People are always surprised to find out that I didn’t grow up playing sports. The extent of my athletic career was joining the track team in high school. I thought I was pretty fast. Then I ran in one meet, and realized that being 5'2" and having to go up against a heat of 6'2" Amazon girls in sick shape didn’t look so promising for me.
A few years later, I was dating a total gym freak, and that’s what got me into it. But it wasn’t until my mid-20s that I began moving serious weight. I knew I was doing something right when the boys started to stare and approach me with, “You know, you work out like a guy.” To this day, I’ve yet to get a better compliment.
This was the first fitness-type contest I ever entered, and I debated whether or not to even do it. But at the last minute, I decided to give it a go and submitted a few iPhone pics.After seeing the other women, I realized the competition was serious. So I updated my profile with better shots and got tons of positive feedback...and I ended up being voted into 2nd place in the top 20 semifinals! Then things went into the hands of the people behind the contest and, even though I wasn’t picked for top 5, I was proud to make it as far as I did. The support alone was overwhelming and made it all worth it. As for the next one? Hmmm…guess you’ll have to stay tuned!
Between 1½ to 2½ hours.
I’ve made the gym a scheduled, routine part of my life, to the point where it’s not really a choice. I’m up at 4:30 a.m. each morning to get to the gym before 5. It’s hard, but it works. And I think about how bad I’ll feel if I don’t go. That’s enough to keep me motivated. Getting it out of the way early means I don’t have any excuses not to go later. Some see it as sacrifice; I just see it as commitment.
I train six days a week, hitting two body parts per workout. I only know the “on season” and go hard and heavy year-round. Currently my schedule is:
I do abs and cardio each session, with the length of my cardio varying. As for my style, I like to run circuits with compound sets and supersets. For example, on chest/tri day, I’ll do three sets of chest, and finish with a set of abs. Then I’ll go into two sets of chest, a set of tris and a set of abs. Then three sets of tris and a set of abs. I’m constantly moving. A lot of people think my training is super-intense, but I like to be a beast on that gym floor.
I’ve always enjoyed eating clean. I do lots of fresh fruit, veggies, sweet potatoes, brown rice and natural protein. I stopped eating red meat in my early teens, so I stick with chicken, fish, turkey, tofu and egg whites.
Everything in moderation. If I have a craving, I’ll have a little bit of something. Generally, though, I’ll opt for healthier alternatives, like baked chips or low-sugar treats. I also love coffee, and think flavored blends make a great substitute for sweets. (Fun HL fact: I love me some Skittles and gummy bears. They’re definitely the way to my heart!)
Aside from being a monstrous She-Hulk with super-human lifting power, I’d have to say flying. I’d love to experience what it feels like to be that free.
My delts and bis. I get the most compliments and training questions on my arms…from both men and women. I’ve also gotten a lot of props for my hamstring definition.
His heart.
KIDDING! I like big, strong quads on a guy. Not a requirement, but if you’re askin’…
I believe regret is the worst thing in life. I try to stay true to myself, trust my gut and focus on doing what makes me happy. I go to the gym for me and no one else. I don’t try to look good for anyone else, please anyone else, live up to anyone else’s expectations. Because at the end of the day, the only one who can make you happy is you.
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