Tina Bustamante

I was doing my cardio workout at the gym the other day and another member came up to me and gave me a great compliment. She said "WOW", you look like a completely new person!" It was really gratifying and it made me realize how much work that I have accomplished in the past 9 weeks. I've lost 16 pounds and a total of 11 inches and I truly feel like a new person. The past year was a tough and stressful year for me in my personal life. I gained nearly 20 pounds from my normal 115 pounds. Needless to say, my clothes no longer fit, so rather than invest in a new wardrobe, I invested in myself.

I signed up for personal training at Uman Sports. From the very first day after meeting with owner Ernie Bryan, he provided me the path for me to take to start my transformation. He put me on an exercise program of 3 hours of weight training a week and an hour of cardio training 6 times a week. I never thought I would be able to devote that much time to exercise but the more I did it, the more I wanted to do it. It never feels like a chore. My workouts have become a therapy of relaxation and a cleansing of my mind. Each week I feel fitter and stronger. Ernie has sculpted my body with a variety of workouts and has provided me with amazing results. My friends want to know what I've been doing because I look better than ever. That's one of my greatest compliments that I can ever get.

Along with the exercise routine, I have changed my eating habits for the long run. I really try to eat lots of fruits and vegetables everyday. I always leave a bag of carrots in my car to nibble on when I get hungry. I start every morning with oatmeal and fresh fruit and one cup of coffee (I used to skip breakfast and have 4 cups of coffee). Lunch is chicken and vegetables (or a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread from a deli, if I'm on the run). I always need a late afternoon mini-meal, so I like to eat sliced fresh pineapple or honeydew, or a protein bar if I can't get some fruit.

Dinner is fish, chicken or steak with lots of fresh vegetables and a salad. I've really tried to eliminate white bread, white rice, pasta and all fried foods. Of course there are many occasions that I indulge on those foods or even an occasional piece of chocolate, but I know that the next day is always new day and I get right back on track. If I go off and eat poorly, I try to do a vigorous workout. It becomes a way of life and I just feel so fit and strong both mentally and physically, it keeps me wanting to stay that way.
-Tina Bustamante