Model readers: the women pictured in this article are the two finalists of our cover-mode? Contest. Here are their stories

Muscle & Fitness/Hers, April-May, 2002 by Dan Kahn

Kathy feldman

Kathy Feldman, 25, was never one to shy away from a challenge. At the age of 15, when most girls are putting in quality lime at the mall or obsessing over the latest gossip, the Charlotte. North Carolina, native was hitting the weight rack at her local gym. "I always liked being active" she says. in fact, used to walk to the gym that I had paid for with my allowance money. I was the only girl there!"

This competitive edge motivated Kathy to enroll at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, where sire graduated with a degree in cellular biology. While her original desire was to pursue a career as a doctor, she soon found that her talents were better spent at the preventative end of things. "Once I got into college, exercise became a way to relieve anxiety," she explains in her animated Southern drawl. "I would read organic chemistry books all day to study. then read a fitness magazine to unwind at night. I figure that if you find a job you enjoy. you'll never rave to work a day in your life, so I thought the perfect job would be educating others about health and fitness."

Kathy has since founded her own personal-training company, called Body Engineering, with tire goal of educating men and women about their bodies and how to lead healthier, happier lives. "I help my clients do the most important thing possible in training -- realize their own potential, learn proper form and get motivated," she notes.

Kathy's workout regimen and diet plan demonstrate her commitment to fitness. "I do a split where I work every bodypart once a week except abs and calves, which I work twice a week. I do 4-5 days a week of weight training, which I break up into back and biceps. chest and triceps, legs and shoulders, that kind of thing." Cardio usually comes in the form of outdoor activity, typically logging or cycling for 20-30 minutes after her workout. When it comes to nutrition. Kathy sticks to the tried-and-true method of eating several small meals throughout the day

monica chang

Whether she's posing onstage, designing cutting-edge fashions or chasing her toddlers, this 36-year-old always puts in 100%.

The Cedar Rapids. Iowa, native moved to San Francisco after meeting her Taikudo sensei and future husband Tc Chang in Los Angeles. After learning this rare Japanese martial art and winning several titles, Monica married Tc and the couple decided to start a family. Due to complications during both of her pregnancies, however, she was ordered to strict bed rest, sacrificing her figure and self-esteem in the process. While daughters Cyan, 3 1/2, and Tal Mel. 1 1/2, were born healthy, Monica's weight had shot up to more than 160 pounds.

During the latter half of her second pregnancy, Monica spent her time absorbing details and training tips from every fitness magazine she could get her hands on, and when the doctors gave her the goahead to exercise, a plan had been formed. "I set a goal to strive for." she says. "I wanted to be onstage competing one year after giving birth, My little one was born Oct. 30. and I was onstage Nov. 17. a little over a year later."

Success seems to have an affinity for Monica, as she earned silver medals at both her fitness competition debut in Oakland, California. and at her follow-up, the NPC Iron Maiden in Culver City, California. "The first thing I did before I even got into the gym was completely change my eating habits." she explains. "I don't like the word diet, and I was nursing at the time so I couldn't really diet anyway, so l ate 4-5 very clean meals a day, cutting out most fats, oils and processed sugars." Balancing out this super-clean diet is an action-packed exercise plan, which includes working each muscle group once a week. "I choose a weight and then do three sets, usually trying for failure between eight and 10 reps," she states.

When not working out at the gym, caring for her kids or practicing Taikudo with Tc. Monica manages to work on her own line of fitness apparel and maintain her website, www.monicachang.com. which she hopes will serve as a source of inspiration for other women who want to take control of their lives by gaining control over their bodies.