IRON MAN : What were you like growing up ? Was fitness a part of your life ? ROSE DINUCCIO : Growing up as a kid , fitness was a part of my life . I was involved in gymnastics from the age of 3 to 12 and always loved being active . It wasn ’ t until my teenage years until I stopped really being active all the time .
IM : You underwent a pretty impressive transformation to be the fit person you are now after some rough years in your teens . Walk us through that journey . RD : My fitness journey really began when I was 21 years old . I had put on over 45 pounds at the age of 20 . I had never been over 110 pounds in my life , but I had started hanging around with the wrong crowd of people when I was 17 causing me to lead a very unhealthy lifestyle for three years . I was addicted to opiates and smoked cigarettes . It wasn ’ t until I really hit bottom that I decided I needed help . I moved to Florida and went to rehab and in that time ... I put on all the weight . I was finally eating food again , and not just once a day anymore . My body didn ’ t really know how to handle that . In just four months , I put on 45 pounds , went from a size 0 to an 8 in pants . Fast forward a year into my sobriety I was weighing about 138 pounds living back in Massachusetts . I met my current boyfriend when I came back to Massachusetts . After we were together for about six months , we started working out because we were sick of just going out to dinner every night and wanted something different in our lives . I didn ’ t know then that fitness would become such a huge part of my life .
IM : Sharing your story must be difficult , but also very empowering . How has overcoming addiction changed your approach to life ? RD : I ’ m currently over five years free of opiates and couldn ’ t be happier with how my life has turned out . I love more than anything being able to share my story with others , allowing them to not give up hope that their goals are achievable , as long as you put in 110 percent every day and never give up on your dreams . I also love to give hope to others that might be going through a similar situation that they can beat it , too . It ’ s all just in how bad you truly want it . You are your only limitation ! Everyone has some type of an addiction , whether it be good or bad . I look at it as replacing one addiction with another , but now my addiction is a healthy one !
“ You are your only limitation ! Everyone has some type of an addiction , whether it be good or bad ..”
IM : Why do you think you get such a positive response in social media ? RD : I think I get such a positive
60 AUGUST 2017 | ironmanmagazine . com