Stephanie Sanzo who rose to fame on Instagram only does weights

When Stephanie Sanzo, 29, was younger, she hated everything to do with exercise and refused to go anywhere near a gym. 

When the mother-of-two, from Geelong, Victoria, fell pregnant with her son at 19, she gained 25 kilograms – something she struggled with after weighing a petite 47 kilos. 

Now, nine years on, Ms Sanzo is a personal trainer, feels healthier and fitter than ever and has an Instagram following of more than 395,000 people. 

Stunning: When Stephanie Sanzo, 29, was younger, she hated everything to do with exercise and refused to go anywhere near a gym

New woman: When the mother-of-two, from Geelong, Victoria, fell pregnant with her son at 19 (left), she gained 25 kilograms – something she struggled with after weighing a petite 47 kilos

‘My job required me to travel a lot so after having my son I decided to step down from my job and study personal training instead,’ Ms Sanzo told Daily Mail Australia.

‘While I was studying my certificate three and four I learned so much about the fundamentals of the body and picked up running.

‘Everyday I was running 10 kilometres with the pram. It was my escape and I just really needed that fulfillment in my day.’ 

A year later Ms Sanzo fell pregnant with her daughter and decided to focus on a healthier pregnancy. 

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Transformation: Now, nine years on, Ms Sanzo is a personal trainer, feels healthier and fitter than ever and has an Instagram following of more than 395,000 people

2013 VS 2016: ‘While I was studying my certificate three and four I learned so much about the fundamentals of the body and picked up running,’ she said 

Lean: ‘It took a year to lose the weight the first time and I didn’t want to do that again so I was sure to be mindful of what I ate and went for a walk every day,’ she said of her second pregnancy 

‘In my first pregnancy I would eat anything I wanted when I felt like it including KFC and chocolate… you name it,’ she said. 

‘I didn’t feel confident after that at all and I had a wobbly belly and while I didn’t have stretch marks I didn’t feel good and my clothes were all very tight.

‘It took a year to lose the weight the first time and I didn’t want to do that again so I was sure to be mindful of what I ate and went for a walk every day.

‘At the end of my second pregnancy I had only gained 12 kilograms.’

‘I started lifting at home’: Ms Sanzo unfortunately suffered a pelvic prolapse after her second pregnancy and was no longer able to run

Simple: ‘I started lifting at home first as my then husband had a weight pack that had two little dumbbells in it where you could change up the weights,’ Ms Sanzo said

Ms Sanzo unfortunately suffered a pelvic prolapse after her second pregnancy and was no longer able to run. 

‘I started lifting at home first as my then husband had a weight pack that had two little dumbbells in it where you could change up the weights,’ Ms Sanzo said. 

‘When he would go to work at night I would just sit at home and lift and I started to gain muscle really easy. I would also do a million crunches after the kids went to bed and just play around doing exercises in the living room. 

‘Shortly after my husband and I separated a friend suggested the gym so I decided to sign up and see how I went. I had a goal of doing a bodybuilding competition so I got a coach because I had no idea what I was doing.’ 

Learning: ‘Shortly after my husband and I separated a friend suggested the gym so I decided to sign up and see how I went. I had a goal of doing a bodybuilding competition so I got a coach because I had no idea what I was doing,’ she said 

What is Stephanie Sanzo’s routine?  

EXERCISE: 

* Weight lifting every day (either power lifting or body building for a heavy pimp up) 

* No cardio as it can eat into muscle 

DIET: 

* 1,800 calories a day and counting macros 

* Break it down into macros so for example 200 grams of carbs, 40 grams of fat and 120 grams of protein 

* I then pick foods to work with like sweet potato, chicken and broccoli and break them up into meals for the day

* Everything is routine 

* No alcohol but a cheat meal every week and chocolate (two squares) any day is fine if I am craving it  

After switching to an 80 per cent clean diet and following a strict regime in 2012, Ms Sanzo entered her first show in 2013 and placed 2nd. 

