Kelly Pilgrim

Athlete / Female Competitors / Girls

Kelly Pilgrim

Athlete Profile: Kelly Pilgrim

Instagram: @onefitmamacanada

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onefitmamacanada

Category: UFE Athlete

Do you use a trainer? Yes

Trainer: Frank Budelewski

Trainer Website: http://www.ask-bigfrank.com/

What Motivated You To Begin Training?

Growing up I was one of those girls who could eat anything and never put on weight. After the birth of my second son at 27, I found that it just wasn’t working that way. I would eat well and not work out, or workout and eat badly. In November of 2011, I found myself a single mom of two boys and pushing 200lbs. I woke up one morning and decided to change my life. I vowed 30lbs by January 1, 2012 and joined the gym.

If you have transformed yourself what do you attribute to arriving at your starting point:

I was tired of being tired, I didn’t like what I saw in the mirror and I decided to fix it.

Tell us a little about your training philosophy:

“Doing something is better than doing nothing”. You have to enjoy what you are doing, in order for it to work, but that aside, I set mini goals and challenges for myself. One day I may decide that I am going to lift very heavy and beat as many of my personal bests as possibles, other days I may decide I am going to try something new. But as long as I am there and working then I am already winning

Tell us a little bit about your diet philosophy:

Off Season I eat relatively healthy, but allow myself cheats and treats when I want. My diet is always very high in lean protein and I avoid breads, pasta and white potatoes. During contest prep, the diet becomes far more strict. I respond well on a high fat,high protein and low carb diet. I find my energy and mood stays more stable then on higher carb lower fat.

Please tell us about your competitive history and placings (if applicable):

2013 UFE Showdown Bikini Open & Fitness Model Open 2013 UFE Springbash Bikini Open 2014 UFE Showdown Masters Fitness Model 3rd 2015 UFE Springbash Masters Fitness Model 2nd 2015 UFE Springbash Open Fitness Model 3rd

How many years have you competed (if applicable)?

Tell us about some of your short and long term goals:

Short term I am just building muscle and preparing for my wedding in August. I plan on taking the rest of 2015 off of competing and am aiming to continue with INBA Canada in early 2016. Long term my goal is to make the INBA Canada Team for the Natural Olympia in2016

Who do you look to for motivation and why?

My family and children. Once upon a time I did not have the energy torun play or have as much fun with them as I do now. They are biggest supporters and I love that I am now teaching them how to live a proper healthy lifestyle.

What are some of the most difficult obstacles that you have had to overcome?

In 2012 after having lost almost 50lbs, I found a lump in my right breast. It was breast cancer and I honestly believe that had I not decided to lose the weight when I did that I would not have found it. After surgery and medication, I can happily say I have been remission for 3 years.

Tell us some of your pet peeves surrounding healthy life and the gym:

People do not understand. When you are engrossed in the fitness industry you believe that the entire population knows all about the lifestyle but the reality is that most people go through life without knowing the people you think are superstars. To go along with it, you get a lot of negative feedback. “Don’t get to bulky”, and oh she does competitions, she must be on drugs.

What is the number one piece of advice that you would give someone that looks to you for inspiration?

Just keep moving. Nobody is perfect and everyone slips up at times. But if you have a goal, stick to it. And for the moms, You are doing your children and yourself a major favour but taking time for yourself. Trust me nobody is going to resent you looking after your own health.