‘I was still squatting at 40 weeks’
Image: private
Hilde (34) is a trainer and weight consultant and single mother of Luca (almost 4). She exercises five times a week.
“Five years ago I decided to train for a bikini fitness competition. I wanted a six-pack – a bucket-list thing like that – and the competition was a great stick behind the door. With the help of a coach, I started eating healthy and exercising a lot: twice a day, six days a week. Very heavy, but the switch flipped; I worked towards a goal.
Contest
I soon noticed that I was getting stronger and I started to like it more and more, with the satisfied feeling afterwards also becoming almost addictive. After six months, I was on the podium, well-trained, with a six-pack. Well, almost – just my lower abs never show, no matter how hard I try.
Four months later I found out I was pregnant. An unplanned surprise, and you can safely say a big switch from that cube belly to baby belly. At first I thought I would hate it, but I enjoyed it. It was also nice to let the reins loose in terms of nutrition. Two pieces of cake on a birthday? Now it was allowed. I didn’t have to worry about the pounds, because I still went to the gym every day. Fitness had become a lifestyle. A fixed rhythm, which makes me feel good and strong. At 40 weeks, I was still squatting – and no one was surprised after my bikini adventure.
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To move
Since Luca was three months old, I have been going to a gym with childcare. Very practical and it saves on costs. Moreover, he can now participate in the toddler gym there. I think it’s important that he moves a lot. I recently heard that they have a physiotherapist at a primary school nearby, because many children suffer from a movement delay due to corona. Quite shocking. I try out everything possible at his age with Luca: football, karate, even ballet. For now, he’s sticking to toddler gym. Running, screeching and roaring for four hours a week – ‘Look Mom, I’ve got muscles like you!’ – while challenging myself with a heavier leg press.
“I do it for myself, I like to get stronger.”
Many women compliment my figure. Men often think I’m a bit too muscular. All fine; i do it for myself, like to get stronger. During a game of fooling around, I lift Luca, over fifteen kilos, above my head with ease. He thinks it’s fantastic. In the gym, the bar carries weights of up to 25 kilos, so luckily we still have a lot of romps to go.”
This portrait is in Kek Mama 02-2022.
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