We are so proud of Caroline!  She only did the Bridal Bootcamp, she really developed some life goals! It was a great honor to be part of Carolines' team and to see her change.

We asked Caroline to share her inspiring story:

In early October 2018, I finally picked a venue for my wedding. I've always struggled with weight and have lost weight in the past, only to put it back on quickly. Since moving to Seattle in 2016, I had not been feeling my best and I knew I needed to get back to the gym for my own health. I found Fuerte Fitness through a Google search and after thinking about it for a month, I reached out. Adriana responded quickly and we started with 5 sessions. The first few sessions were geared toward building my core and increasing my flexibility to prevent injury. Slowly we started getting into more and more difficult movements and I decided to sign-up for her Bridal Boot Camp. My initial goals were to lose 20-30 lbs and to tone my upper body. However, as time went on, I changed my goals to being able to run a mile and do a pull-up. Adriana helped me develop a sustainable workout schedule and meal plan. I was challenged not to get discouraged by the amount of time it took me to reach my initial goals. 2 months into first training with Adriana, I had an appendectomy, which set me back by 2 months and caused me to lose a substantial amount of muscle mass. I remember feeling so frustrated, but Adriana helped me get back on track. My biggest successes included surpassing my weight goal by losing 32 lbs, building muscle mass and tone, being able to do an assisted pull-up, and developing a love of running. As I continue my journey, I keep reminding myself that I want this to be the last time I lose weight. I keep reminding myself of the great feeling I have after each workout and that the number on the scale isn't everything. 

We also asked her to answer a few specific questions:

1. Why or what got you seek out help from a personal trainer and what did you seek to accomplish, what were your goals?

I had started planning my wedding and I knew I needed to get toned for the big day. Over the past 2.5 years I had gained a significant amount of weight and hadn't been working out. I missed the feeling of being strong or having accomplished a really tough workout. My initial goals were to lose 20-30 lbs and get my upper body toned. However, as time went on my goals changed. I wanted to do be able to do a pull up and run a mile. 

2. How often did you try to do this on your own and why would you gave weight again or go back to old ways?

I have been struggling with weight loss for my entire life. I've never been one to be naturally skinny. On multiple occasions I've lost weight, often through drastic dieting. I've never been able to sustain the weight loss because it was hard to develop healthy habits. I've also struggled to set up boundaries to prioritize exercise and reduce stress. 

3. What were your success and challenges this time around?
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My challenges this time around was not to get discouraged by the amount of time it took me to reach my goals. I had an appendectomy 8 months before my wedding, which put me out of commission for 2 months and caused me to lose muscle mass. I remember feeling so frustrated, but Adriana helped me get back on track. 

My successes were developing a love for running, losing enough fat to drop 4 pant sizes, being able to do a pull up, and feeling more confident. 

4. What is a piece of advice you are giving yourself to continue your health and fitness journey and to other from your personal experience?

Don't go back to old habits. I want this time to be the last time I have to fight to get healthy. The weight on the scale isn't everything. When I first started this, I thought my goal was to reach a certain number on the scale. However, as time progressed I realized that my goal should be more about muscle mass, BMI, and how strong I felt. 

Congratulations to Adriana who took 4th in Fitness category at the Emerald Cup this year! She had been out of fitness since 2012 even though she made a figure appearance in 2013 and 2018.  It was a challenge for her with a toddler and juggling a business and full training schedule, "I did it for you mamas out there, I know its hard but do what you love, set some goals, get support, and exercising gets easy. I have to keep up with a 3 yrs. and feel like I'm old. But we can still do it, we just have to warm up and stretch more often!" For more check out out our facebook, instagram and twitter.  www.facebook.com/pg/fuertefitness/posts/

We are so proud of this powerful lady. She is so inspirational, not only to me but to many in the Fuerte community. It was a long 2 yrs but she made it. It was even longer for her since she lost 100 pounds prior to working with me towards a fitness competition.
These are questions I ask all my people after doing a show just to keep their head right (that can be challenging for most women after competition.

Me:  What was your background? Started? Family lifestyle? 

Tamara:  I was fat! I grew up in Iowa in rural farm country. Did some activity, but not a lot. No sports for girls were offered at the small school I went to. Only volleyball. I did paly that sport. I was not active nor atheletic.
In adulthood it was pretty much the same. I had my son and gained weight, then my daughter and gained weight. I probably weighed about 170 after my daughters birth. I just became pretty sendintary and liked to eat. Eventually I weiged at least 245. my family are all active. I was not. 

Me: How did you get introduced to fitness as a life style? Making it work with your 9-5pm?

