Interview With Heather Bear
Transformation of the Month - November 2009
Interviewed by: Tammy Renee'
We, at World Physique, hear so many moms these days make excuses of why they are not fit or live a healthy lifestyle. So, we are bringing you this interview to show you a real live story that we know it can be accomplished! You just have to want to and have the determination needed!
Heather Bear was just like every other mom out there! She over ate while she was pregnant and she reached a whopping 198 pounds . But, what makes Heather Bear different? Within a few months after having her beautiful daughter, Heather had her "baby weight" off and ready to step on stage at her next competition.
No, we're not saying that all moms battling "baby weight" should be competing or hard as a brick like Heather. What our message to you is you don't have to make excuses anymore! Heather has proven it can be done! And since her transformation, she has a goal of helping other moms fight their "baby weight" and obtain a healthy livestyle!
Heather is not just a mom, wife, NPC Figure Competitor, Personal Trainer and Model but, she is also the Personal Assistant to Jenny Hendershott. If you don't follow the industry, Jen Hendershott is 2 times ‘Ms. Fitness International” and 2 times “Ms. Olympia”. Jen and Heather are both involved in the Phat Camps that are worldwide. We want to share this with the world because what these ladies are doing is outstanding! They give other ladies hope! You will learn more about this once you read the interview...
WP: Congratulations on winning our 'Transformation of the Month'. How does it feel to be considered for such a title?
HB: I feel honored to be selected for the 'Transformation of the Month'. Thank you so much for this opportunity.
WP: We are ecstatic, Heather! First off, most people that look at you right now would think you have always been fit and trim all of your life. But, this is not true. You have two kids and you have done like most of us "moms" and gained weight during the pregnancy. In fact, you gained over 70 pounds. Can you tell me a little about this time in your life?
HB: When I was pregnant with my first daughter, I did like most pregnant ladies and ate for 2! I did continue to walk and lift 5 pound weights, but I also over ate. Actually, I just didn’t over eat, but I ate all of the wrong things. When I delivered my 5 pound daughter, I was so disgusted with the way I looked; I wouldn’t even look in the mirror. I knew at that time I was going to do whatever it took to get that weight off and I did! The second time I got pregnant; I took a different approach and only gained 18 pounds. I felt much better about myself the second time around.
WP: You actually found out that you were pregnant right before a completion. What caused you to think that you were pregnant and how did you feel once you found out?
HB: I was actually just a few weeks from my show and I quit losing weight. I was so tired I couldn’t even do 1 hour of cardio, more less the 2 hours that I needed. The smell of tuna made me sick and that’s when I had a funny feeling. My feeling was true and my husband and I were very excited.
WP: You are only like 5 feet tall, right? So, you must have looked a lot heavier then you really were! What percentage of body fat do you think you reached at that time?
HB: Honestly, I have never checked my body fat. I know that I looked huge and felt huge.
WP: You made a promise to yourself that you would have your "baby weight" off by a certain time. What was the biggest challenge you faced while going through your transformation?
HB: My biggest challenge losing all the weight was learning how to balance a new baby, be a wife, and work a full time stressful job, do 2 hours of cardio, weight training, preparing all of my food, and learning how to carry a purse, diaper bag, cooler, and 1 gallon of water; plus a baby.
WP: I even heard that you were running sprints within a week of delivery! Is that so? Tell me about this.
HB: I was running sprints within 1 week of delivery. I actually did this with both of my girls. I know my body reacts to sprints better than any kind of cardio. With my first daughter, I would take her to the track in her stroller, put her on the 100 yard line, and sprint to her for about 1 hour. With my second daughter, she was in the NICU for 18 days, so I was actually running sprints in the hospital parking lot in between her feedings. I wish I had a camera for some of the facial expressions I got in that parking lot.
WP: You are such an amazing woman! You actually stepped back on stage, competing, within a few months after having your child. What program did you follow and explain how it worked for you. Explain some of the things you learned during this time and how it worked for you.