‘My coach gave me a program for the gym for 16 weeks and taught me how to lift weights,’ Ms Sanzo said.

‘Back then it was minimal carbs – the way you shouldn’t do it – but I stayed with her for three years and entered more competitions until my body got sick from bad dieting and being starving and looking after the kids… just exhaustion.’

Ms Sanzo took some time off, started working as a personal trainer and spent a great deal of time researching a healthier, more effective training plan. 

‘My metabolism was damaged from eating such a low amount of calories for so long so I took my time and created a schedule that worked around my kids and involved eating more calories,’ Ms Sanzo said. 

‘I usually drop the kids off at school, train clients and myself five days a week and then at night I do online personal training as well. 

Determined: After switching to an 80 per cent clean diet and following a strict regime in 2012, Ms Sanzo entered her first show in 2013 and placed 2nd

‘I eat 1,800 calories a day and count my macros so I have a pretty straightforward, simple routine.’ 

Ms Sanzo doesn’t do any cardio and spends all of her workout time lifting weights. 

‘It’s controversial really but it’s not needed. If you do too much cardio while dieting you can chew into muscle. If you are doing a show you can do it to get rid of fat quickly but all year round if you eat well you don’t need cardio,’ she said. 

‘If you are lifting right and lifting heavy you don’t need it… it’s cardio in itself as it lifts the heart rate.

‘Every day I do lifting – either power lifting or body building.’ 

Strict routine: ‘I usually drop the kids off at school, train clients and myself five days a week and then at night I do online personal training as well,’ she explained 

Ms Sanzo also started an Instagram page for herself, Steph Fit Mum, to share her journey with others and hold herself accountable when it came to her progress. 

‘I researched how to Instagram properly and decided to make mine all about my fitness journey and being a single mum and all the struggles I face to encourage people,’ Ms Sanzo said. 

‘It started to grow and I posted more regularly and people were inspired so I just kept going.’ 

Ms Sanzo hopes to inspire other mums and to show them that anything is possible if they have a goal and are educated when it comes to diet and exercise. 

‘It all starts with a decision. Work out a plan, start a diet and if you don’t know how to diet start with the simple things like cutting out fast food and sugary foods,’ Ms Sanzo said. 

Inspiring: Ms Sanzo also started an Instagram page for herself, Steph Fit Mum, to share her journey with others and hold herself accountable when it came to her progress

‘It all starts with a decision’: Ms Sanzo hopes to inspire other mums and to show them that anything is possible if they have a goal and are educated when it comes to diet and exercise

‘People complicate it. In very simple terms stay away from packet foods and understand that any meat or food from the ground is good food. 

‘Exercising once a day is perfectly fine – whether it’s going for a walk or getting on the floor after the kids are in bed and doing crunches for 20 minutes. Just do a little workout to elevate your heart rate.’  

Ms Sanzo also recommends writing everything down and even starting a social media page to stay accountable.

‘Also, it’s so important not to under-eat. So many people do. Yes, you will lose weight fast but you will regain the weight very quickly,’ Ms Sanzo said. 

‘Your body isn’t mean to be on low calories and we need them to function. We need bran function and if you are starving yourself you will be tired and cranky and fight with your partner and kids.

Get your heart rate up! ‘Exercising once a day is perfectly fine – whether it’s going for a walk or getting on the floor after the kids are in bed and doing crunches for 20 minutes,’ she said 

‘Listen to your body and give it what it needs by eating fresh fruit and veggies.’

Treats are also allowed but as a personal preference, Ms Sanzo doesn’t drink so her muscles stay in good condition.

‘I always have a cheat meal once a week and I absolutely love chocolate,’ Ms Sanzo said. 

‘I have the same meals every day pretty much but if I feel like chocolate I will have two squares a day.’ 

‘If I deny myself I will binge… I will eat everything. Never deny yourself.’