BEAUTYFIT CORNER-Susan Perry

Model, NPC competitor,

motivational speaker, wife and mother of 3.

Instagram: @susanperryfitness

Facebook: /susanperry81

Website: Chasingmybest.com

How did you get started in fitness?

My love for fitness grew out of desperation to find a cure for the ailments I suffered from. My injuries were so severe, I couldn't pick my young kids up or play with them. I saw doctors after chiropractor after physical therapist without finding help. I finally rehabbed myself through balancing the body with body weight exercise, strengthening weak muscles, stretching, myo-fascial release techniques, integrity exercises and eventually lifting heavy weights.

Fitness literally saved my life.

When I became a stay at home mom, there was a period I felt emptiness and under valued.

Feeling this way put me in a REAL funk and I couldn't figure out why I felt this way. Trust me, no one wants to be around someone funky. I was happy to be home with my kids, happy in my marriage and loved to take care of the household.

One day, while lifting weights in the garage, everything just clicked. I was feeling empty inside because I never found value in myself. I was used to finding value in the workplace as an employee. When I was an employee I worked hard, often worked overtime (sometimes overtime meant working for free). Acknowledgment, promotions and pay raises showed me I had value. This was all something I thought would make my Mom proud of me and prove to her I was not a failure.

Fitness helped me see value in myself. I felt valuable because for once I wasn't living for approval from others, I was finally doing something I LOVE, I wanted to do, and making positive changes.

What motivates you?

When you have lived a hard life and suffered a lot, you have plenty of pain. I have learned to use the pain for motivation. Pain is the most powerful motivator on the planet. When I don't feel like working out, I remember when I was injured and could barely walk. That gets me up quick, I never want to be there again. When I am tired and don't feel like working out, I remember when I didn't have a steady place to live, that makes me work harder. When life gets insanely busy and my time is crunched, I remind myself how much of a positive impact lifting weights has in my attitude and mindset.

What do you eat to obtain your physique?

I am a big believer in eating real food. Organic veggies, fruit, nuts, seeds, and good source of protein, mainly from salmon, grass-fed beef, bison and chicken.

I eat 6-7 meals a day.

Eating clean, earth grown food not only provides you with nutrients you need to build a new physique but just as important you avoid chemicals, hormones and toxins that ruin your health.

What type of exercises do you perform?

I am a big believer in a variety of exercises. It gets you results faster & keeps it fun. Free weights, machines, kettle bells, heavy ropes, calisthenics, plyometrics and yoga.

To build size there is nothing better than heavy compound and isolation movements like squats, lunges, dead lifts and machines.

What supplements do you use?

BeautyStrong- Pre Workout, BeautyRecovery- BCAA w/electrolytes, BeautyBum- Anti-Cellulite/Toning cream, BeautyEssential- vitamins (hair, nails, skin), BeautyWhey- protein shake, BeautyComplex- multi vitamins, BeautySlender- healthy fats.

I have used BeautyFit products and loved them so much I pursued sponsorship with them. Two big reasons I love them:

1) The products deliver exactly what the label says it will do with clean nutrition & exercise. It is tailored to women’s bodies. They do not cause upset stomach and do not overstimulate your body.

2) I love what the company stands for, which is to inspire, educate and motivate real women.

Do you have any tips for people that want to get in shape?

1. The reason why you want to be in shape needs to be bigger than “I want to fit into these jeans”. The motivation for that wont get you past happy hour. Your reason needs to be deep enough that it keeps you going when you lose motivation.

2. Stay consistent. Yes eat healthy, yes exercise daily, but do things that you enjoy so that you stick with it. Especially in the beginning.

Professionally there is no greater joy than to help someone else get healthy and achieve the body they love. As a personal trainer, I get to train clients all around the world and satisfy my need to give back from something that has helped me so much in life-fitness.