A woman the country remembers as a shy little girl with a big voice has transformed herself, at 42, into a bronzed and buffed body sculptor.
Singer Suzanne Prentice lost 35kg in nine months to shape some impressive muscles to enable her to compete in the body-shaping section at the national body-building championships in Christchurch this weekend.
High blood pressure and 80kg on her 1.5m frame had motivated Prentice to visit the gym.
And seeing a television programme on women training for a body-shaping competition inspired her to take it further.
The difficulty of turning her 80kg bulk, which was more than 30 per cent fat, into a lean and trim 45kg with just 12 per cent fat appealed to her.
Prentice said it was difficult but the results had been well worth every early-morning session.
Her daily routine was to be up at 5 am and at the gym by 6. This meant her workouts did not interfere with family life.
The travelling involved in her entertainment career made it harder, but she said determination could overcome anything.
The first thing she did in each town she was staying in was to find a gym for her daily workout.
Over time, the routines became easier and she stopped asking how many of each exercise she had to do and just enjoyed the work.
"Anyone can do it. It takes time but it's a matter of putting your nose down and just working at it."
Prentice said the benefits went beyond her appearance.
Everyday life, including singing, was easier thanks to her increased fitness.
Trainer Brian Jenkins said divisions in this weekend's body-shaping competition were based on height, so Prentice could be competing against women half her age.
For Prentice, taking part in the contest has fulfilled an ambition.
"I don't expect to win a damn thing but I'll be able to say I did it."
- NZPA
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from New Zealand
Award-winning restaurant reopens after car smashed through doors during dinner
A customer seriously injured in the smash still has a long road to recovery ahead.