Zoe Pineau Interview by Muscle-Base

How and why did you get into Fitness Training?

After the birth of my two children I realized that I had to change my lifestyle habits to set a good example for them. I was sick of being obese, and having low self esteem.

What advice would you give to people looking to change their lives?

The very best advice I can give is to learn about your bodies. We only have one and most of us have no idea how it works, or how much damage we can do with poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle. People always want to wait for the motivation to come, but the truth is, we have a responsibility to take control of our health whether we feel like we want to or not! Once results come, and they will with a good plan of action, you just don’t want to quit!

Tell us about your story and how did you manage to lose 150 POUNDS of weight?

I was fed junk food pretty much exclusively from a very young age. Problems within our family dynamic resulted in eating to soothe myself, and I developed a severe addiction. I would mindlessly eat insane amounts of food – a litre of ice cream in a sitting was a very common and almost daily occurrence. Cravings for me are overwhelming and getting through the first stages of weight loss was very very difficult. In 2009, when my first child had turned 1 and was starting to eat things that I was eating, I wanted to make a change. I began with eating clean, meaning foods in their natural state. No artificial sweeteners, additives, preservatives, or ingredients that I couldn’t pronounce – and certainly no sugar! After that I started to learn more and more about nutrition, and was blown away by what I didn’t know, and by what we all SHOULD know. That in tern led to my wanting to transform myself completely, and so I started to read about exercise and fitness.

In the beginning I didn’t really know what to do, so I would run as long as I could which was only about ten minutes, and I would pick up the weights and just move them around any which way until I couldn’t move them any more. After losing about 30 lbs that way, I wanted to ramp it up and get a solid plan so I sought out a trainer to help me. I set the goal for myself to compete in a bikini competition and started working towards that, and lost about 120 lbs. I then found out I was pregnant with my second child, and soon got off track, and gained back almost all of the weight that I had lost! I felt so defeated, and didn’t want to go out, or see anyone, or do anything. It all just happened so fast. It remained in the back of my head that I could not continue like this and that I didn’t ever want my children to go through any of it.

Have you ever received any negative comments or insults during your weight loss journey?

Absolutely. Fit and healthy individuals are unfortunately in the minority. I’ve been made fun of for eating a salad, (and in my heavier days, would have made fun of someone ELSE eating one to be honest! I’ve been accused of being unhealthy, of being annorexic, of being extreme – none of which are true. I eat for health and weight loss is a benefit of that. Sustainable weight loss is not possible without embracing true health!

What are your opinions on Image / Performance enhancing drugs?

I think that there are many vitamins and supplements that are useful and effective, but as far as illegal steroids and such I don’t believe they are necessary or healthy.

What advice would you give to people who’re looking to transform their physique?

Take it one day at a time, wake up each day and just try to do your best for that day! Before you know it you will have developed whole new habits!

What kind of music do you listen to in the gym to get yourself all pumped up?

I love all kinds of music but mostly rap is what gets me pumped for my workouts! Jay z, Kanye West, and Beyonce are among my favorites.

Have you ever felt like giving up during your weight loss journey?

Absolutely! When I had gained back all my weight, I was beyond devastated at what I had done to myself. It took a good friend encouraging me to start up again to get the fire started, and I had to overcome a lot of fears to do it. I was so humiliated, I didn’t want to see or talk to any of the fit friends I had made. But when I began again, they all embraced me and I really recieved so much encouragement and support. Everyone just wanted me to succeed and it was wonderful!

What are your future plans?

I am now going to be training others and teaching boot camps to help others to change their lives as I have. I want to live and breath fitness and spread healthy living around!

What are your long term goals?

I want to model, write, and become a well known fitness personality so that I can share my story with the world and inspire others to see that they are worthy of happiness and health.

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