Transformation of the Day (Update): Last year, Kaira shared her story with us after losing 96 pounds. Now she’s back to share the actions she has taken and daily habits she’s embraced to maintain her results and take her journey further with bodybuilding.
Social Media:
Instagram: @madgeniusfit
Read more about her journey in her previous feature.
How have I maintained my weight loss to lose weight in terms of eating habits?
Beginning this year, as I turned 40 in April, I decided to really push my health and wellness to the next level and start competitive bodybuilding. I started this journey in January of this year. I competed in one show in June, and I have another show at the end of August.
Having a coach who designs my diet weekly helped me to lose over 60 pounds since the beginning of the year. I have a very strict diet with very few ‘cheat meals.’ Currently, I consume around 1000 calories a day and make sure that I burn at least twice that to stay in a caloric deficit to maintain my weight for the stage.
Looking back on the lessons I’ve learned on my journey, which one stands out the most?
Mindset over everything. You have to really connect the mind with the body to effectively and efficiently see weight loss. It is not enough to try to lose weight for a trip or a special occasion. You have to set in your mind that this is a new lifestyle and will require change and some discomfort to get to your desired goals.
And also time. Nothing happens overnight, so you must be committed to the grind and the process on the good and bad days because that is where you will see change, and it will become habitual.
Would I offer any new or different advice to women who want to lose weight?
Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today. Most people always say I’ll start on Monday or after the New Year or some date that is not right then… in that moment. That is when you have to start… the moment you get the idea that you want to change.
Hold yourself accountable for your own goals, but set goals that are attainable. Do not say, “I want to lose 40 pounds in a month.” because you’re probably not going to hit that goal in a healthy way. Set goals that you know you can accomplish every day and grow from there.
Try your best not to compare your body and your journey to others. Learn what works for your body and your lifestyle. Fitness is not a one-size fits all process. Make fitness and healthy eating fun.
Watch your portions!! Weight your food so you know exactly how much you’re consuming. Give yourself grace, but do not give yourself space to make excuses.
At the beginning of the year, I weighed 195 pounds, yet I ran marathons, taught spin classes, and did CrossFit. I couldn’t understand how much diet played a part in how my body not only looked, but how my body responded.
The bodybuilding journey is hard, isolating, and not for everyone, but it has been one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life. Changing your life, your diet, your fitness routine, and your mindset is not easy. You need to surroundyourself with a loving team of family and friends and fitness professionals to help you achieve your goals. Give the process time to work, truly commit to the grind every day, and you will hit each target you set for yourself. -Kaira “The Mad Genius” Peyton
