Stacey Dearth Came Back After Burning Out

Five months after having her second baby, Stacey Dearth made up her mind to compete and lose the 60+ pounds she had gained.

Vital stats

Before: Weight 105lb (pre baby)

After: Weight: 110lb

What it was like Growing up “skinny fat”

Before kids, I was skinny fat. I was never conscious of what I was putting into my body and at 25 years old I was lethargic, with bad skin and I was generally unhealthy. I grew up as an athlete (even through college), but after college, I believe I was so burnt  out on physical activity that  I just did nothing at all for  the next eight or nine years  after my graduation.

From pregnant to prepping for a show

I watched a friend’s mom compete in a local NPC competition, and thought I wanted to try it. I had my daughter five months prior, so I still had quite a bit of pregnancy weight to lose but was determined to get on that stage.

Taking steps to get on stage for the first time

My fitness journey began when attending that NPC competition. My goals obviously evolved as  I progressed; as I went through show after show and year after year. My focus was never, and has never been on being a specific weight, it was more about developing different parts of my body through my training routine.

Setting a goal

For me, having a goal in front of me really helps me stay determined, but most importantly and a very specific goal with a date I could not change reminded myself everyday that I was going to have to step on stage.

Post competition commitment

I had to stay true to not only my diet, but also my training. Now that I have been living this lifestyle for a few years, I remind myself  of how much better I feel when I take good care of myself even when I’m not competing.

Learning and applying The first change I made was really learning about what I was supposed to be putting into my body. With the help of a coach I had hired, I learned about “clean eating,” and essentially why I needed certain food, and what they did for my body.

Food is fuel

The biggest challenge was being around people who weren’t necessarily eating the way I was. Once I trained my brain to think of food as fuel, not something that made me happy, it was much easier to be around the bad foods.

Balancing food choices

I used to have a very specific meal plan that I did not deviate from. If I do not prepare my food in advance, then I will grab the easiest thing around when hungry. Needless to say, it usually isn’t the healthiest.

Tracking progress

I like to take progress pictures to remind myself of how far I have come. Sometimes we focus on getting from A to Z, which can seem like a long journey.

Support matters

Surround yourself with people who back you and your goals. You will always have people around you who don’t understand why you are doing what you have set out to do – don’t let that discourage you.

Identify your WHY?

There is no right or wrong answer. It shouldn’t be about the reason other people think you should do it, but about why deep down in your soul, you are doing this!

Enjoy the journey

This really sounds so clichéd, but I spent years not enjoying the journey, and ultimately that made me lose focus. Once I truly discovered the reason I was on this journey, I really started enjoying it so much more!

Allow others to be your motivation

I am motivated by the people along my journey who have said I have motivated them. Knowing that, truly keeps me going. You really have no idea the people you are impacting by taking the first step.

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