Hallie Cook was an athlete for most of her life, but once she got to college poor eating habits led her to gain 50 pounds in four months. In less than a year of training with Body By O, Hallie lost an amazing 62 pounds!
BEFORE
Age 22
Weight 172 pounds
AFTER
Age 23
Weight 110 pounds
Were you active growing up?
Growing up, I always played sports, and I have always wanted to have a lean muscular body. When I reached puberty, I became unhappy with my body and developed an eating disorder. I battled with this for about 3 years, reaching 79 pounds when I was 17 years old.
How did you get started in the gym?
I decided to hire a trainer at my gym who helped me overcome my eating disorder. She was a successful figure competitor, and I decided I wanted to train for a show also. When I was 18, I began preparing for my first competition. I was the only teen competitor, but I placed 2nd in the novice division. My second competition was Teen and Collegiate Nationals, where I placed 2nd in both the teen and collegiate divisions. I am a very shy person, so getting on stage in a bikini was something I would have never thought I would do! But, I had so much fun, and it really helped build my confidence. I knew I wanted to continue competing for many years. Over the next three years, I continued to compete in smaller shows and placed well in most of them.
However, in the fall of 2011, school became very stressful, and I developed terrible eating habits. I started frequently skipping workouts, and it wasn’t long before I completely lost control of my life. Within four months, I had gained nearly 50 pounds and was extremely depressed. I did not want to go anywhere because I was ashamed of what I had done. I knew I was at a point where I could not lose the weight on my own, and I needed to get help fast before it got any worse.
What brought you to Kim Oddo and Body By O?
I had gone to support some friends competing at the 2011 Greater Gulf States show. Many of Kim’s athletes were competing there, and I was amazed at how great every one of them looked. I was determined to not only lose all the weight that I gained, but also to become the best figure competitor that I could be. I felt confident that Kim would be able to help me do that!
How did you lose the weight?
I kept a positive attitude and constantly thought about how much better I was going to look and feel when I completed the program. I am a very hard-working and driven person, so I knew that I was capable of getting my life back under control. I was very strict with my diet and training and did everything Kim told me to do. At the beginning of the program, there were many days when I felt very tired and hungry, but I knew it would all be worth it in the end. Kim was very encouraging throughout the whole process, and I couldn’t have done it without his guidance and support!
What suggestions do you have for others looking to make a body transformation?
I would suggest hiring a reputable trainer/nutritionist who will be honest with you. Sometimes it is difficult for family and friends to give their honest opinion. When you are very overweight, it is very difficult to transform your body on your own. If you decide to hire a trainer, it is important to only follow what that trainer says and not get input from others. The plan designed for you will most likely produce the desired results if you follow it. I think it is also very important for your diet to include the healthy foods that you enjoy eating so that you don’t get burnt out. Surround yourself with supportive people, and don’t let anyone discourage you or tell you that you aren’t capable of attaining your goals. Most importantly, believe in yourself, stay focused, and know that you can do anything you set your mind to. The end result will be worth every bit of the hard work you put into it!
Hallie’s Fun Facts
Current Training Schedule: I weight train 4-5 days a week. My cardio varies, but I am currently doing 30 minutes/5-6 days a week.
Favorite Healthy Food: Oatmeal!
Favorite Cheat Meal: Granola and frozen yogurt
