Mom praises benefits of bodybuilding
Alvina Brangman went from fit to flabby in what seemed like a matter of minutes.
For years she was in the gym six days a week, and a regular on the bodybuilding circuit.
In 2009 she quit competing to start a family — and the pounds started piling on.
“After my second child I exercised a bit, but then I got complacent,” she said. “Every weekend I was eating pizza, KFC and any type of fast food; I used to eat an entire package of cookies within ten minutes.
“I was still working out and doing weights at the gym, but I lacked the cardio portion and my eating was out of control. I was eating the wrong foods and eating late at night.”
Before she knew it, she weighed 174lb. When she was in tip-top shape, the scales hit 135lb.
The 42-year-old said the way her clothes fit gave her the first clue that all wasn’t right.
She then noticed the love handles, and that her hips and butt were bigger.
“I’m not saying you have to be the smallest person going, but I’d always been a size five or six, eight at the most,” she said.
Once she hit size ten she decided it was time to get to work. First she had to figure out a fitness regime that factored in daughters — Anae, 6, and Eleah, 4.
In December she pushed herself further and got back on the bodybuilding stage.
It was a juggling act for Ms Brangman, but she got through thanks to family support.
She had to be up at 4am some mornings and would work out on her lunch hours as well.
“Most times people take 12 weeks to work on their diet, but for me I had put on a lot of weight and needed to start preparing five months ahead of time,” she said.
“In total, I’ve lost 44lb this year. The second week in March I weighed 174lb and by August 14, when I weighed myself, I was at 130lb.”
She placed fourth in the 28th Annual Night of Champions on August 15. She wasn’t entirely happy with the result, but is determined to improve her standing next year.
As part of that she’s offering boot classes for other women hoping to get in shape.
“I know a lot of people, especially women, struggle with their weight and there are some people out there who are basically too scared to ask for help,” she said. “They need someone to push them, to help them to lose the weight.”
It’s been rewarding for her to see clients achieve success.
“I had one lady, a friend of mine, who started coming to my classes back in June and she sent out a group chat picture a few weeks ago saying she fit into a special dress,” Ms Brangman said.
“It was something she’d wanted to wear for a long time, so hearing things like that makes me feel like it’s all worth it. I can only push them as far as I can, the rest is up to them.”
Al’s Boot Camp classes are run on the second level of Bull’s Head on Tuesdays at 7.30pm; Wednesdays at 6.15pm and Thursdays at 7.30pm. Contact her on 704-0230.
Alvina’s tips for moms looking to get back into shape:
1. Stop with the excuses. Many women make up excuses for why they cannot exercise, but there are so many options out there. “Going for a walk with the baby in the stroller is good exercise. Or do an exercise class during your lunch hour. I know sometimes that can be a hectic time for women in the middle of the work day, but I suggest going to the gym or even go for a brisk walk, run or perhaps do a class for 45 minutes.”
2. Make yourself a priority. “Having a child is a beautiful feeling and experience but women have to find a balance with family and taking care of themselves which includes eating right and exercising,” she said. “Women should always make time to exercise even if it’s 30 minutes, three to four times a week. Baby steps are what’s needed to get to a healthier you.”
3. Get in a healthy breakfast. “Having no breakfast is like a car with no gas,” she said. “You need food to function in the morning. It fuels your body and raises your metabolism.”
Alvina’s tips for moms looking to get back into shape:
1. Stop with the excuses. Many women make up excuses for why they cannot exercise, but there are so many options out there. “Going for a walk with the baby in the stroller is good exercise. Or do an exercise class during your lunch hour. I know sometimes that can be a hectic time for women in the middle of the work day, but I suggest going to the gym or even go for a brisk walk, run or perhaps do a class for 45 minutes.”
2. Make yourself a priority. “Having a child is a beautiful feeling and experience but women have to find a balance with family and taking care of themselves which includes eating right and exercising,” she said. “Women should always make time to exercise even if it’s 30 minutes, three to four times a week. Baby steps are what’s needed to get to a healthier you.”
3. Get in a healthy breakfast. “Having no breakfast is like a car with no gas,” she said. “You need food to function in the morning. It fuels your body and raises your metabolism.”
