Q. Lets start here, what is your name?
A. Kathryn Ciresi
“Kat” Height 5’2″ Weight 102 on season, 110 off season
Q. How do you start your day? Do you have a morning routine?
A. My Day usually begins around 4:30am. I head to the gym for my daily cardio. Then I go home make breakfast and get my daughter off to school. Work all day. Then head back to the gym for Round 2 for Lifting or Plyometrics.
Q. How long have you been training?
A. I’ve led a very active lifestyle since 4 years old. I competed as a Gymnast, Diver, Cheerleader, Bodybuilder, and a Fitness Competitor before my daughter was born. I started back training hard 9 months ago.
Q. What made you get into Fitness and Competition?
A. I used to compete in Bodybuilding and Fitness Shows back in the 90′s. When I moved to Ohio got married and had a child my fitness took a back seat. Fortunately, because of Facebook, I met two incredible women that unknowingly got me back in the game. IFBB Bikini Pro Jennifer Chapman and IFBB Figure Competitor Carla Sizemore. Two great ladies that inspired me to take a chance and compete again.
Q. How many people have you encouraged into the sport since you started?
A. Hmmmm Not sure but I’m guessing quite a few.
Q. What was your body like before you started training?
A. I was a Skinny Fat. Not a whole lot of Muscle and Definition. I gained 85 pounds with my pregnancy and never really got my body back.
Q. How do you keep yourself motivated and on-track through the grueling dieting in the last few weeks?
A. I keep photographs around my house especially in the kitchen of the last year’s winner of the division I’m competing in. It’s a daily reminder that keeps me motivated and determined to stick to the Plan.
Q. How do you handle the stress of it all?
A. I don’t really consider it Stress. I Love It! I started Meditating a couple of weeks ago and it seems to relax me. It puts me in a good mind set for the day and gives me a moment to be Grateful.
Q. Do you get more attention from the people now that you are in such good shape?
A. I do. I’m taking better care of my body and my skin. People are starting to take notice.
Q. What do you feel is the most important thing athlete can have in order to be successful in this sport?
A. Dedication, Patience, Believing and a Good Support Group are the keys to Success in my opinion. I don’t think one is more important than the other.
Q. What is your favorite energy/pre-workout supplement? Protein supplement?
A. I don’t have a particular favorite. I’ve tried many throughout the years. Everyone is different and respond to supplements differently. I just use what works for me. It’s always trial and error.
Q. How many days a week do you work out?
A. 6 days a week sometimes 7.
Q. How many exercises per body part do you typically do in a workout?
A. It depends on what body part I’m training that day. It varies.
Q. How much weight will you normally gain during the off-season?
A. 5-8 Pounds
Q. How about tanning/makeup/hair preparation for a contest. Can you tell that I’m still overwhelmed?
A. That’s the fun part. It’s my treat for all the hard work I’ve done. I love getting all Beautified.
Q. What is your philosophy on diet?
A. I hate the word “diet”. It’s a conscious lifestyle decision to stay consistent with your eating and working out if you want to keep the weight off.
Q. Any holiday eating tips?
A. Try not to eat the Crap! You work to hard to ruin it. Keep Liquor to a minimum and Drink lots of Water.
Q. What kind of workout program do you follow?
A. High Intensity Interval Training along with Cardio and Plyometrics.
Q. What about working out while you are on the road?
A. I’m a TRX Instructor and I take my own personal TRX on the road with me wherever I go. It packs away easily in your suitcase and it gives me a total body workout in less than 30 minutes. I’m also a Jennifer Nicole Lee Master Trainer and I get a killer workout with JNL Fusion as well. It also helps if you locate the nearest gym in the city your going to be in prior to your travel.
