GUEST BLOGGER • NPC BIKINI COMPETITOR - CHEYENNE JANCARIC {09.11.2015}

I was lucky enough to not only have cheered with this lovely lady, but I also got to run track with her in middle school. After I moved away we lost touch, but as I've said in many of my previous blog posts, fitness allows people to come together. I'm so glad that Cheyenne and I have reconnected and I've been following her amazing journey to the competition stage. She is a wonderful role model for anyone who is looking to compete. Here is Cheyenne's amazing story.

 

{CHEYENNE'S STORY}

 

I have always been an athlete and competitor at heart. I did just about every sport you can imagine. After I graduated high school and no longer had a coach keeping me in shape, life kind of just happened. I got a full time job and over time began to care less and less about my health. It wasn't until about 3 years ago when I was diagnosed with a chronic illness, called Gastroparesis, that I finally started to take my health more seriously. There are few treatments, and no known cures so far, but I was determined to not let my disease dictate how I would live my life.

I began to overload myself with cardio, running 5-7 miles a day but was still not seeing the results I wanted. Finally, a guy I was interested in introduced me to bodybuilding and weightlifting. I instantly fell in love with the sport. The goal image I had for myself went from girls like Victoria Secret models to Olympia IFBB Bikini Pros. I was fascinated with muscles and couldn't wait for mine to grow so that one day I could compete against the best. So I started training in January and did my very first show in March and placed 3rd in my class! And now I'm currently in prep for my second show with hopes of bringing a better package.

I stick to lean meats like chicken, sirloin, and turkey (I hate seafood), clean carbs like sweet or red potatoes and rice, green veggies, and if I'm not in prep I allow myself to have fruits or dairy like Greek yogurt. I always take a fat burner with a good amount of caffeine in morning. My job requires me to work 12 hours shifts and these help keep me away from energy drinks. Before I do cardio, I also take a thermogenic because I love to sweat. I drink Aminos following a workout, and I occasionally take a prewrokout. The week of a competition or photoshoot, I may take a diuretic if I am holding too much water.

The gym is my escape, so I spend basically all of my free time there. Before and after work I workout. I probably spend 3-4 hours a day at the gym. I train every day, alternating body parts and incorporating cardio. I plan to compete for as long as I am able to. I love this lifestyle and my goal is to be an IFBB Pro Bikini Competitor. I am currently working on my personal training certification so that I can share my passion and help others get healthy.

Follow Cheyenne on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

I am extremely thankful that Cheyenne shared her story with us. She is an inspiration to me in so many ways and I hope she has inspired you to see just how many doors open up for you when you start getting healthy and fit.

Congratulations to Cheyenne for placing third in her first NPC Bikini Competition and best wishes for her future competitions. I'm looking forward to the possibility of competing alongside of her at the NPC Phil Heath in March 2016.

*To learn more about NPC Bikini Competitions, click here!*

*read Cheyenne's original interview here!*

Thinking about doing a Bikini Competition?

Get your suit from Angel Competition Bikinis or visit Stakked Couture

(Angel Competition Bikinis)

*Megan is not affiliated with or a member the National Physique Committee at this time. Megan does not work for Angel Competition Bikinis or Stakked Couture. Megan was not paid by the National Physique Committee, Angel Competition Bikinis, or Stakked Couture for this post. Guest Bloggers are not paid and are offering their stories at their own will. Guest Blogger information should not be copied or sold. Please do not steal images from this post.*

GUEST BLOGGER • NPC BIKINI COMPETITOR - ASHLEY HOFFMAN {09.04.2015}

To say that I was thrilled when Ashley agreed to be a Guest Blogger is a grand understatement. I was literally jumping for joy. I originally found Ashley's story when searching for my competition bikinis. I was amazed by her because I was literally following the road she had already walked. I was so inspired and felt like I could really accomplish my goal because I saw what she had accomplished. Here is Ashley's amazing and inspiring bikini competitor transformation story.

 

{ASHLEY'S STORY}

 

Six months ago I remember feeling empty. I felt like I had nothing to live for, rather I was just going through the motions of what I thought being an adult meant. My day-to-day routine was wake up, go to work, go to the gym and head home. I did all of these things because I thought I was suppose to, but felt like I wasn’t reaching or working toward any of the goals I had said I wanted to accomplish in my life. Literally in one night, I decided to change that.

