Update July 2014: Darlene lost 86 pounds and became a figure competitor. We featured her story back in December when she was down 70 pounds. She is down 16 more pounds but she also built tons of muscle during her weight loss journey. Read her update and find out more about her amazing transformation and her recent WINS!
“I participated in my first figures competition last week placing 1st overall in Tall Novice. I also placed 3rd in Masters and Open Class. I have lost 86 pounds in total and plan to compete again this October. I want to let all women know that if you set your mind straight and stay focused you CAN reach your goals. At 47, I am in the best shape of my life! Feeling Amazing!!!
When I reached my goal weight of 145-150 pounds, I realized that there was something more I could do on my fitness endeavor. I have many friends who competed in bodybuilding, figures and bikini competitions. I attended some of their shows and would always say, “You’ll NEVER catch me up on a stage in a bikini and heels!” Or, “I just want the body, but not the stage!” I used to see the competitions as pageantry in nature, but the true reality is that I felt like that was a goal too far for me to reach at my age. I had sagging skin and stretch marks from having two sons. So, after attending a friend’s show, I asked myself, “Darlene, do you want to do this?, or have you convinced yourself that you can’t do this?” I believe it was the later of the two. I consulted with friends who were competitors, asked tons of questions and did my research. I decided to go for it on Feb 23, 2014, but hadn’t fully committed (financially). I started eating clean, chicken, fish, turkey, egg whites, green veggies and good carbs (sweet potatoes, brown rice and oatmeal). I strength trained 5-6 days a week with lots a cardio to lower my body fat. At the time it was 26%. Over the weeks, I got stronger and gained the confidence I needed to commit. I registered for the show! A good friend of mine helped me with poses and wardrobe. The routine was my invention-I’m from New Orleans-dance is what we do! LOL I took that stage on Jun 28,2 014, after 18 weeks of preparation, with a full time traveling job, two sons, a dog, juggling it all while on a mission. I chose Kelly Price’s song “It’s My Time, because it really was time for ME! I wanted to be an inspiration to all women and motivate anyone who feels as if they are constantly hitting the reset button. I shined up there, and before the awards were handed out. I was already a winner!!!”
Read more about Darlene’s weight loss journey…
I hired a great trainer that I have been working with during my journey. I’ve got a better yet not perfect grip on my nutrition. I’ve learned how to make fitness a part of my everyday life. My workout time is my “me” time. I need that DAILY (I’m the mom of 3 teens lol). I’ve identified emotional triggers and when I feel buttons being pushed I immediately begin tell myself you can’t eat it away! I say, “You are going to feel guilty if you turn to food” or “At least make yourself proud of the good choice you made and go burn off some calories”. No that won’t make the problem go away but it certainly won’t add to it. This fitness life is mostly a head game and you have to be able to strategize so you can win.
My name is Aliyah, I’m 26 years old. I just realized how much weight I lost and I couldn’t be more proud of myself! I lost a total of 66 lbs over 18 months. After graduating college, I realized I had gained a freshmen 50+ instead of a freshmen 15. I did high intense cardio classes (Tae Bo, Insanity, Kickboxing & Step Interval) four times a week. I also stopped eating after 8pm on weeknights. Although I wasn’t consistent through the entire 18 months, I am more than happy about my results thus far! I was 250 lbs and I now weigh 184 lbs (5’4″). My goal weight is 175 pounds!!! I can’t believe how close I am!!!!!!! My motivation: Well, someone asked if I had a baby since college since I had gained so much weight. I have no children so that was like my “end all to be all” moment. I HAD to make a change immediately! I didn’t diet, I made a lifestyle change. I only made changes that I could see myself doing for the rest of my life.
discuss insulin treatment with me and that was the last and final straw for me. I realized either I changed my life for me and my babies or they would not have a mom. I began to cut back on eating so much in one sitting. Also, I realized that when I drink ice cold water right before I ate it helped me feel full while eating so I really didn’t want that much of my food. I also started walking in the park when my son would go to Tee-ball practice. My exercise routine consists of walking 2-3 times a week. Instead of taking the elevator at work I took the stairs and I began to park further away at the the grocery store. I also speed walk to the store and while I am in the store. I recently began to the 
