Looking fabulous, toned and trimed. Kim
Dolan Leto is 42 and the director of Family Health and Wellness for the
International Sports Sciences Association. James Patrick checks out the
Arizona-based mum's secret formula.
What got your into fitness?
My passion for a healthy lifestyle was born
out of my father's health issues. At 47 he suffered a massive stroke. This
forced me to take a long look at how I was living. Around this time, I saw a
fitness pageant on television. I knew it was exactly the kind of goal I needed
to overhaul my lifestyle. I researched proper nutrition and training and
completely changed my physique. I have been competing and modeling for 11
years. And feel incredibly fortunate to be published as a writer and cover
model.
What do you like most about the health and fitness
industry?
The awareness the health and fitness
industry raises offers people another way to live. Education is vital, and
through the various fitness magazines, television pro-grammes, and news, we are
able to learn how to eat properly and the importance to daily physical
activity.
What keeps you motivated?
My health is my primary motivation. I want
to live a long healthy life with the ability to remain athletic and hit.
What makes you unique within the fitness industry?
My journey to fitness is very unique.
Growing up I was not athletic. It was not until my early 30s that I learned
gymnastics, flexibility and the strength move required to perform a fitness
routine. In 2007 I had a baby. Returning to fitness post-baby and becoming a
fitness champion and internationally published cover model in my 40s clearly
illustrates what choosing this way of living can do for you. I have an atypical
story, but it is an inspiring one.
My
journey to fitness is very unique.
What do some of your normal workouts include?
Ballroom dancing, gymnastics, resistance
training, cardio and flexibility training are all a part of my normal weekly
routine.
What are your favorite things to do to stay active, other
than going to the gym?
Competing in fitness requires a very fun
and dynamic routine combining gymnastics, dance, flexibility, and strength.
Taking gymnastics as an adult is my favorite way to get in physical activity
without going to the gym.
What is your diet typically like?
Breakfast:
400 Calories – half cup of oatmeal or one third cup of oat bran, two tbsp
flaxseed, one tbsp honey, four egg whites and one yolk, scrambled with
mushrooms, peppers, and onions. Snack: 200 to 300 calories – Greek yoghurt,
berries, walnuts or two ounces of chicken with roasted vegetables.
Two
ounces of chicken with roasted vegetables.
Lunch: 400
calories – four to six ounces of lean meat, half cup of brown rice or small
sweet potato, one cup of veggies drizzled with olive oil and spices.
Snack: 200
to 300 calories – Protein pancake or brown rice cake, one tbsp natural nut
butter or small apple with 10 raw nuts or one tbsp, nut butter.
Dinner: 400
calories – Four to six ounces of lean meat, large salad with olive oil or
avocado oil and roasted vegetables. Snack: 100 calories – One or two squares of
dark chocolate, melted on berries.
One
or two squares of dark chocolate, melted on berries.
What are some of your favorite accomplishments?
Making a comeback to fitness post-baby in
my 40s and being the only American in the top five at Ms Fitness World
televised on Fox Sports. Voted Oxygen's Fittest Mum 2011. Being the author of Oxygen
magazine's Yummy Mummy Blog and sharing everything I can to help other
mothers look and feel their best. Serving as the director of Family Health and
Wellness for the International Sports Sciences Association, (ISSA) to educate
and promote fitness as a way of life.
Choreographing my fitness routine without
any experience, the music, costume, and the entire routine. I worked diligently
to perfect them and feel an incredible sense of achievement that I was able to
execute them. The opportunity to be published in domestic and international
fitness magazines such Oxygen, Oxygen AU, Muscle & Fitness, Fitness Rx,
Healthy Living, Health & Fitness, Natural Muscle, Fit and Firm magazine,
Ironman, Physical, Max's Sports & Fitness, Ms Fitness magazine, Status
magazine, Le Monde du Muscle, FitnessX, X-Fitness, Extra-Fit and Physique
magazine.
My favourite and most fulfilling
accomplishment though has been becoming a mother. Making health fun with a
garden, losts of time spent in the kitchen cooking and daily exercise inspires
me to lead by example and be the mother my daughter deserves.
What are you goals?
My
greatest goal is to inspire people to live their healthiest and happiest.
My greatest goal is to inspire people to
live their healthiest and happiest. Living a fit and healthy lifestyle has
completely renewed my life and I hope to inspire others, through writing and
social media platforms, so as they can feel and live their best.
“Living a fit and healthy lifestyle has
completely renewed my life and I hope to inspire others, so as they can feel
and live their best!”? - Kim Dolan Leto
Top 10 tips to stay in shape
1. Do what you've always dreamed of doing. Regardless of your age or
fears, go for it. When you do what you love, your body will follow.
2. Learn to cook the things you love to eat in a healthy way.
3. Make your health a focus, not just looking good.
4. Learn your numbers. Go to the doctor and find out your resting heart
rate, blood pressure cholesterol, body fat, and weight. Use these to motivate
yourself toward a healthier lifestyle.
5. Train for a event like a marathon, hike, or fitness competition,
this will allow you to make your fitness your priority.
6. Have an accountability partner. Sharing a journey toward a healthier
lifestyle with a friend makes it more fun.
7. Learn to reward yourself with something other than food. A massage,
pedicure, or even a new pair of jeans.
8. Make an inspiration board of the people you admire.
9. Keep a food journal and a training journal. Track your intake daily
as well as your workouts.
10. Determine your caloric needs to achieve your goal. Learn portion
sizes and enjoy five to six mini meal daily.
