Name: Christina Crocco
Email: c.crocco551@yahoo.com
BodySpace: ccroc7
Why I Decided to transform
My fitness journey reflects my life and where it took me. When I was young, I played soccer year round. When high school came, I was a multi-sport athlete.
I entered college in 2007 and decided to continue my soccer career, which took up the majority of my free time. Physical activity was one of the largest parts of my life. In 2008, my life took a turn when I transferred schools and quit soccer. This introduced me to the other side of college that included drinking, parties, binge eating, late nights, and self-destructive behavior.
Change came again in November 2012 for the better. At 5-foot-2, I weighed 160 pounds and saw where my life choices lead me. Without hesitation, I decided to make a change. I had no idea about nutrition. Due to my constant activity in high school, I had no need to understand healthy nutrition.
With age, inactivity, and my Italian carb-loading roots, the importance of nutrition finally surfaced.
Before
After
AGE 24 / HEIGHT 5'2" / BODY FAT 29%
AGE 24 / HEIGHT 5'2" / BODY FAT 10%
Post To Fitboard How I accomplished my goals
It didn't take long to put my words into actions. Learning to maintenance my diet was the first step, so I slowly quit eating fried food and abandoned alcohol. I started at-home workout tapes, which led me to purchase three-pound dumbbells.
When the changes started to show, I hit my stride and found Bodybuilding.com. I stumbled onto Jaime Eason's 12 Week-LiveFit Trainer in February 2013 and my life was changed for good. I linked the workout to my phone, joined a gym, and completed the plan. I awoke something inside me. I saw many great results and my body responded so well to the workouts that I wanted to apply what learned to new endeavors.
I quickly found a coach who created a workout and nutrition plan for me. Next, we discussed what show and class I should compete in. This was exciting and I didn't know what to expect, but I trusted that my coach would lead me. I followed every instruction my coach gave me and we agreed that I was suitable for figure competitions due to my body type. I chose to compete at the Jason Arntz Muscle Beach show.
I was hooked after one show and signed up to compete again two weeks later, which qualified me for nationals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at The North Americans in August 2013. I decided to take fitness a step further and am working to become a certified personal trainer so I can inspire and help others.
Apply Here To Be A Transformation
Of The Week!
Bodybuilding.com honors people across all transformation categories for their hard work and dedication. Learn how our featured transformers overcame obstacles and hit their goals!
Supplements that helped me through the journey
Multivitamin
Labrada EFA Lean Gold
BCAAs
Gaspari Nutrition MyoFusion
Cellucor C4 Extreme
Dymatize ISO-100
GENR8 Vitargo
Diet plan that guided my transformation
Oatmeal 1/2 cup
Egg Whites 3
Chicken 4 oz
Brown Rice 1/4 cup
Avocado 1/4
Broccoli 1 cup
Chicken 4 oz
Sweet Potato 1/2 serving
Flaxseed Oil 1 tsp
Lettuce 1 serving
Gaspari Nutrition MyoFusion 1 serving
Rice Cake 1
Peanut Butter 1 tbsp
Gaspari Nutrition MyoFusion 1 serving
GENR8 Vitargo 1 1/2 servings
Egg Whites 3
Rice Cake 1
Training regimen that kept me on track
I warm up with 10 minutes of cardio before lifting. I do a 10-minute high intensity cardio session with 30-second intervals twice per week. This is my offseason workout.
