Melanie Cowling

My Story:
 
My passion for health and fitness began in primary school, long before I even understood what it meant to be fit! I just loved running, particularly on the beach at Yorkey's Knob, where I grew up, near Cairns.

I would even jog on the spot in my room at night, which was crazy, looking back! I first joined a fitness centre when I was in high school, to do aerobics mostly and a bit of resistance training on the hydraulic equipment.

I loved the feeling I would get after a workout. Since then exercise has always been a part of my daily routine, even throughout my pregnancy, I walked most days. It keeps me sane. I think of it as me time where I can de-stress.

After participating in group fitness for 8 years, in  2006 I decided to become a Fitness/Gym Instructor, so I trained in Body Pump. This was the beginning of my love for weight training and I haven't looked back.

I had always admired figure competitors and wondered if I could get my body to that condition. So in 2011, I signed up with Rosa Maria Romero, to do 6 months of competition preparation online. It turns out to be the best decision I have ever made. I had doubts along the way but Rosa always assured me that things would fall in to place, even when I injured my ankle about 8 weeks out from my first comp. I battled on and just focused on the end result.

Comp History:

May 2012 NPBB Qld Regional Titles Open Figure 1st Place and Overall Figure Winner

 June 2012 ANB Coral Coast Classic Townsville 1st Place Figure Masters and Overall Figure Winner

 June 2012 ANB Asia Pacifics 3rd Place Open Figure Short

NPBB Titles 2011 - 1st Novice Figure
Overall Figure and Best Routine
 
ANB North Qld Titles 2011- 1st Novice Figure, Overall Figure
 
ANB Nationals 2011- 1st Novice Figure

I entered three competitions in three weeks and won the Novice division in all of them. What an experience, I didn't want it to end!! Needless to say I was very happy and could not believe that I actually did it. Even now a few months on, I have to remind myself that I reached my goal.

My Future:
My plans for 2013  are already in progress. I am now a part of Angels and Demons, a local team here in Cairns which will be competing together at various shows. We hope to be very successful as a team. I know what my weaknesses are and I intend on strengthening them.

My favorite exercise would be lunges and plyometric leg training eg, plyo lunges, jump squats. These can be done anywhere, no equipment necessary and great for shaping the legs and burning fat.

I don't have a favorite recipe but my favorite clean food is oats with stevia and cinnamon!! I also love fat free natural yogurt with protein powder mixed in for a yummy dessert treat that is guilt free but tastes like cheesecake!

I love reading all the different stories and journey's that make up the Inspirational Bodies website. It is a great source of motivation.

I would like to thank Rosa Maria Romero for being such a knowledgeable, supportive and kind coach, Newsxpress at Cairns Central and Body Matrix Sports Nutrition for sponsoring my trip to the ANB Nationals 2011.

Also Michael Klaassen for reviving the passion for body building in Cairns.

My partner and my son, who have been a great support to me in everything I do.