Body Transformation: Kim Sanders (Kimpossible Fitness)

It’s time for another inspirational body transformation interview–Kim Sanders.  This mother of two went from being overweight and out of shape to being a fitness competitor and personal trainer.  I was really stunned with her before/after pictures and I wanted to hear her story.

Body Transformation: Kim Sanders
Body Transformation: Kim Sanders

MuscleReview: Kim, 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 your everyday life (family, work, location, etc).

Kim: My life is VERY hectic! Most days I don’t know how I manage to get everything done.  I wake up every morning, see my kids sleeping and think to myself, “Oh my god they are still alive!” (laughs).

Because I work as a personal trainer my daily schedule changes constantly. Clients call and cancel, reschedule, kids throw tantrums etc. Each day, regardless of what struggles head my way, I have to complete 45 minutes of cardio, train myself, train clients, spend quality time with my kids, cook, clean, do laundry, write online client’s programs etc. Pretty soon I will be starting school as well, so I don’t have a free moment to waste!

My children can be very difficult. My oldest son can be VERY emotional at times…which is always fun! My youngest has special needs and everyday proves to be a new challenge. I love them dearly and its because I love them that I cannot give up on my goals. I want them to see how hard I work to make my dream come true.  That way they will have have big dreams and be prepared to fight just as hard!

MuscleReview: Let’s talk about the “before” picture. What events and/or choices led you there?

Kim: Growing up my family ate fast food constantly–sometimes I tell people my family kept Taco Bell in business. Soda replaced water and the only veggies we seemed to eat were every color except green! Because we were low income my sisters and I could not play sports or get into most of the activities kids get to do.  I was actually a skinny kid growing up, but the bad habits eventually caught up with me.

All through both pregnancies I ate 4-5 items off the Taco Bell menu EVERYDAY! In addition to not being active my health got worse and worse. I became deathly ill and even temporarily lost my ability to walk due to illness.  All these factors lead to me looking like that “before” picture.  It wasn’t until I had completely destroyed my gallbladder and had to have emergency surgery that I was able to push myself to change.

MuscleReview: What was it that made you decide to transform your figure?

I couldn’t stand seeing so many fit people around me who were so much happier and healthier. I would get out of breath walking to my car!! I missed the energy I had a teenager. I picked up Oxygen Magazine and instantly was inspired by the stories inside about women who had lost weight and went on to be fitness models. I knew if they could do it…I could do it.

MuscleReview: Did you hit any weight loss plateaus along the way? What adjustments did you have to make?

Kim: It took me about 2 and a half years to get into competition shape. It felt like forever! I had tons of set backs and most days I didn’t think I would ever make it. I kept pushing on because I knew if I stopped Id regret it for the rest of my life.

Overall I lost 106 lbs. Obviously I have put some of it back on and have gained more muscle. I am always working to improve!

MuscleReview: What was the most challenging part of your transformation?

Kim: Learning to balance kids, work, school, and training. Its very difficult trying to excel in every aspect of my life.  Some days I don’t do well, but I never stop trying and I figure that is what truly matters.

MuscleReview: Did you hit any plateaus along the way? How did you handle it?

Kim: Oh heck ya I did! Heck, I’m in one now (laughs)! I’ve learned that plateaus are caused by a number of things. I always look to change my diet first. If that doesn’t seem to work I will change up my workouts as well. I also add or reduce cardio, depending on what kind of results I’m getting.

In my current plateau I have explored all of those options and am now looking to have my blood checked to make sure my last contest prep didn’t mess anything up. We shall see.

MuscleReview: Can you give us general idea of what your training and diet look like?

Kim: I train 7 days a week at the moment. I only take a rest day when I feel my body is asking for one.  Two days a week I focus on HIIT. The other 5 days I focus on low intensity or interval cardio with weights. I keep my rep ranges between 8 and 12 on all compound movements and 15-30 on other exercises.

My diet consists of lean proteins (chicken, fish, bison), green veggies (green beans, asparagus), and complex carbohydrates (sweet potato, rice).

MuscleReview: How different is your competition shape to your day-to-day shape?

Roughly I plan to be 20 lbs less when contest ready. I intend to get down to 10-12% body fat.

MuscleReview: When is your next competition?

August 23rd!!! Las Vegas! Wooohooo! Wish me luck!

MuscleReview: What advice do you have for moms who want to get back in shape?

Kim: Don’t allow kids, and crazy schedules to get in the way! Get creative and find ways to involve your kids in your fitness! Most of all…DONT STOP!!

MuscleReview: Thanks again, Kim, and I wish you great success on your future competitions (especially this next one).

Note:  Ladies who are interested in their own transformations may want to check out my recommended programs and find one that matches your situation and goals.

Please stop by Kimpossible Fitness Training (Kim’s Facebook page).  Those of you living in the Phoenix Arizona area may want to contact her regarding personal training.

Body Transformation: Suzanne Adonis Lanting

Suzanne's remarkable transformation
Suzanne’s remarkable transformation

Today’s post is the start of something new here at MuscleReview.net:  my first body transformation interview.  This is an opportunity for people to share their journey of changing their bodies and lives.  Today’s interview is with Suzanne Adonis Lanting, a 37-year-old mom who has lost 70 lb. since giving birth.