HB: I was on stage 6 months after my first daughter. I did 2 hours of cardio a day, weight trained 5 times a week, and ate a lot of tuna/tilapia, asparagus, egg whites and 2 gallons of water a day. I actually followed the same program after my second daughter and was on stage 4 months after she was born. I did sprints 3 times a week because I know they work best on my body.
WP: How many pounds of muscle did you gain?
HB: I honestly don't know this answer. I can tell you that I used to compete at 118 and now I compete at 100, looking the best ever. When I look at pictures, it’s actually amazing how my body has changed over the years. I look better after having 2 kids than I did before.
WP: How supportive was your husband at this time? Did he jump in and help you with the kids so you could find time to work out?
HB: I could not ask for a better husband. He has more patience that me. Kenny spends every second he can with his girls. He works 12 hour days, so all of his spare time is with them, even if it’s Izabella playing doctor or dress-up. I'm the luckiest wife out there. I couldn't ask for a more supportive husband.
WP: He sounds like an amazing man! Tell me how you were able to work out and be fit with kids, a husband, a job, etc. I hear so many excuses from moms that they can't find a way to do it. You are living proof that it can be done. I would love for you to explain how it can be done.
HB: To have a balanced life, you have to be good at time management. I schedule my whole day. You also have to ask yourself, "Just how bad do you want this?" I want it bad, so I find a way to get it all in. There are days when it may be mid-night and I'm just getting in my cardio. There are 24 hours in a day, so as long as you can get it in within 24 hours, you are good to go. My girls also love playing in the gym. They have toys that only stay in there, so they enjoy playing with them when I'm getting in my workout.
WP: It's all in priorities! Would you rather be fit and happy or would you rather make excuses. Did you take any type of supplements during this time? If so, which ones did you take?
HB: I love protein powder. I’m bored with shakes, so I make my protein powder into pudding, pancakes, cupcakes, frosting or whatever else I can think of. I also take a multi-vitamin/multi mineral, glutamine, EFA's, Muscle Aminos, Ultimate Amino's and Lipo 6, or Curvelle.
WP: How does your life compare now to before your transformation?
HB: It has been a change of lifestyle for me. I don't even crave the things I used to. I’m used to eating healthy and working out. I can't even remember what it was like before. My friends and family know what I'll eat and not eat. I'm not ashamed to take my own food to a family gathering if I'm dieting. They have learned to accept it.
WP: What type of effects has your transformation caused around you?
HB: I have got a few of my friends and family members to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. People are always asking my advice on food and weight training.
WP: Do you believe that people can "spot reduce"? Please explain your answer.
HB: I believe that if you want to change your legs/butt you can by the different workouts you do, if that’s what you are asking. I needed to build my shoulders so I started lifting heavy with smaller reps and it seems to be working. I guess my answer would be yes, because you can also change your body with cardio.
WP: When I ask that question, I get so many different responses. But, I have to agree with you. I also feel there are certain exercises that a person can do to "reduce" a certain spot on their body.
You have a mission in life, now, right? Tell me what the mission is.
HB: My mission is to set a goal and do whatever it takes to achieve it.
WP: Tell me a little about Jen Hendershott's Phat Camp you are involved with. What are the workouts like? What do you feel you teach that other programs don’t?
HB: Phat Camp is a weekend spent with women from all walks of life. We have had all shapes, sizes and ages. They all have the same goal, which is to live a better, healthier lifestyle. We train each body part without equipment; only dumbbells, do various fun cardio and have several nutritional/motivational seminars. You are taught by 2 times "Ms. Fitness International" and 2 times "Ms. Olympia". That’s what’s different from the other camps. Jenny is very down to earth and honest when answering questions. She tells it like it is. The ladies always leave camp very motivated and ready to make a change.
