[download] We recently interviewed the winner of our 6th Annual Look Better Naked Transformation Contest, Julie Spangler. She changed her life, you can too! Take action and get moving towards what you want in life!
[/download]
What’s your name, age, profession?
Julie Spangler, 44, Environmental Supervisor
What caused you to enter the contest?
I needed motivation to get my life back on track.
What concerns did you have about your state of health and fitness?
I had a very quick, large weight gain due to a health issue. My workout routine and healthy eating lifestyle slowly disappeared.
What is your personal definition of health and how it relates to fitness?
My definition of health/fitness would be that combination of healthy eating and regular workout routines that help me look and feel my best.
What did you do to change your level of health and fitness during the contest?
The contest gave me the needed motivation. I regained my willpower and began eating healthy again. Additionally, I added exercise to my weekly routine. I had to start off slow since I had done basically noting for 18 months.
How many times a week do you workout and what is an overview of your training program?
I workout 2 to 4 times per week. I’m still regaining my strength and endurance, so my goal is to stick with this, only work out more intensely each time. I’ve been doing online workouts. I really enjoy not having to go back out after getting home from work.
Tell me about your nutrition habits before you started the contest?
The 18 months before the contest, I had lost all willpower. I had gotten unexpectedly sick and thought I was not going to make it. During the months that followed, I ate whatever I wanted. Sadly, it took me a very long time to regain it.
Tell me about your nutrition habits AFTER you started the contest?
After starting the contest, I was back eating smaller meals several times a day. I was skipping the bread/carbs, eating more fruits and vegetables and healthy proteins.
What was the biggest challenge in implementing a healthy lifestyle?
For the first few days, I thought I was going to starve to death. : ) Eventually, my body adjusted and I was feeling better than ever.
Why do you feel taking control of your personal health and fitness is important?
I think it is very important to take ownership of my own personal health and fitness because this is something only I can do for myself. I feel better when I’m healthy and active.
How has your life overall changed since adopting a healthier lifestyle? I’m back to feeling like I can continue to take charge of my life and get back to a healthy weight.
Any closing words?
I’d like to again thank (Improvement Warrior Fitness, formerly Yun Fitness) for having this transformation contest. I have several pounds and inches to go, but I know I can do it. This contest gave me the confidence I needed to get back on track.
Julie's Before Essay:
When my friend, Maria, asked if I would like to enter this contest, I was immediately filled with hope and motivation. Just two years ago, I was in the best shape of my life and happy with the way I looked. Things can change so quickly… I got married in August 2011, and then just six weeks later, out of the blue, I was hospitalized with a pulmonary embolism (PE). I was put on blood thinners and given differing guidance on eating/avoiding foods containing Vitamin K. I was scared and confused, and ultimately ended up avoiding foods with Vitamin K, which had been a big part of my healthy diet. I began eating whatever I wanted. After all, I thought I was going to die. Unfortunately, too, the blood thinners left me with a constant lack of energy. I was on blood thinners for six months. During this time, I did pretty much nothing and gained almost fifty pounds! Since I was off the blood thinners, we decided to try to have a baby. Within the months that followed, the doctors informed me that I should not have a baby. I went through a few months of depression and sadness. By the end of 2012, I had gained about 15 more pounds and the slight osteoarthritis in my knees was beginning to rear its ugly head. As 2013 began, I wanted a new start, but could not seem to regain my self-confidence
Before/After:
* Weight- 238/225 -13
* Neck- 14.5/14.5 -0
* Arm- 16.5/16.5 -0
* Chest 47.75/45 -2.75
* Waist 44/40 -4
* Hips 51/49 -2
* Thigh 29.5/28 -1.5
* Calf 18.5/17.75 -.75
Total inches lost -11″
Final Essay:
It is amazing how time flies! It seems like yesterday that I began this competition. Now, here I am six weeks later, at the end of this part of my journey, thirteen pounds lighter and eleven inches smaller!! I think I only experienced a couple of let-downs: my training location and not getting to work out as much as I’d have liked. I live on the East side of town, so my training location was Reynoldsburg…. I didn’t get to work out nearly as much as I wanted. I can only imagine how much better I would’ve done had I maintained the level of activity with which I began. Sadly, we can’t plan what happens in our lives or when it will happen. During these last weeks, I missed many workouts due to illness (both me and several family members), the death of a friend and the stress of work and family obligations. Fortunately, for the most part, I was able to maintain a healthy diet and some level of exercise. To close, I would like to thank Yun Fitness for having this contest and thank my friend, Maria, for inviting me to join her team. The contest has helped me get back on track and regain my willpower. Throughout the contest, I was often reminded that my choices affect my health. Politely declining unhealthy (delicious-looking) foods and making better choices is now part of my daily routine again. I’m feeling better, looking better and regaining some of the confidence that I’d lost in the previous 18 months. I finally feel like I’m back on the road to hotness!
Let us and Julie know what you think! Leave a comment or share your thoughts down below:
