Levy hungry for more success

Having realised much success in this, her first year in bodybuilding, Miss Jamaica Fitness 2015, Lisanne Levy, is mulling taking on the sport professionally.

Levy followed up her Miss Jamaica title in July by placing third in her category at the 53rd Central American and Caribbean Body building and Fitness Championships in Nassau, Bahamas last month.

The medical officer, who was third in the Bikini Fitness Under 169cm category, was a member of a Jamaican contingent that included Vivette Barrett, Racquel Neath, Delmar Graham, Dwayne Walker, Marcus White, Brian Curtis, Kurt Dunne, and Damian Moodie. Graham was also a top-three finisher having finished first in the Junior Category and second among the middleweights.

Having been in the sport for under a year, Levy said her success has prepared her well and given her the experience she needs to consider turning professional.

"My goal for the regional competition was to make it to the top six, which I did. I'm thrilled that as a first time competitor I went on to place in the top three at the regional level. I'd like to take bikini fitness to the professional level,," said Levy.

She revealed that while studying in New York she gained 15 pounds in her first year. "At that time I was actively involved in dance however, I ate in excess of what I burnt," she said.

When she returned home, the 5-foot-six-inch Levy weighed 140 lbs.

"All my clothes were tight and I had to do something about it. I joined a gym and began working out with the goal of losing the excess weight. This continued on my return to university with success. I lost the weight and was able to maintain it with portion control. However, as life got busy I stopped being consistent with exercise for more than five years," she said.

Then 11 months ago she joined Fit Farm Fitness Club and also began doing 5Ks and weekly morning runs.

Now, more assured she is eager about her future in the sport.

"The next national competition is July 2016. However, I am also interested in competing overseas, and will be working towards that," she said.