| Thanks to Theresa for sending us these pictures. |
| "My name is Theresa Fritz and I live in Portland Oregon. I have three beautiful
girls - Brittany, 18, Brooke, 13, and Mckenzie who has just turned 6. I am originally
from Southern California. I work at Golds Gym as a personal trainer and group fitness
instructor. I have enjoyed working in the fitness industry for over 10 years. I have
been bodybuilding for nearly two years now. I currently hold two titles -- 2002 Northwest
Bodybuilding Overall Champion and 2002 Bill Pearl Classic Overall Champion. I am
currently training to compete in September 2003. |
| "I love lifting weights. I love the way it makes me feel. I was always made fun of
because I was so thin. I was labeled as the cardio queen because I never lifted weights
and just taught aerobic classes. I guess I was fit, but everyone always said I was
so skinny. I didnt like being called skinny! |
| "I met some girls at the gym who were into lifting and I started lifting with
them...just kind of messing around at first, not really sure of what I was doing. Then
I met a guy who was into bodybuilding. He took me under his wing, we hit it off and he
began training me. It was hard training with a guy, but I liked it. I began to notice I
was making huge gains where other girls in the gym were not. I noticed my whole body was
changing before my eyes! I continued to teach my classes and train 5 days a week. The
bigger I got, the more people noticed and the more I was motivated to keep going. I went
from 110lbs to 138lbs in 2 years! I competed at 118lbs and 6% body fat. |
| "Now when I go out no one calls me skinny. I don't feel skinny...I feel fit and
strong. I like staying feminine though. I hope to gain a little more muscle this year
and then manintain. I don't think very many people understand the sport of bodybuilding,
especially women's bodybuilding. I get stared at a lot. I know I am not the norm, but I
don't think I look like a freak show either! Only another bodybuilder would know what
we go through to look this way. It affects your whole life. Time with family, eating
out, going out with friends, drinking, you name it. It's a very disciplined sport. |
| "My goal is to do the Emerald Cup next year. After that, I don't know what I will
do. One thing I do know is that I will always lift weights. You will find me at the gym
over anything else except maybe for the occasional night out dancing to show off all my
hard work! |
| "Get big!" |
| Theresa |
