PDA

View Full Version : My Transoformation Story



Suzanne
03-03-2009, 11:43 AM
I was "normal" weight through high school (105-110lbs & 5’-0"), but never developed an interest in sports or fitness (not even PE) due to my vision. I was born legally blind. I have Achromatopsia (http://www.achromat.org/what_is_achromatopsia.html). Due to this condition I have severely light sensitive and totally color blind. It is not correctable, but I do wear red contact lenses to help filter the light. My best visually acuity is less 20/200 which means I can see something 20 feet away that a person with normal vision can see 200 feet away. I need to have books very close to read and I use a large monitor with big fonts. I am unable to drive so I either walk, use public transit or ride with family or friends. The hardest part is people not understanding. Someone may wave or make eye contact form across the gym but I can't see them so a lot of times I get a bad rap of being unfriendly but I simple did not see them. I also have to squint a lot because of the light sensitivity so I have been told I "look" unfriendly. Due to my blindness, I grew up with the kids constantly teasing me. From kindergarten until high school graduation I heard daily insults and teasing. Even in college I had professors not believe i could do the work even though I was often the highest grade in the class. One professor even commented "I can't imagine a job you could do." All this led to very low self-esteem and self-doubt which gradually caused me to gain weight.

By the time I reached 31 (1995) I had reached a weight of 185lbs. All from a combination of fast food, no exercise, and depression. For many years, all I thought was that exercise and diet didn't work. I felt all the people that looked good had always looked that way. I never tried any form of dieting. At the end of 1995 I decided that there must be a better way. So I joined a gym. I knew that if I was going to do this that it had to be an all or nothing attempt. I knew I had to change my diet, lift weights , and do cardio. I lost some weight through 1996. In 1997, I was unable to go to the gym but maintained my loss. In March of 1999, I decided that since I could not go to the gym, I would bring the gym to me. So I bought equipment for my home and began hitting it hard. I would get up at 4:30am every morning before work to get my workout in. I also made another major change in my diet; I consumed six small meals (instead of three large meals) a day, and began using supplements (protein powder, meal replacement, etc).

My weight loss was very slow but i just kept pushing. I never owned a scale during this time my goals where small to get one size smaller. Finally in 2001 I got down to a "normal" size and was constantly asked if i competed. So in Dec 2001 i found a trainer at my gym and started prepping for my first show in March 2002 in Bodbybuilding. I now work with Jeremy Mininhan and compete at the national level in bodybuiling. I have lived near Chicago for over 3 years and walk to the gym sun, rain, snow , wind, sub zero temperatures.

I have taken off since Nationals 2007 to make improvements and plan on kicking butt in 2009!

Pics throughout my transformation can be seen here
http://fitsuzanne.com/Progresspics/transformationprogress.htm

Starting pics 1995
http://fitsuzanne.com/Progresspics/before1995.JPG
http://fitsuzanne.com/Progresspics/P1030211_A.JPG

One week before my first show March 2002
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/sgermano/DSCN0009.jpg

Nationals 2007
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/sgermano/DSC_3651_crop.jpg?t=1235498071

Suzanne
03-03-2009, 11:51 AM
Important keys that i felt made my weight loss successful

I started off slowly removing super big gulp coke's and fast food I never ate contest type dieting til i actually did a comp

I did not own a scale til my 3rd year competing

During my weight loss it was all mini goals - get one clothing size smaller

Never in a million years did i think i would be on stage competing. Had ihad that as a goal form the beginning i probably would not have even lost the weight - too big of a goal too far in the future

A few more pics

2000
http://fitsuzanne.com/Progresspics/Before2000.gif

end of 2001 before i decided to compete
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/sgermano/12-2.jpg?t=1236099002

jr nats 2007
http://www.fitsuzanne.com/JrNats2007DanRay1/images/DSC_4260.JPG

Nationals 2007
http://www.fitsuzanne.com/Nats2007Posingroutine/images/1.jpg

Suzanne
03-03-2009, 11:52 AM
Sorry pics so big

Not a lot of detail on the years of weight loss so feel free to ask any questions :)

gman
03-03-2009, 11:56 AM
This is incredible! It makes me want to do whatever it takes to get it done!

Suzanne
03-03-2009, 12:09 PM
This is incredible! It makes me want to do whatever it takes to get it done!

thanks!

you can do it, just takes time and consistency :)

gman
03-03-2009, 12:18 PM
My wife needs this story, but I can't figure out how to get her to read it. She is really touchy and depressed about her weight, so I no longer bring it up. She has so much muscle under there, she could really do well if she put her mind to it.

bigcrz
03-03-2009, 02:06 PM
Wow, very impressive. A true inspiration.

tammyp
03-03-2009, 06:00 PM
Suzanne is awesome...she is super knowledgable and has alot to offer here...

WELCOME!

j.o.
03-03-2009, 07:53 PM
Wow! Congrats! Your transformation is incredible and inspiring!

Viking
03-03-2009, 07:57 PM
Very inspiring story, hope alot of people read and get motivated!!

Suzanne
03-05-2009, 09:32 AM
My wife needs this story, but I can't figure out how to get her to read it. She is really touchy and depressed about her weight, so I no longer bring it up. She has so much muscle under there, she could really do well if she put her mind to it.

Unfortunately it has to come form the person themselves. They have to be unhappy with how they look/feel and want to do something about it.

I think bringing it up will only make her feel worse and not in a positive way.

Suzanne
03-05-2009, 09:33 AM
Wow, very impressive. A true inspiration.


Suzanne is awesome...she is super knowledgable and has alot to offer here...

WELCOME!


Wow! Congrats! Your transformation is incredible and inspiring!


Very inspiring story, hope alot of people read and get motivated!!

Thank you everyone!

gman
03-05-2009, 09:46 AM
Unfortunately it has to come form the person themselves. They have to be unhappy with how they look/feel and want to do something about it.

I think bringing it up will only make her feel worse and not in a positive way.

My big fear is my own getting in shape journey is making it even more depressing for her. I am hoping the opposite, that the more ripped I get, the more motivated she will get!

GirlyMuscle
03-05-2009, 09:51 AM
Wow, Suzanne, I love the old pics!

stephaniewicked
03-08-2009, 01:52 PM
Amazing transformation, Suzanne! Completely inspirational!

I love your back and shoulders... you've certainly come a long way and built a beautiful physique! Good luck this year!!

Angela123
03-08-2009, 05:42 PM
thank you for sharing. such inspiration. wonderful story and transformation.

kicker
03-09-2009, 06:22 PM
Congrats on such a great job! I'm sure you are an inspiration to many!

InkedSwed
03-12-2009, 06:17 AM
incredible! :eek:

Suzanne
03-12-2009, 05:18 PM
My big fear is my own getting in shape journey is making it even more depressing for her. I am hoping the opposite, that the more ripped I get, the more motivated she will get!

Is there any activity you can include her in something like hiking? where it isn't to lose weight per se?


Wow, Suzanne, I love the old pics!


Amazing transformation, Suzanne! Completely inspirational!

I love your back and shoulders... you've certainly come a long way and built a beautiful physique! Good luck this year!!


thank you for sharing. such inspiration. wonderful story and transformation.


Congrats on such a great job! I'm sure you are an inspiration to many!


incredible! :eek:

Thank you everyone! :)

MsGuns
03-12-2009, 06:33 PM
I was wondering when you were going to share your AMAZING story...
I agree w/ Suzanne...the person has to want to make the change.
We cant change people.