Today’s interview is with Belinda Benn, author of the Get Lean Program. Belinda has an interesting life story because she transformed her body to the super-lean image you see to your right when she was in her late 30′s and early 40′s past the time when most people believe this is possible.
I’m glad she agreed to do this interview to show people what really can be done with some determination and information.
Q: Hi Belinda, I’ve just finished going over your program. What can you tell us about the Get Lean Program?
A. The Get Lean Program is a down to earth, real deal weight loss program. It was born out of my own personal transformation story. The program is easy to understand and follow and comes with 12 weeks of support from me personally.
Q. You started training and shedding fat during your late 30’s. What made you change your life and your body?
A. Deep down I felt like something was wrong. I started searching and realized I had stopped doing things “just for me”. It happens to a lot of us as the years go by and the responsibilities of life mount up. I had a childhood dream of learning to surf and that first step began a chain of events that revolutionized my life, my fitness, eating habits, my body and ultimately my life.
Q. Did you ever think you’d end up being a fitness model?
A. Are you kidding? Not in a zillion years. It was the last thing from my mind when I divorced at the age of 40. I thought I was “over the hill” and that was the end of that. It just goes to show when you take notice of that little voice on the inside, you never know where it may lead you!
Q. Who is the Get Lean Program for?
A. Anyone who wants to lose weight the natural way by eating whole, unprocessed foods, with out restrictive dieting.
Q. Have you been surprised at the feedback the program has got so far?
A. Surprised and stoked! I have been overwhelmed with people’s stories and heartfelt thanks. Many people give up hope of ever losing weight or achieving their dream body. Realizing that my story and transformation is real, they have renewed hope and determination. A few emails have even bought tears to my eyes – just to see how people’s spirits have been re-energized towards success, rather than depression and failure.
Q. One of the super-foods you talk about in your program is dry figs. What makes dry figs so special?
A. Dried figs are very high in fiber, which means that you will feel fuller, eat less and stay regular. Figs also are a great source of potassium (great for tired muscles), calcium and vitamin B6 which is responsible for producing mood-boosting serotonin. They are also good for lowering cholesterol and preventing water retention. An added bonus is their natural sweetness, so they are an ideal alternative snack to chocolate 
Q. Why is your program divided into 3 phases? What is the role of each phase?
As you know, many diets start out super strict. Then as our motivation wanes we go back to our old habits and the weight comes back on. I have discovered that the easiest and most effective way to achieve a lean physique is to work with the natural harmony of our body’s physiology. From my experience, it takes roughly four weeks before our metabolism jumps to the next fat burning level. So, the process of obtaining our ideal lean physique should be viewed as fat burning “phases” that we control through establishing new eating habits, rather than a “diet”. For this reason the Get Lean Program is divided into three, monthly phases: Momentum, Acceleration and Peak.
The Momentum Phase begins the process of increasing your fat burning metabolism. Your body will adjust to new eating habits and these changes will enable you to maintain your diet while gradually reducing your caloric and carbohydrate intake.
The Acceleration Phase will help reduce your body fat % while maintaining the energy levels necessary to work and train hard. Your body will adjust to producing efficient energy from fewer calories and you will see acceleration in your fat loss.
The Peak Phase will help you reach your optimum lean physique at the end of Month 3.
Many physique competitors use a similar system to prepare for competitions. But this program takes that science and makes it doable for the everyday person who wants to lose weight!
Q. How does it feel to be a role model for people in their 40’s, many of whom believe that they just can’t lose weight anymore?
A. John, I feel humbled and thrilled. Humbled because I was just an everyday executive who through a turn of events was able to change my body and my life. Thrilled because I know that if I can do it – you can too. Believing that you can do it is the first step and often that’s the hardest, like you said many “believe” that they just can’t lose weight. That’s why I created my “Think Lean – Get Lean” audio program – to help change your thinking, so you can change your body.
Editor’s Note: Think Lean Get Lean comes as a bonus with the main Get Lean Program
Q. You place greater exercise on nutrition than on exercise. Why is that?
A. My experience has been that nutrition is where most people fail when it comes to losing weight. The program covers the basics of how to exercise in the fat burning zone and the benefits of different types of exercise. For those that want more specific training advice I include that in my 12 weeks of personalized support.
Q. You’re just starting out as a fitness and fat loss online expert. What are your personal goals? What would you like to achieve?
A. One of my personal goals is to build real relationships with everyone on Get Lean Program. I worked with the Japanese for 10 years and they are very service orientated. I want to give 150% to every person on the program for their personal success. And of course, I am excited to share their personal transformation stories down the track. My big picture goal is to produce more high quality fitness and nutrition resources so I can keep inspiring people that change is possible at any age!
Q: Thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me, Belinda. Good luck with the program.
For more on how Belinda transformed her body, including pictures, visit Belinda Benn’s Body transformation method.
Here is an exercise video with Belinda Benn:
For more fitness tips for women check out these interviews with Isabel De Los Rios, Sue Heintze, and Flavia Del Monte.