Today on Fit Mama Friday I’m sharing Kylie McCarty’s story. Kylie was nominated by a good friend to be featured for her dedication to fitness and health and I have to say, I was blown away by what a transformation she has made. A single mama of her gorgeous daughter Greer, 12 years old, Kylie is all about recognizing the importance of mothers who prioritize fitness in their life. Her story is perfect for Fit Mama Friday.

Meet Kylie.

Kylie, I know you had to work hard to regain your fitness in the past few years. Were you fit when you were growing up, or prior to having your daughter?

Growing up I was naturally thin, very thin. It was not necessary for me to watch my intake or be active. I danced and played sports through middle school, but decided in high school working to make my own money was my priority.  I went through phases of running a few miles a day for a few months and then no activity for a few months.  My physique never changed – it was just thin.

What was pregnancy and recovering from childbirth like for you? Were you active during your pregnancy?

I was 22 years old and 119 lbs when I became pregnant with my daughter. I gained about 50 lbs throughout my pregnancy and did not make being active or fit a priority.  Despite that, by the time my daughter was 3 months old I was almost back to my pre-pregnancy weight, at 122 lbs.  I did not have to watch what I ate – breast feeding weight loss is magical – but I did do some aggressive walking with my daughter in a front pack as often as I could.

When did you start to gain weight and realize you didn’t feel healthy anymore?

When my daughter was 4 ½ months old I entered nursing school…as a single mother.  Four months later, when I had my first round of finals my milk dried up and the breast feeding stopped much to my daughter’s and my dismay.  That is when my yo-yo weight gain and loss phases started.  I tried Atkins, Weight watchers, Herbalife shakes, and so on and would buy gym memberships for 3 months here and 3 months there.  All the while my weight would go up to 150lbs and then back to 125lbs on several occasions over a period of 9 years, with every up swing of the scale getting higher and higher with each weight gain.  It wasn’t until I reached rock bottom (in my head) and a grossly high number on the scale (197lbs) that I was able to make drastic life style changes that would last in order to become healthy again.

Reaching that weight was obviously a tipping point for you – was that when you decided to make changes to your lifestyle?

Actually, my life saving moment was quite possibly a divine intervention. It was June 2011 while floating on a lake in Maine enjoying my annual summer vacation catch-up with my best friend.  My friend was telling me all about a triathlon she just completed all while just having had a baby, working full time and married!  There I was pushing the 200lb mark, had a 9 year old at the time (easy as pie compared to an infant), worked full time, single (so didn’t have to worry about making time for a significant other), but lacking any other excuse not to be more active and more importantly healthy.  Well that was the divine intervention I needed!  Thank you Lord!  I took a few months mentally preparing for the changes I was going to have to make in order to get healthy and be able to see my daughter grow up!!  It was not a New Years resolution at all, but it just so happened that when I was ready to make the changes I needed to make and had reached out for help it was January 17^th 2012.

How did you start the process of turning your health around? It must have seemed overwhelming.

At the weight of 197 lbs I walked into Wayne’s World Elite Fitness Training for the first time ever and started lifting that day with the incredible guidance of Wayne Burwell.  He designed all my workouts so I was never left in the gym to my own devices (I mention this because this is a large part of what made it work and last, along with just knowing I needed to be healthier for my daughter).  I also took his bootcamp group class as often as I could.  I would wake up at 5 a.m. to get my workouts done and even more significant is that I had to take my 9 year old with me in order to make it work! As a single mom I couldn’t leave her home alone.

That’s amazing! How did your daughter react to your dedication? Was she upset that she had to get up at 5am? 😉

Greer deserves some sort of an award.  She was up with me every morning Monday – Friday with a rare complaint of exhaustion, but who could blame her?  If she hadn’t been supportive and flexible this lifestyle change wouldn’t have happened!!  I progressed along with my workouts quite quickly.  In May of 2012 I started doing two-a-day workouts (a lift and a bootcamp) and have maintained that for the majority of the last two years.  I’ve had to readjust my schedule here and there to accommodate my daughter’s active lifestyle as well, but I make it work.  I have to.  Fitness is like toilet paper, everyone needs it!

And now you are a figure competitor, is that right?

Yes, now just over two years later I am a solid 120lbs and competed in my first figure competition 3 weeks ago. I actually wrote this as I rode the Dartmouth Coach to Boston to meet with my figure coach – my next figure competition is less than a week away.

Wow, Kylie, you are one inspiring mama! Do you share your story with others? (I mean, apart from being on Fit Mama Friday! 😉 )

I often think about starting a blog to tell my weight loss story and to hopefully empower others that are struggling with obesity to change their lives, but whenever I try to think of what I want to say I am stuck.  I am stuck because I am ashamed that fitness and health wasn’t always a priority.

To me, the people who are really empowering are the people who never let their health get so out of control that they needed to make drastic changes.  There is nothing to me that I find inspiring about letting my health go.  I can guarantee you however, I will never let it go again!  I am proud that I have made this change without any tricks, only dedication to my lifting and bootcamp schedule and impeccable nutrition (thanks to a few incredible life coaches I’ve gained along the way).

I continue to struggle with nutrition from time to time.  I compare myself to a recovering alcoholic.  Just as a recovering alcoholic will always be a recovering alcoholic, I will always be a recovering fat chick.  I will forever be cognizant of my nutrition and eat as clean as possible while also giving my body the fuel it needs for whatever I may be asking it to do.

You are definitely inspiring and you have nothing to be ashamed of! I think a lot of people would be motivated by your story.

How has being a fit mama impacted your daughter?

Fitness will always be my priority second to being a mother.  My lifestyle has made a big impact on my daughter.  To date my most proud moments are the fits that my daughter throws at the TV when she is watching a commercial for the “if you buy this you will get skinny” products.  As Greer says, “If you don’t workout and eat right it doesn’t matter what you buy!!” It is not a statement she has ever heard me say  – it is just what she has learned watching me change my lifestyle and that is all I need to hear to know I’ve made an impact on her!

That’s wonderful! Congratulations on all your hard work and dedication – you are super fit and it shows! I’m sure your daughter is incredibly proud of you. Thank you so much for being on Fit Mama Friday today and inspiring others!

Fit Mama Friday – Fit Dad Friday

Every Friday on Fine Fit Day I feature a Fit Mama or a Fit Dad story of how and why a fit and healthy mama or dad ensures fitness is a priority in her or his life. You’ll read about all kinds of parents and their fitness stories. Some are stay-at-home parents, some are single parents, some juggle more than one job on top of parenthood, but they are all committed to a fit and healthy lifestyle. As you’re getting ready for your weekend, I hope you’re inspired to be active after reading about these kick-ass mamas and dads on Fit Mama Friday – Fit Dad Friday!

 

Do you want to be featured on Fit Mama Friday? Or do you know someone you’d like to see featured? Please contact me for details!