Tamara: I watched my mother deteriorate due to a hip injury. I saw her struggle with recovery due to no muscle and a very sedintary lifestyle. I knew I would end up the same way. It broke my heart to see her unhappy like that. I vowed I would not do that to my children  nor myself. So, I decided to fix it. I had tried many different methods...none worked for long. Weight loss and then a gain back. So, I knew I had to do something that I would stick to. I did not tell anyone. I just decided on what I knew I would stick to. I downloaded the app My Fitness Pal. I decided to consume 1200 calories a day. I counted and weighed etc. I began this on April 11, 2013. I lost 20 pounds the first month. Then I decided to add a daily walk. I vowed that I would leave my desk/office by 3 each day to walk for a full hour. No later than 4. I did that exact thing. I walked hard and fast. It was my meditation time. I then kept counting and eating right and walking. By August I had lost 50 pounds. My friend, John Croft, began to coach me in weight training in September and by December I had lost 70 pounds total. He recommended I try boxing for a fun and hard cardio as well as toning. I got a heavy bag and hung it in my garage. I would box at least 3 times a week for 6-9 rounds. Burned me up. By the time a year was done, I had lost 100 pounds. I kept lifting and boxing and lost more sizes. No more weight, really. Just tightened up my body. I went from a very tight size 22 jean in 2014 to a very comfy size 6/4 by the time May of 2014 rolled around. Victory. I have kept it all off since then. My body is comfy where it is and I learned how to eat.
Me: Why did you decide to invest more (time money and energy ) into your fitness?

Tamara: I did not want to end up like my mom. I wanted to live a rich life. Once i lost the weight, I love it even more. I can wear clothes I like...matter of fact, I can wear anything I want now. Bam! And I feel reall;y good. I look better and younger and I am happy with my body.
Me: When did you know you wanted to compete? Why?

Tamara: In the summer of 2015 a friend of mine, Pam, said I should do a competition. I dismissed it. She kept at me. I began to think about it more. My husband had died that March. I had decided at that point to live every moment of life to the very fullest possible. So, I thought...why not? I looked things up. Studied the process and then contacted Adriana in early 2016 and set up a process to start. My hip became the issue in late 2016 which took me off the competition schedule until this year.
Me: What was the hardest thing for you in your prep for the show? What was the most challenges: your food, cardio, the workout the posing, the bikini fitting?

Tamara: I loved the entire process. I would say the hardes thing was the posing. I would love to be able to meet and practice this weekly. I love to lift and the eating was not that bad. It was actually harder to eat more food. Sleeping was kind of tough as well, but I got that tackled and slept when my body told me to. Posing was hard. Mostly because I had no way to be coached regularly.

Me: What would you do different? Will you do another show? What do you want to remind yourself next time?

Tamara: Yes, I will definitely do another show. I will work on the posing. I will find a way to train at that more hands on. I would like to go to a posing clinic. I want to figure out a way to get better and create my own style. I have more time right now and I will find a way to make that a part of my life work.

Me: What were the rewards for you in this feat?  How did (if so) effect your confidence? Such as your femininity, internal external beauty, your presence on stage and as you walk into a room/street. How was your physic change?
Tamara: I felt great after the competition in body and mind. I had worked hard for two years to get to this. Derailed by a hip replacement and was determined not to let that stop me. I felt accomplished and I felt pretty in my body as well. The fact that judges came to me and told me I had great stage presence and attitude and that they would like to see me compete again, meant more to me than anything. I was relaxed once I got on stage. I felt good there and was happy to be there. I feel like the stage presence is not something everyone has. I am fortunate to be that so I feel like the rest, posing, legs, glutes etc. can all be worked on and will only be enhanced by my confidence. I have always been a pretty confident person and more so after losing weight and realizing that I am in fact, an attractive woman. After being this vulnerable on stage and working this hard for a body I want, I feel even better about my body and mind.
Me: What was your first treat meal/drink? During your prep did you allow yourself a treat meal during the week? 
Tamara: My first meal was at the casino after the evening show. I had crab bisque and a steak as well as a martini. They were good. Not great, but good. It was just good to eat some other kind of food. I did not miss too many things. I allowed myself some cheat/treats once in a while. Not a lot. But when I needed it in my head.
Me: What did you miss most?

Tamara:  Nothing in particular. Mostly just the freedom to eat what I wanted. 

Me: How will you find a middle ground? Between Competition fitness and lifestyle fitness for you!

Tamara: I intend on working out regularly. I have for the last 5 years. That will not change. I like the lean look and the fact that I have muscle defiinition. I will continue to work toward a better butt and legs and maintain the body I have now. I intend on competing again, so I plan on working out and eating accordingly. I want to refine my food. I do not like to have my food freedom taken away. I do not overeat or binge. I learned to control my portions and food types long ago. So, I plan on working on making food easier and more freedom while still staying in parameters that will be conducive to body work. I will research, I currently am, and work at prep etc. Working out is a given for me for the rest of my life. i like it. I will find other ways to work out as well. I like variety. Butt and Legs!!!