Weight loss Transformation Tuesday interview with Crystal Martinez

This hot Chiquita needs no introduction, she is one motivated and inspiring young lady who just woke up one morning and had enough of how she looked and most importantly felt. Let me introduce you to beautiful Crystal Martinez from Spoonful Of Fit;

Transformation Tuesday with Crystal Martinez

How old are you and please can you share your health and fitness journey to date? 

I am 26 and fell in love with fitness in December 2011. I wanted to live to be the best I could be, both inside and out, so I started lifting and eating clean and lost 20 pounds in the process.

What types of foods did you used to eat as a kid and young adult? What's changed since then? 

I don’t think I ate any vegetables until my early twenties. I was a picky eater when I was younger. I ate a lot of processed foods marketed towards kids from Lunchables to Lucky Charms and fruit snacks. In my teens, I ate a ton of fast food. In my early twenties, I tried eating healthy to me, that was Lean Cuisines and fat-free/low-fat everything.  Now I finally know what clean eating is and eat only unprocessed and chemical free foods and tons of vegetables. J

Do you play any sports or what sports do you like watching?

I used to play volleyball, softball, Taekwondo, and did cheerleading growing up. Now, I just focus on weightlifting and running sprints out at the track.

What are your interests, passion and what makes you smile?

Fitness and food are my two biggest passions, so that makes the gym and the kitchen like home to me. I love creating healthy recipes and cooking for my family and friends. Every time someone makes a recipe of mine or messages me to tell me that I have helped them, I smile so big.

What was the catalyst that sparked your lifestyle change?

When I looked into the mirror one morning, not being able to fit into any of my jeans, and I felt and looked unhappy and unhealthy, that’s when I realized I needed a lifestyle change. I made up my mind to change and never looked back.

What are some of your dreams/goals you hope to achieve over the next 12 months?

I just became a NASM-CPT, so I am looking forward to making the move to Southern California and transition careers from working in an office cubicle, to being a personal trainer in my dream city, doing what I love to do. I want to empower individuals to be the best version of themselves they can be by making their health a priority and reaching their fitness goals.

What tips would you like to share with my readers about your transformation?

My transformation wasn’t just a transformation of my body. For me, fitness is very much mind, body, and spirit. I transformed on the inside. I grew stronger emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Fitness empowered me to be a stronger woman than I ever thought I could be. It also wasn’t a straight path. There were ups, downs, highs, and lows. This is why it is a journey and a lifestyle. It’s not a straight path, but I am destined to keep trucking along to be the best me I can be.

Weight loss story Transformation Tuesday with Sharna

Another phenomenal transformation. Let me introduce the lovely Sharna Weber. A young mother with a soon to be 2 year old daughter shares her story with us today.

How old are you and please can you share your health and fitness journey to date?

I am 32 years old, I have been on my real weight loss journey since the birth of my daughter in July 2011. Though was a yo-yo dieter since a teen.

What types of foods did you used to eat as a kid and young adult? What's changed since then? 

My mum was (and still is) an amazing cook and she would cook with passion and love and so our meals would be very hearty, carb loaded and never skimped on fats. Think roasts with gravy, Yorkshire pudding and roasted veggies in oil or Mum would cook a variety of cuisines and cook up a banquet lol. We also had big servings on our plates and had to eat it all. My mum would often go on diets though and we kids would also have to eat whatever was the fad at the time, so liver cleansing diet, weight watchers etc. As a young adult I would yo-yo diet constantly which I think was a habit from being on varying diets with my mum as a kid. My weight would fluctuate as I could never stick with whatever fad diet was at the time and binge eat afterwards, I was also a very emotional eater. I ate healthy 90% of the time but it was the quantity of foods I had issues with and I rarely exercised.

Now I have implemented a way of eating which I can sustain long term, also changing to grain/sugar free was the best thing for my gut health. I was always feeling bloated and having stomach aches when I would eat refined carbohydrates. It would also send me on binge frenzies, eating sugar and simple carbs would cause me to feel hungry and crave more and more.
I now follow lacto-paleo principals majority of the time but on special occasions do tend to be more lenient, though often regret it the next day when I feel crappy.

Do you play any sports or what sports do you like watching?

I used to play many sports such as netball and soccer but at the moment I don’t play any sports. Dancing has also been something I loved to do and did Salsa classes for awhile. I love to watch soccer and Crossfit Games.
To keep fit at the moment I go to gym or walks along the beach, plus my children keep me on my toes!
I would love to take up boxing, pole dancing and Crossfit when I hit one of my mini goals and possibly salsa again.

What are your interests, passion and what makes you smile?

I love cooking, it will always be my passion. I also love to bake and often make cakes for friends and family as a hobby which is bizarre as I don’t have a sweet tooth lol. Though I have become much more mindful of the ingredients I put in to my meals and often create or modify recipes to be healthy and nutritious.
One thing I am very passionate about even before I embarked on this lifestyle change is creating a chemical free environment as much as possible. I love making chemical free natural cleaning products in our house as well as skin care etc.
We very much have a green thumb in this house and love to grow organic herbs and vegetables and I think its taught my kids a lot about food, where it comes from and showing them what real food tastes like.
I have to say the thing that makes me smile the most are my children, they are rays of sunshine. I love playing outside with them, they are so active and could spend hours outside in the garden.

What was the catalyst that sparked your lifestyle change?

I have always been on a ‘diet’ my weight has fluctuated between 54kg to 75kg for over a decade, it wasn’t until I had an emergency cesarean with my first child that I became really lazy and packed on the weight. I then fell pregnant again and that’s when I hit my highest weight.

