I obtained a six-pack in my 50s

PAULA Tennant, 54, is a make-up artist and lives in Leicestershire together with her companion.

She tells Fabulous Journal how a tragedy impressed her to alter her life.

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“Strolling on stage sporting a tiny bikini and excessive heels, I may hear cheers from the viewers as everybody’s eyes turned in the direction of me.

I posed confidently, displaying off my toned physique, which was lined in spray tan, glistening beneath the brilliant lights.

Two years in the past, I’d have laughed if somebody had instructed me that I’d be collaborating in a health contest – however a tragedy impressed me to alter my life.

I hit all-time low in August 2018 when my mum Gwen, 75, died all of a sudden after struggling a mind aneurysm.

She was my greatest pal and the ache was insufferable.

I turned to ingesting bottles of wine every day and smoking cigarettes to numb the ache.

I shut myself away and at one level, I didn’t understand how I may go on.

My low temper was compounded when, 10 days later, my son Christian, now 22, left residence to go to school in Scotland.

It felt as if my objective as a mom had just about disappeared, regardless of being busy with my work as a make-up artist.

4 days later, it was Mum’s funeral.

My companion advised I converse to my GP about antidepressants, however I wished to alter myself, in order that December, aged 52, I made a decision to lastly get match.

As a naturally slim particular person, round a dimension 12-14 all my grownup life, I didn’t hate what I noticed within the mirror.

However I smoked, drank, ate what I favored and by no means actually exercised. 

I hoped that altering my life-style would assist me transfer ahead emotionally. 

I searched the web for inspiration and found a physique health event that had a class for over-45s.

The UFE Open Bikini Masters 45 concerned opponents showcasing very athletic our bodies with low ranges of physique fats, and so they’d be judged on every thing from muscle groups to how they offered their physique.

Nonetheless, the competitors was simply 9 months away. 

Strolling on stage in my glam make-up and glittering bikini, I felt nervous, however I knew my companion and sister had been cheering within the crowd.

Paula Tennant

I felt terrified, however sure that this was one thing I needed to do for me to be targeted.

Family and friends had been shocked however supportive once I instructed them. 

In January 2019, I stop ingesting and smoking and signed up with a web-based health coach, who gave me exercises to do in my native gymnasium.

I felt previous and self-conscious once I began going – I didn’t know what numerous the gear was.

However I used to be quickly doing 4 hour-long classes every week, two specializing in my higher physique and two on my decrease physique.

I labored out at residence between gymnasium classes and took posing classes with a coach to hone my presentation for the competitors.

I additionally overhauled my food plan. Earlier than, I’d eat jam on toast for breakfast, a sandwich and crisps for lunch, and pasta for dinner.

However my coach swapped my regular meals for protein yoghurt with oat muffins and blueberries, tuna with brown rice and salad, and hen, greens and candy potato.

By April, I may see extra definition in my legs and arms, and because the months handed, I realised I had a correct six-pack. I felt so proud.

In September 2019, it was time to compete in London.

I may see extra definition in my legs and arms, and because the months handed, I realised I had a correct six-pack. I felt so proud.

Paula Tennant

Strolling on stage in my glam make-up and glittering bikini, I felt nervous, however I knew my companion and sister had been cheering within the crowd.

When my title was introduced because the bronze medallist, I used to be shocked however so glad about how far I’d come.

I considered Mum and knew she’d be proud I’d managed to claw my approach out of the black gap I’d plunged into after her demise.  

After the competitors, I arrange an Instagram account to encourage myself and present others that age isn’t a barrier to getting match.

Quickly I had greater than 1,000 followers.

Final September, I took half in my second competitors and was shocked to win silver.

Subsequent, I’m going for gold.

Family and friends are so pleased with me – particularly Christian, who trains with me when he’s residence from college.

Getting match saved me from the darkest time I’ve ever skilled – and now I’m in the perfect form of my life in each single approach.” 

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