A Happy Medium

TREENA HILL PROVES THAT THE EMOTIONAL ASPECT OF A TRANSFORMATION IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE NUMBERS THAT DROP OFF THE SCALE.

Self-proclaimed army brat Treena Leigh Hill learned how to be tough during her upbringing in British Columbia, but she was soft in one major area: her discipline. That’s how she reached 210 pounds just before her brother-in-law’s wedding – the event she used as a deadline for her weight-loss goals.

UPS AND DOWNS:

Having always been affected by a sensitive emotional state, Treena sometimes found herself in the grips of depression, an obstacle that was further exacerbated by setbacks in her results. But she had a secret weapon that she relied on to get her through even the toughest of days – a secret weapon with the initials B.F.F. “Working out with my friend Jen helped give me the boost I needed,” she recalls. It was these cemented appointments that dragged the reluctant Treena to the gym even when she was at her lowest. “If our appointments were written on the board in the gym, then I made sure I showed up no matter how low I felt.”

Negative self-talk played a large part in the dips and valleys of Treena’s moods, and the fact that she went the long, safe weight-loss route meant that she wasn’t seeing the jaw-dropping before and after results that infomercials everywhere tout. Taking pictures every couple of weeks instead of scrutinizing her body daily helped her appreciate the transformation she was going through. “Seeing is believing,” she enthuses. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

When she decided to sign up for a UFE competition to help stoke those weight loss fires, even more, she jumped headfirst into the challenge – even though the waters were strange and uncharted.

“In the beginning, I was a mess,” she remembers. “I was constantly worried and played the ‘what if’ game. What if I can’t stop snacking? What if I can’t get lean enough? What if I just can’t do it?” But she did all that and more, taking the stage with a completely new physique that reflected the dedication she had applied during her months of prep.

The challenging workouts were just what Treena needed to tighten up her frame and keep her spirits high. The nutritional side of things, however, didn’t go as smoothly. “As a picky eater who’s allergic to eggs, finding the right food that was palatable for me to eat for long periods of time was hard.” But find them she did, including Chicken, Chickpeas, and Spinach (see recipe at right), which became a regular part of her meal rotation. 

LOOKING INSIDE:

Treena believes that while a strong web of support is a critical factor in sticking to your goals (her gym bestie Jen, for one), ultimately there is only one person who can see you to the finish line. “Yes, I had fantastic support along this journey, but in the end, it was me who lifted the weights and it was me who said no to the sweets and junk,” she says proudly. The only person who was able to reveal the true Treena – to herself and to the world – was Treena. 

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

How Treena fuels up in a typical 24 hours

BREAKFAST:

Oatmeal prepared with vanilla protein powder; raw almonds and prunes.

MORNING SNACK:

Celery and hummus or a protein shake.

LUNCH:

Chicken spinach salad with almonds and sunflower seeds.

AFTERNOON SNACK:

Granny smith apple and a handful of raw almonds.

DINNER:

Meatloaf with whole grain rice and cooked veggies.

NIGHTTIME SNACK:

A peanut butter protein shake or dried organic mango slices. .

 PHOTOS BY CHRIS V. LINTON Follow (@CHRISVLINTON)