In 2006, the Carlisle resident was a stay-at-home mom, taking care of her family, heading to the gym on a weekly basis for a casual workout. Now, the 43-year-old is preparing for the Canadian Figure Nationals, which will be held on August 9 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Figure, a discipline similar to bodybuilding, focuses on a woman's symmetry and her body's fine definition. Trinier was initially introduced to the discipline when a lifestyle and fitness club owner, who soon became her personal trainer, approached her at the gym.

"He asked me if I had ever considered competing in figure. I had no idea what he was talking about. I had never heard of such a thing. Apparently, he saw potential in me," said Trinier of her trainer, Darrin Robinson, owner of the Burlington-based Emerge Lifestyle and Fitness club.

To learn more about figure, Robinson suggested Trinier attend an upcoming competition. "I did and it kind of intrigued me," she said.

She began her training in January 2007, four months before her first show, which was slated for the end of April.

To obtain the physique required to compete, Trinier not only had to train for three hours per week with Robinson, it was also essential for her to stick to a healthy, balanced diet composed of protein, carbohydrates and good fat.

Seventy per cent of her current physique is a direct result of her regimented diet, Trinier explained. "Twenty per cent is the actual working out and 10 per cent is genetics," she added.

Eating six meals daily, Trinier has been known to carry a cooler of healthy foods around when she leaves the house. To keep her metabolism going, she eats every three hours, even if that means snacking on veggies and chicken at the movie theatre.

Trinier followed the required diet and exercise schedule religiously. It wasn't long before she began noticing extraordinary changes to her body. "I felt like a Transformer," she laughed.

From week to week, her body would mould itself into a stronger, more sculpted figure. A month before her first competition, she knew she was ready to get up on stage and show off her body.

All that hard work and discipline certainly paid off as Trinier earned a first- and second-place finish, respectively, in the Masters Class, for women ages 35 to 45, and the medium height, Open Class. Her winnings earned her a spot at the regional figure competition, held in Mississauga in May, 2007. There, she placed first in both categories.

On a winning streak, Trinier moved on to the Ontario Provincial Championships, held in London. "I placed first again in the Masters (class), and that gave me the Ontario Provincial Masters Champion title," she said, noting that she also placed third in the Open category.

"With all my winnings, I earned a qualification to compete at the nationals," said Trinier, who has since continued to work out under the guidance of her trainer.

Although Trinier has spent a lot of time focusing on her diet, training regime and figure, she's also become more involved at the gym. She completed the CanFit Pro course and is now a certified personal trainer and aspiring motivator for women of all ages.

"I found a new passion and I realized that this is what I enjoy doing. I hope to, at my age, be an inspiration to other women," said Trinier.

But none of this would have been made possible if she didn't have the love and support of her family, she explained. Trinier's husband, Shawn, and three children, Erin, Adam and Carly, have been extremely supportive throughout her successful journey.

Since becoming involved in figure, Trinier has had to remain extremely focused; she admits that the most challenging part has been sticking to her diet.

"For me, at home, I am still preparing meals for everybody else. I am still making lunches. I am still baking; I am an avid baker, but you know what? I bake, but I never lick the spoon," she said.

Thanks to the sport, Trinier has learned oodles about eating nutritiously and taking care of her body by exercising.

As she heads to nationals this month, Trinier hopes for the best. But regardless of how she ranks at the upcoming competition, she is proud of her personal accomplishments.

With the help of her sponsors, LaSenza Spirit and S & H Health Food Store, which have provided the Carlisle resident with training attire and all-natural supplements, some of the expenses associated with her participation in the sport will be reduced.

For more information on figure, which is governed by the Ontario Physique Association, visit www.bao.on.ca.