Introducing our 2007 BodyBlitz Grand Champion, the gorgeous Kellie Robins
When it comes to excuses for being overweight, 36-year-old single Kellie Robins mother of four had many. A full-time apprentice hairdresser, Kellie’s life is largely dominated by school runs, cooking for the kids and working long hours at a busy central coast hair salon.
Then one day Kellie looked in the mirror and realised that while she spent much of her time making everyone else around her happy – she had neglected the person that mattered the most – herself.
On a whim, she entered the BodyBlitz 12-week Challenge. With the help of an online personal trainer, Sue Heintze, she toned, trimmed and transformed her body by drastically changing her diet, and training before and after work, mostly while the kids were sleeping. In December 2006, Robins completed her Bodyblitz and was named as 2007’s first monthly winner. So you can imagine her surprise when, almost a year later, she recieved the phone-call to announce that she was the BodyBlitz Grand Champion!
A year on and Robins is tucking into a healthy breakfast of poached eggs and wholegrain toast at the Grand Champions’ Breakfast in the Melbourne beachside suburb of St Kilda. With a busy day of shooting ahead of her, Kellie is both nervous and excited about her role as covergirl for the April issue of Women’s Health & Fitness Magazine.
Despite her obvious physical transformation (as shown today in flattering three-quarter pants teamed with a charcoal strappy top) a giggly Kellie is still coming to terms with her new physique. In her own words, this is her story…
Q. Describe the moment when you decided it was time to take the first steps to change your life…
A. When I was so tired that I just didn’t have the energy to get out of bed in the mornings or run around after my kids. I never felt refreshed – even after having plenty of sleep.
And I would get frustrated when I couldn’t find anything in my wardrobe to fit me. I knew I had to do something as nobody else was going to.
Q. A lot of people cite emotional and mental reasons for weight-gain and over-eating, what were the key factors to your weight?
A. Like a lot of people, I used to eat because I was stressed or bored. But the main thing was when I broke up with my partner of 14 years, I was quite depressed and used food for comfort. I put everyone else first and myself last.
Q. What was your diet like prior to taking up the challenge?
A. It was very unbalanced. I used to go for half a day without food then eat the wrong foods because I got really bad cravings and would just grab whatever was easy and fast. Or, I would start off the day eating well then by mid-afternoon I would snack on all the wrong things.
Stats
Before
After
Height
163cm
163cm
Weight
63.8kg
53.6kg
Chest
95cm
87cm
Waist
81cm
68cm
Calves
37cm
34cm
Arms
30cm
28cm
Thighs
59cm
51cm
Hips
97cm
81cm
Q. What about your exercise plan?
A. It was all over the place. Some weeks I would walk a few times with a friend, then other weeks I would do nothing. There was absolutely no routine at all.
Q. Many people say that it’s a lot harder to stay healthy, when you’re raising a family, have outside pressures from work, not to mention the stresses of day-to-day life. What steps did you take to overcome these obstacles?
A. For me it was all about planning ahead. I would have to make my meals the day before and use whatever time I could to fit in exercise. Instead of catching up with friends for coffee and cake we would go for a walk instead. It’s making the time for yourself so that you cope with the family and day-to-day stresses a lot better.
Q. What was the hardest moment for you throughout your weight-loss journey?
A. Organising time to exercise when I was so exhausted. Some days I just didn’t have the energy after coming home and looking after the kids. Also being patient enough to get results. I had to keep reminding myself the changes were happening on the inside too.
Q. When did you first look in the mirror and give yourself that all-important pat on the back?
A. About week five, when I tried on a pair of shorts that had been too tight for me. It was such a great feeling.
Q. Many people enlist the help of a personal trainer to help them stay motivated. You opted for an online personal trainer. How does this system work, and why did it suit you?
A. There were many reasons why I chose an online trainer.
It suited me as I couldn’t afford a one-on-one personal trainer, so it was more cost effective for me. Plus time was an issue! With working fulltime and raising four kids, I just didn’t have time to go to a gym. I had a feedback coach (who had undergone their own transformation) that I could contact anytime if I had any questions or concerns. I also could access a client forum where I could chat with other clients. Not only did I have an exercise program made just for me, but also a diet plan based on the questionnaire I filled out when joining.