Standing Military Press
4 sets of 12, 10, 8, and 6 reps
Upright Barbell Row
3 sets of 12, 10, and 8 reps
Front Dumbbell Raise (Performed seated)
3 sets of 12, 10, and 8 reps
Side Lateral Raise
3 sets of 12 reps
Dumbbell Shrug
3 sets of 12 reps
Barbell Squat
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, and 8 reps
Stiff-Legged Barbell Deadlift
3 sets of 12 reps
Leg Press
3 sets of 12, 10, and 8 reps
Lying Leg Curls
3 sets of 12 reps
Thigh Adductor
3 sets of 12 reps
Thigh Abductor
3 sets of 12 reps
Leg Extensions
3 sets of 12, 10, and 8 reps
Pullups
4 sets of 12, 10, 8, and 6 reps
Lying T-Bar Row
3 sets of 12, 10, and 8 reps
Seated Cable Rows
3 sets of 12 reps
Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown
3 sets of 12 reps
Bent Over Barbell Row
3 sets of 12 reps
Good Morning
3 sets of 12 reps
Barbell Curl
3 sets of 12, 10, and 8 reps
Dips - Triceps Version
3 sets of 12, 10, and 8 reps
Hammer Curls
3 sets of 12 reps
Standing Dumbbell Triceps Extension
3 sets of 12 reps
Preacher Curl
3 sets of 12, 10, and 8 reps
Triceps Pushdown
3 sets of 12 reps
Crunches
3 sets of 12 reps
Jackknife Sit-Up
3 sets of 15 reps
Reverse Crunch
3 sets of 15 reps
Oblique Crunches (Medicine Ball)
3 sets of 20 reps
Standing Military Press
3 sets of 12, 10, and 8 reps
Upright Barbell Row
3 sets of 12, 10, and 8 reps
Front Dumbbell Raise
3 sets of 12 reps
Side Lateral Raise
3 sets of 12 reps
Incline Dumbbell Press
3 sets of 12 reps
Pushups
3 sets to failure
Dumbbell Rear Lunge
3 sets of 12 reps
Glute Ham Raise
3 sets of 12 reps
Smith Machine Leg Press
3 sets of 12, 10, and 8 reps
Stiff-Legged Barbell Deadlift
3 sets of 12 reps
Leg Press
3 sets of 12 reps
Leg Extensions
3 sets of 12, 10, and 8 reps
Standing Calf Raises
3 sets of 12, 10, and 8 reps
Seated Calf Raise
4 sets of 15, 12, 10, and 8 reps
What aspect challenged me the most
"I want to motivate others to achieve their goals and live a healthy lifestyle."
Not going out with my friends at night was a struggle. Every gathering is based upon eating and drinking. It got hard watching them eat and drink whatever they wanted as I struggled to find something I could have. It was hard, but it made me stronger.
My future fitness plans
I hope to get my pro card and achieve my dream of being a pro figure competitor. I'm currently working to become a personal trainer. I want to motivate others to achieve their goals and live a healthy lifestyle.
I came up with lots of healthy recipes after prepping for competition. I hope to eventually put them together into a book.
Suggestions for aspiring transformers
Stop thinking about how hard it's going to be.
Follow motivating individuals on social media.
Make goals for yourself that give you something to work toward.
It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle.
Cheat meals are okay if done in moderation.
Eat clean, train dirty!
How Bodybuilding.com helped me reach my goals
Bodybuilding.com introduced me to Jamie Eason's 12-Week Trainer, which was the stepping stone to the start of my bodybuilding career.
Christina's Top 5 Gym Tracks
"Replay" by Zendaya
"We Can't Stop" by Miley Cyrus
"Berzerk" by Eminem
"Started From The Bottom" by Drake
"Crooked Smile" by J. Cole
Credits
Trainer: Pete Floris
Workout Partner: Jennifer Powers
Photos: Rich Olson
Recommended For You
Body Transformation: Kylie Burnside Took A Blow Torch To Body Fat!
When half marathons and steady-state cardio failed to deliver results, Kylie turned to weightlifting and competitions. See how her fitness transition torched unwanted body fat!
Body Transformation: Jen Wade Turned Body Fat Into Hard Muscle!
Jen was fooled by misleading food packaging and steadily added weight for several years. At age 31, she made a stand, lost 11 percent body fat, and competed. You can too!
Body Transformation: Melody Decena Wyatt Went From Baby Body To Hard Body!
Melody discovered the effectiveness of heavy lifting after giving birth to her daughter. See how she torched her baby fat and dominated her first competition in a ripped body!
About The Author
Female Transformation Of The Week
Have you made a dramatic change either by gaining muscle or by losing all the weight you have been hoping for?