We absolutely LOVE hearing about your key moments, so when we heard one of our success story friends, Angela Watkins, was ramping up to take progress photos we asked her to share her experience.

Check out her photos, be sure to leave her a nice note, and let us know when something incredible is happening in your journey toward greater health.

Why did you schedule the photo shoot? What were your key motivations?
I wanted to celebrate my one year anniversary of living healthier by scheduling a photo shoot to show how far I have come. Eating a clean diet and training hard in the gym has really changed my life. I developed a whole new outlook on health and fitness. I’ve made a complete lifestyle change and I’m never looking back.

You were RIPPED in the push up photo! What was your preparation like?
I typically do strength training 5-6 times a week along with 2 days of cardio. My focus had been building muscle definition and now I needed to concentrate on looking as lean as possible for my shoot. I started doing HIIT cardio 4-5 times a week along with my regular strength training routine 2 weeks out. I usually eat between 1800-2100 calories on a regular day and now was eating 1600 daily. I increased my protein and water intake. I was drinking 2 gallons of water a day and started decreasing it a few days before the shoot. I eat 5-6 meals a day. A typical day includes:

Meal 1
½ c. oats
5 egg whites

Meal 2
Protein Shake – post workout
15 almonds
Scivation Xtend – intra workout

Meal 3
4 oz. chicken breast
½ c. brown or multi grain rice
2 c. spinach

Meal 4
2 Rice Cakes
1 tbsp. natural peanut butter

Meal 5
4 oz. chicken breast
10 asparagus spears
3 oz. sweet potato

Meal 6
4 oz turkey meatballs
½ c. broccoli
Casein – before bedtime

I scheduled hair and makeup for the shoot as well.

So what was the photo shoot experience like?
My photographer, Megan White, is a friend of mine and she made the whole experience much more enjoyable and comfortable for me. I was nervous and excited at the same time. I was a little intimidated at first to pose in front of others who were working out in the gym. The shoot lasted 3 hours.

And were you happy with the outcome?
I was very happy with the outcome. I still have a lot of areas to improve on in my physique. This whole experience has motivated me to push harder and never stop giving up my goals.

What advice do you have for people who are thinking about taking their first progress photos?
Be confident, have fun, and be proud of how far you have come on this journey.