Melissa Alcantara became superfit as a new mom. Now she inspires others to do the same with her real-life approach.
ONE TOUGH MOTHER
After having her daughter, Isabella (now 7), Melissa chronicled her transformation on Instagram. Some of her followers turned into clients when she became a trainer.
IT’S ALL ABOUT CONSISTENCY
“Motivation comes and goes, but showing up and doing the work creates results,” says Melissa, who as a new mom vowed not to miss a day of Shaun T’s 60-day Insanity program. By week five, she felt her core strengthen, and her love for exercise clicked.
LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE
Whether it’s a sneaker or a supplement, “no one thing makes you fit, and there are no hacks to get there,” she says. “It’s about doing many small, healthy things for positive results that build up over time.” Eat and move with health, not weight, as your goal.
HAVE A PLAN
“Wandering around the gym to do a little bit of this and that and then grabbing a salad is not a plan,” Melissa says. Figure out your work-out, prep food ahead, and schedule tasks to make the best use of time. “These soon become habits you can maintain.”
STAY POSITIVE
“Feeding your mind negative thoughts yields negative actions,” she says. “The realization that your mind can create your reality is very powerful.” According to Melissa, a fitness journey is about your mind-set evolving from who you are to who you aspire to be.
THINK YEARS, NOT WEEKS
Many people cycle through workout programs looking for fast results. “Instead, commit to a more sustainable regimen for one year before you entertain anything else,” says Melissa, whose training these days consists mostly of lifting and doing yoga.
TEXT MARY ANDERSON PHOTO 123RF.COM
