MY FITNESS JOURNEY

Prior to starting my journey I was always an avid reader of fitness magazines. Gazing at the women's physiques and thinking 'I want to look like that' as I sat there eating my chocolate or biscuit until the packet was finished! Convincing myself I would start on Monday. I always did start on Monday, I also always fell off the wagon once a sweet temptation passed my eyes!

During this period, one of the physiques I admired in those magazines was Sue Heintze (then Gilman). I began to follow her progress in body shaping competitions, even contacting her to chat with her and get to know her.

Well the day finally came when I was shamed into some serious action. Living by the beach on the beautiful Sunshine Coast I continuously locked myself away on the weekends. I was too embarrassed of my body to even go walking on the beach. I swallowed my pride and took the brave step out of my comfort zone and signed up as a client with Sue. This day was the start of a journey that has reshaped my entire life. I can truly say I am a totally different person to the one I was the day I started this journey.

The following 12 weeks were tough. Sue taught me about goal setting, nutrition, training and what it took to achieve success. This required me to be disciplined, focussed, and determined and to never stop dreaming about what I wanted to achieve. I learnt how to be organised and plan my meals. I learnt to get my butt out of a warm bed and tread that pavement on chilly mornings and pouring rain when I wanted to be cuddled up in bed with my fiancé! I learnt to push myself so hard in the gym I would be aching as I pulled myself out of that bed into the cold rain the following day. Sounds pretty rough hey?! Well it was, but the short term pain that I felt was melted away when my fat clothes started to become baggy; when my skin glowed and people commented how great I looked; when I finally had to go shopping for new clothes and could pick the smallest size off the rack; when my relationship flourished; when I could walk down town in my miniskirt and bikini top!

AND THAT WAS JUST THE START!

I was over the moon when I found out I was a monthly winner of the Body Blitz competition. How cool! I got a big buzz from seeing myself in a fitness magazine I had admired others in. I set myself new goals and decided I wanted to push my fitness and physique to the next level. I made the decision to compete in a body shaping competition. My goal was to do 1 competition, just so I could say I had that achievement under my belt. So the hard work stepped up a notch. Tighter nutrition, harder training, more cardio, mid day naps and the occasional cranky mood! The day I stepped on stage in the Novice Figure category of INBA Qlds 1st It’s a Girl Thing Show in April 2005 was then the new highlight in my fitness 'career'! To win 3rd place just sent me over the moon. I was so ecstatic I wanted to experience this all over again. Bring it on! I then competed again in October at the INBA Qld Titles, absolutely astounded to WIN 1st place in the Intermediate Figure category. So off I trot to the National Titles and again achieve my goal of placing Top 5 in Australia. 2005 can be summed up as a wurl wind of fitness for me.

Now being the achiever I am I have recently competed in the 2nd INBA Qld It's a Girl Thing Show taking out 1st place in the Open Figure Short Class.

I have developed a love of the fitness lifestyle and am currently studying my Certificate 4 in Fitness. I intend to start my own personal training business and help others discover the rewards to be gained from embracing a fitness lifestyle.

During this journey Sue has been my trainer and mentor. We have formed a wonderful friendship and I am so proud to be able to say if it hadn't been for Sue, I'd probably still be hiding on the weekends!

So if you are reading this and chomping on a biscuit or some other fat laden, high carb 'treat', stop for a minute and really consider where you're physique is now and if you are happy there. Chances are you are not happy. Throw that biscuit in the bin and get your butt out of your comfort zone! The rewards to be felt are never ending. Don't just read about what I've experienced, it will feel 100 times better when you achieve it yourself! Have the courage to be your best...I can assure you the hard work will all be worth it.

Thankyou Sue,You're a Legend!

You can read about Dianna's success in an article of Women's Fitness & Health Magazine here

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