If you want to learn how to burn fat fast and get in amazing shape, you’ll love this interview with Francesca Hartman where she reveals some of her top fitness tips and nutrition ideas for getting sexy abs and completely changing your body.
And she did it with the help of Britney Spears. Seriously. Just keep reading.
She’s also managed to lose about 50 pounds of ugly body fat and build lean muscle that’s beyond sexy.
You’ll see more (and bigger) pics below (both before and after).
So, women, don’t dismiss the fitness tips Francesca doles out because she isn’t some fitness model that has the genetics to eat junk food and skip exercising, while still looking like she works out and diets.
Gregg: First off I want to say congratulations on your transformation. That’s amazing. You should be very proud of yourself.
Many people say they want to lose weight and even start numerous diets but never follow through long enough to see the results they want.
I always say they have to find that one thing that truly makes them want to change.
What was that one thing for you that finally made you say “enough” and allowed you to achieve your weight loss results?
Francesca: Well, to be honest, it was more than one thing. I was only 22 and was embarrassed to leave the house. I grew up in a small town in Southern California; so going to the local grocery store meant seeing everyone from K-12.
I had gained at least 50 lbs since high school and would only wear sweats and a t-shirt, because I felt like I could hide everything.
I met my husband when I weighed 155lbs, I’m not going to lie, he looked better than me! I knew I was lucky to get him and had to make a change for myself.
For the record, he was ok with me at that weight, so the choice to change and get in shape was for me to feel better about myself.
Lastly, I became a Drill Sergeant in the Army in 2007, which was the kicker for me to lose those few extra pounds.
Setting a standard is very important; I not only represent the Army but females in the military. I wanted to be tuff!
Gregg: People who have a lot of weight to lose, like yourself, can really struggle with motivation.
All they can think about is losing 30, 50, 70 pounds or more and how long it’s going to take and they want all the results TODAY!
How long did it take you to get to where you are now, and what would you say to our readers to help them focus on smaller goals and get them to realize a year is going to pass whether they are getting in shape or not?
Francesca: I realized it had gone too far in Dec. 2005.
I was 21 yrs old when I refused to weigh my self because I was too scared to see what numbers were going to show on the scale.
I remember I had a dream one night that I got on a scale and it went all crazy and busted out like you see on the cartoons.
I had just gotten out of a long-term relationship that was unhealthy and I felt like I didn’t know where to start life again.
It took me the first year of working out to learn that there is a right and wrong way to lose weight and in three years I lost 50 lbs of disposable fat, haha.
Just like you said… a year is going to pass whether you get in shape or not! Focusing on smaller goals is the best way to accomplish weight loss and bodybuilding, it allows room for a pat on the back and motivation to set a new goal and achieve that.
Gregg: What advice would you give to people who are already tired and frustrated with all the misinformation and fad diets and just want to finally “get in shape”?
Francesca: I’m not going to lie… Google and a guy named ASK JEEVES were my personal trainers in the beginning.
I learned a lot about fad diets and expensive supplements that really didn’t help in any way.
If you want to get in shape, change your diet and workout routine.
I spoke with a nutritionist and a few bodybuilders and fitness trainers, gathered info and applied it to myself. It was a matter of changing a lifestyle though; you have to be willing to do that first.
Gregg: One thing I’d like for you to address because I feel it’s a big one with women, is weight training.
Even nowadays, a lot of women shy away from weight training because they don’t want to look like Arnold..
If they train at all, it’s with the tiny pink weights and they never even break a sweat.
You’ve developed a gorgeous, sexy, lean hard body and you couldn’t have done it without weights.
What do you say to these women to get them to not just train with weights but train hard and make it an important part of their overall program?
Francesca: When I first decided to lose the weight, I wasn’t knowledgeable in weightlifting; I spent the first year trying to lose weight using cardio machines.
I only lost 10 lbs.
The second and third year I implemented weight training into my program and lost an additional 40lbs. Don’t be scared to lift, it helps burn fat and builds muscle definition.
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I lift heavy three times a week and light the next week I feel I am still feminine.
Trust me, if your scared of looking like Arnold you’ll see that coming long before it’s too late to change your routine!
Gregg: I love your forum signature at BodySpace – “When you think your done, push yourself a little more.”
I guess this kind of goes back to question one, but I feel developing the proper mindset is crucial when it comes to fitness (or any success for that matter).
What do you think gives you the mindset to be able to push yourself a little more, past where most people will go?
Francesca: Ok, no laughing… I use to carry a picture of Britney Spears in my wallet and every time I wanted candy or anything unhealthy I would glance at that picture and think about how badly I wanted to look like that.
That was the motivation that kept me going.
When I first started in 2005 I would wake up, run 3 miles, get home, realize I could run longer and run another 3 because I wanted so badly to be healthy and attractive.
Bottom line is… if you’ve allotted an hour of your day for training, but you have time for more, an additional 10-15 min. adds up and makes a difference.
Gregg: Okay, I’m back from my laughing fit (great ab workout!). In all seriousness, you have to use what works for you. For some people, it’s putting their own before pictures right on the fridge!
What advice would you give to someone who’s brand-new to the fight to get and stay in shape and struggling to stick to a proper nutrition and exercise program?
Francesca: First, there are a number of reasons why people are out of shape. For me, I was lazy and an obsessive-compulsive eater.
I ate when I was bored and could eat a huge amount of food. HUGE!
The advice I would give is to recognize where the problem is first. Is it in diet or a poor workout routine, both or neither?
Second, find that thing that is going to keep them motivated to stick with it, maybe they are scared of health problems, they want to be sexy again, or they have time for a new found hobby, either way motivation creates determination.
And third, love yourself, find out what is healthy to eat and how and when to eat it. Diet is so important!
