WTOC-TV: Savannah, Beaufort, SC, News, Weather & Sports Fit Club: Richmond Hill women compete in figure competition

Body building and figure competitions are fast gaining popularity among women.

Lynda Figueredo goes behind the scenes of the Southern Isle's Body Building and Figure Competition that took place at the Savannah Civic Center over the weekend.

Three women were inspired to enter the Southern Isle's Figure competition after seeing figure competitions aren't about muscle mass rather showing off a lean tone physique.

April McAdoo is a mother of two competing for the first time in a figure competition.

"I am so nervous and I am excited," said McAdoo. "It will be my first show. I have the butterflies."

It wasn't an easy journey getting to the fitness level she is at now.

"I love sweets and having two children in the house that love sweets and not being to eat them was hard," said McAdoo. "So that was a struggle. That is the hardest part, committing to the diet."

McAdoo didn't begin this fitness journey alone, Diane Pietron, also a mother of two and Jaime Stubbs pushed themselves both physically and mentally to prepare for this day on the stage

"It was a 16 -17 week journey," said Pietron. "A lot of sweat. Alot of time in the gym. I am happy to do this with great friends."

"It was alot of sacrifice, alot of cardio," said Stubbs. "Making sure my eating was on time. Alot of support from friends helped alot".

Their trainer Heath Stubbs who trains at the Richmond Hill YMCA really was the man behind their success and a true inspiration.

"My trainer is a body builder and we went to a show last year and there was amazing women on stage," said Pietron. "I said, I really want to try this."

"Being a competitor myself, I have done it numerous times and I know how it feels to achieve that goal and see your body change each year," said Stubbs. "I love to help others that would like to try and do it."

"I love the way I look," said McAdoo. "That is the biggest prize in the whole thing."

"It's amazing, your average female is 20 percent to 25 percent body fat and right some my girls are in the single digits to low teens," said Heath. "They've basically changed 20 pounds of weight to muscle. Very rarely do you see a female with full sets of abdominals, but they are there. It's amazing transformation."

"I lost about 20 pounds," said Pietron. "I think accomplished alot. I accomplished what I wanted. I wanted to see my body change, so I saw a big change. I am proud what I have become."

"I feel like I did all I can," said Jaime Stubbs. "I did the best that I can do."

As they ladies stepped into the spotlight on stage, their confidence was beaming and their hard work had payed off.

"It was great," said McAdoo. "Got shaky and a little nervous." Pietron added: "It was nerve wracking." "It's an amazing feeling. You go up there and say I did this for myself," said Jaime Stubbs.

All three women did an amazing job on stage. Pietron and McAdoo took first and second in their division.

For information on Trainer Heath Stubbs contact the Richmond Hill YMCA at 912.756.5856.

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