Q. Do you believe in workout programs like Insanity or P90X?
A. Absolutely! You should consult your physician before trying any of these programs though.
Q. What competitions have you participated in and what were the results (bikini/fitness/figure)?
A. NPC Masters National Championships Over 35 Bikini Class B 3rd Place
IFBB North Americans Bikini Class B Masters 7th Place
IFBB North Americans Bikini Class B Open 13th Place
NPC Ft. Lauderdale Cup Over 35 Bikini Class A 2nd Place
NPC Ft. Lauderdale Cup Bikini Class B Open 7th Place
Q. What do you wish you had known before you started doing shows?
A. How political it is. You just don’t know what the judges are looking for. You can’t take it personal. Keep working hard and it will pay off.
Q. Looking back on what you have accomplished so far, what is one thing you would change if you could, knowing what you do now?
A. I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s because of my mistakes that make me better.
Q. What is one of the biggest sacrifices you’ve made, and was it worth it?
A. I‘ve sacrificed friends. Before competing I had what I thought were “GOOD” friends. Since I started competing they no longer want anything to do with me. I guess they weren’t really my friends. I think it was totally worth it. Now I have new friends that accept me for who I am and support me in what I’m doing.
Q. What do you feel is the most important thing a bodybuilder/fitness/figure/bikini can have in order to be successful in this sport?
A. B E L I E V E!!!!! If you don’t Believe in yourself no one else will.
Q. Is it not very hard to exercise and lift on such a low calorie diet? I am talking about the pre-contest diet. I know you follow a very low calorie pre-contest diet. Don’t you get hungry?
A. When I get hungry I drink lots of water or black coffee. A good thermogenic helps me get through a workout if I’m feeling sluggish.
Q. Does your social life include others that are not into fitness or competition?
A. I have a tight group of friends that have known me since high school. However, my new friends that have come into my life through fitness seem to get me. They understand because they are doing the same thing I am. I think it’s good to have friends around you that are positive and can relate with what your doing.
Q. How much this kind of active life style, being (bikini/fitness/figure) athlete changed your life?
A. I can’t even put into words how much this has changed my life. It’s definitely been for the better.
Q. Who is your favorite bodybuilder, fitness model, and/or athlete?
A. I have so many. I have the old school icons like Cory Everson, Rachel McLish, and Sherilyn Goodreau who influenced me. I adore Jennifer Nicole Lee and I love Jamie Eason. I don’t think Jennifer or Jamie have ever taken a bad picture and they both have characteristics of the kind of person I aspire to be.
Q. What is your favorite healthy meal?
A. The Good Ole Egg Whites and Oatmeal. Breakfast is my Favorite Meal of the Day.
Q. Favorite guilty indulgence?
A. Champagne!
Q. What is your favorite exercise?
A. Any exercise that involves my Shoulders.
Q. What is that one body part that you just can’t seem to bring up or make it look like you want?
A. Biceps. I’m going to work my butt off this year to develop the guns.
Q. What made you get into Fitness and Competition?
A. I answered that earlier in this interview.
Q. What is the best asset of your physique/body?
A. My Abs!
Q. What are your methods for breaking through a plateau?
A. Changing up exercises or taking less time in between sets.
Q. What are your future plans?
A. Move back to Florida, Become a Personal Trainer, and get my Pro Card.
Q. What do you want our readers to know about you that they couldn’t find out from seeing you on stage or in print?
A. I still have two of my baby teeth.
Great interview Kathryn! You are an inspiration to women! Keep up the great work!
I do with you Marylin, she is an inspiration no doubt about that
Hi Kat,
Sitting at my desk(while working) and reading your reading your article and I have to say it’s very inspiring.Especially cause you are a busy Mom and still can manage to reach your goals.
Hugs from a Sunny Island(Curacao)
Your JNL Sister
Disnarda
This is what inspire people, and the good thing now, that people can read it learn about her and reach out to her for help. Just one more time amazing!
Kat,
I miss you! Not sure if you’re still in the area, but thanks for inspiring me! I am so happy for you!
so proud of my mom. love you and yes u do make me waffles every morning. i love you so much and im so proud of what u have done