More Winning Transformation Words

The 911 Ultimate Transformation Challenge Contenders Transform Inside and Out, Inspiring Others to Follow in Their Footsteps

From The 911 UTC Team

Judging the 911 Ultimate Transformation Challenge is one of the most challenging and rewarding projects we do every year. It's so inspiring to see the changes the competitors make not only on the outside but on the inside as well. Because often, those inner changes are even more life-changing than the physical changes.

So if you're looking for some inspiration to make your own transformation or even just need a boost of motivation for your next workout, we encourage you to read through some of the "Questions of Strength" a few of our top contenders in the 2009 911 UTC answered as they competed in the 911 Ultimate Transformation Challenge.

Detective Kimberly Bowser, Denver Police Department

What inspired you to enter the 911 Ultimate Transformation Challenge?

I have been unhappy with myself for a very long time. Prior to having children, I used to be fit, athletic, happy, healthy, and goal-oriented. Since the birth of my kids, I have completely let that part of myself go, and I wanted it back. I was depressed and pretty much resolved myself to being fat because I was a mom now.

I have always known the only way I could make the TOTAL transformation I needed was to change my physical body, so I would start feeling better on the inside. I knew once I began feeling better about myself, other things would fall into place, and I would be a happier person, better wife, better mother, and a happier employee.

For me, I committed to making the LIFE change, not just a 12-week workout program. The Challenge was a way for me to make the "official" commitment to doing so. I really admired the people who had signed up in the past, and it was inspiring to see the transformations that were made on the posters.

I knew I would be held accountable by the fact that I was now doing this in the eye of the police department, my friends and family, and I was not going to let myself (or anyone else) down. I made sure to tell everyone I knew I had signed up for the 911 Ultimate Transformation Challenge, so I would be under continued pressure and be held accountable.

Now that the 911 UTC is over, and I look back at what I've done, I feel an incredible sense of pride and accomplishment. I am back to being a positive person, and I truly believe I can do anything I set my mind to, and I am remembering all the things I always said I wanted to do in life. I can actually see those things as possibilities now.

What obstacles, if any, did you have to overcome to achieve your new, improved physique and complete the Challenge?

First there was the scheduling aspect of getting fit. I work typical day-shift hours of 8 am to 4 pm. My husband works 9 am to 7 pm. We do not share the same days off. Whenever my husband isn't home, I have the kids. My husband gets up religiously each morning at 5:30 and goes to the gym, so the only time left for me to go was AFTER my two and three year old went to bed and after my husband was home. I always wake up around 5:30 am to get myself ready for work and the kids ready for school, so by 8 or 8:30 pm, I was exhausted and ready to start completing my day and going to bed.

Once I committed to the challenge, for the first month, I literally FORCED myself to go, even when I was completely drained. During the first month, I never missed a workout. There were times that my husband had some overtime, and I literally left the house at 9:30 at night to get my workout in. Just getting there was so important because once I got back, I always felt better physically and emotionally.

After about four weeks, all of a sudden, I saw some major changes in my body, and it was like my body had woken up again. The fat was falling off, and my clothes were fitting looser and looser. But it wasn't just that I was losing weight—I was seeing my body take on an entirely new shape, where I could actually see my muscles coming back from their four-year vacation.

Even though I was already determined and committed to making the change, once I ACTUALLY started to SEE the changes, I had an entirely new level of determination.

During the 12-Week Challenge, I NEVER cheated on my diet and only missed less than a handful of workouts due to scheduling conflicts.

The other obstacle, as my family and friends know, was my sweet tooth. I couldn't pass up a piece of chocolate or candy when I would walk past a bowl on someone's desk. If it was sugary, I wanted to eat it. I also loved the starchy carbs, and after the kids started eating solid food, I began finishing their meals (pizza, macaroni and cheese, and all that stuff). I wouldn't really make myself anything because I didn't really care about my own nutrition. I had already resolved myself to thinking that this was what life was going to be. There must have been days that went by that I got no good sources of protein, whatsoever.

Thank goodness for the Curvelle! It helped me curb my sugar and carbohydrate cravings significantly. For example, right now as I type this, I have sitting in my desk drawer five boxes of unopened girl-scout cookies I ordered from a friend during the challenge. I have almost forgotten that they're there. In the past, they would be long gone by now.

How has your job performance been positively affected as a result of your accomplishments and the transformations you've made in your physical appearance?

I have much more energy throughout the day. I am a much happier person, so therefore, I find I'm more patient with people when they need some extra help.

2010 911 Ultimate Transformation Challenge Starts 1/1/10

Feeling inspired and ready to start your transformation? Are you a Colorado civil servant? Now's the time to build your Best Body and LIFE! Please visit www.911utc.com or call 1.866.688.7679 to learn more about the 911 Ultimate Transformation Challenge! We'll be seeing you in the gym.

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