I never used to have pictures taken of myself, I hate being photographed but then I saw photos of myself holding my daughter and I realized I cannot keep going on this path of self-destruction and not being a good role model for my children. I knew then that I had to make a lifestyle change for good, not just a quick fix diet.

What are some of your dreams/goals you hope to achieve over the next 12 months?

I vowed that when I would get to under 80kg I would get out of my comfort zone and do something I have never done before, so I have now signed up for True Grit, the military inspired obstacle course in May since I have hit that mini goal.

I am hoping in the next 12 months to hit my goal weight/body image. To lower my body fat percentage to around 20%.  I have awhile to go yet on my journey but looking forward to the final stages of transformation.

What tips would you like to share with my readers about your transformation?

Consistency is key, don’t think that it’s a percentage of diet and exercise. The only percentage where you will really see results is putting 100% in to each. However if you fall off the wagon don’t beat yourself up about it, just make the next meal count.
Also learn to love and accept what you see both within yourself and on the outside no matter what stage you are in your fitness/weight goals. Accepting doesn’t mean you have to stay where you are, it means acknowledging and then working towards the best you can possibly be. Just remember you are worth it and enjoy the journey.

Thanks again Sharna for sharing your amazing transformation with us and I wish you all the success in the future. Keep up the great work! XxDani

Weight loss story Transformation Tuesday - Helené

This transformation will blow your mind!!! Seriously! 

For those that are finding it difficult out there or feeling like they have plataued, this interview will make you realise ANYTHING is possible!!!!

Let me introduce the beautiful and wonderful Helené Mikanovic from the most romantic countries in the world, France. I have been following her on Instagram since early this year and all I can say is WOW! Truly one amazing girl and she has such a wonderful story to share!

Weight loss story 51kgs AKA 112lbs already LOST!!!! 

How old are you and please can you share your health and fitness journey to date?

I'm 25years old, I'm not really in a particular diet, the "basics" were given to me by a doctor in February 2012, and since. I eat healthy, I workout every day, trying to listen to my body and it works very well :)

What types of foods did you used to eat as a kid and young adult? What's changed since then? 

When I was a kid, I was like all the other children. I like to eat sweets, chocolate, chips, ice cream, cakes, Mcdonalds etc... all these things that are not healthy. Quick things to eat. I don't take the time to discover the flavors, my mother had some vegetables I immediately said "no, I don't like it!" while I had ever tasted.
I learned to eat things I never eat before, some vegetables, for example, I learned to appreciate the real flavor and not things filled with chemical things.Take the time to discover, take the time to try several times. It changed my way of eating, my way of life.

Do you play any sports or what sports do you like watching?When I was young my weight was “normal”, I praticed sport (fencing), high level sport, I did sport for most of 12 years. I was departemental champion (I have pics if you are interested!) I was a sportswoman, I did bike and swimming. I was a young active child. Then one day I had a fight with my teacher. I think it was at this time (15yo) that I start gain weight.
Now I begin to love the sport again. I don't do sports at a high level because my highest weight was 396lbs (180kgs) and at this weight, you can imagine the difficulty playing sports!
Now, I do stepper, walking, squats, cycling and swimming. Gradually!
But on TV :) I love watching tennis

What are your interests, passion and what makes you smile?I'm passionate about many things. I love the simple things in life. I like to walk in the forest, in the countryside. I love beautiful scenery, watching the sea, I love taking pictures. I like to capture every moment of my life.before my weight loss and even now.
I'm a very simple girl, a hello, a smile, a little attention makes me smile :) I'm not complicated, I love people, I love life, I love the simplicity.
I like to share my experience on instagram. I smile when I get nice comments, I smile when I get advice, I smile when I see the progress of my friends on instagram, I love people who are fighting for their lives. I smile when I see people post nasty comments because I think they make me move forward in life.

What was the catalyst that sparked your lifestyle change?When I was young, my parents took me see some doctors for my weight, I also went into center for obese children. 3 times for long months… I lose weight but after, I always became more fat. I know all methods “balanced” diet, as I was eating everything but in small quantities by removing cakes etc. I lost 2,2lbs (1kg) per month. I’m not saying it is not good but when weighed 319lbs (145kgs) at 24 yo height 1.69cm, it is urgent to lose weight for health reasons.
So I decided to make an appointment with a nutritionist (january2012). I was happy to go to my appointment … and then..........I went, I came out crying.
Why? Because I was unmotivated, saying that it was difficult to lose weight and in my case surgery would be best (sleeve, bypass etc …). For me it was out of the question that I do make. I was motivated and I was losing weight so why have surgery???
I’ve never been to see her again.
One word in my head: SUCCESSFUL, to become what I am!
NO! I can do it, I want to get there, this doctor was so mean to me, I was just looking for help!
It was THE thing.

What are some of your dreams/goals you hope to achieve over the next 12 months?

I don't have a goal for the next 12 months. My real goal is to have a healthy life. forever.

What tips would you like to share with my readers about your transformation?

I'm not a doctor, I'm not a professional. I just want to say that everything is possible, you should never give up. Don't let anyone discourage you, surround yourself with good people. Let anyone try to take the wrong wayeven once. Bad habits are so easy to pick up! I just want to tell you, no matter where you start, nothing is impossible. yes it takes time, but believe me it is the best gift that you can do in life.
My journey is not over, I continue every day to share with you, I know how hard it is, there is no miracle but the miracle is really changing. become what you are.

NB: Helené has replied back to these questions via email and apologised for her English but I think she did an amazing job and I did not edit one word. I would be terrible at French! 

Thank you so much for sharing your amazing journey with us all Helené. I look forward to catching up with you later on in the year to see your progress. For those that wish to follow Helené, please do so on her Facebook and Instagram pages. 

Tell me what are some things that stop your healthy lifestyle?

♥ Dani