INTERVIEWING PUSSYCAT DOLL KIMBERLY WYATT !!!

Last week I interviewed the stunning Kimberly Wyatt (‘Pussycat Doll’ and Monster Products ambassador) at the London Marathon Expo in the Excel Centre. My aim for our chat was to get an appreciation of what’s required for your body to operate at the top of such a pressurised profession. This post documents her fascinating thoughts & experience on diet, training, motivation and how she has sought body confidence…

At the outset, I should point out that she is beyond fit – with a ballet dancing background, she has attained a body that you can only create after years of training. She is strong and powerful, yet flexible and nimble, all at the same time. If you haven’t seen her YouTube video (which coincided with the launch of the Monster iSport wireless headphones she was promoting), take a look to see what I’m talking about! She’s a fabulous inspiration for the ethos of ‘sustainably strong, fit & healthy’. Here’s what I learned:

FOT: What does your exercise routine consist of and how often do you train?
KW: I aim to train 3-5 times a week, and I like to mix it up as much as I can. Hot yoga is my new Ballet! It really helps with the elasticity of the muscles, the deep stretch, as well as building the inner muscles as much as the outer ones. I really love a good sweat, the heat helps me to repair better, and I generally burn more calories when I’m sweating my butt off!

FOT: What about ballet?
KW: I’ve done ballet my whole life; my hips and ankles have definitely paid for it. I’ve had bumps, bruises, broken bones… The hot yoga helps ease and repair all of that to get me where I need to be.

FOT: What are your training goals, and what are you looking to achieve with your body beyond what you’ve already achieved?
KW: For me, fitness is about consistently staying healthy and having a positive outlook about your body image. Owning your self worth is very important to me. I like to mix it up my training goals, so that I never get bored. I just love movement and I do a lot of circuit training, cardio, yoga etc. It relieves stress and keeps my body in shape at the same time!

FOT: In terms of body image, do you feel pressure in the entertainment industry to look a certain way etc?
KW: I think there are pressures on women whether you’re in the entertainment industry or not; it’s just more ‘in your face’ in my business. You cannot deny that it’s there, and it’s really important for me to recognise it, battle it, not succumb to the ‘not eating’ and being ‘unhealthy-skinny’ mode… I’d like to help carve a new regime for myself and for all women out there, to be healthy, stay fit, and to find a lifestyle that works. Also, I was around the pressure of ballet alot when I was growing up, and I have friends who’ve had problems with eating disorders, given the standards that the ballet world sets. The women in that world have to take a stand for themselves to lead the next generation!

FOT: How much of a part does diet play in that vs exercise?
KW: I wouldn’t say ‘diet’, I’d say ‘healthy living’. It’s definitely a lifestyle. Choosing fruit, veggie, salad… staying on top of portion control, not gorging yourself, and also not denying yourself the things you love in life… just in moderation! A little cheat treat every Sunday works for me!

FOT: How do you balance the demands of a high-pressure job and your fitness goals?
KW: It’s about making sure that the two go hand in hand, making time for both, and especially knowing that fitness gives you the headspace to be able to do the work as well as I can. I have to ensure my week includes enough working out. It’s crucial to find ways to work it in, and where there’s a will, there’s a way. On a really manic day, I’ll at least try to get 20 mins of HIIT exercise done in the early morning, because 20 mins is so much better than nothing!

FOT: Do you dance to stay in condition, or get in condition to dance?
KW: I would say that most of my life was about dancing to stay in good condition. But I stay in good condition, now that I’m getting older, so that I’m in a place to be able to dance still. Dancing has taken a toll on my body, especially bending the way that I do, and wearing 6 inch stilettos… for me it’s about integrating other styles of exercise that develop my muscles appropriately.

FOT: What do you draw upon to motivate you when you work out?
KW: Music. Music IS the motivation. It’s the guide for my workouts. You start with some slow pop songs to warm up, then move on to some more up-tempo house, and pick up the pace further to reach a bit of Dubstep and Drum n Bass when you’re really going for it. When I’m cooling down, I love to listen to classical music – cinematic orchestra’s ‘to build a home’ being a particular favourite for that!

FOT: Do you follow any websites or social media accounts to find fitness inspiration (other than Fitness On Toast, obviously!)?
KW: I find myself going thru quite alot of Instagram accounts randomly for quotes and pictures and different sorts of motivation. I also think that Jennifer Lawrence has set out some awesome tips about life and what she believes in, so if there’s anyone that’s really inspiring me at the moment, it’s her. For those tough mornings when I wake up and fear that I just cannot do it, I get into Rocky Mode, I get up and start with my little boxing jog, and shout ‘no I’m gonna get in there and I’m gonna kill it – no challenge, no change!’ – I really do the corny boxing jog, but it works, I’m telling you!

FOT: Solo workouts or group classes?
KW: Group classes every time! I have a very competitive spirit, as I find I’m competing with those around me even though they don’t know it. I like that fire, it spurs me on to burn more!

FOT: What are your ‘Top 5 favourite workout tunes’ ?
KW: Oooh tough one… I think:
– Droideka – ‘Get Hyper’
– Major Lazer – Bubble Butt
– Feelin myself – Will.iam and Miley Cyrus
– Work b*tch by Brittney Spears
– And maybe a little old-school hip hop!

 

Hope you found that interesting. I absolutely loved picking her brain on it

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