Getting in shape for summer

NEW HANOVER COUNTY -- Wilmington resident, Carly Starling, is now preparing for a figure competition in May, but she has not always been fit and healthy. Starling says she used to constantly worry about how thin she was because she felt that was what society thought was beautiful. Her desire to be thin was killing her. Starling says, "I was bulimic. I did have an eating disorder and even though I knew I was ripping out my insides, I thought it was the only way I could feel good about myself." Then she realized what she was doing to her body. Carly felt too weak to get off the couch and knew she was unhealthy. That is when she began working out. Starling says, "I just wanted to get healthy. Then one step after another I just started having a hunger and a passion for being healthy and strong." Fitness professionals see an increase in membership sales before swimsuit season, but they say exercise should not be a priority only in the summer." Tim Clifford is a personal trainer and he says people should focus on being in shape for their entire life. This way it is not hard to get into beach shape, plus people will feel better all year long. Clifford said, "With cardio, weights and nutrition all together, you'll start seeing results if you do it the right way. It takes about two to three months into the workout to see results, so you have to be patient and let your body get used to exercising." Trying to change her entire lifestyle is what Carly did. She says "coming into the gym and getting a trainer and getting a diet and doing everything correctly has completely changed my outlook on how I feel. Now I do not want to be thin, I want to be muscular and fit from the inside out." Fitness experts say you should work out for better health, not just to change the way you look.