Body Transformation: Sara Gentry

I came across another remarkable transformation a few days ago.  The before/after picture below belongs to Sara Gentry, a personal trainer from Arizona.  She has graciously agreed to share her story with us, so here goes:

Sara Gentry (Before/After)
Sara Gentry (Before/After)

MuscleReview: Sara thanks you for taking the time to do this interview. Why don’t you tell my readers a little bit about yourself (education, work, etc.).

Sara: I currently work for Anytime Fitness as one of their Certified Personal Trainers, something I had wanted to become since about 6 months into my journey.

MuscleReview: Let’s talk about the “before” version of you. Did you always have weight issues (since childhood) or did you gain weight after you became an adult?

Sara: I had always been a bigger girl–I gained and lost here and there throughout my adult life.  It wasn’t until my last child that I became heavier than ever.   It lasted about two years before I finally said, “enough is enough.”

MuscleReview: What was the breaking point for you? What made you decide it was time to change your lifestyle and body?

Sara: The breaking point for me was the day I got married.  That day that was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, but instead I was miserable. I hated myself; I hated how I looked and couldn’t believe that I had let myself go so far. I didn’t like my wedding photos and told my husband, “just wait, one day we are going to have good pictures.” It’s been nearly three years since we were married and I’m hoping we can take some new pictures on our three-year anniversary.

MuscleReview: How much weight have you lost overall (you can also include measurements such as body composition if you want)?

Sara: I have lost a total of 103 lbs. I went from a size 28 jeans to a size 4/5. I never really went by other measurements during this journey, but plan to start using them for other purposes such as upcoming physique competitions.

MuscleReview: I noticed the before/after picture shows about a three-year span. How long did your transformation take? Where you tempted to give up?

Sara: It took 16 months for me to lose 103 lbs.  I maintained that loss for a year, then decided to study to be a Certified Personal Trainer. I received my certification this year in January.  Back in August (2013) I also decided that I wanted to try competing in a physique competition.   I started preparing and took the stage in March 15, 2014, where I won 4th place. What an awesome experience that was for me!

MuscleReview: Was there a particular dietary method you found to be most helpful (or the easiest to follow)?

Sara: I never followed a “diet”, I counted calories in the beginning for an entire year, then kind of knew how much I could eat and went off on my own. Once I started training for the competition, I had to start counting macro-nutrients.  This was much harder to learn than just regular calories. There is so much more to learn, every day learning something new about nutrition.

MuscleReview: What advice would you give to someone who wants to make a transformation like yours?

Sara: I would tell them to not give up!  I have found that the key to staying motivated is just doing it, over and over. Make yourself do it until it becomes habit. People around you can inspire you, but motivation has to come from within–you have to want this. You have to want it bad!  It’s going to suck at times and you will hate it, but do not let that stop you.

MuscleReview I see you are a personal trainer. Would you ever have imagined this before your transformation years ago?

Sara: The thought never crossed my mind. I actually wanted to be a chiropractor for a very long time. I absolutely LOVE helping people achieve their fitness goals and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else in this life.

MuscleReview: Do you plan to continue competing (fitness competitions)?

Sara: Yes, I did the NPC Natural Outlaw in Arizona on March 15, 2014. It was the most amazing experience to date and I plan on doing another in about a year.

MuscleReview: Please tell my readers about your diet and exercise regimen (in very general terms).

Sara: Currently I eat around 1800 calories a day, still counting macros:  protein, carbs and fats are the main things I count.   I also eat a ton of veggies and fruit. I weight train 6 days a week and do some type of cardio 6 days a week as well (kickboxing, HIITS, biking, hiking, walking, running, or the elliptical).

MuscleReview: What’s next for you?

Sara: My next goal is to do another competition in a year. I want to learn more about nutrition in the next year and step it up at the next competition. I would also like to get certified in cardio kickboxing and take a few nutrition classes.  Other than that, I will keep training at Anytime Fitness and keep moving forward.

MuscleReview: Is there anything else you’d like to say/share?

Sara: There are going to be many people who will belittle you and tell you that you can’t do this, that this is impossible. Do not listen to them. It is possible. It is very possible. There will be plenty of haters along the way, let them hate while you rise above!

MuscleReview: Thanks again for your time!

SaraGentryBodyTransformationNote: You can visit Sara’s Facebook Page: Gentry Reality Fitness if you’d like to follow her or inquire about personal training.

Rock Hard Grandfather Robert Durbin, Age 64 (Body Transformation)

Robert Durbin has a physique much younger men would envy.  But this wasn’t always so: as you can see by the before/after picture, Robert was in terrible shape a few years ago.  He wore braces and couldn’t walk without using a cane.  He decided to transform his body and life so he could enjoy his family.  The video (posted below) has made him an internet sensation.  He was kind enough to do this interview for me.

Robert Durbin, "Rock Hard Paw Paw"
Robert Durbin, “Rock Hard Paw Paw”

MuscleReview: Robert, I’d first like to thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Why don’t you tell my readers a little bit about yourself (education, family, work, etc.)?

Robert: I graduated from Fairdale High School in 1968. I’ve been married 34 years as of this month. We have five kids, five grandkids, and two great-grandkids. I’m retired.

MuscleReview: Let’s talk about your younger years. Were you in pretty good shape as a young man?

Robert: I was involved in several sports in high school: football, track, and cross-country running. I was pretty healthy until I reached my late 30’s.

MuscleReview: What was the turning point for you? What motivated you to transform your body?

Robert: I wasn’t able to do anything with my children and grandchildren, and I was always sick.

MuscleReview: What do you consider to be the most difficult part of this process?

Learning how to eat properly was definitely the hardest thing for me.

MuscleReview: Please tell my readers (in general terms) about your diet and training.

Robert: I don’t eat fried foods or white bread and I also never eat out. I eat lean meats like chicken, turkey breasts, and tuna. I also eat a lot of green vegetables. I believe in pushing myself to my physical/mental limits every day in the gym. I train 2.5-3 hours a day, and I also train abs every morning and night.

MuscleReview: One of the topics I’m interested in (as I age) is training into later years. What adaptations (if any) have you made to your training as an older athlete ?

I do the same workouts younger guys do but I use a little less weight. I also try to add a lot of variety: kickboxing, kettlebell training, Crossfit, yoga, etc.

MuscleReview: What advice would you give to people who want to get in better shape?

Robert: Just put your mind to it and do it! Set your goals and when you reach them raise them higher. Age is just a number—it’s never to late, get out there and do something.

MuscleReview: Please talk about the differences in quality of life you are experiencing now that you are in better shape.

I’m able to get around and I’m not afraid to try anything. My mindset is very positive.

MuscleReview: What does your family think of your new physique and notoriety?

Oh man, my kids brag about me all the time. It’s an incredible feeling and it makes all my hard work worth it.

MuscleReview: What’s next for you?

Robert: I’d like to make another video with Barstarzz. I’m also thinking about entering a physique competition like the Kentucky Derby Muscle Show.

MuscleReview: Thanks again for taking the time to do this interview!

Thank you!

Here’s the youtube video featuring Robert: