The Mom, The Fitness Model

Siliana Chanel is a mother who, after giving birth, just wanted to lose her excess weight, and then she simply continued. She wasn't satisfied, she didn't say after the first clothing size drop that this was it, and now she would rent a place in the corner pastry shop, because now she could afford it.

She didn't blame parenting for why it wasn't working, and she didn't spend most of her energy telling everyone she met that she didn't even have 10 minutes for herself.

I like this woman. And not just because she refutes everything that most mothers hold up as a shield as the guarantor of their unsuccessful diet (child-rearing), but because even after she became an internationally successful fitness model, she still primarily considers herself a mother. Moreover. Her mission, as she put it, is none other than to set an example as a mother for her child, and to hold a mirror up to those women who think it's not possible, or that after childbirth, they can no longer have time for themselves.

Obviously, Siliana has received all the angry and bloodshot-eyed accusations from many women over the years, which I will most likely receive too, that I should just go to hell, because what am I babbling about here, when I have no idea how much of a burden a child is, and she surely had help, and her husband supported her, and that's why she could go to trainings, and anyway, everyone should die, and I should just jump under a train.

I'm sure there will be such voices. But if someone thought that taxes and death were certain, then they are very much mistaken, because 4 things are certain. Taxes, death, excuses, and blaming someone or something for why it didn't work out. Death is indeed unavoidable, but an insignificant life is very much avoidable, you just have to do something about it. Or if not, there's still no problem, because there's the all-resolving Holy Grail, the more frequent repetition of the phrase "I don't have time for it."

SILIANA CHANEL INTERVIEW

– How did you start bodybuilding?

– During my pregnancy, I gained 18.5 kg, which I successfully lost after my son was born, but I was still considered fat skinny. So I decided to take my workouts more seriously, and hired a personal trainer. Of course, we started training with heavier weights than I had used before, and as soon as I noticed the change, I became addicted.

In May 2011, I decided I wanted to compete in my first competition, for which I had 3 months to prepare. Needless to say, I had to kick myself into gear to speed things up, which was a particular challenge for me while raising a child, but I still managed to finish second in my group. After I got a taste of success from competing, I went from competition to competition, making the most of myself and the time available to me. During this period, I learned that we have no time to waste, so I had to fundamentally re-evaluate what I thought about time management. I learned the value of minutes and organized my life to be as efficient as possible. For me, 10 minutes became the new 1 hour, and although this came with great difficulties, I had a goal, and I could only achieve it alongside raising my child this way.

– Was it worth it?

– Yes. Every single minute was worth it, and I wouldn't do anything differently. Not even though I sometimes literally cried from exhaustion, and there were times when I fell asleep during bedtime stories sooner than my child. But if I think about it, that's exactly what makes this lifestyle beautiful: that you feel alive, that you are doing something.

– What training plan worked best for you?

– I train four times a week at the gym and have one cardio day. Besides that, I have two rest days, but then I literally do nothing but recover. I don't usually do much ab work, because it develops on its own anyway, so I included a calf and ab day, which is kind of a semi-rest day for me.

– If you could only choose 3 exercises, what would they be and why?

– Deadlift. I am very close to achieving 142 kg in free weight lifting. I love the feeling that lifting heavy weights gives, not to mention how great and complex an exercise it is.

Squats. I love them. They will never invent a more perfect exercise that trains the legs so intensely and effectively.

Clean and Press. This is a great, all-encompassing exercise that not only works the upper body but also the entire body and legs if you squat while doing it.

All three exercises are "basic/full-body" exercises, but the difference is night and day when they are executed correctly. These are very effective, but also the most dangerous exercises, so I advise everyone to be careful.

– What is your diet like?

– Simple and clean. I apply the same philosophy as I do with my workouts – "Just listen to your body." If I'm hungry, I eat; if not, I don't, it's that simple.

Diet:

• 1st meal: egg whites, whole wheat English muffin
• 2nd meal: turkey and salad
• 3rd meal: peanuts, almonds
• 4th meal: lean fish (tilapia/carp) and cucumber
• 5th meal: peanuts, almonds
• 6th meal: chicken breast or protein shake

– For cutting, HIIT or regular cardio?

– Definitely high-intensity training. In my opinion, this is the best way to cut and melt off excess weight.

– What supplements do you use?

– BCAAs, whey protein (post-workout), glucosamine, fish oil, fat burner.

– Where do you get your motivation from?

– I have never been one to give up on anything, no matter how great the challenge. I guess that's because my parents raised me that way, and they practically burned into me to never give up, for which I will always be grateful to them. I also draw my motivation from my son; I do it for him too, to set a good example for him, to show him an example. My son is the one who inspires me the most to always be better, because I am his role model. And I want to make sure that I am the best possible role model for him, and that I am his idol. And after all, that is a mother's duty.