In an extraordinary role reversal, Mrs Williams (45) went from being an overweight spectator at her son-in-law's bodybuilding competition to being on stage as one of nine women competing for a South Island title.
She placed fourth in the novice figure tall section of the National Amateur Body Builders Association (NABBA) South Island championships held at the College of Education auditorium in Dunedin on Saturday.
Mrs Williams used to weigh more than 90kg and with nearly 40% body fat, she was ''obese''.
Now a svelte 55kg with 8.4% body fat, she has never felt better.
''About three years ago I was at my heaviest and I started to lose weight, but I just accepted that I would be one of those flabby women that got thin.''
At last year's NABBA South Island championships in Dunedin, Mrs Williams watched her daughter's partner compete and was ''mesmerised'' by the participants.
''I thought: `Jeez, I wonder if I could do that'.''
With a year to train, she cut out alcohol from her diet and increased her workload in the gym under the guidance of her son-in-law.
Seeing physical results motivated her further and, 16 weeks ago, she sought the help of a nutritionist.
''That's when preparation for the competition really got serious and food became fuel, nothing more. Before, I didn't understand nutrition. I thought a portion was what you could fit on a plate.''
Mrs Williams said posing on stage and being compared to her rivals in front of judges while wearing a bikini and high heels was ''scary to begin with'', but she hoped to do it again.
''I kept telling myself that I worked really hard for this moment.
''If I get placed, that would be fantastic, but if I don't, then I already have my personal trophy, which is where I have come from to where I am now,'' she said before results were announced.
Mrs Williams said she would allow herself two or three days to indulge before resuming her training regime.
''Toast with peanut butter and banana will be bloody amazing,'' she said.
''But I would love to continue to compete as well, and keep improving on my personal best.
''I hope to inspire other people, because I used to flick through those magazines and think: `Yeah right', but if I can do it at my age, then anyone can.''
About 60 bodybuilders from throughout New Zealand competed at the South Island championships, hoping to secure places for next month's national final in Auckland.
Judging from 1pm attracted about 200 people, and more than 450 people watched the sold-out 6pm show in which winners were announced.
Results: Overall Ms Physique and Ms South Island, Tania Pitt-Guthrie; Overall Mr Athletic and Mr South Island, Peter Hart; Overall Ms Figure and Ms South Island, Janine Haywood; Overall Mr Physique and Mr South Island, Graeme Evans; Ms South Island Shape, Susan Baxter; Mr South Island Fitness Model, Basem Andijani; Ms South Island Fitness Model, Aimee Jones; Best Male Performance, Abdul Al-Beshri; Best Female Performance, Lily Allen; Top Gym/Team, Sky Fitness.
