Bethany Joanne Nelson (PEANUT)

Age: 32
Height: 5’1”
Starting weight: 152
Current weight: 120

Time frame that it took you to get from starting weight to current weight: over the timeline of 8 years
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Occupation: Fitness Life Coach and Artist
Children: 0

How I got myself motivated right at the beginning:
Wanting to not be in digestive and chronic pain anymore was the initial motivator. After feeling better AND improving my physique I just want to keep going.

Who motivates me the most: One of my best friends, Katie who leads all types of group fitness classes continues to push me past my limits. Her energy and loving attitude is contagious.

How do I get myself going on the days you I don’t feel like working out?
I am a “social butterfly” so going to the gym is my chance to sweat and laugh with friends. Instead of bringing a buddy to the gym, I make new ones when I’m there!

Once I'm in the gym, how do I push through to that last set?
After I start feeling the burn and the sweat I get pumped up and know that I’m making changes happen. I push through my last set thinking about how close I am to the finish line. Once I cross it, I get to REST!

What was the biggest motivational obstacle/challenge you faced along the way? How did you overcome it? Still having gluten reactions from having celiac. Recovering can take my body several days and it’s hard not to feel set back. I practice a lot of natural ways to detoxify my body with antioxidants, massage therapy or even relaxing with a pedicure. It gets me reset.

What excuses for not working out and eating clean did you make before, and what is your solution to them now? Seeing AND feeling how quick my body will respond to over-eating and in-activity is enough to keep my drive at full throttle. I am mindful of this when I want to snack or not go into the gym.

What are your Top 3 Tricks for getting or staying motivated:
Always wanting to set new challenges and goals for myself
Having fun with improving different areas of my physique, like I’m a sculptor!
Seeing where the Top women of Fitness are today and being inspired by them
 

What three songs motivate you the most? (artist and title)

Run The World – Beyonce, Turn Up The Music – Chris Brown, We Found Love - Rihanna

 

How did you make working out and clean eating into a habit? Your tips? I created a lot of friendships at the gym so I look forward to going in each day. I choose not to hook up to music while I lift because I want to be approachable and friendly.

 

Have you used any popular training or diet programs (other than clean eating and exercise) or diet pills during your transformation? No, I have not used any popular programs. The training technique that has transformed my physique and continue to use is the simple method of “carb-cycling”.

 

Have you had any surgeries related to your transformation? No

 

Why do you work out and eat clean? Working out and eating clean has given me a life that I could have never dreamt of. I can’t go back now!What three things do you always take the gym? Lip gloss, my iPhone, orbit gum

 

Do you have a good luck/motivational object? I had a custom dog tag necklace made for my very first competition with the words “Anyone Can Give Up” and the show date on them.When was your “aha” moment, when you realized that you’ve done it/reached your fitness goals? Hearing the crowd cheer while I performed my first fitness routine and then becoming the Beginner Figure Champion at my very first competition. I will never forget the amazing feeling!

 

What was the best compliment you’ve received about your transformation? From who?

Sitting alone in Vegas the day before the Fitness America show a judge and his wife were compelled to come over to let me know that they both agreed that I was in very impressive shape. They made sure to sit in the front row while I performed my fitness routine like my #1 fans. It was the best confidence booster!

 

What kind of criticism did you face? From who? And how did you deal?  have had friends, family and even strangers tease me about how strict I can be at times with my clean eating or when I choose to not have an alcoholic beverage. If I’m attending a party or meeting friends at a restaurant I usually have to gear up and mentally decide what I will be having so their comments won’t sway me.

 

What was your proudest moment during your transformation? I become more and more proud each day when I  learn that I’ve inspired someone new or when I can help others get excited about reaching their fitness potential.

 

What is one tiny change that someone can make TODAY that is going to get them started? You can never go wrong with simply eating more protein throughout your day.

 

How have you rewarded yourself for your transformation? Being able to travel to great locations like Las Vegas and Miami for competitions are a treat in themselves for all of the hard work. I love being able to enjoy a bit of vacation once the judging is over!

How do you get back on track after you slip up with your training program or diet? In order to get back on track I have to get rid of any tempting treats that might be around. If it’s not an option then I won’t even think about it!

How my mood affects my motivation? If I’m stressed I make sure to push myself even harder to go workout. When I hit the gym I like to check out from the rest of my life and be distracted in a good way!

What motivates me: Being an artist, I’m a very visual person so an article or video about a role model like Erin Stern will always inspire me!

A Day's Meal Plan 
Meal 1: Lean turkey sausage, GF Oats with berries and peanut butter
Meal 2: Egg White Omelet with peppers, tomatoes, basil and avocado
Meal 3: Turkey Burger with veggies and GF chocolate cookie
Meal 4: Almond String Cheese, Nuts and Grapefruit
Meal 5: Ground Turkey/Peppers in a lettuce wrap with sweet potato on the side
Meal 6: Baked Salmon and asparagus

Favorite cheat food: I try to stay strict on my “clean diet” for 5 days of the week so I can have 2 “high-carb” days. On my high days I love making GF oatmeal pancakes with peanut butter or a GF brownie!! I love peanut butter and chocolate!

Fatty food I miss the least: Beefy, Greasy Burgers

Favorite clean meal: Lean Ground Turkey with Salsa, Peppers, Avocado and Sweet Potatoes

Favorite clean snacks: Berries and Grapefruit

Workout Schedule
Monday: Teach Cardio Hip-Hop Group Fitness Class (60 min), Weight Train Shoulders (30 min)
Tuesday: Warrior Sculpt Yoga Class (60 min), Weight Train: Back/Bis (30 min)
Wednesday: Choreograph Fitness Routine (30 min), Weight Train: Abs (30 min)
Thursday: Cardio Group Fitness Class (60 min), Weight Train: Legs/Glutes (30 min)
Friday: REST
Saturday: Bootcamp Group Fitness Class (60 min), Weight Train: Chest/Tris (30 min)
Sunday: Choreograph Fitness Routine (30 min), Weight Train: Abs (30 min)

Favorite weight-training exercise: Shoulder “Arnold” Press

Favorite athletic/recreational activity: Dance and Hip-Hop