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I was always athletic as a child and loved swimming, cheerleading and running tracks. When I was 11, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and developed neuropathy, blindness, heart disease and kidney failure.
I was in and out of the hospital. I had many close calls that I wasn't sure if I would make it all night. I did everything I could to take care of myself, but nothing worked. My body didn't respond and it was very disruptive.
When my kidneys officially failed at 34, the doctor gave me a choice: I was able to start dialysis, but I probably couldn't live past 40. Or, I was able to undergo an experimental dual organ transplant to ingest new kidneys and new pancreas to potentially cope with diabetes. Surgery was dangerous, but I wanted to make my whole life ahead of myself, but I didn't want to live with diabetes anymore.
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Fortunately, the surgery was a success. But by my 30s I had already had an ongoing heart disease and had a dysfunctional thyroid. (People with type 1 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing heart disease than average healthy people.) I had triple heart bypass surgery and removed my thyroid. By the time I was 62 I was so grateful to be alive. To celebrate my body and resilience, I decided to be as healthy as possible.
After a lifetime of chronic illness, I began strength training at 62 and began to recognize my potential
I was living in Mexico at the time and came across a 3 month online intensity challenge for people over 40 years old. I signed up for the program and committed to working hard. I didn't realize there was a winner, but three months later I made the most progress and won the challenge.
I've never lifted the weights before, but I was hooked. My body finally responded to how well it was cared for after everything it endured and I felt great. I could push myself to new limits and didn't want to stop.
A year later, I returned to the state and hired a personal trainer. My goal was to achieve optimal health. I didn't mind losing weight or numbers on scale at all. I wanted to lift heavy weights in the right shape, learn more about my body, and maximize my potential.
Now I exercise five days a week with my personal trainer
I still work with the same personal trainer and have a 45-minute session with upper and lower body divisions. I usually do 4 sets of 10-15 reps for 8 different exercises. Technically, I only rest 30 seconds between then, so they're super sets. You can do a lot in a short time.
My upper body is my favorite and I love everything about my shoulders and arms. Hamstrings is my weakest link, but I work particularly hard in training the quads and glut sections. In the end, I conquered eight leg presses at 450 pounds (204kg).
I will never take myself away, but I focus on maximizing my training by tracking balanced nutrition and macros
I always know the importance of a balanced diet. Especially in health issues, I started tracking macros to maximize nutrition and support my training. I'm still organised using the Macro+ app, eating 5 small meals a day. I focus on adding colour to my plate, prioritizing lean protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. I always cut vegetables in the fridge. Salmon, chicken, tuna, Greek yogurt, egg whites and purple sweet potatoes are some of my favorites to fill my plate.
That being said, I don't take or limit myself. If you want dessert, you have it. It's all about balance and I found something that worked for me.
When I discovered bodybuilding, I took my strength to the next level to be an example for women of all ages
My coach saw how hard I work in the gym and how much I love it and suggested competing in the Masters bikini bodybuilding competition. I thought there was no way for anyone to want to meet me in a bikini, but I decided to go for it and celebrate my body. At age 64, I competed in my first championship in the same month on the 30th anniversary of organ transplantation. I won and I was hooked.
Being strong and feeling confident in my body is hard to beat. To prepare for the competition, I focused on building muscle with weight training and calorie surplus. He began “cutting” just before the show, reducing his total calorie intake to reduce body fat and revealing lean muscles. Competition training became my new lifestyle and I thrived with the system of discipline and motivation I had built. Exercising and fueling my body with healthy nutrients has become a second nature.
Cherry blossoms above? I set an example for other young, older women and encourage them to do the same.
These three factors were key to my success in strength conversion
1. I have built a community of like-minded women to support and inspire my journey
Menopause is confusing and your body makes many changes, but finding a community of women that can be involved has made a huge difference for me and has produced what I can physically do. It's very inspiring to give and receive support from others in my age group. I truly believe in the power of connection. I've found a lot of money in the community, both online and in person, but growing up with other strong women is a recipe for success.
2. I realized my body is resilient and I can do difficult things
I have a considerable portion of healthy fears and I am very proud of my body for overcoming the challenges. Through all hospitalizations and complications, I am 66 years old and can not only lift heavy weights, but also win the competition. Going to the gym and giving a new PR is proof that my body is resilient. I am very grateful to be alive.
3. I understand that confidence is key to my success
My goal is to always take care of my health and treat my body with compassion. I cut off all the negative self-talk and replaced it with complete confidence. I am strong, proud, capable, and I am manifested as a genuine self every day.
After decades of illness, I finally feel better and I intend to do everything on my own to continue this path.
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