|
 By: Kim Schaefer
Name: Kim Schaefer
I've never had much of a problem with my weight, with the exception of ages 8-12 being a little chubby. I guess you would just call that "baby fat". When I hit the age of 12 or 13, however, I slimmed down considerably and never had a problem until I hit my 30's. It was the typical hips and thighs spreading. I didn't like what I saw and needed to do something about it. I've been a gym member since I was 18 years old and have mostly done aerobics. I have dabbled off and on in weight training. I have also taught step and kickboxing aerobics for years and was able to maintain my weight for many of those years. I decided in 2002 to make a change. I already had added more weight training and aerobic activity. At that time I was doing kickboxing aerobics 4 times per week and weight training 4 days per week. But it wasn't getting the results I wanted. I knew I had to clean up my eating habits. 
 Click Image To Enlarge.
I Knew I Had To Clean Up My Eating Habits.
A couple of women at the gym had just started the Body For Life Challenge and I decided to give it a try. Basically it consisted of workouts 6 days per week. 3 days were HIIT, Cardio for 20-30 minutes, and the other 3 days were upper and lower body workouts. The biggest part, and hardest, was the nutrition part of it.
6 meals per day consisting of a protein and carb with 2 of those meals containing a vegetable.
Click Image To Enlarge.
I Was Allowed One Cheat Day Per Week. During the 12 week process I learned if you "fail to plan you plan to fail." You had to plan everything; your meals and your workouts or you risk the chance of failing. I would plan my meals and weekly workouts on Sunday and power cook for the week. It helped me stay on track. After the 12 weeks I had dropped down to less than 15% body fat and lost about 12 pounds. I had decided I would take a step further and entered a figure contest in 2003. At 12 weeks out I dropped my carbs and ate a lot of protein and vegetables. I upped my cardio to two times per day at 30-40 minutes per session. Weight training was 4 days per week. The fat started to fall off and unfortunately I was also loosing some muscle mass which I didn't have a lot of at that time.
Click Image To Enlarge.
"Fail To Plan, You Plan To Fail."  
Click Image To Enlarge.
I've Been Hooked Ever Since.  Transformation In Progress
I'm what you would call a transformation in progress. After that 1st year competing my trainer and I knew I needed to add a lot more muscle so I spent the next couple of months working harder in the gym and I was trying to get enough calories in to promote muscle growth. My workout split went from 4 days per week up to 5 days training 1 body part per day with abs 4-5 times per week and calves 2 times per week. I did 3 contests in 2004 coming in at about 115 lbs. And around 12 % body fat. I tried my hand at Jr. Nationals just to get a feel for a national level show. Mike decided I needed to shut it down for a year and not compete. He wanted me to eat a lot of clean calories to add mass. My goals were to build a bigger V taper and wider shoulders. I ate 8 meals per day and consumed about 1- 1 1/2 gallons of water per day. This year I came into my contest at 121 lbs. About 10-12% body fat and had good improvements on my V taper, shoulders, and legs. As Mike said
"I now have curves."
I still have work to do. I have about 6 months to add more size to my back, shoulders, and arms. Like I said before I'm a transformation in progress.
Click Image To Enlarge.
I Now Have Curves.
 
Click Image To Enlarge.
Kim Schaefer.
Click Image To Enlarge.
Way To Go Kim!
Kim Schaefer Recommend this article to a friend by e-mail here! Visitor Reviews Of This Article!
Related Articles
|
Protein Choices Were:
Sign in for more FREE features and tools!
|
|
Give Us Feedback:
Report A ProblemSite Feedback |
Follow Us:
|
Bodybuilding.com Newsletter
Receive exciting features, |