WP: We did several interviews in the past few months and the ladies just rave over how the Phat Camp has changed their entire lives! You are also a professional Personal Trainer outside of the Phat Camp. You focus mainly on women? Can you share some of your client's success stories with us?
HB: I do only work with women and I have learned everyone has a story. Some ladies can lose it faster than others, so you can’t compare, because some may have different reasons they can’t lose the weight. I have a few ladies with stressful jobs, don’t sleep, don’t want to eat the right foods, etc. This all plays a factor in their weight loss. I have trained 2 ladies in their 60's & 70's to get on stage, because that was their goal. I have had ladies lose 30+ pound in a few months. I have taught ladies how to work hard and push theirselves past their limits.
WP: Can you give me an example of your current workout? Please include reps, sets, body part worked, time of day.
HB: I train whenever I have time during the day. I do 1 body part a day; super setting each exercise. I usually do 6-8 different exercises with 12-15 reps. I never do the same workout twice. If I do curls standing 1 week, I may do them sitting, incline, decline, with a bar, with a plate, or with a bar the next week. I always know what workouts I’m going to do before I train. This saves me time when I do get to train.
WP: You like to mix it up and keep the body guessing. How does your diet compare now to before you met Jen?
HB: I eat a lot healthier now. I don’t even like pasta anymore and I can live without bread. I can now only eat a few M&M's (not the whole bag) and I can also eat a tablespoon of peanut butter, and not the entire jar. I love all types of fish and I hate fried food now.
WP: Talking about how your diet has changed, can you break down your daily diet into a sample diet for us?
HB: Sure!
Meal
5-6 egg whites; scrambled.
Meal 2
Protein powder.
Meal 3
3-4 oz chicken, 1/2 cup broccoli.
Meal 4
Protein powder with fat free sugar free yogurt.
Meal 5
4 oz. of protein (turkey, fish, chicken, steak) 1/2 cup green beans and maybe 1/2 sweet potato.
Meal 6
Sugar free, fat free pudding with sugar free, fat free cool-whip
WP: You are always out helping moms set goals in their lives. What would you like to say to motivate moms to transform their lives?
HB: YOU CAN DO IT! Set your goal and go achieve it! There is light at the end of the tunnel.
WP: You are not only a mom, figure competitor, wife, personal trainer, personal assistant, but you are also a model. Can you tell me more about that?
HB: I have done several photo shoots. They are so much fun. It’s a time to be you and let the pictures prove it.
WP: Who have you worked with?
HB: I have worked with Lisa Brewer, Isaac Hinds, Vince Luchka & Pat Gargano.
WP: Lisa Brewer is one of the world's best photographers! I admire so much! What is you goal in life, Heather?
HB: My goal is to help as many moms as I can in a lifetime.
WP: How does your training differ when you are modeling and when you are not?
HB: I do everything the same as if I was competing.
WP: What future projects do you have planned?
HB I would love to make another cover of a magazine.
WP: That might can just be arranged! Hee - hee! You are a NPC Figure Competitor, right? What competitions have you entered and what place did you take?
HB: Yes, I am! I have competed Northern Kentucky, Battle of Champions, Northern Natural Ohio, Arnold Amateur, North Americans, West Virginia Gran Prix, Jr. Usa's and placed in the top 5 or upper 1/2 of my class.
WP: That's something to be really proud of! How does your routine and life changes when you go from pre-contest to off-season?
HB: My routine remains the same, but I only add in more daily cardio and a stricter diet.
WP: Not too many people can say that! Competition time usually turns competitors lives upside down! That means you stay clean all of the time! What do you like and dislike about competing?
HB: The only thing I dislike is the judge's change so much from show to show. It all depends what that judging panel wants that day. I love meeting new competitors and I love to see my body change during those 12 weeks.
WP: You're not the only person that has answered this question the same way. I get that same response a lot of times! What would you change about the judges in the competitions?
HB: I would like to see them have a set way they want us to look.
WP: That would be helpful! Are you aiming for a Pro-card?
