From flab to fab

What led one person to springboard back to fitness in spite of the pandemic

By Stephanie Gish

My fitness journey started May 2019 when JBLM MWR advertised a bodybuilding show at Nelson Recreation Center. Competing in a bodybuilding show had always been a bucket list item, so I did it.

As it turned out, one of the judges at the show was an actual show promoter, and he picked me up to compete in more shows within the INBF/World Natural Bodybuilding Federation in the coming weeks.

I have MWR to thank for that first fitness springboard into the world of bodybuilding. With this new sport, I’ve received the coaching and guidance I needed to learn about nutrition and how to best build my body for both strength and resilience.

With coaching, I had been making huge strides in progress as I set goals for myself and competed in several shows June through November 2019.

I even went on to the Worlds Pro/Am in New York in November and placed in the top five of the amateur women‘s bodybuilding division.

However, at the end of competition season and during the holidays, I strayed from my newly developed lifestyle and indulged impulsively; gaining 15–20 pounds. Continued on next page.

Ideally, self-motivation and willpower are the only things we all need to accomplish our goals and be successful.

And that can be the case, but only after we can effectively establish a new foundation to work from.

At the beginning of 2020, with the promise of an upcoming competition show in the spring and an opportunity to win my pro card, I had started to get back on track with my nutrition and working out.

Then, when COVID-19 struck and subsequently forced all competition to cancel, I lost all my drive.

When MWR came out with the virtual Greatest Loser Competition on Facebook, I again found the motivation to get back after it. The competition spanned several months, which forced me to develop long-term habits and workouts that I could accommodate into my day-to-day lifestyle.

Ideally, self-motivation and willpower are the only things we all need to accomplish our goals and be successful.

And that can be the case, but only after we can effectively establish a new foundation to work from.

What I’ve learned through this experience is that: • New habits have to be developed to override the bad habits. • Habits need consistency and repetition, which takes time. • Everyone hates waiting (especially for something that is largely intangible such as fitness). • So, the most powerful thing to generate drive and motivation is something that is tangible — incentives, competition and rewards all work to combat idleness and positively condition ourselves past bad habits and behaviors.

I’m grateful for those at JBLM MWR who understand this struggle and process. They’ve radically challenged and transformed my lifestyle, not only in how to survive pandemics, but also in how to thrive when there isn’t a pandemic.

This past year has given me a new identity and a new mentality. I’m much more confident in who I am and what I’ve learned in my fitness journey.

My body and strength have transformed so much, and I couldn’t be more pleased.

Thank you, Team MWR!

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Get a taste of Habañero

What’s tastier than a freshly made taco salad? Perhaps a hot burrito stuffed with marinated meat or a quesadilla dripping with melted cheese.

Make a visit to Habañero Mexican Grill at Whispering Firs Golf Course and decide for yourself.

Mornings offer your choice of bacon, sausage, chorizo or ham breakfast bowls with hash browns, SOS, cheese and an egg, plus a breakfast burrito, egg sandwich and sides.

Grab a hot breakfast before work!

Satisfy your hunger at lunch with hefty burritos, fajita burritos, tacos, quesadillas with or without meat, plus the popular Habañero taco salad with your choice of ingredients.

If you prefer a smaller lunch, go for a lightersize burrito and quesadilla. Or, if you’re a vegetarian, go for the veggie burger or rice and bean burritos or tacos.

Order appetizers, a burger, chicken sandwich or hot dog as an alternative to regular or