Aundi Ramirez: I was diagnosed with MS on Jan. 7, 2011. I had symptoms for about two years prior to my diagnosis. I would have extreme increases in heart rate, left side numbness, loss of strength in my hands, and painful tingling. I also suffered from extreme migraines and found myself getting sick a lot. I [...]
AR: I always enjoyed lifting weights and being in the gym. It was a major stress reliever for me. After I was diagnosed I saw it as my key to mobility. I began working with a personal trainer who inspired me to pursue a career in fitness and showed me that my passion, my strength, and [...]
AR: I got serious about competing last fall, 2012. I went to a show and began meeting people who were in the midst of prepping, and I knew I just had to get involved. I looked at a calendar, picked a date, and contacted a family friend of mine who is very experienced in contest prep. [...]
AR: It’s hard to even describe the whole experience of preparing for a competition. Doing it with MS is very difficult, not only because of the physical hurdles you need to jump over but the emotions that come along with it. During training I had days where my left leg would stop working mid-exercise, and I [...]
AR: I feel that fitness is hugely important for everyone. A body in motion tends to stay in motion, right? It improves quality of life, period. For people with MS it’s even more important because: 1. It provides hope! You see yourself improve when you focus on fitness. Even if you have a bad day [...]
AR: Every day training usually starts with morning cardio: about 30-45 min of exercise like walking. I love incorporating jump rope intervals as much as possible. I used to run a lot, but because of the MS I can’t do long distances so I’ll occasionally do sprints. I like to do anywhere between 2 and [...]
AR: I eat about five meals daily. I start the morning with a protein shake and some oatmeal or fruit. Sometimes I’ll just have some salmon (may sound like a weird breakfast, but it’s really good!). Then mid-morning I’ll have a shake, and around noon I’ll eat a salad with 4 oz chicken. Between 3 [...]
AR: My parents have been amazingly supportive. I’m sure it wasn’t easy to watch their daughter go through so much to get on a stage in a bikini, but they knew my heart and my reasoning so they supported me fully, and they did everything they could to help me along the way. They have even [...]
AR: When I decided to compete, I wanted to find someone who had done it. I wanted to know that someone with MS had done it and if they hadn’t I wanted to be the first one to do it. So I searched the web and found David and knew I needed to talk to him [...]
AR: I would tell them not to ever let themselves stop moving. DO SOMETHING. It’s hard to find the motivation, and it’s hard to push through sometimes, but find your fit, and stick with it. Everyone has a different exercise personality. I understand that not everyone enjoys lifting weights or even going to the gym [...]