September 18, 2014
Transformations Series: Denise Johnson
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"I said, 'Enough!' I got angry at myself, hired a personal trainer, and lost the first 50 pounds in 6 months."
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Denise is a huge Dana Linn Bailey fan and entered our competition to win one of our gym backpacks signed by her. Although she didn't win, she decided to buy her own 6 Pack gym bag, especially after seeing a friend who also is a trainer and competitor using one. Before getting a 6 Pack gym bag she'd been lugging around tupperware containers, which just didn't fit right. Tupperware was too bulky to take anywhere, so she had to haul a big cooler with her everywhere. Denise decided to treat herself for her birthday and ordered a 6 Pack gym backpack in July, and so far she loves it! Training for competitions has pushed her beyond what she knew she was capable, even when she was in the Marines, and now she's in even better shape than she was then. Denise believes in setting your sights on a target, and says, "Goals are extremely important, [such as setting your sights on accomplishing] something beyond [what] you think you can do." Denise won second place in her first competition at the Nevada State Championship Woman's Physique 2014. She'd like to compete for a few more years and see how far she can go. Denise's inspiring transformation story isn't all about fitness, but diet too."Whatever you are doing, just don't stop. It will work if you are dedicated."
She says that everyone stumbles with eating habits. One piece of advice she offers is that when you eat out, tell people your goals and just explain what you're allowed to have. Servers will typically make accomodations and help you find something on the menu that fits into your diet. Clean eating was the key to unlocking her potential. Denise would prep her meals for hours on Sundays, which she recommends as a great routine to follow."The biggest thing as far as eating is that you cannot outwork a bad diet at the gym."
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Just like she was able to find herself again through hard work and determination, Denise wants to help others find themselves again as well. She hopes her story can serve as motivation and inspiration for anyone else out there in the world, looking for encouragement to start their own fitness transformation. By having a good attitude and staying determined to train and eat clean with meal prep easily on hand in your gym bag, you too can achieve anything."I want to motivate people to accept challenges and help people take back their lives."