After trying to workout on my own for a year, I decided to reach out to a local bikini competitor, just to seek some advice on what might be my biggest hindrances in achieving the body I needed for a competition. We exchanged a few emails and it was then that I realized this would be a much larger undertaking than I anticipated, and the only way I could do it, would be with help from a trainer who had been in my physical condition once before and transformed herself to look the way SHE wanted. I will never forget the email she sent asking if I wanted to start training with her. I think I stared at it for a solid hour before I responded. In all honesty, I knew I wanted to compete in my dreams, but I was terrified to actually take the first step and commit to training. The quote we have all seen and heard flashed through my head - “If your dreams don’t scare you a little, then they probably aren’t big enough.” I knew I had to commit, even though I was terrified. This was one of the most pivotal points in my life this year.

Fast-forward six months and I am 40lbs. lighter, training for my second NPC bikini competition, confident, happy and learning something new about myself every day. When I try to think back on the process, I honestly can’t remember it all. I think it got so difficult that my brain actually blocked out some of it. But at the same time, that process showed me just how hard I can truly push myself and how big of a goal I could achieve. I never in 1,000,000 years thought I could weigh 125lbs. (In fact, I was confident that I couldn’t lose weight. My goal weight was only 150lbs. with me starting at 165lbs.).) But now that I have been able to push through obstacles and difficult times, I am much more confident in my abilities in all areas of my life. This process made me realize that if something genuinely scares me because I feel like I may fail, then it’s probably also an opportunity for something great to happen. Don’t let fear hold you back. Embrace it. If you’re like me, when something is uncomfortable, you want to shy away from it. I am telling you now… DON’T!  You may never get the opportunity that has presented itself to you again. Don’t waste it on things that may or may not happen. Rather, ensure that they do by simply giving your all to your dreams.

Instagram @ahoffman514

 I am so thankful to Ashley for sharing her story. She has truly inspired me in so many ways and I hope she has inspired you to reach your fitness goals. It's so amazing to meet people who have the same goals and desires. Fitness, health, and working out bring so many people together, we are like family. Just as Ashley said, never give up on your dreams, work hard and you will succeed!

 

Congratulations to Ashley for competing in her first NPC Bikini Competition and best wishes for her future competitions. I'm looking forward to the possibility of competing alongside of her one day.

*To learn more about NPC Bikini Competitions, click here!*

*read Ashley's original post here!*

 

Thinking about doing a Bikini Competition?

Get your suit from Angel Competition Bikinis!

Tell them you learned about their amazing suits from Ashley Hoffman and Megan Richards.

 

*Megan is not affiliated with or a member the National Physique Committee at this time. Megan does not work for Angel Competition Bikinis however, she is a customer. Megan was not paid by the National Physique Committee or Angel Competition Bikinis for this post. Guest Bloggers are not paid and are offering their stories at their own will. Guest Blogger information should not be copied or sold. Please do not steal images from this post.*

 

 

 



GUEST BLOGGER • AMBER CHAMBERS {08.28.2015}

Our very first Guest Blogger is someone I have been close to throughout high school. I was lucky enough to cheer for a year with this little lady. She has always been such a sweet, kind-hearted person and I'm so lucky that she offered to write a post about her journey through weight loss. Please give her a warm welcome and enjoy her post!  

 

{AMBER'S STORY} 

In April of 2014, I attended my aunt's wedding, the day after was Easter. So naturally we took lots of pictures with family that weekend. That was my breaking point.

Until that day, I knew I had been gaining weight but I haven't seen myself from a distance like that.  I didn't realize how out of control I had become. In high school I was very active as a cheerleader  and other after-school activities. After graduation in 2012, I continued eating the way I had always ate (which was not healthy). But not realizing, with out being active, I would quickly gain that infamous "freshman 15",  and some.  My weight gain on top of other realities of adulthood, put me into a deep depression. Misery loves company, and I became worse and worse. I ate my feelings, I gained weight, and it made me even more upset. A vicious cycle.

I met with a doctor who suggested I be put on an anti depressant. On top of the fact it was only making me a numb zombie, my weight gain snowballed. I woke up one morning and I had enough of it all. I made a life changing decision, I would not let this depression rule my life. 

