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www.ChristinaSondgroth.com
Lifting4ever@aol.com
Birthday: October 14th, 1967
Born/raised: Born in Michigan, but raised and live in California
Height: 5'7'
Weight: 148 contest, 178 off
Strongest Lifts:
Bicep Curls: 45lb each arm x 6 reps
Tricep Pushdowns: 150lb (its the whole stack; wish there was more) x 12 reps
Lat Pulldowns: 160lb x 6 reps
Shoulder Press: 50lb each arm x 6 reps
Bench Press: 205lb bar or 100lb dumbbells x 5 reps
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Incline Bench: 70lb each arm x 6 reps
Dumbbell Rows: 70lb each arm x 6 reps
Chest Flies: 50lb each arm x 8 reps
Deadlift: 205lb x 8 reps
Squats: 270lb on both smith machine and reg squat rack x 6 reps
Leg Press: 810lb x 10 reps
Cable Crossovers (my fav): 100lb x 10 reps
Measurements:
Biceps: 15 1/4"
Quads: 26"
Calves: 15 1/2"
Forearms: 12 3/4"
Hobbies: "Horseback & ATV riding, LOVE to go camping. I love the beach."
EDUCATION/PROFESSION: "I am currently a domestic engineer (wife & stay home mom of 3). I also do graphic design."
Athletic Background: "I played the normal sports, basketball, volleyball, and baseball in grade school; but never avidly. I also showed horses with my brother who is a horse trainer."
Lifting Background: "I was overweight after having my 3rd child in 2001. After coming home from a trip to Mexico I saw a picture of myself (in a two piece swim suit, you can see this pic on my website). I nearly cried and threw up. After being a model in high school this was devastating to see. So the next week, I was signed up at the gym. I did The Body for Life by Bill Phillips and within 12 weeks I went from a size 15 to a size 7, with muscle!!
"I loved the way I felt and the muscle came fast and easy, so I kept going. After watching and talking to Nicole Berg at the Contra Costa in May 2004 (this was the first Bodybuilding show I had ever seen), I was hooked and knew I had to compete. By July of 2004, I was on stage.
"I did two shows that month and won the overall at Sacramento in November 2004. The Sacramento was a national qualifier, so I am on my way to the USA's this year.
"It feels really natural and it has always just come to me easy, but I push myself really hard. I think I am my worst critic."
On being competitive: "I am number 6 out of 7 kids in my family, so I have always had to fight for a spot. My husband and I are very competitive at the gym; if I start to catch his weight, he will move up to stay ahead of me. If we do a set that he thinks is too heavy and I do it, he won't back down from doing it. This pushes me to go even heavier."
On whether she's shocked guy in the gym: "When I dumbbell bench 100lbs with each arm, it does. There are a couple of guys that spot me in the mornings (4:00am) that said they are going to start a support group for themselves and other men that I am out lifting!"
On her proudest accomplishment as an athlete: "Winning the 2004 Sacramento Bodybuilding and Figure Championship!! It was my 3rd bodybuilding competition and I won the heavy weight and the overall."
What empowers/motivates you as an athlete?
"I believe this is a gift that god has given me because it does come so easy. A lot of the time it is the negative people or comments that keep me fueled. I spend a lot of time on the internet looking at pictures of other women bodybuilders to keep me motivated. It is the goal-reaching that keeps me going. I write it down and visualize it happening, and to reach it is the best feeling ever."
On the reactions she gets to her physique: "It is mostly positive. My kids love it and are a great support. We have fun with it. When we go places like the beach or shopping at the mall, boys that are my daughters age (16) stare. She will tell me to flex at them and they get embarrassed. Some are negative (my husband has heard women make rude comments about me), but we laugh it off because most are overweight and out of shape."
Future goals: "I would like to be a pro someday. That is the ultimate goal. The more tangible and reachable goal now is to stand on stage with some of the best at national level this year at the USA's and the Nationals."