Kai's Transformation: The REAL Story 12/14

Well, here it is. I began this transformation journey a couple of months ago and have gone through some incredible highs and some very painful lows. As most of you know, every transformation has it's peaks and valleys, but this transformation has landed me in the valley and eager to fight my way back up.

Armed with the greatest tools and resources on the planet to help me succeed in my 2nd transformation, I began this journey eager to prove something to myself and to others. With all of the duties as one of the founders of REAL and the REAL spot as well as being an active and involved step-mom, I promised that I would do whatever it took to stick with my transformation to show that although it is difficult...it CAN be done.

I have had some medical issues come at me left and right, but I wasn't going to let that stop me.

Then, several weeks ago, Jason and I got the incredible news that I was pregnant. When we went to finally get an ultrasound, I can't explain the joy and excitement that filled my heart when I saw my baby's heartbeat on the screen.

The next day, was a different story. After I woke up with a lot of pain, the worst happened. Less than 24 hours after seeing my baby's heartbeat, I miscarried. The roller coaster of emotions that I went through in those several hours was one of the more painful things I've had to endure.

With lots of questions and emotions, I found myself in the gym the next day..and the day after. I didn't know whether to cry or scream...so I just cranked up my ipod and took it out on the weights.

As of right now, I don't know where my transformation will lead. My goal right now is to get myself back into my routine and to feeling "right". From there, we will keep on trying. So...depending on where the next fork in the road takes me...I will either be back on my previous transformation journey, or I will be working out and trying to be a great example of a fit pregnancy.

I hope you will all follow me on my next journey, whatever it is.

Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be

Name: Kai
Age: Do I have to tell? lol 31
Height: 5’4”
Weight: 108
Body Fat%:
Measurements: 34c-24-34
Women, any children? Biological, no . But my stepsons are my children :)
Any health conditions? Allergic to cardio. lol

How often are you currently weight training? 5-6 days/week
How often are you doing cardio? What? How long per session? Honestly, I hate cardio and only do it if Jason is doing it right next to me or I’m training for a competition. Bad, I know :(
How often are you eating per day? As long as I’m awake, I eat every 2.5 - 3 hrs
What supplements are you taking? ON 100% Whey - Caramel Toffee
How often do you drink water? Not enough. When I workout and sporadically throughout the day.

How much sleep do you get per night? ~8 hrs

How active are you during the day? (desk job? Move a lot?) I sit at a desk a lot

What is your 12 week goal? 5-8lbs of muscle

How long have you been at your current weight? ~4 years

MY STORY

"Skinny, Puny, Little". To most people those words don't mean much. What an overwhelming majority of people don't understand is that those words are just as harmful as calling someone "fat".

Of Filipino descent and having a mother who is about 4'10" and pretty "tiny" herself, I was always around 95 pounds as an adult and considered "skinny" my entire life. As a collegiate coed cheerleading national champion, being under 95 pounds was great...but not for a girl who was always made fun of for being "skinny" and felt unattractive and uncomfortable in her own skin

In 2005, I got the opportunity to compete in WWE's RAW Diva Search. I made a committment to myself to try to gain some muscle and finally look "like a woman". My weight finally reached 112 in less than 2 months and, although I looked great on the outside and was proud of what I had accomplished, I still felt insecure and unattractive.

I placed in the top 25 of the Diva Search and later had a tryout for WWE. I have spent most of my adult life modeling and doing choreography, music videos, commercials, competing, working as a supplement company rep and promoting natural fitness competitions. As a competitor, I was still the brunt of criticism. I was too lean to be a bikini competitor and too "small" to be a fitness model competitor. Backstage at a competition, another competitor said to me, "You're not competing in Fitness Model, are you?? You're so...small". Apparently being around 4% bodyfat was disturbing to her and that comment was enough to send any confidence I had out the window.

Now as one of the founders of REAL and full-time stepmom, my life is RIDICULOUSLY HECTIC and I find myself wanting to go through another transformation. I could make a lot of excuses most people do like, "I'm just too busy", "I don't have time to get to the gym", "My kids keep me busy"...The fact of the matter is..I AM BUSY. I DO HAVE A FAMILY. I AM ON THE GO A LOT. So, this is me putting my health and wellness first. In the midst of a career and a family, I will commit myself to my training and nutrition to see where I can get in 12 weeks.

One of the main reasons I share my story is to let people know that struggles with self-image, self-esteem and reaching fitness goals are not exclusive to those who are trying to lose weight. That saying someone is "skinny" is not a compliment most of the time. The connotation of that word is very rarely one that says, "hey, you're sexy". To help people understand that hurtful criticism of one's body effects others besides those who are overweight. My journey has been going on my whole life. People always say, "it's easy for you". I'm here to tell you, "it's not". Especially when a lifetime of insecurity stands in your way. It's even more difficult when your other half is Jason Powell. Not because he is unsupportive or mean or anything like that. Having someone who is so dedicated to his health and fitness, has virtually the perfect natural male bodybuilder physique and has 2 masters degrees and is a PhD candidate in Human Physiology is extremely intimidating. Believe it or not, I do not and have never trained with Jason. This journey is something I face on my own, with some guidance from him. It will mean so much more to me knowing that I did it on my own.

I'm excited to go through this transformation as I know how fulfilling the last one was! I hope you get to follow me on this journey and I welcome your comments and support!

Keep it REAL!!

WEEK 1

Man, this was a tough week! I just had a great heavy leg day, with the help of Extreme Speed Stack lol I love being my size and so strong lol Here's some highlights of my week
* Got a good 8 hrs of sleep each night
* Honestly, didn't drink enough water. I need to step that one up
* I did better on cardio...still not where I need to be, but improving :)
* I might have missed one meal, so I need to be a little more careful
* Workouts were awesome

Will go into more detail next time!

Update

Hey everyone..just an update on my transformation!
I've been working hard, but had some health issues and a minor hospital procedure so there has been a bump in the road, but I will continue to work hard the next several weeks to get back on track!