To say that Bernadette Beyer is eye-catching would be an understatement. She is beyond perfection – she is the body beautiful that you read about and then feel a slight tinge of jealousy. A new mum to baby Angelee and blessed with two other sons, Bernadette is not just an exceptionally stunning body, but a very serious and astute businesswomen.

She is the head of Mr and Mrs Fitness South Africa and also runs a successful body supplement business together with her husband, Dean. With many international fitness titles under her belt as well as local accolades, Bernadette is an inspiration to all women irrelevant of age.

Looking at photos of Bernadette, it is easy to presume that she was athletic and in fine proportion her whole life. “Not so,” says Bernadette,” I always wanted to be an athlete at school and although I was good I never pursued it because of the thunder thighs I had.” Although sporty, Bernadette only pursued dancing and athletics once she had left school. Her current boyfriend at the time, now husband, was into body building and caught her eye.

Although he encouraged her, it was Bernadette’s pure self motivation and determination that lead her from thunder thighs to sports pin up model!

Bernadette studied for four years in personal training but soon realised that exercise was not the pure answer to bodily perfection. “The average body fat ratio for women should be around 26%.” she says very matter of factly. A very small number in any women’s language! “When I have done competitions in the past I get myself to a 6% fat to body ratio. You have to be exceptionally disciplined – it initially took me three years to achieve that.”

Exercise is exceptionally important in terms of general overall health but Bernadette firmly believes that exercise plays a much smaller role in looking good physically. “I would say it is about 80% diet and 20% exercise.” She firmly states. “I realised when I was studying that just excelling in sport was not good enough and nutrition was the key to staying healthy and lean. It is a whole new science when it comes to food groups, understanding what food groups to swap and hormone levels.” She further explains. “People might know a little about foods that make you retain water but when you are at competition level it is crucial that you know exactly what you are consuming to give you the best competitive chance obtainable.”

Bernadette left the competitive world of body building boasting her full Springbok Colours and entered the arena of the fitness world in 2001.

“Even within the female division of body building it got to a point where I could no longer compete naturally. By that I mean without the use of steroids which a lot of the girls used overseas, so to compete internationally was really hard. But that is where body building started to go 15 years ago although things have changed now.” Bernadette is very positive about her healthier although\ just as\ deeply disciplined choice. “I started dancing and gymnastics in 2001 and focussed on my diet and weight training extensively.” Bernadette went on to have an exceptionally successful career in the fitness industry garnering many gold medals under her perfectly proportioned belt. Now Bernadette runs the biggest fitness pageant in South Africa, The Mr and Mrs Fitness SA, which falls under the illustrious banner of the Fitness America pageant.

The huge array of Amazonian torsos certainly catches all eyes during the competition and the dedication to their bodies is truly amazing. Bernadette  coaches many contestants nutrionally leading up to the event and seeing the before and after photos on the webpage is quite astounding. She advises online and also includes training programmes being just a click of the mouse away for guidance to people outside of Cape Town.

Many women only start competing later on in the 35+ category after they have had children as well as older men although everybody is clearly very young at heart.

Bernadette giggles when asked about liposuction within the fitness industry. It is an obvious question as cellulite seems to have escaped every contestant! “No, there is no liposuction or calf implants or stuff like that going on,” she laughs. “Those tight butts are the result of many lunges. Breast augmentation is another story though, as you can lose natural fat in the breast area because of the low fat body ratios we achieve. BotoxTM and fillers are also common-place to create a more youthful appearance.” Good grooming is exceptionally important and hair and nails are a must along with the faux tans!

Bernadette is very strict about her training and diet regime during the week. All of her children have known the clunk and clang of dumbbells from a very early age, having had a nap in their prams while she squeezed in the time to train. “My weekends are a different story,” she smiles. “We always relax with the children or go to the movies. I also allow myself a couple of glasses of wine which I thoroughly enjoy but always forgo any starch with my meal if a glass of chardonnay has been had!” Bernadette also uses growth hormones, which she finds very therapeutic in keeping her youthful. She is very quick to advocate the use of a qualified doctor if anyone else is considering this treatment.

“I also take a lot of supplements which is obviously easier for me as we run a nutritional supplement company but I would definitely recommend flax seed oil in anyone’s diet. I take it daily.”

Having achieved excellence in her field of fitness, Bernadette takes it a little easier these days although being lean and chiselled has now been ingrained into her DNA. “I have learnt to take it easier as I suffered a complete burn out three years ago. I dedicate more quiet time for myself, proper rest and good sleep. I naturally drink a lot of water and eat very ‘clean’ healthy food.” She also makes time for prayer and meditation which keep her buoyant and focused dealing with the training, business and home side of her life.

Bernadette has surely attained the goal of perfection, flawless multitasking and chiselled proportions. A clear commitment to the precision and dedication of her craft.

Article from: Aesthetic Surgery Magazine
Article by Rachel Tambo
Photograph by Martyn Le Roux