Agnes Chlebinska - Q&A

What made you first decide to change yourself / your life?

Initially I had back pain which made me go to the gym. As I started exercising regularly I recognized that my whole life was changing: I had more energy, more confidence, I was much happier and less stressed (despite working >13 hours/day), I became healthier, stronger and more efficient in all areas of my life.

Achieving in the gym things I thought I never would be able to achieve gave me the energy and confidence to enter medical school at the age of 27, even though I was a single mother. I graduated as one of the best in my year.

Now I am 40 years old but when I am dining out with my 20 year old son, waiters call him my "boyfriend" and give him the bills to pay! In my view, the fact is that regular exercising is healthy and the only true anti-aging and happy making "pill".

Tell us how you went about making the change?

A lot of personal trainers forget that we are not as fit as they are and push us harder than necessary which can turn the exercise into a painful experience rather than an encouraging and a pleasant one. What I wanted initially from exercise was to make me sweat and then make me happy.

I started in the first 6 weeks with 20-30 min of cardiovascular workout, changing between cross-trainers, steppers etc. 3 times a week. As I become fitter I added weight lifting, focusing on one or max two muscle groups at first, till I got stronger and could add a new muscle group. Everything was pleasant and gradual rather than painful and sudden I want to keep a feminine body shape so I tend to increase speed rather than resistance using a cross- trainer and repetitions rather than kilograms by weight lifting.

With time I increased the length and frequency of my routines. I also found a solution for the days when I worked 13 hours and couldn't go to the gym: DVD's with "Yoga for athletes", pilates and body-shaping exercises (30-60min).

To be able to exercise and change fat into muscle I also had to change my diet; lots of water, fruit, vegetables and protein. To get the protein I need I would have to eat 500g of meat a day which is, for my small stomach, impossible to digest, this is when I started regularly using Sculptress shakes from Maxitone.

Currently I exercise most days; 1-1.5hours and I am fitter and healthier than ever. I also managed to motivate most of my friends and colleagues to lose weight and become more active and turned them into more confident and happier individuals.

How did you first hear about Maxitone products and what made you try them?

I calculated that I need 30-50g of protein to top up my diet. I saw Sculptress shakes in my supermarket and the pictures on the Sculptress box attracted my attention, the image Sculptress sells is one I could identify with. I bought, I tried and I liked it and I have been using it ever since.

What are your favourite Maxitone products and why?

I like Sculptress shakes in chocolate flavor; they have all the right ingredients to get stronger and toned without unnecessary extra calories.

It tastes good and is easy to use; either I have it mixed as a drink with water just before gym or I mix with yoghurt like a desert and carry in my bag and use as a snack in between meals; much better than crisps and keeps you full for much longer so you don’t have cravings to eat "bad" things.

If you could give one tip to anyone reading your story and wanting to replicate your achievements, what would it be?

Your brain controls your body; if you want to be smart and beautiful than be it; create the right pictures in your head and your body will find the way to get it for you.

What's been the single best thing about the changes you've made?

I learned for the first time in my life to love myself and by achieving in the gym things I never thought I would be able to, I also realized I can achieve things I never thought I would be able to achieve in my career, my relationship, friendships and finances.

What's your favourite way to exercise?

Diversity is the best answer; you avoid getting bored and exercising the same muscle groups (you need all your muscles, not only some of them).

To keep a feminine shape I would say always 30 min cardio followed by weights, Pilates, yoga, and of course dancing salsa (for the best abdominal exercises)!

How do you treat yourself when you've achieved something positive?

I usually have big bowl of raspberries, no space for more shoes (just joking).

What made you enter the Maxitone Body of 2009 competition?

I heard from my colleagues, friends and family that I have the ability to inspire people around me, working as a cardiology doctor I saw very young people (30-40 year old) dying of heart attacks caused by their lifestyle; smoking, alcohol, drugs and lack of exercise. Being a doctor doesn't give me the chance to influence their lifestyle enough to turn their lives around.

I hope that by taking part in this competition I can influence bigger groups of men and women showing them that it is never too late for anything and that they can fulfill their dreams as I did, it doesn’t matter what they are or how they start!