Body of 2008 Winner - Vicky James
Vicky James - Body of 2008 Winner
My life over the past five years has completely transformed. I used to be very overweight, depressed and self-conscious. I was a size 16-18 at my biggest and lived in baggy boys clothes. I resented not being able to wear the latest fashions and hated getting ready for a night out with my pretty slim friends.
But after shifting some weight due to an operation to remove a cyst I decided to hit the gym and change my eating habits. I lost a large chunk of weight very quickly, then had some training sessions with a personal trainer and took Promax Diet which helped me shift the last few stubborn pounds, and Viper Extreme Bars which keep my energy levels up when I am feeling sluggish.
I now train at the gym three times a week, do dance and yoga classes and eat everything moderately. Last summer I came 2nd in the Miss Essex competition and I now model part time. I love it when people compliment my slim but still curvy body shape and have a new found confidence. It’s good to look healthy and I’m smiling again!
When did you start training?
About 3 years ago. It was the best decision I ever made! I was dead against going to the gym at first, the whole idea made me terrified but my mum persuaded me – if she hadn’t I’d still be a size 16/18 today!
Can you outline a typical weeks training regime?
At the moment I'm running twice a week during my lunch hour and on Friday nights I go to a circuit training class at my gym or do a yoga DVD at home. In the winter I will go back to doing cardio and weights in the gym and a swim and/or gym class as well.
What Maximuscle products do you use?
The Promax Diet Bars are great for chocolate cravings and snacking between meals if I'm getting sick of fruit. Promax shakes in the mornings wake me up and get my metabolism going and about a month ago I started using Thermobol to shift the last stubborn pounds.
What is your biggest food vice?
My biggest vice is Chinese food; I love it and used to eat it every single weekend. I cut down a lot but I do really miss it and if someone has it at home I can’t help but have a very small plateful once in a while to tickle my tastebuds. My other vice is chocolate but I can supplement that with a Promax Diet Bar.
What does it mean to you to win Maximuscle’s Body of 2008 competition?
When I came 2nd in Miss Essex 2007 that was an amazing moment but to actually win this competition and be recognised by Maximuscle - the people who lead the fitness industry - for all the hard work and the massive transformation I've managed to achieve would beat that feeling right off the chart!! I could finally show the people at school who would make nasty comments about my weight and criticise what I ate, that I am no longer that person! I’m going to use the money I’ve won to pay for me to do a fitness diploma as I'm now really interested in fitness and nutrition.
What advice would you give someone trying to achieve a cover model body?
I would say make sure you get some professional advice and let them give you some guidance on the areas you want to really work on. Don’t keep weighing yourself as your weight doesn’t count for how good you look! Remember that muscle weighs more than fat so don’t panic if the scales slide up slightly. Also, watch what you eat but don’t deny yourself everything, there's no point in having a cover model body if you can’t go show off that figure and enjoy a glass of wine with friends.
