Success Story - Tonya Robbins

Written by Adam Stark Monday, 20 December 2010 16:47

It's never too late to get in shape - Tonya Robbins has proven just that!  At 45 years young, she went from unhappy and overweight to optimistic and fit in no time.  All it took was a little goal setting, motivation and determination.  Tonya's success story is proof you can have anything you want, you just have to go out and get it! 

Tonya's story:

"Hello, my name is Tonya Robbins and I'm from Winston-Salem, NC.  I just did my 1st figure competition at the age of 45.  Yes, 45 and placed 4th!  I had never even lifted a weight or worked out untill my 40's, so for all of you women out there who think you're too old to workout or it's to late to work out, you're wrong.  It's never too late and I am living proof."

"I have always looked at fitness magazines and wished I could look like the girls in them.  All of a sudden, in my 40's I just had a "light bulb" moment.  I was tired of feeling fat. my self esteem was extremely low, and I was too embarrassed to even go in to the grocery store anymore.  Finally I said "no more!"   First thing I did was cut out all of the soft drinks I had been drinking and stopped hitting up the fast food restaurants.  Just doing that alone made the weight start falling off.  Then I decided to join the Y.  I remember the 1st day I waked in, I would just get on the same treadmill and walk, and walk and watch what other people were doing.  I kept looking at the free weight area; I wanted to go over there so bad but didn't have a clue what to do.   So after a few weeks of treadmill walking I decided to take a class.  The instructor had the nicest arms and I thought "ok, I want arms like that and I'm going to talk to her."  I started training with her the next week!  Eventually I learned what to do and started training myself.  I read everything I could get my hands on that was fitness and nutrition related.  Ater a while I started seeing muscle definition and I knew I was hooked!  I couldn't wait to get to the gym everyday!!!  For a couple years I kept saying I want to compete but never did.  I was always too scared.  I would pick a show then quit about half way through."

"This last time was different.; I had an amazing support system of other people who compete who kept pushing me.  They believed in me.   I stuck to my diet to the letter and every Sunday I would prepare all of my meals for the week.  Prepping things ahead turned out to be extremely important.  Next thing I know it was 3 then 2 then 1 week before the show and I was actually doing it!  My goal from the get-go was just to do it and take a photo so I could remember it - that's all I wanted.  So to win a medal on top of a picture was so rewarding.  Now I am hooked and planning for my next competition.

So yes, ladies it can happen at any age!  And let me tell you the feeling is wonderful!"
Tonya Robbins
Winston Salem, NC

Before weight : 148  Contest weight:  114lbs

Tonya dishes out her Holiday secrets and proves she's a regular girl just like you and me!

FRxW:  What do you do to stay on track through the holidays?
Tonya:  Ya know, I'm not so perfect through the holidays lol.  If I eat something bad I just get back on track the next day!

FRxW:  Do you have any cool tricks of the trade? 
Tonya:  OMGoodness I have so many yummy things I make with protein powder! I make crispy waffles then cut them up into small pieces and eat them on the way to work!

FRxW:  What's your favorite Holiday treat to enjoy with your family?
Tonya:  Ice cream with hard chocolate on top!

FRxW:  What's one thing you can tell other women who are trying to lose weight but are getting frustrated. 
Tonya:  Never ever give up!  If I can make the changes I've made in my 40's anything is possible.  The key for me is PLANNING.  I cook every Sunday and put my meals in small containers.  I never have to guess what my next meal is gonna be!