You are here: Team Poynter » Interview Kara Childress

Interview with Kara Childress

01

What made you decide to make a change in your life that related to health and fitness?

At 21 I became interested in fitness. Maybe I should say that is when I became interested in yo-yo dieting, losing weight only to gain back more than I lost, and going through spurts consisting of intense and rigorous exercise regimens that kept me in the gym for hours, to not working out for several months at a time.

For nearly a decade, I continued this cycle and my weight constantly fluctuated between 125-155 pounds. Most of that is attributed to low self esteem, hating my body and how it looked, and outwardly hiding that I was miserable inside. It was exhausting. Because of these feelings, I always turned to food for solace.

I have struggled with binge eating and over eating since I was about 15, so half my life. My successes were short lived - possibly because I felt as though I didn't deserve to feel good about myself or my body. When I was 27, I hired a trainer and got into amazing shape.

That was also short lived. I joined the military nearly 10 pounds heavier only 3 short months after I left my trainer. Within the next year (April of 2009) I ballooned to 155, an additional gain of 15 pounds. Finally, I had enough. In late April at 28, I was ready to face my demons, take responsibility for my life and my actions, and finally be healthy .. mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. I wanted to get my life on track, feel proud of myself and what I knew I could accomplish, and ultimately, learn to love and accept myself.

02

What were the reasonings behind joining Fitnesspoynters.com?

I was desperate for someone to help me pick myself up off the ground and start over again. I wanted to be "under the wing" so to speak, of someone I could trust and rely on to take me where I wanted to go. That ended up being Steve and Team Poynter. While perusing bb.com one afternoon, I came across Team Poynter. I checked out the group page and read through what people were saying.

I saw the transformations that were happening, namely Irondiva83, and knew there was something phenomenal going on within that group....and I wanted to be a part of it. The inspiring and encouraging words being exchanged amongst team members, recognizing that everyone seemed so motivated, and they were really changing their lives pulled at something deep inside of me; I wanted in. I found a second family in Team Poynter.

03

What were some of the first changes you began to see in your transformation?

After a rocky start due to continually being sick and then cheating on my plan and skipping workouts, I got really focused. When I really began, in early June 2009, I saw changes rapidly.

The good (and the bad) thing about my body is it responds quickly and changes occur quickly. In the first week, I dropped some water weight and in the first couple of weeks, my arms looked better. At 2 months, my body was a lot different that when I began; my back shaped up, my legs were more shapely and defined, my waist was slimmer, I was running 4-7 miles at a time. Within 3 months, I looked like a different person. Out of all that though, I would have to say that my outlook, mood, and energy level were some of the very first changes I saw in my transformation.

04

How long did it take for you to start noticing results?

Quickly. In some areas as little as one week. But most changes occurred around the 8-9 week mark.

05

What was the most challenging part of the Transformation?

Beginning. It took me almost a full month to get on track and be serious about changing my life. Between being sick, "rewarding" myself with cheat meals more often than I should have, and skipping workouts I got on track in June 2009.

06

How long did it take you to reach your current weight after starting the program from fitnesspoynters.com?

About 6 months.

07

How are you maintaining your fit status after completing the program?

I eat a clean and healthy organic (vegan) diet, drink a gallon of distilled water every day, practice yoga, lift weights, and run. I also juice and water fast periodically. I try to mix it up to keep it interesting.

Also, I love to be an inspiration to others and help them achieve their own success in becoming healthier, so I use that as a motivator to stay healthy and in shape myself.

08

How do the changes you have made affect your life today?

I am calmer, more relaxed, able to focus; I am much more centered; I have a more positive outlook on life; I was able to work through a lot of personal issues that have opened the floodgates to self love and acceptance; I am better able to control my feelings with food and overeating and am working on letting that part of myself go completely. No one is perfect and I am a continual work in progress.

Other changes in my life are people coming to me for advice about being healthier. I have actually been able to assist a lot of people around me to do so, which makes me so happy. I think the biggest change that affects me is now I know what I want to do with my life. I want to help others achieve what is inside their hearts, to help them become the best people they can be...healthy, fit, and happy.