Gregg: What’s the biggest mistake you made when you started and how did you correct it?
Francesca: Not watching my diet. I would do an awesome workout than treat myself to an ice cream cone, seriously… it doesn’t work!
Treating yourself in moderation once in a while is ok, but don’t think that a workout = fun yummy food.
Your progression will be slower and less effective. I now eat every 2-3 hours (small meals), some of those meals being protein shakes.
Gregg: What do you think is the most important thing or skill you’ve learned with regard to health and fitness?
Francesca: What, when and how to eat, and how to properly lift weights, this is truly the foundation for achieving your goal. (What foods to eat, When during the day can I eat, How to eat small meals with everything nutritional thing I need)
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Gregg: What are some common pitfalls you feel people can stumble upon and how would you help them avoid these obstacles?
Francesca: First, making time!
I only spend an hour per day training unless I am getting ready for an event.
If you can just give yourself an hour and watch your diet you’ll began to see a difference.
Second, feeling like your not progressing, also known as a plateau, change up your diet and workout regiment as well as evaluating your supplements.
Third, motivation!
Nothing feels better than sitting on a couch with moon pies.
I know first hand, but how you feel afterwards should be enough to know it wasn’t worth it.
Next best thing to moon pies is a good workout!
How you feel after a good workout is enough to say it was all worth it.
Gregg: Moving forward and knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently with your own journey, if anything?
Francesca: I definitely would have sought the advice of experienced nutritionist, bodybuilders and personal trainers right from the beginning.
I burnt a year not knowing how to achieve what I wanted.
Doing it right in the beginning would have currently put me where I want to be next year.
Gregg: The most common excuse I hear from people who don’t eat right or train is that they don’t have the time.
What advice do you have for people who use ‘lack of time’ as an excuse to eat poorly and avoid exercise?
Francesca: They’ve got to want it bad enough. If you plan your meals ahead, it actually makes a busy schedule easier to manage.
I understand how tough it is to fit in a workout and that’s why I stress only an hour a day if possible, more is great.
Even if it’s a workout video after the kids go to sleep, you can do tons of workouts at home.
I understand how time is limited with work and dividing it between the kids and wife or husband, but if you work in a time and make it an ever day event it becomes easier.
My husband and I have made this a hobby for us to do together.
Gregg: What’s a typical day for you when it comes to training and nutrition?
Francesca: I get this question a lot!
Let me start with the night before, this may give you a better idea for the previous question on how I manage time for diet and workout.
I pack my food the night before in a ice cooler for the next day.
- Wake up around 6 am and eat ½ cup oatmeal with cinnamon and splenda, 3 egg whites
1 hour workout either cardio or lifting, depending on workout schedule
Directly after workout I take a protein shake and low fat granola bar (note: I’m a vegetarian so my protein intake using something other than meat is pretty high)
- 9:00 Work
- 9:30 ½ cup Sweet potatoes *not yams in yummy syrup
- 11:30 ½ cup of brown rice and 1 cup of steamed veggies
- 1:30 Protein shake and low fat granola bar
- 4:00 Get home from work ½ cup Low Fat Cottage cheese and fruit
- 5:00 usually done with work
- 6:30 Boca patties/ Veggie hotdog/ seasoned tofu cooked in olive oil/ with veggies
- 8:00 I try to work in a butt and abs workout at home around
- 9:30 I hit the hay, sleep is so important for strength and recovery
Gregg: How are you able to consistently fit them into your busy schedule?
Francesca: I make it a priority, my job field encourages fitness, but leaves little time to accomplish it, so I let them know that my health and fitness is a priority and they are supportive in any upcoming events or time needed for fitness.
Gregg: What do you think are the keys to becoming successful, whether it’s competing or losing 15 pounds of fat?
Francesca: Achieving a goal that you have set for yourself makes you successful.
It doesn’t matter what you look like at the end of that goal only that you accomplished it and that you feel good about it. That’s success!
Gregg: What’s one of the things you find most challenging about what you do?
Francesca: Not overeating. I’m going to be honest I have a problem.
I used to overeat and eat when I am bored and that is what caused my weight issue in the beginning.
I have a supportive husband who I have asked to stop me when I am about to eat too much or want something unhealthy.
We have a routine. If we go out to eat I will eat a 1/4 of the plate, he will ask me if I am satisfied and I will box up the rest.
My motivation to be fit and my determination to never, never look like I did is enough for me to say I will not have ice cream or that extra spoon full of food.
Gregg: What are your future fitness plans?
Francesca: Well, right now I am competing to represent bodybuilding.com in a spread or cover for Ironman magazine.
It’s stiff competition, but I have high hopes. I hope to compete in mid year ‘09 and mostly strive to be better than before.
Thanks Francesca!
Check out Francesca’s amazing transformation:
Learn more about ==>> Francesca’s amazing weight loss success story and vote for her for the Ironman Cover Contest. She deserves it!
If you really want to succeed with your fitness program and learn more about how to get sexy abs and a lean, flat stomach check out the following information.
- 5 Fat Loss Myths Revealed: Why Long, Slow Boring Cardio is not the Best Fat Loss Program to Increase Your Metabolism and Burn Belly Fat…
- Exclusive Muscle Building Report Reveals: How to Add 11 Pounds of Muscle EVERY 7 Weeks!
- Learn 5 Facts You MUST Understand if You Are Ever Going to Lose Your Belly Fat and Get Six Pack Abs
- Fat Loss Secrets Revealed – FREE Special Report
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Hey!! That’s my big sister! She’s beautiful, and I am so proud of her! Francesca is an inspiration to me, and I love my sister!
She has always been a strong, dedicated person, and now she has the body that resembles her will power!
WHAT A BABE!
VOTE FOR FRAN!
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