Tammy and her husband Matt

On the commuter boat from Hingham to Boston women often ask her about her diet. When she walks down the busy city street to her job at a law firm, men stare. And when she gets to work she greets everyone with a big smile and a bounce in her step.

Why is Tammy Downes so happy (and popular)? It is because at age 45, she is in the best shape of her life---physically and mentally.

This summer, Tammy participated in two body building shows, placing first in multiple categories and ultimately being awarded “Pro” status with the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF), giving her the ability to join the professional circuit to compete for cash, gain name recognition, and even corporate sponsorships.

Tammy did not start training seriously until 2007 when she was 41 years old. But, she admits, once she made the decision, it changed her life.

Her message to other people is that it is never too late to pursue what you want, be it fitness, career, or overall lifestyle. The most important thing is to make the commitment.

“Put it in writing. It absolutely makes a difference because then you hold yourself accountable,” Tammy told South Shore Woman.

The other thing to do to ensure success is to build a support system. “One of the biggest pieces of this whole puzzle is to compile a team of people that will help you,” she said.

For Tammy, the support system consists of her personal chef, her two trainers, and her husband, Matt.

She originally went down the health and fitness path purely to find balance, she recalls. She and Matt would work late, grab a pre-packaged dinner or pizza, and eat at 10:30 p.m., resulting in some pounds packing on. Those pounds were weighing on her--- literally and figuratively--- as she found herself in a melancholic mindset. But when she made the change in her lifestyle, it completely changed her life.

Five years ago, Tammy would never have imagined she would be doing a “model walk” and bodybuilding routine in front of a panel of judges. Or, that she would look and feel this good at age 45. Her advice to others: “If you don’t like who you are, whether it’s your job, your body, or even your marriage, change it. If you don’t change it, your life is over.”

But when you do change it, you’re life begins again….

Tammy’s Secret to Looking So Svelte: ‘The Caveman Diet”

 -Fish

-Chicken

-Nuts

-Limited oils/fats

-Limited sweets (Tammy’s one vice which she diligently controls!)

-Workout like a crazy….

By Stephanie Neil

Stephanie Neil is a journalist. Her business, technology, and human interest stories have appeared in a variety of print and online newspapers and magazines including eWeek, Managing Automation, The Harvard Alumni Bulletin, Huggies Baby Network, South Shore Woman, and The Boston Globe.  She lives on the South Shore with her two kids, two cats, and a dog. Contact info: stephanieneil@comcast.net  or 781-378-1652. Follow her on Twitter @StephanieNeil

Comments(1):

1. Congratulations , Tammy!

   Tammy, it took a lot of discipline to win those competitions. You did a fabulous job and no matter how many people you have helping you, it was all you! Darlene

   Friday, July 22, 2011 darlene