Q. It’s hard to strike a balance between being healthy and still allowing yourself little treats along the way. How did you manage this?
A. Once a week, I allowed myself a cheat meal where I could have whatever I wanted. It was something I could really looked forward to at the end of the week. And it always tasted better every now and then, rather than every day!
Q. Was there a point in your challenge when your weight hit a plateau? If so, how did you overcome this?
A. No, I didn’t really hit any plateaus. Some weeks I wouldn’t lose much, but then maybe the week after I would lose twice as much, so it all seemed to balance out in the end. I tried to focus more on how I was feeling and how my clothes were fitting rather than what the scales said.
Q. What sort of a diet are you following now?
A. I just tend to stick to lean proteins like chicken breast and fish; and good carbs, like grainy bread, brown rice, oats, sweet potato, lots of fruit, vegetables and salad.
Q. What about exercise?
A. I continue to train with weights as you really need them to make changes to your body, rather than cardio alone. I also enjoy interval training either outdoors or on my treadmill. My main focus is to lower my body fat more.
Q. What’s the biggest revelation you’ve had along the way?
A. That when you are organised with your health and fitness, everything else in your life seems to run more smoothly.
Q. What have you learnt about diet?
A. That good food provides you with so much more energy to cope with our busy lifestyles over the fast unhealthy foods that give you a quick energy hit then leave you in a slump a short time later.
It is absolutely essential to eat well if you are going to train hard as you need the energy to fuel your workouts. You need to eat at least every three hours.
Q. What have you learnt about exercise?
A. That it’s great when combined with diet to achieve a fit healthy body. It relieves stress and speeds up the metabolism.
Q. How do you relax after a long workout?
A. I don’t get much time to relax!! But I would like to relax in a soothing bath and maybe read a good book.
Q. You look lean and toned, yet still very feminine. What has been key to achieving this look?
A. Training with maximum intensity rather than just ‘going through the motions’, and, a very clean diet with no processed foods.
Q. How have your kids and family supported you?
A. My kids didn’t really think I needed to lose weight. My 15 year old would entertain the little ones if I was doing my workouts while they were awake.
My mum lives interstate so she didn’t get to see me until I had completed my transformation, but she called everyone and told them of my achievement.
Q. Have all reactions been positive?
A. Yes, everyone says I look amazing and seem so much happier. They say I’m a perfect size and not too skinny, that I still look like a woman, which is very encouraging for me.
Q. Aside from health and fitness, what are your biggest passions in life?
A. To raise my kids to be happy, balanced adults and to finally have a career after all these years of being a mum.
Q. You’ve recently started a hairdressing apprenticeship, how has the challenge helped with your confidence?
A. I plan to finish the apprenticeship, as I did hairdressing 17 years ago before I had my kids. I now have the drive and energy to succeed!
Entering the challenge has given me the chance to realise that anything is possible at any age. There are no excuses. You just need to get started and it will all fall into place if you stay positive.
Q. What’s next?
A. Continuing to balance full-time work, four kids and my health and fitness. Who knows what the future holds for me!
Kellie’s tips
• Cut out pictures of people who inspire you
• Keep a food and exercise diary
• Prepare your meals the
day before
• Be patient and consistent as lasting results take time
• Set mini-goals and reward yourself with non-food treats as you achieve them
Kellie’s training diary
Mon
Chest, back and shoulders workout
Tue
60-min power walk and abs workout
Wed
Legs and arms workout plus 60-minutes cardio
Thurs
Hill incline walk
Fri
Chest, back and shoulders workout
Sat
Interval runs and abs workout
This Months Winner is Vanessa Harman
Vanessa Harman has overcome her battles with binge eating and spills the beans on her sleek new body! Read more>
This Months Winner Dean Jenner
There were a few stumbling blocks in front of Dean Jenner, on his way to a quality physique. But with perseverance and support from his partner, he went all the way to being this month’s winner Read more>
This Months Winner John Cross
Waking up feeling sluggish and hung-over was becoming an all too regular occurrence for John Cross. An unhealthy lifestyle was the norm and the consequences until now, were not even a consideration. That was about to change. Read more>
Q. What have you learnt about exercise?
This Months Winner is Vanessa Harman 
This Months Winner Dean Jenner 
This Months Winner John Cross 
