When people tackle the challenge of major weight loss they improve their health and look and feel better. However, after losing 100 lbs or more, sagging skin can be a new challenge they face. When professional photographer and mom, Jana Roller lost 135 lbs, she wasn’t phased by her sagging skin. Instead, she entered a bodybuilding competition and stepped onto the stage, sagging skin and all.
Dad Was A Body Builder
Jana knows bodybuilders. Her dad was a competitor and as a photographer shooting athletes comes with the territory. However, her struggle with weight gain found her at 307 lbs by the time she was 29.
As a mom unable to keep up with her son, she decided it was time to make a change. She started her journey to lose almost half of her body weight. Jana dropped 135 lbs, reaching 172 lbs. with an endless regime of exercise, strength training, and diet.
Lack Of Motivation To Become A Body Builder
Jana, who lives in British Columbia, Canada, lacked the motivation to lose weight for years. She struggled with depression and anxiety and just couldn’t get herself focused on leading a healthier life.
“When you’re depressed, you tell yourself, ‘No I can’t’ and ‘You’re not good enough’,” she says. “It got to the point where I knew that I needed to go after something that I wanted to do for a very long time in order for me to actually do this, because I told myself that I wasn’t worth it and that I couldn’t do it for so many years.”
The Inspiration For A Body Builder
However, when her son almost ran into traffic because she couldn’t keep up with him, she realized it was time to change. “My ‘aha’ moment was when I was at the park with my son,” she says. “He ran away from me and almost got hit by a car because I couldn’t catch him. I thought, ‘This needs to change right now.’ “
Becoming A Body Builder
With the help of a coach she began a rigorous strength training program and a diet of five healthy meals a day. After dropping 135 lbs, she decided it was her turn to compete in a bodybuilding competition.
Jana’s journey wasn’t easy. She was at the gym at 5 am every day where she did cardio and then went back in the evening for strength training. “It’s been very, very busy for a very long time,” says Roller. “I felt like I lived at the gym!”
“I started strength training six days a week and doing cardio and tracking my macros,” she says. “I had less and less cheat meals, my time in the gym increased, and when we got to September, I officially went into contest prep.”
When she finally made her debut at the 2017 British Columbia Amateur Bodybuilding Association Kelowna Classic, she didn’t hesitate to show off her new body. Her astounding accomplishment made it easy for her to step proudly onto the stage.
Competing As A Body Builder
“I was excited [to compete] because I had seen my body change, and I was seeing muscle definition. I had worked two years to get to this point, and I’m incredibly proud of myself,” says Jana.
Jana is now a certified personal trainer and coach ready to help others meet their weight loss goals. “I realize what bodybuilding has done for me, and I want to be that inspiration and support for people that want to do it for themselves too,” she says.
