My name is Jessica Pages, and I am an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer, R.I.P.P.E.D Instructor, 1st Step Pro Wellness Ambassador, Sweat Pink Ambassador and aspiring NPC bikini competitor.
I was born and raised in North Carolina, and am married with three children ages 22, 17, and, 4.
I have not always been into fitness. I have always been overweight by about 10-15 pounds, but that never bothered me.
In 2009 I became pregnant for the third time. During my first two pregnancies my weight gain was minimal, so I thought I really didn't have to worry about gaining weight the third time.
WRONG! I ate ice cream, fast food, anything I could get my hands on, which usually consisted of sweets and fried foods. I was eating for two after all. I also didn’t work out during my pregnancy.
I found myself unhappy with my physical and mental shape after the birth of my third and last child. I wasn’t completely happy with myself before the pregnancy, but afterwards my dissatisfaction intensified.
I gained over 50 pounds. At the hospital right before giving birth, I weighed an all-time high of 198 pounds. After I gave birth, I just couldn’t shake the extra weight.
I needed a change, and I wanted a lean, toned body. I bought an OXYGEN magazine hoping to spark my interest in losing some weight.
I decided to hit the gym. My goal was to lose 30 pounds and gain some muscle. I wanted to look like the women on the cover of Oxygen. It wasn’t long before I started seeing major changes in not only my appearance but in how I felt. I found that I had the drive, dedication, and, commitment to change my body.
I now train five to six days a week with a combination of weight training and cardio. I eat a clean diet and have one to two cheat meals a week. I have lost 20 pounds and am working on losing the last 10.
One of my goals for my bucket list is to step on stage and compete in an NPC bodybuilding show in the bikini division. I believe that this goal is a good way to stay consistent with my training and dieting. I will be stepping on that NPC stage in 2014.
I love my new lifestyle, and I believe I found my calling in life. I am helping and inspiring women to live a healthy and fit lifestyle. I love helping other women find the joy in working out. This has been the most fulfilling career endeavor I have ever experienced.