When Roxanne Solmonson made the decision to get into shape it opened the door for a new sporting adventure.
The former UNBC Timberwolves women's soccer goalkeeper found herself spending more time on the couch eating fatty foods after her university playing days ended in 2010.
"I graduated and, obviously, once you stop playing soccer you start gaining weight," said Solmonson. "I just wanted to get my eating habits in check."
The 26 year old contacted Erin Moubray, a professional fitness model in Prince George, to work on a new eating plan which would reduce the amount of sugars and salts Solmonson would take in, but the goal-oriented former athlete needed something more to motivate her.
"If I were to say I want to lose 20 pounds there's no real motivation behind it, but if I want to lose 20 pounds then compete in this bikini bodybuilding it kind of makes me stay more on my goal," said Solmonson. "I thought it would be kind of neat to do."
In May, Solmonson placed second at the British Columbia Amateur Body Building Association Western Canadian championship in the bikini category which qualified her to enter the 2012 BC Championship, Saturday, in New Westminster.
The BC championship will feature about 150 competitors in the categories of figure, fitness, physique and bikini. If Solmonson places well she could qualify for the national championship in New Westminster in August.
Solmonson said getting up on stage in a bikini is good motivation to stick to her diet.
"I've got a very strict eating plan and just have to keep with it every single day," she said. "Same with the gym. It's more of a lifestyle change. I wouldn't call it a diet."
The bikini bodybuilding judges look at a competitor's overall muscle mass, their confidence on stage and their overall appearance when grading them.
"You just go out there with a lot of confidence and hope for the best," said Solmonson. "If you're very shy you won't do as well and they don't want anybody who is overly lean or overly muscular."
In addition to sticking to her eating plan, Solmonson keeps her body fit by working out, whether it's an hour of cardio in the gym or running a half marathon. Last weekend, she took part in the Tough Mudder competition in Whistler with 11 Prince George friends.
"I just did it for fun," she said about the 10-12 mile obstacle course designed by the British Special Forces to test a person's all-around strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie. "There was 14,000 people and there was about 25 random obstacles like trudging through mud, going underneath chicken wire fencing and hopping into a freezing lake."
The two-day event, June 23-24, raised funds for the Wounded Warrior Program.
As for bikini bodybuilding, Solmonson said she plans to continue competing as long as she's having fun.
"I'm just kind of seeing how my body reacts to everything and then I'll see where it takes me," she said.
