Woman, 54, reveals trigger behind transformation

A 54-year-old woman has revealed how getting fit “saved” her from the “darkest time” she’s ever experienced.

Paula Tennant, 54, is a make-up artist who lives in Leicestershire, in the UK, with her partner.

She has opened up about how a tragedy inspired her to change her life, The Sun reports.

“Walking on stage wearing a tiny bikini and high heels, I could hear cheers from the audience as everyone’s eyes turned towards me. I posed confidently, showing off my toned body, which was covered in spray tan, glistening under the bright lights.

Two years ago, I would have laughed if someone had told me that I would be taking part in a fitness contest – but a tragedy inspired me to change my life.

I hit rock bottom in August 2018 when my mum Gwen, 75, died suddenly after suffering a brain aneurysm.

She was my best friend and the pain was unbearable.

Paula Tennant is a make-up artist and lives in Leicestershire with her partner. Picture: Instagram/paulatennant_fitover50

I turned to drinking bottles of wine each day and smoking cigarettes to numb the pain.

I shut myself away and at one point, I didn’t know how I could go on.

My low mood was compounded when, 10 days later, my son Christian, now 22, left home to go to university in Scotland.

It felt as though my purpose as a mother had pretty much disappeared, despite being busy with my work as a make-up artist.

Four days later, it was Mum’s funeral.

My partner suggested I speak to my GP about antidepressants, but I wanted to change myself, so that December, aged 52, I decided to finally get fit.

As a naturally slim person, around a size 12-14 all my adult life, I didn’t hate what I saw in the mirror.

Paula said two years ago she would have laughed if someone had told her she’d take part in a fitness contest, but a tragedy inspired her to change her life. Picture: Instagram/Matt Marsh Photography

But I smoked, drank, ate what I liked and never really exercised.

I hoped that changing my lifestyle would help me move forward emotionally.

I searched the internet for inspiration and discovered a body fitness tournament that had a category for over-45s.

The UFE Open Bikini Masters 45 involved competitors showcasing very athletic bodies with low levels of body fat, and they’d be judged on everything from muscles to how they presented their physique.

However, the competition was just nine months away.

Paula said she never hated what she saw in the mirror, but had ‘smoked, drank, ate what I liked and never really exercised’. Picture: Instagram/paulatennant_fitover50

Paula said she hit rock bottom in 2018 when her mother died suddenly after suffering a brain aneurysm and hoped changing her lifestyle would help her move forward emotionally. Picture: Instagram/paulatennant_fitover50

I felt terrified, but certain that this was something I had to do for me to be focused.

Friends and family were stunned but supportive when I told them.

In January 2019, I quit drinking and smoking and signed up with an online fitness coach, who gave me workouts to do in my local gym.

I felt old and self-conscious when I started going – I didn’t know what a lot of the equipment was.

But I was soon doing four hour-long sessions a week, two focusing on my upper body and two on my lower body.

I worked out at home between gym sessions and took posing lessons with a trainer to hone my presentation for the competition.

Paula with proud son Christian, 22. Picture: Instagram/paulatennant_fitover50

I also overhauled my diet. Before, I would eat jam on toast for breakfast, a sandwich and crisps for lunch, and pasta for dinner.

But my coach swapped my usual meals for protein yoghurt with oat cakes and blueberries, tuna with brown rice and salad, and chicken, vegetables and sweet potato.

By April, I could see more definition in my arms and legs, and as the months passed, I realised I had a proper six-pack. I felt so proud.

In September 2019, it was time to compete in London.

She said getting fit ‘saved’ her from the ‘darkest time’ she’s ever experienced, adding she’s now in the best shape of her life ‘in every single way’. Picture: Instagram/paulatennant_fitover50

Walking on stage in my glam make-up and glittering bikini, I felt nervous, but I knew my partner and sister were cheering in the crowd.

When my name was announced as the bronze medallist, I was shocked but so happy about how far I’d come.

I thought of Mum and knew she’d be proud I’d managed to claw my way out of the black hole I’d plunged into after her death.

After the competition, I set up an Instagram account to motivate myself and show others that age isn’t a barrier to getting fit.

Soon I had more than 1,000 followers.

Last September, I took part in my second competition and was stunned to win silver.

Next, I’m going for gold.

Friends and family are so proud of me – especially Christian, who trains with me when he’s home from university.

Getting fit saved me from the darkest time I’ve ever experienced – and now I’m in the best shape of my life in every single way.”

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission