In the world of fitness, Kelly Stegen is a leader, who truly has evolved the industry. Her business, Kelfit Lifestyle, a beacon of hope for those who yearn for a healthier lifestyle.
As a prominent figure, renowned for her physique and fitness knowledge, Kelly’s journey has not been an easy one.
“I was overweight from when I was a young girl and was teased about it my whole life. Comments from people really stuck with me. I got to a point in high school, where it made me so depressed and self-conscious that I didn’t want to even live. I was called all sorts of names throughout my childhood and it really scarred me. But, it was later on when I used these comments to fuel my inner fire. My weight yo-yo’d after school. I tried every diet and diet pill on the market, from the cabbage soup diet, to thins to starving myself. After having my first child I picked up 30kgs and my weight spiralled out of control. That’s when I knew enough was enough.”
However, she didn’t know what to do about her weight. But it was when she started dating a bodybuilder that her life truly changed.
“I will never forget going to watch my first bodybuilding show where the bikini divisions were introduced. In awe of their bodies and stage presence, I decided I want to be like that. I went to a photoshoot where I met Nicole Seymour (Warburg) who is one of SA’s top fitness icons and was so inspired by her. She had an incredible body! I’ll never forget she was eating egg white pancakes and I was fascinated. I knew that I also wanted to be like that.”
Kelly immediately began a 12-week transformation programme. Knowing it required hard work and discipline, she set her sights on accomplishing her goals. Kelly’s hard work paid off after taking seventh place in her first bikini show.
“That was the start of my new path in my fitness and health journey. I was hooked! I absolutely love everything about health and fitness. Now I live, eat and breathe it. I got myself a coach, Cherie Loomes who was a world bodybuilding champion. She helped me so much. I really believe in making use of a coach. Online coaching is the way forward in South Africa, because you can do it all online and don’t need to go and see the person every week. You can ask questions, send pictures and do everything online, it’s fantastic. In terms of supplementation, back then I did it naturally. Although now I have learnt the importance of good supplementation and have become a Muscle Wellness Sponsored athlete and brand ambassador, which I am very proud of.”
Since her first competition in 2010, Kelly has done 12 competitions. During this time, she was selected for the KZN bodybuilding team to compete at the IFBB SA champs three times, where her highest placing was third in South Africa in the Fitness Bikini division.
Over the years, Kelly claims her biggest motivation has been to never feel miserable or unhappy in her own skin again.
“Nothing tastes as good as what being in shape feels. I truly believe that. The fear of becoming the old unhappy and miserable me is my biggest motivation. As well as being able to fit into my nice clothes and not have muffin tops. It’s a great feeling to be able to walk into a shop and buy any clothing items you like and feel good in. What also motivates me is to be a role model to my kids, to show them balance and that you don’t need food to control your life.”
Her biggest challenge though has been that of food addiction and comfort eating.
“I think, like a lot of women, I use food as my vice. We eat when we are stressed, happy or sad. Now I use gym and training as my vice. It truly becomes like a drug and often when you feel like eating I’ll go take a run or go and have a workout now, replacing bad habits with good ones. This has really helped me to break bad habits.”
It was six years ago, after competing in her first bodybuilding show, that Kelfit Lifestyle was born.
“My friends and family hounded me to help them with diets and training plans. So, I decided to start studying and, in the process, began my passion, my calling and my little business on the sideline- Kelfit Lifestyle.
What is Kelfit Lifestyle?
Kelly explains it is an eight or 12-week lifestyle programme, focusing mainly on diet, but incorporating fitness for those who want to train as well.
The comprehensive plan is worked out according to your age, height, weight and activity level and we will fit you in no matter what your goals are.
Kelfit Lifestyle has five amazing and qualified coaches who are dedicated to helping clients achieve their goals.
“Kelfit is based on a certain set of rules and principles and we aim to teach you how to incorporate these during your time with Kelfit, making it something you can follow until the rest of time. Our success has been a wide spread one and the brand has grown into an empire. At Kelfit Lifestyle we love being healthy, being fit and being happy. We believe that diet is 80% of the transforming process for your lifestyle and body. That is why we want to help you with your weight loss journey.”
Passionate about her brand, Kelly says the results of Kelft speaks for itself. “It works, and our clients are living, walking testimony of this.”
Kelly says being fit and healthy changes everything. “Staying physically healthy can help you stay healthy emotionally. If you’re eating the right food and keeping fit, your body will be strong and help you to cope with stress and fight illness. Being fit and healthy makes me feel so good. I love being an example to my clients and my two beautiful daughters.”
Kelly adds that staying fit and exercising helps to release endorphins, which helps stress relief.
Which is why by following a proper, nutritious diet and regular exercise, Kelly explains one’s body and mind can function at an optimal level together.
Since starting up Kelfit Lifestyle, Kelly says her biggest highlights have been that of changing lives. “We have changed hundreds and thousands of lives around the world. I love helping women see their full potential and living their best life possible. Through Kelfit, I have established a huge platform and following. We have over 35 000 followers across social media. Kelfit also has over 500 clients at any given time on our eight and 12-week lifestyle packages. I love doing charity work and the Kelfit Angels (ladies) are always willing to jump in and help too.”
While running Kelfit Lifestyle, Kelly is also a sponsored athlete, backed by Muscle Wellness supplements, Select Hair dressing supplies, Leaner Creamer, Blu Gel hair, Spring Beauty, The Blush Box, Skinny Pasta, Thirsti Water, as well as Bob and Weave Fitness Clothing.
Kelfit Lifestyle is also backed and sponsored by some incredible brands like Almond breeze, Tantalize Foods and Front Row Hair Extensions just to name a few.
“The fitness world has opened up so many incredible opportunities for me and I’m so blessed! Our brand has become a powerful leader in the online weight loss category in SA.”
For those seeking an escape from their unhealthy lifestyles, Kelly says anything is possible once you set your mind to it. However, you will need to find your own motivation to fuel your inner fire.
“This can be a photo that you don’t like of yourself or it could even be a comment someone made. Use that to motivate you every day. Don’t expect a coach or personal trainer to inject motivation into you, it’s not going to happen. If you don’t feel good about yourself, you tend to take it out on others. I’m so much happier and more fulfilled. It has made me realize the world is my oyster,” Kelly concludes.
Kelly Stegen, you are a true inspiration for all women.