HB: I would love to get my Pro-card. I’m going to continue to achieve that goal someday. I know I need to work on my lower half to get there.
WP: You'll get there soon! Just keep doing what you are doing! What are your strengths and weaknesses in your physique? How are you attempting to correct them?
HB: My strength is my upper body. I can get shredded. My down fall is my butt. I’m training legs heavy and hard 2 times a week. I’m also doing sprints and a lot of stepper with incline walking.
WP: What problems have you had as far as staying motivated and disciplined to stick with your workouts?
HB: I'm a very good self motivator, so I haven't had this problem.
WP: I can tell! I already want to get up and start doing sprints! Ha-ha! What keeps fitness interesting to you?
HB: I love the challenge of changing my body.
WP: Tell me something about yourself that no one else knows. It’s just between us, no one else will know. Ha-ha.
My life always revolved around animals including: chickens, rabbits, pigs, goats, sheep, and riding bulls.
WP: I would love to see you in a photo on the farm! That would sure get a lot of attention! How have you, mentally and physically, changed over the years?
HB: I have changed in so many ways. I don’t know where to begin. I have become a better daughter, friend, wife, and mom over the years.
WP: Any shout outs?
HB: I'd love to do some shout outs! Thanks to my dad for teaching me responsibility at a young age. Thanks to Jen Hendershott for teaching me all I know and especially my husband, Kenny, for sticking with me for the last 10 years of my life. I also want to thank Mike Feulner for helping me change my body the last year. He has gotten me to look my best ever with his diets.
WP: Who had the most impact on you in your life thus far?
HB: My dad has had the most impact in my life. He pushed me as a kid and that has paid off in the long run.
WP: I love to ask this question! What were you like in high school?
HB: In high school, I was the party, popular, and fun girl. Everyone loved me. I used to wear my cowboy boots and belt buckle to school. I was riding bulls, but I was also in swimming, track, cross country, and band. I played the flute. I was in FFA and was the class secretary.
WP: Riding bulls and playing a flute! What a combination! Ha-ha! If I were to open your fridge and kitchen cabinets, what would I find in them?
HB: In my cabinets you’ll find all kinds of kiddy treats, 100 calorie paks, chips, almonds, rice cakes, sugar free chocolates, and much more. My fridge has lots of fruit, natural peanut butter, lots of green veggies, sugar free tea, milk, juice, fat free cheese and leftovers.
WP: If I were to walk into your house and have a look around, what type of fitness equipment would I find?
HB: I have a fully equipped gym in my garage. We bought a gym that was going out of business and filled ours up. I have a treadmill, Precor, bike and stepper for cardio equipment. I have 2 racks of weights, squat rack, leg press, smith machine, benches, steps, jump ropes, boxes for step up, balls, Bosu balls, 3 racks of plates, hyperextension machine, preacher curl machine, cable curls, pull down machine, row machine, and lots of other little things I use to train my clients.
WP: What are your hobbies outside of fitness?
HB: I love to camp, boat, ride quads, and ride my Harley.
WP: Where are you going from here? What are your future goals for your career, this industry, and your physique?
HB: I plan to keep making my physique better. I plan to keep competing until my body can’t do it anymore. I will always continue to help people achieve their goals.
WP: How do you make time for yourself? How do you relax and hide from the stress of the world?
HB: My time is when I’m in the gym. I relax when its family time and we are all home.
WP: Tell me about your family.
HB: I have a great husband & 2 beautiful girls. I have a very supportive family. My in-laws are also great.
WP: Heather, the interview is coming to a close now. Is there anything that you would like to add prior the end of the interview?
HB: I think we have pretty much covered everything. Thanks again for this opportunity. Everyone, feel free to e-mail me with any questions to Bearclaw@seidata.com
WP: We are delighted to have you featured as our "Transformation of the Month". Thank you for taking the time out to hold this interview with us. We wish you the best of luck in the future. See you in the next print issue!
