Body By Kendall

So let's be real, I get ADD with my workout routine. But if we're being honest, who doesn't? This past Saturday, I had my first session with Kendall. I met Kendall back when I used to workout at LA Fitness, and also knew her through mutual friends. She's awesome, and has such as passion for fitness and nutrition! We recently ran into each other at Pink Barre, and decided we should have coffee to catch up.

During coffee at Octane (new-ish location inside Atlanta Tech Village), I asked her how she got into personal training and how she decided that was the right fit for her! Below is my Q & A with Kendall. And be sure to stay tuned for my 4-Week Challenge! She's going to get me looking right for #BikiniSeason. Too bad it can't be #SweaterWeather year round!

How long have you been a Personal Trainer/nutritionist?

• I have been a Personal Trainer since 2012. I am a certified Personal Trainer and Master Trainer with ISSA and AAAI-ISMA. I have been certified in Sports Nutrition since 2013, with AAAI-ISMA. 

What inspired you to get into this field?

• I graduated from the University of Georgia in 2011, with a Child and Family Development Major. I thought that I wanted to be a teacher or social worker; something with kids! I’ve always loved working with kids, and “teaching," which goes along with what I do now! I graduated and soon realized that fitness was my true passion. I had major back surgery in 2005, leaving me very weak and frail. My doctors told me that I would need to eventually gain strength through weight training. I didn’t begin working out until college, and at that point, I became very interested! I wanted to become “lean” and “toned.” Also, in college, I developed severe food allergies, leading me to be very cautious of what I was eating and putting in my body. I became very involved in researching what foods I can eat, and what foods would benefit my health the most. Once I graduated college, I put all of my previous learning experiences together. Everything I had learned through working out and nutrition, became useful, and is now a career! I love helping others become healthy and strong like I am today.

With all the various classes, diets etc...what do you recommend for women looking to refine/tone?

• LIFT WEIGHTS! My recommendation is 2-3 days of strength training and 3-4 days of low impact cardiovascular exercise. 20-30 minutes of cardio is enough. You do not need to spend hours on the treadmill; in fact, your body will start to burn existing muscle if you stay on the treadmill or engage in intense cardio too long.

Are abs really made in the kitchen?

• I have coined my own term for the after-burn affects of weight training and burning calories and fat. It is called the “Miracle Burn Affect.” After engaging in intense weight training, your body will continue to burn calories for up to 48 hours, that means while you’re sleeping, sitting on the couch, etc. Abs ARE made in the kitchen. You are wasting time with working out, if you are not pairing exercise with a healthy meal plan. Whole, organic foods are the way to go. Eat every 3 hours! 

We've all heard the saying, "things take time," but how much time should the average woman looking to get bikini body ready, allow herself?

• My clients will see results in 4 weeks, if not before!

Back to fad diets and abs being made in the kitchen, what does your daily food log look like?

Breakfast- Organic Oatmeal with blueberries
Snack- Fat free Greek yogurt + raw unsalted cashews + honey
Lunch- Grilled chicken on a spinach salad- top with anything from tomatoes, avocado, garbanzo beans with light balsamic vinaigrette
Snack- Think Thin protein bar, or 1 apple and 1 tbsp all-natural peanut butter
Dinner- Piece fish and roasted vegetables
Before bed snack- Fat free Greek yogurt

For more information on Kendall, or to book a training session with her go to her Facebook page - Body by Kendall! Or shoot her an e-mail. Tell her I sent you!