't underestimate the small size; it's small, but it has EVERYTHING you need to train hard. So anyways, he would talk to me whenever I came in and he set me up with Brent, one of the trainers, for a complimentary training session. After that, I started going in there more and more. Then the day came when Pete approached me about doing a show. I clearly remember being on the Elliptical and he stood in front of it and asked me, "Are you athletic?" I said "kinda....why?" Then he asked what I thought about competing in a fitness show. He gave me some of the details and then I let him know I'd think about it. After talking to my family, I made the decision to do it. I figured that I had nothing to lose. Boy am I thankful that I accepted his offer! After that I met both him and Brent every single day from May-October in order to train for the 2008 WA Ironman. They both put a lot of effort into training me and I'm forever thankful. After the Ironman, I was officially hooked and started training for the Vancouver show. Now, a year later, I'm training for the 2009 Ironman. It's been an AMAZING journey and I cannot begin to describe how much my life has changed for the better since I started this.
It makes me realize how God can make one little change in your life and it can completely turn everything around for the best. All it took was my mom joining a gym and my life was forever changed. If I would have never made it to Snap Fitness to start working out, I would not be where I am today! Snap will always be my favorite gym. The whole team, at both Redmond and Eastgate, work so hard to improve the lives of their members and I'm just so thankful that Pete, Brent and the owners of Snap were so selfless in helping me prep for a show. It motivates me to be successful in the industry so that I can do what they did and help others with weight lifting and training. More specifically, my goal is to work with teenage and young women to help them overcome self-esteem issues. I'm passionate about this because I used to have many self-esteem issues and through weight training I feel strong and confident. Plus I think it's great that this industry demonstrates strength and muscles as sexy. Many teenage girls are raised looking up to skinny runway models and Figure/Fitness/Bodybuilding/Bikini competitors serve as excellent role models that challenge that unhealthy social norm.
So overall, that's where I'm at. I had to truly be overweight to appreciate this sport. Although it was probably the worst time in my life, I'm so thankful that I experienced being overweight. Without knowing how it feels to be overweight and self-conscious, I would not be able to understand the hard work it takes to get back into shape.
My best piece of advice for new competitors is to see training as a journey. It's easy to get caught up in the end result of being in great shape up on stage, but this can also be discouraging when you have a long ways to go. Look at each day as an opportunity to improve your health, your strength and your overall physical capabilities. Take it day by day. Remember that each day you workout and eat clean will move you closer and closer to optimum health. Stick to it. As I've said before, you've got one shot down here. Make the most of it.
Stay Strong. Stay Focused. Let the Lord’s Light SHINE!
Diane
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Tags: Vancouver | Ironman | Determination | Goals
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Diane