I plan on becoming a certified trainer, competing in May 2010, and eventually opening a gym of my own in 2015.

09

How would you rate your overall experience with Fitnesspoynters.com?

Before I began working with Steve, I had a lot of questions. I felt comfortable moving forward because of the specialized attention I received. He took time to answer any questions I had, soothe any concerns, and ensured me that my program would be tailored to me. During the program, if at any time I had a question or concern, his dedication to me and my success never waivered.

He was quick to respond and was always willing to tweak my program if necessary and always provided me with accurate, knowledgeable advice and recommendations. The Team's support was unmatched. They were there to pick me up and push me harder when I needed it just as much as they were there to cheer me on and congratulate me on my successes.

Team Poynter was my rock. I am still a member of Team Poynter and Steve is still a very large part of my fitness success.

10

Weight Loss Tips

Tip 1: EAT CLEAN...what goes into your mouth is used by your body for fuel. If you feed your body unhealthy and toxic foods, your body will be toxic thus prohibiting you from metabolizing nutrients properly and eliminating waste from your cells; this will lead to a stall in weight loss and muscle progression and can promote weight gain When you eat healthy clean foods, your body can function properly, metabolize nutrients, eliminate waste, promote weight loss (or maintenance) and encourage muscle progression. Poor eating habits have also been linked to many health diseases while eating clean is believed to extend your vitality, health, and ultimately your life.

Tip 2: IDRINK WATER...a gallon a day will keep your body hydrated. It takes nearly 72 hours for your body to hydrate itself, so remember, the water you drink today is for hydration your body requires 3 days from now. Drinking distilled water is best for the body as it is the closest to pure water by the steam distillation method. There are no added minerals, sodium, or additives as there are in other waters. Drinking distilled water allows the body to accept the water for hydration and does not require to break down any fillers. Remember, everyone's body is unique. Some people's bodies may have difficulty breaking down minerals added to other water sources thus drinking distilled water is almost pure, making it "universal".

Tip 3: EXERCISE REGULARLY...mix things up. Don't give your body the same boring routine all the time. Keep your body guessing, even if it for just one activity a week or something as simple as switching up your days on your workout schedule. Doing this will help stave off plateaus, boredom, burn out, and quitting. Make exercise fun.

Tip 4: GET ENOUGH SLEEP...7-9 hours is recommended each night for adequate sleep. When we don't get enough, we put extra stress on our body which causes it to create extra cortisol. Cortisol is linked to weight gain. Besides being alert, attentive, and better able to focus, enough sleep also allows our bodies to regenerate, clean house, rid us of toxins, heal, and prepare us for the day ahead. Remember, while we may be asleep our bodies never do. Don't overwork it. Treat it right and it will return the favor.

Tip 5: HAVE A SUPPORT NETWORK...for when you become unmotivated or for when you want to share personal milestones with like minded people. It is important to feel validated and understood. Surrounding yourself with people who are "on the same page" and encourage your progression is paramount. Without a cheering squad, many people find it impossible to stick to a diet/weight loss plan on their own because it is easy to become overwhelmed, frustrated, and to give up if not made accountable. Remember, you are not alone on this journey to health. There are a lot of people who are better and worse off than your current level of fitness; who knows, you may inspire someone to change their lives.

Tip 6: LIMIT YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE....alcohol is empty calories which only makes you crave food usually high in saturated fat and carbohydrates, a recipe for disaster when it comes to being in shape. If you do choose to drink, drink in moderation and limit the number of drinks you have on that occasion. Be sure to eat something substantial before indulging in libations, match one alcoholic drink with a glass of water, and limit yourself to the allowable amount so that you do not become intoxicated (when your inhibitions are lowered and you are more likely to splurge on unhealthy, toxic foods). Remember, alcohol is a toxin too, and by consuming it (even in moderation) you are causing your body, especially your kidneys and liver, to work extra hard to process it, break it down, and excrete it.