Rea Unalivia Before
Rea A. Unalivia
Age: 31
Fitness goal: to lose 20 lbs
Goal accomplished: yes! Lost 25lbs, and 5.5% bodyfat in 12 weeks!!!
I’ve been going to the gym for over a year and noticed that I was not losing any weight. I was feeling very tired after an hour work out and always lacking energy. I also find myself having sleepless nights. I knew I needed to change something in my routine to see some changes in me. I finally found the missing piece in my puzzle when I met Shelby in the gym. She was working out on a bag few bags away from me. After the boxing class, I asked her for advice and she asked me to meet with her in Max Muscle. And that’s how my journey began.
At first I was very hesitant to start the program because of few reasons. One, the cost of the program was not that cheap. I needed to pay for the 12 week program in full to start. It was a commitment from the beginning. I was not so sure if I would be able to push myself to get my moneys worth. I had to prepare myself for what is coming to me. Second, I was not so sure if I will be able to stop my cravings. This is such a big deal. I cannot eat every food. I have to follow a schedule for 12 long weeks. Imagine that! Third, I was starting the program in the month of October. I thought it was the worse season ever. I won’t be able to enjoy candies on Halloween, Thanks Giving Dinner, Christmas cookies, treats, and chocolates. These is too much for me to take. But I had to make a life changing decision. It was time for me to choose between food and healthy living.
So I finally decided to be a bigger person and do something good for life. I set up an appointment with Shelby. She took all my information which includes family and medical histories. Then later she asked me what kind of food I eat daily and my favorites. I was so eager to answer those questions. She then told me that I would be so easy to work with since I eat normal food and have no food allergies and no special requests.
Shelby’s encouragement made me keep pushing myself harder. Hard enough that I lost more than I planned. She was very encouraging and I can assure anyone that this program will work as long as you are determined and have discipline.
New Goals?
I can honestly tell you that this is the smallest I have ever been. After learning my experience from this program, I will continue to utilize this information daily to stay fit. I will keep encouraging myself that I can keep a healthy body as long as I have the discipline and encouragement to do so. ~Rea
Dee Before
Around Thanksgiving 2009 I really started feeling pretty “fluffy” – sitting at my all time high weight of slightly over 150 lbs! A very stressful year left me stuffing with food to keep the little green monsters away. I was frustrated and felt like such a ‘poser’ at the gym – and my wonderful morning runs had turned into coming up with excuses to skip – or just not in the mood to do.
Our oldest son is engaged and due to marry in June – I knew I had to get a firm hold on the situation soon. I am prideful enough to need to look my best for big events. However, more importantly I realized that I needed to reset my outlook. For years I had kicked around the idea of competing in a Figure/Fitness competition. I’ve worked out and lifted for about 10 years. I love lifting heavy and have been blessed to be able to have my hubby as my workout partner – so motivation…or should we say the competition to keep up was always a major player. My 30’s and early 40’s were spent shutteling 2 very active boys between school events and travel soccer events, running a company with my husband, and trying to eek out some sort of couple time. Needless to say ‘ME’ time was not even an option. Well, fast-forward about 15 years. Now it’s just hubby and I and a Jack Russell that refuses to carry on much of a conversation. The time and dedication needed to do a competition was now in my grasp. I just needed direction and a person to hold me accountable. I had visited the Manassas Max Muscle store a few times over the year and had the wonderful opportunity to meet Shelby McDaniel. We would spend lots of time chatting every visit.
Shelby would always ask questions about goals, etc. Well, one visit in early December I shared what I needed to do and casually said, “I’d love to do a Figure Show, wish I had considered it years ago” Her immediate reaction was WHY NOT?! There are classes for ladies in my age group – and I didn’t really want to or think I could WIN. I just wanted to do something for ME – something off the Bucket List. Well, I left the store with some supplements and lots to consider. Shelby shared that she would help me thru the entire process and together this goal was do-able. I was back on December 10th, ready to arm myself with whatever tools, supplements, or shakes I needed to reach a goal of doing my 1st Figure show by spring. Shelby measured body fat and weight and then sent me a diet outline, workout regime, and supplement list to follow.
I officially started the journey on that day – weighing in at 147lbs and sitting at a whopping 27.5% Body fat. I discussed target weights with Shelby – thinking that 125 would be a good weight. Very calmly she said – “Bikini ready is not Show ready” and then dropped the bomb – I needed to be at least down to 120lbs – maybe lower. So on December 10th I made a covenant with Shelby and myself to do what ever was necessary to reach this lofty goal. The diet was wonderful – I ate often and well. I was never hungry, nor did I deal with all the colds/flu that was swirling around me at work. Energy was at an all time high. My workouts took on new meaning. Steadily the pounds began to melt off – I made it thru the Holidays without stalling. Around mid January I found a couple of local OCB Figure shows for our target.
Each time Shelby would meet with me – we’d measure weight and body fat, chat about the target and how I was feeling. She truly looked at the entire package – body, mind and external pressures. About February I started searching for a posing suit. I was delighted to hear from Shelby that the Manassas stores owner Corry Matthews was about my size and rented her suit. I tried it on at the store before committing and when I stood in front of the mirror I was amazed…..stupefied….and shocked. I could do this…ME – 49-year-old empty nester with family genetics not in my favor. I think Shelby was as excited as I was. She said I had just melted away! My body fat was down to 17% and the goal of 120 lbs was within sight. We worked together on posing and Shelby shared everything I needed to know about being a figure competitor.
Stage Might! Dee on Stage
April 10th – I competed and WON!! I won 45+ Grand Master, because I was the only one in the division! But, I WON 5th in the Open division. Most of my competition was ½ my age. Nerves got in the way a bit on stage. But I can say it was one of the most exciting, educational, and exhausting days I’ve ever experienced. So exciting in fact that I have decided to do another in May!!! This time I knew what to expect and with Shelby’s help will tweak my posing and diet to make this show MY show. May 15th I took another 5th place trophy in the 45 + figure class, competing against some of the toughest fifteen 45 +yr olds you will find!
Max Muscle products have kept me strong, healthy and supported through the intense workouts and cardio. Competition or not – the benefit of great nutrition will always play a role for me. I can count on that from Max Muscle and I definitely can count on Shelby’s knowledge and expertise for the next Bucket List item…..just how many miles is a full marathon anyway???
~Dee
In Nov 2010 I met Shelby and that is when she gave me the tools to success, my own personal nutrition plan. Initially I was 226lbs and 11% BF. In our initial, Shelby asked me what was my goal? I pointed to a picture of one the former Weight Loss contest winners and said this is where I want to be…lean mid section (6 pack) and more size in the upper and lower body. Shelby just kinda smiled and said “cool…well lets get to work then.”
In the first month working with Shelby I noticed a positive change quite rapidly, but it was still smooth, exciting and dynamic. That’s when I realized that Shelby really knew her stuff… Not only is Shelby knowledgeable, but she is a professional too. I am now 213lbs and 5.6% body fat and feel better than ever! “. Now I have set a few new goals for myself, so I am very excited to see what new challenges Shelby has in store to make me into an even better me! Thank you Shelby you really have brought out the best in me! ~Eric