Taryn Cios story 

HCF: What made you decide that you needed to change your life?

“During my pregnancy with my second son I was gestational diabetes; the doctors told me if I wasn’t careful I had a 50% chance of becoming diabetic within 5 years of having my son. When my son was six months old I was 170 pounds and very unhappy with my body. With the risk of possibly developing diabetes and being physically insecure I decided to join the gym, and I slowly lost about 20 pounds. I felt better and looked better (in clothes anyway). About a year ago I was on bodybuilding.com reading transformation stories and at that time is when I decided I wanted to take myself to the next level; I decided at that point that I wanted to compete in bikini competitions. I knew I needed a lot of work before I could ever step foot on a stage, but I was willing to do it! These transformation stories inspired me and I wanted to be able to inspire others, especially mothers.”

HCF: What steps did you take to improve your life?

“The first step I took was I joined the gym. I made sure that I went at least 4 days per week. I started to eat a little healthier, but looking back now what I thought was healthy that wasn’t all that healthy. It worked though and got me down 20 pounds, but I eventually hit a plateau. When I decided I wanted to compete I started researching a lot on bodybuilding.com. I would follow all of their “clean” recipes, and I learned a lot of different workouts. I knew I needed a coach, but I couldn’t afford one. I had no clue where to start when it came to competing. I was very fortunate to meet a girl in the gym, by the name of Jannan Parms, who eventually became my coach and a very dear friend. I knew she competed by the way she worked out, and how her physic was constructed, and sure enough, when we actually spoke I found out she did. She competes in the figure division, and she was also a personal trainer. I was blessed because she began training me for free since I was her first client that wanted to compete; she kind of used me as a walking advertisement. She made me a customized meal plan, told me what supplements to take, and made a customized workout plan for me. I was so grateful and began seeing immediate results.”

HCF: What motivates you to keep you on this path?

“The biggest thing that motivates me to continue this path is the fact that I inspire others. When I get an email, or a private message, or a comment on a photo or video that I post and women are telling me that I inspire them it pushes me to keep going. I’m human so there are days when I just want to say I don’t care anymore, or I get in a funky mood, but I’m constantly telling people not to get discouraged and not to give up, so I need to follow my own advice. I also take a lot of progress pictures. When I see the progress I have made, it motivates me to keep going forward. I never want to go back to when I was unhappy and insecure.”

HCF: What are you most proud of going through this journey?

“I’m most proud of completing my goal of competing in my first bikini competition while being a mommy and working a full-time job. People always say they don’t have time to work out or do what I do, but those are all excuses. I don’t have time either, but I make time and sacrifices. Just like anything in life, if you really want it you will make it happen. It’s funny because during the last couple weeks of my prep I said I was never going to do another competition, and as soon as I got off stage I asked when my next competition was! I’m now prepping for my second bikini competition coming up May 26th at Venice Beach!”

HCF: What future goals do you have?

“My future goals are to compete in the NPC and eventually get my pro card. I also want to become a personal trainer and help others reach their fitness goals.”

HCF: If you could share any advice or words of encouragement what would they be?

“I always tell everyone I talk to that this lifestyle is all mental. You have to change your way of thinking. For instance, I don’t eat for pleasure much anymore; I eat because in my mind food is fuel for my body to perform. I also encourage people to take a lot of progress pictures. It’s so easy to get discouraged, especially when you’re not seeing the results you want. When you look at yourself every day you’re not going to see much change, but if you put the progress pictures side by side you will see the changes. It will keep you motivated to stay on track. Most people want immediate gratification, but they need to know that your body didn’t get where it’s at overnight so it won’t change overnight! If you just stay consistent and committed to a healthier lifestyle the change will come. Also, we all have bad days, weeks, and even months, but don’t allow that to knock you off your path. I read somewhere that if you quit something because you have one bad day, that’s like having one flat tire and slashing the other three. It’s so true though, don’t be so hard on yourself if you miss the gym one day, or fall off your diet one day; just get back up the next day and start over. Don’t stress the small stuff.”

HCF: Where can people get in touch with you?

Email  

Instagram: @PHIRM_Fitness

Facebook: Taryn Morgan Cios. 

BEFORE/AFTER 

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