Fitspiration of the Month: Kat Garcia of Body by Mama Kat

Six months into the quarantine—how are your fitness goals doing? Yes, the months we've had have been tough, but we owe it to ourselves to come out of all this stronger, healthier, and tougher than ever! This month's fitspiration is Kat Garcia, more popularly known as Mama Kat, the trainer behind Kathryn Bernardo and Bea Alonzo's svelte physiques. As a mom of two who juggles a lot of hats, she is the perfect example of what discipline, and the right frame of mind can do!

Scroll ahead to let her provide the inspiration you need to keep on keeping on with your fitness goals, no matter how challenging they may seem. 

Metro.Style: Tell us about yourself and what you do, what your passions are, and how you keep fit.

Kat Garcia: I'm Kat Garcia, a.k.a. coach Kat, creator of Bodybymamakat training system, a certified fitness trainer and lifestyle coach. I'm also a celebrity trainer here in the Philippines, currently 38 years old and and a proud mother of two. I'm very passionate about fitness, nutrition, and training women, especially moms in the training system I have created. It's a program that can be done at home or in any gym setup or space. Getting fit is a daily hustle for me, I make sure I get in my training before breakfast and home chores. It has been automatic in my system to move and sweat really early. I believe that laziness fuels laziness, so I don't allow that.

MS: We see that you are a fitness coach/trainer. How did you get into this line of work?

KG: I became my own trainer first because I didn't get the results I wanted and needed working with previous trainers I've hired. I wanted to be a trainer to moms because I believe it's the most challenging body to transform, and yet we are the core of the society, so we have to be ultimately fit and healthy. From then, I've earned several certifications, then worked with various celebrities locally. 

MS: How long have you been doing this and what are some of the challenges you've faced?

KG: I've been a coach for seven years now. The challenges that I constantly deal with is juggling my time in between training clients and always being present for my kids' needs—that's always been my dilemma in this line of work, especially if I'm tied upon training a celebrity in a tight time frame for a role or shoot.

MS: Describe a day in your life, and how do you manage to squeeze in time for a workout.

KG: On school days I wake up at 5 am. With zero house help, I need to cook and prep kids for school before I head out to teach. I handle several family businesses as well, so I eat ahead and finish all errands and meetings by lunch time. I used to fetch both kids daily, so after that, I squeeze in afternoon sessions for some private clients I train. I get in my workout before breakfast. Everyday.

MS: What kind of workouts do you do? What do you call the programs you give your clients?

KG: My workouts are mostly full body and core-based. It's mostly body weights, and can be done anywhere. The programs I create for clients are customized, and is called the 'no excuse training system'.

MS: What about your diet? Do you follow a strict regimen and how does it supplement your activities?

KG: My diet is sustainable and is never fad-related. I DON'T favor and believe in anything that has a time frame and too restrictive. My diet supplements my activities in such a manner that it's very nutrient-based and locally available.

MS: What are your favorite ways to treat yourself?

KG: The best way to treat myself is a good 30-minute sweat session plus a treat depending on what I am craving that moment. I'm notorious for having a good sense of self-control that's why I'm able to balance things out.

MS: Your best advice for women, especially mothers, who struggle to keep a fitness routine?

KG: The best advice I can share for moms who struggle is to prioritize and work on getting a kind of routine that works best with their lifestyle. Adjusting is a must; you have to dedicate and allocate a specific time. Also nutrition is 80%, and training is just support, so in order to meet a fit and healthy body, NUTRITION is the biggest picture one must work on.

For inquiries on personal training, follow Kat on Instagram @bodybymamakat

Photos courtesy of Kat Garcia