At that time last year I weighed in at 149lbs. To some this may not be much, but being that I am short, I did not carry my weight well. Unsatisfied with this number, I joined a gym, and was totally lost with their equipment. I never had to use any of it before. So I stayed on the tread mill because it was all I knew. Month after month I went to the gym but my weight stayed the same.

In June 2014 I started T25, this is a program put out by BeachBody.  I started to see some results! I lost about 10lbs. between summer 2014 and April 2015. But I continued my eating habits because hey, I was loosing weight.

 I saw a post about a clean eating challenge on a "buy sell trade" site several months ago and decided to give it a try. Since I started eating clean, doing the 21 Day Fix videos, and drinking Shakeology, I have so much more energy. I sleep great at night, my back doesn't ache anymore because my core is getting so strong, I don't have headaches anymore, I have lost fat but gained muscle, and dropped an additional 20lbs. so far!

The 21 Day Fix is a fitness program designed by BeachBody.  It is my favorite fitness and eating program ever!  It teaches portion control, "clean" eating, and has daily exercise videos that are super effective but only 30 minutes long - my favorite part because I never have enough time!  I love the workouts.  It's so easy to fit in a 30 minute workout, especially when you don't have to leave the house to do it!

The program also does a great job of teaching clean eating and portion control.  You receive a series of color-coded containers, and each color corresponds to a certain food group (veggies, fruit, protein, etc.).  You get to eat a certain number of each container every day. It is the best eating plan I've ever seen for truly teaching the right way to eat and making it a lifestyle, not a diet.  It is so simple. It comes with the food containers, all the exercise videos, and a 30-day supply of Shakeology, which is awesome... I can't say enough about it, for me personally!  So delicious, and 100% natural. They have over 18g of protein and over 70 different vitamins, nutrients, and herbs. They aren't anything magical. They just give your body what it needs to function at its best.

This program is great for ALL ages and fitness abilities/levels.  I have coached the whole spectrum through this program.  I've run lots of groups on Facebook to help people who are doing this program and coach them through, motivating and helping them overcome obstacles. I have so many repeat customers who really love this program, because it works! The #1 feedback I get on this program is that it's a sustainable lifestyle.

I now weigh in at 119lbs., I'm back to my high school weight. But I feel so much stronger than I did back then. Becoming a coach changed my life!  I am not a fitness model, and I still have a ways to go to reach my physical goals. (Sting is the new skinny!) But I am getting there, it's more about being on the journey, than having reached the destination. People can relate to you better when you are working at it with them, becoming a coach I received training from other coaches who are extremely successful and  have replaced a fulltime job with this business. My attitude about life has changed and I am genuinely happy again.

I love to share this feeling, and that's why I do what I do. I want to help others overcome their personal challenges and become a better version of themselves. If you want to see what T25, the 21 Day Fix, or any other BeachBody program can do for you, visit http://www.beachbodycoach.com/COACHAMBERRENEE

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! I would love to chat with you and find out your goals to become a healthier, happier, & more confident person!

Twitter @amberrenee33 Instagram @amber_chambers

 Huge shout out to Amber for her determination, hard work, and for sharing her amazing story with us. The best part, she is only just beginning! I can't wait to see where this lifestyle will take her. The world is in the palm of her hands and with fitness as her main focus, she will go far. Be sure to check her out on her social media platforms so you can get tips, tricks, and more information about the amazing BeachBody programs.

*Learn more about joining the BeachBody family here!*

 

*Megan is not affiliated with BeachBody in any way. Guest Bloggers are not paid and are offering their stories at their own will. Guest Blogger information should not be copied or sold. Please do not steal images from this post.*

 

GUEST BLOGGERS {08.13.2015}

I am so excited to finally be able to say that we will be welcoming some Guest Bloggers! These men and women will be sharing some of their inspirational weight loss and fitness stories with us. Maybe you will learn new things or you might even get the inspiration to finally get to that weight goal you've been dreaming of. I am so thankful that these men and women agreed to write their success stories. You'll get to meet all different kinds of fitness-loving people who have come from all different levels of fitness!

 

Be sure to check in every Friday when we feature a new Guest Blogger!

 

 

*Do you have an inspirational fitness or weight loss story that you want to share with us? Please email me at megan.richards1374@yahoo.com for more information!*