Fitting Image
Star Reveals Their Strategies For Shaping Up And Trimming Down
By: Elaine G. Flores
Believe it or not, McKenzie Westmore (Sheridan, PASSIONS) was on the pudgy side in grade school – something her classmates took pleasure in pointing out. Look who’s having the last laugh……
Digest: So, you weren’t always this slender.
McKenzie Westmore: I was a little chunky growing up. And that was kind of hard because I was made fun of.
Digest: When did things turn around for you?
Westmore: This group came to our school and they were telling us about eating properly and exercise. It sunk in with me. I started exercising at home. My parents had a stationary bike, and every night I was doing that and exercise tapes.
Digest: How did your family react?
Westmore: At that time, my parents were eating a lot of fried foot. I went through their kitchen and just started dumping stuff. They came in and they were like, “What are you doing? Where’s all our foot going?” I said, “If I’m going to do this, you guys are going to be healthy, too.” They were like, “Okaaaay.” I got them on a good eating plan.
Digest: What did the kids at school say when you lost the weight?
Westmore: When I was in about the eighth grad e and had finally dropped all the baby fat and was starting to blossom, it was like, “Wow, this is really weird. I’ve never had guys attracted to me before.”
Digest: What’s your approach to fitness now?
Westmore: About a year before I got PASSIONS, I was training to be a fitness instructor. This year, I’ll be getting my certification. It’s something I enjoy and I have so many people that ask me questions on fitness. This way, people can really listen to me, seeing that I will be certified.
Digest: What’s your exercise plan?
Westmore: My main thing is I do aerobics about four times a week. I have a treadmill, a Pilates machine and a stationary bike, but mostly I go to the gym.
Digest: What about your diet?
Westmore: I eat very, very strict and very, very clean six days a week. I stay around 1,200 calories, about 120 grams of carbohydrates and 20 grams of fat. On that seventh day, I will eat whatever I want and just anything I’m craving. During those six days, there are lots of no-nos, but when I hit that seventh day, anything goes and people better watch out because no food is safe!
Soap Opera Digest Magazine