MuscleReview: Suzanne, 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 of basic information about yourself (where you live, what you do, etc.).

Suzanne: Thank you for your interest in my health & fitness journey. I truly enjoy sharing my story and hope to motivate others. I’m  Suzanne Adonis Lanting, 37yrs old, of Honolulu Hawaii. I was born in the Philippines, but raised in Hawaii since I was 5.  I’m the 10th out of 10 brothers and sisters: 7 girls and 3 boys (all in HI).  I have a younger half brother still living in the mainland.  I have three children: Taylor, my 18-year-old daughter; Sevin, my 15-year-old stepson; and Siene Rayne, my 17-month-old daughter.

Professionally speaking I’m in real estate sales, an independent consultant for Rodan + Fields Dermatologists, sales manager/business development, a certified fitness trainer, and my husband owns Hardcore 808 Nutrition Co (a supplement/nutrition store).

MuscleReview: How would you describe your level of fitness before your pregnancy? Good? Average?

Suzanne: My fitness level was good. I was always into fitness…gym, weight training, hiking, running, etc. But I was definitely not at the top level of fitness compared to where I am currently.

MuscleReview: Was your pregnancy healthy in terms of the amount of weight you gained?

Suzanne: I gained 57 lb. during this pregnancy, so that’s not considered healthy. I even worked out, hiked and ate clean most times (with the exception of the typical pregnancy cravings).  But I have seem to have a tendency to gain a lot when I’m pregnant–this happened during my first pregnancy.

MuscleReview: What made you decide to do this remarkable transformation and how did you get started?

Suzanne: First of all, I developed problems with my feet due to the excess weight I carried. I had to go physical therapy for it, was not able to wear heels, and had to wear corrective inserts in my shoes. I felt so insecure and unhappy with my body, my clothes didn’t fit the same, and I refused to buy bigger sizes. My energy levels were  horrible and I didn’t want to live my life like that. So I set a goal and was determined to achieve it. That’s where it all began!

MuscleReview: It looks like your fat loss was slow and steady. Did you ever get impatient?

Absolutely! I breastfed for 7 months, so I didn’t go on any crazy diets–my baby needed all the nutrition she could get! As much as I wanted to get fit fast, my baby’s nutrition came first.  I had to be patient and rely mainly on healthy eating and squeezing in whatever workouts I could get.  I worked out at home when baby was asleep, in between household chores and even at work since I am self employed. I also waited for my husband to come home from work just so that I could go to the gym.

MuscleReview: Give us a summary of how you set up your diet/exercise (just the basics).

Suzanne: I ate every 2-3 hours.  I always included a lot of vegetables because I love them and can’t eat anything without them.  I had lean protein in every meal and fresh fruits early in the day.  I also tried to stick complex carbs.

It was a slow start for me because I wasn’t in great shape when I started.   I started working out at home with whatever weights I had and the pull-up bars.  I did a lot of circuit training with minimal rest in between sets. I did this whenever my baby napped. I made sure I got some kind of workout in, even if it was just a short one. I would drive to the gym to do cardio after my husband came home in the evenings when I was able.

MuscleReview: It looks like you’ve done some competing. How did that turn out? Do you plan to do more of it?

Suzanne: I had no intention of competing when I first started this journey.  But I was excited by the results I was seeing, so I set another goal.  I decided to compete at a local show, and even joined another one the following week.  I didn’t place in the top five, but I was just proud of myself for having the courage to do it.  I was proud of all the hard work I had done and I wanted to show others they could do the same.  It just takes dedication and hard work–no “secrets” or magical pills.  It all comes down to healthy eating and the right workouts!

I will be competing for Mrs. Hawaii United States 2013 this April. I still intend to enter other shows as well.   My heart is still in it and I have another goal: to earn my pro card some day.

MuscleReview: If you could go through this process all over again would you do anything differently?

Suzanne: There’s absolutely nothing I’d want to change since this entire experience brought me to this point and made me the person that I am today. I’m amazed that I was able to make something I wanted so bad come true. It gives me pleasure and touches my heart to be able to be part of someone’s inspiration and motivation.

MuscleReview: I’m sure many women find it challenging to get back in shape after their pregnancy. What advice/encouragement would you give to them?

Suzanne: It’s definitely challenging, but worth the end results! Going out of your comfort zone to achieve something you desire is there for you to take! There may be moments when you feel like giving up, but think about what made you start in the first place. This doesn’t happen overnight…a lot of patience, hard work, discipline and motivation is key!

Don’t stop once you start seeing results.  Keep going and you will amaze yourself at the things you can accomplish. If I can do it being a busy mom, entrepreneur, and everything in between, you can too!

MuscleReview: Thanks again for taking the time to inspire us!

Suzanne: Always my pleasure!

Note: Please contact me if you would like to share your story.  Just email me, add me over at my Google+ profile, or follow/contact me through my Facebook page.