Bodybuilding.com's Feature Body Transformation Cynthia G

Date Released: 12/12/2011

Body Transformation: Cynthia Accepted A Competition Challenge There’s a bug that’s okay to catch. It’s called the competition bug. Learn how it helped Cynthia reach her fitness goals! Vital Stats Name: Cynthia Gonzales Email: cynthiagonzales619(at)yahoo.com Bodyspace: Before: Age: 30 Height: 5'2 1/2" Weight: 135.5 lbs Body Fat: 29% Chest: 38.5" Waist: 31.5" Hips: 38" Thighs: 21" Calf: 15" Arm: 11" After: Age: 31 Height: 5'2 1/2" Weight: 120 lbs Body Fat: 12% Chest: 35.5" Waist: 26.75" Hips: 35.5" Thighs: 19.5" Calf: 14.5" Arm: 9.5" Why I Got Started I've been a track & field/cross country runner/competitor since the age of 4. I took it into my high school career where I did very well. I gave everything up to work 3 jobs to be able to provide for my family, having kids and being a single parent at a very young age, which was very tough to balance. I let my job, relationships, and life just run me, and I lost myself somewhere along the lines which in turn reflected in my appearance. After losing my job of 10 years, I found myself trying to figure out what to do next. I did battle depression during this time which also contributed to the weight gain (max weight 175lbs). After a few months I knew I had to figure out what I was going to do next with my life, my family and my job. I started doing what I knew how to do best and that was running, which is something I have always felt kept me balanced on and off. I have put 18 years worth of miles on these wheels, so getting back into it was like "riding a bike". My body responded very quickly and the more I saw changes the more I wanted to keep going, I started working out because it was time to get my body back! How I Did It In order to stay motivated, I started working out with friends and family. My friend Kerry started training with me after I challenged her, which helped her to lose over 40 lbs. My next challenge to her was to run a 5k...she did. When she was done she handed me an OXYGEN magazine and said "My challenge to you is to pick a competition!" It was after June 25th 2010 where I saw my girlfriend from childhood Elena Andrade and my friend Raymond Querido compete in The West Coast Classic where I got the bug to get serious about competing. So I went for it. I competed in 5 competitions last year and placed 5th, 7th, 3rd, 7th, and 4th! I work with Kim Oddo, he is my Nutrionist/Trainer/Coach.