Non-Scale Victory: Kimberly transformed her body

Transformation of the Day: Kimberly‘s story is a great example of why the scale isn’t the only way to measure your progress. She points out that judging by BMI scale, she is in the obese range. By focusing on training and nutrition, she has shaped her body and produced awesome results. Check out what she shared with us.

Here is a quick reminder that the number on the scale is not necessarily the best way to measure your progress and health. On the left, I was physically inactive and didn’t workout because I was ashamed of how my body looked and scared of people judging me. I ate mostly fast food and I had accepted that I had no control over the appearance of my body or its shape (which is false). Now, I maintain a healthy, but balanced diet. Not only do I work out daily, but I am a personal trainer.

What was your motivation? 
I felt extremely self conscious about my body and did not even want to go shopping for clothes because those trips usually ended with tears on my face. One day, I saw a picture of a bikini competitor and finally realized that I could actually change my body with hard work and dedication. I did not want to look like her, but she showed me what was possible. I started do research on fitness training, bodybuilding and nutrition. It was so much fun and I learned so much that I decided to get a personal trainer certification in 2015. I came to realize that nothing can stop me if I don’t give up! I am 5 lbs heavier now than I was at my personal worst. I feel better than ever, but according to the BMI scale I am OBESE!

How did you change your eating habits?
I used to eat and drink whatever I wanted; that means junk food, fast food, juices and so on. It took me years to find a balance, because for a long time I switched from one extreme (overeating) to another (starving myself). Now, I don’t eat processed foods anymore. I meal prep two to three times a week and eat five to six times a day. I do not count calories, but I do watch my carbs. Depending on whether I am cutting fat or gaining mass, I consume about 30 to 100 grams of carbs per day. My protein intake is always high, about 1 grams per pound of body weight. I eat veggies, almonds and
fruit for snacks. What made everything a lot easier was creating healthy versions for my favorite dishes. That way I hardly ever crave anything. However, I do allow myself to indulge every now and then but even then I try to keep it in moderation.

What does your workout routine look like? 
I work out every day of the week and change my routine about every four to six weeks. I mainly do resistance training. For cardio, I do circuits, spinning, HIIT with light weights and sometimes I sprint on the treadmill. I never do long, low intensity cardio sessions on an elliptical or such. I just don’t enjoy it, so I don’t see the point.

How long did your transformation take?
With a lot of ups and downs, I got to where I want to be in 3 years. Clearly, I am still working to be better, faster and stronger but that was the point when I truly felt confident and happy with who I was. It was both a physical and mental transformation.

What advice do you have for other women who want to transform their bodies?
Balance is key! Try and push yourself hard every day to be better. During times when things just don’t work and you just want to do whatever you feel like doing, allow yourself to do that. It is what you do consistently, that brings change.

Don’t let the number on the scale or your BMI number discourage you. Take progress pictures, look at how your clothes fit and listen to your body to see if you “feel” healthier!

Instagram: @_misskimberly_