Adrianne Dobbs, known on Instagram as @FitBama, is a Nutrishop-sponsored athlete who used to live in Alabama, but now hangs her hat in Colorado. A high school track and cross country athlete, she continued to pursue running through her 20s. Before her 30th birthday, she decided she wanted to get in the best shape of her life so she trained for her very first bikini fitness bodybuilding competition, which involved a lot more weight training than she was used to. Her hard work paid off ... she won first place for her height class. Today, Adrianne works as an ultrasound technician while leading an active, fit lifestyle that involves weight training multiple days each week along with cardio three days per week. Here she shares some of her darkest moments and how she overcame them as well as her favorite Nutrishop supplements, songs she loves to work out to, and how she stays motivated when times are tough.
What has been one of the most significant challenges you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?
As a teen and into my 20s, I suffered from BED (binge eating disorder), where you eat as much as you want and purge. It wasn’t something I did often, but I always knew it was detrimental to my health. As I got older, I learned more about fitness and nutrition and how to accomplish goals healthily and break those bad habits. Along with that, I also dealt with serious body dysmorphia, which I think got even worse when I was competing. I ended up taking a break from being as active and healthy with my diet, which led to a lot of weight gain. It was then that I finally took a step back and re-evaluated myself and what all I had accomplished physically (and mentally) and started seeing myself for who I truly was instead of constantly comparing myself to others around me.
Can you expand a little further on how you overcame constantly judging your own body while comparing yourself to others?
What had happened was I had gotten into amazing shape when I was competing but I never realized it. I was never happy with myself still. After I gained a good 40 pounds and was looking back at pictures of myself from when I was really healthy and in amazing shape, I kicked myself for not appreciating what I had accomplished. And, I realized how sick I was mentally to have not seen myself for what I really was. I guess it was a little bit of a reality check. And maybe some of that came with age and just maturing overall. Unfortunately with social media and the ability to alter and filter so many images, women are feeling more and more pressure to look a certain way. All we can do is focus on being our healthiest self and the rest falls into place! That means taking care of our mental health first and foremost which I never did.
How did you lose the excess weight you had gained?
I got back to focusing on my health – through nutrition – from a balanced, healthy diet, and from supplementation from Nutrishop, as well as regular, consistent movement and exercise. I have stayed away from any of the trendy, fad diets and focused more on a sustainable lifestyle. By focusing on my overall health, it has allowed me to still get back in good shape and be healthy but without feeling like I’m missing out on life with such intense strict diets. It’s a slower process but totally worth it to not miss out on so much!
Nutrishop supplements you are currently taking?
ThermoVex, EVO9INE, Fruit and Vegetable Superfoods, Somnilean, Omega-3, Vitamin D3, Zinc, Vitamin C, Gamma Lean, DIM, MERK, Modern Source Protein, Multi-Source Collagen, Daily Detox, WRKETIHIC Protein Powder
How have Nutrishop supplements helped you in your fitness journey?
They have helped me fill the gaps in nutrition and supplementation that we miss out on in our everyday diets and they have allowed me to be my best, all-around healthy self. And of course, pre-workouts and other energy supplements have helped me to push and get those workouts in when I feel like I’m running on fumes.
What is your favorite Nutrishop supplement or supplement stack so far and why?
Somnilean is a favorite of mine to take before going to sleep. Also, every morning I take Superfoods and Daily Detox, which makes me feel good about what I’m doing for my body and wellbeing.
What does being a part of Team Nutrishop mean to you?
It means being part of a group that is like a big family! We all have similar goals and mindsets, and it’s been so fun being a part of such an awesome team that wants to help encourage and motivate each other and other people to be their best healthy, athletic and active selves!
When times get tough, how do you stay motivated?
Sometimes it’s not the motivation as much as just the habit - and the desire to take full advantage of the gift of health I have been given! Being in the medical field, I am reminded each day how fortunate those of us who have our health truly are.
Who inspires you and why?
My brother is a big inspiration for me. He was diagnosed with an incredibly rare cancer when he was 27 years old and is now 38. Seeing the battle he fought and how much he cherishes life now, you can’t help but be inspired by him and his full-of-life, happy spirit!
What are your top five training tips for someone looking to get in great shape?
1. Set one goal at a time and make it realistic! Once you hit that goal, set your next one and start working right away. Maybe it’s a strength goal, a certain amount of pounds lost, or maybe a certain amount of time you can run without stopping. But make it something tangible and be proud when you get there.
2. If you “fall off the wagon,” jump right back on!
3. Give yourself grace and do the best that you can at the time, and you’ll eventually get where you want to be.
4. Getting in the habit is the hardest part, so schedule your time to exercise just like you would anything else that is important to you.
5. You CANNOT out-train a bad diet...but stay away from fad diets and adopt an overall healthy and balanced way of living.
What is the most important piece of advice you would offer to someone who wants to be like you?
Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Just love yourself and try to be the best version of YOU.
Favorite quote or mantra?
Right now, I love, “It’s going to be hard, but hard doesn’t mean impossible.”
Top 3 songs you listen to when working out?
- “Fun” by Pitbull.
- “Killer” by Eminem, Jack Harlow, and Cordae.
- “Moar Ghosts 'n' Stuff” by Deadmau5.
Favorite cheat meal?
A good juicy cheeseburger and fries!
Favorite healthy snack?
Veggie chips with hummus.
What is your training routine like each week?
Typically I lift weights about four days a week, and I try to do 2-3 days of cardio, usually on my Peloton.
