Interview With Raw Vegan: Channa Serenity

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Posted 22 December 2011 by CutAndJacked.com

Interview With Raw Vegan:

Channa Serenity

What sparked your interest in training?

My mother was a jazzercise instructor so I've been doing aerobics demonstrations in the local malls and parade's since I was 4 years old. That was soon followed by 10 years of being a competitive gymnast. I wasn’t allowed into the local gym until I turned 14, but for my 14th bday I got a gym membership and it’s been a major part of my life ever since.

Are you or have you ever been a cardio bunny and avoided the free-weight section?

I do LOVE cardio but my workouts are mainly HIT with weights so my weight training IS my cardio. In the past though, I had a scholarship to University in the Track & Field and Cross Country programs, In Cross country season I did a lot more cardio and less weight training as endurance was the primary focus.

How long do you spend in the gym during
a typical workout?

60 mins, 6 days a week

Do you listen to music whilst you train? If so what¹s on your playlist right now?

I just listen to whatever is playing on the speakers at the gym,
I actually don't even own an ipod.

What are you most proud of?

My first book, "12 weeks to Raw-some, Diva edition" will be released Dec 31, 2012, That’s my baby, I put my heart and soul into it and I know it’s going to introduce a whole new avenue and perspective to fitness and hopefully people will make positive lifestyle changes due to it.

I'm also very delighted to be involved in the "Girls on the Run" program in Toronto, I'll be coaching the 2012 season, the program teaches girls grades 3 -8 about positive self-image, and the importance of nourishing their minds and bodies with a physically active lifestyle, nutrition, and positivity.

I'm also super proud of my practice, Universal Well Being, I'm a holistic health & energy practitioner, and wellness coach, online and one on one, It's such a fulfilling journey I'm on, I love helping others meet their goals and set them on the path to optimal health, mind, body and soul.

What’s the longest break you’ve had from training?

About 2 weeks due to surgery.

Have you had any obstacles or setbacks towards achieving your goal physique?

I don’t have a goal physique, I work out because I think it’s fun and I enjoy it, I'm a raw food vegan so I eat super clean because I believe it's primary in preventative health care, My focus is only on inner health, and it has its perks on the outside. I remain tight and lean year round. When I was in University competing in Track & Field, I had numerous surgeries and had to take some time off from regular training, since I couldn’t sprint without causing more injury I took my workouts to the pool, I bought an "aqua jogger" and did my running in the water.

We know consistency is key, what tips would you give to anyone struggling to stay consistent?

You are only going to stay consistent if you enjoy what you are doing, just because something works for someone else doesn’t mean that’s the right workout for you, find what you love and do that. I'm sponsored by an amazing clothing line, Titika Activewear, and when I get new clothes from them I am SO pumped to get to the gym and sport my new outfits, so that’s an excellent way to self-motivate.

How do you deal with cravings for junk foods,
sweets and salty food?

As I've mentioned I'm a raw food vegan, I don’t eat junk food, salt or sugar and don’t want to either, I've studied holistic nutrition and I just could never consider putting that into my body, food is supposed to be our medicine and not our poison. With raw food, I can wake up and have raw brownies or raw cheesecake every day for breakfast and its actually good for me, Its Raw-some!! :)

Who are your favourite, athletes or fitness models?

Checik Kongo, the UFC heavy weight is my favorite athlete; I admire
his work ethic and humbleness.

What types of cardio have worked best for you?

I love HIT training that is my primary method of training.

What is your training routine like?

I do full body HIT 60 mins, 6 days a week. Every day is different exercises
with different time intervals.

Here is an example of one day:

No rest circuit:

3 mins skip rope

1 min jack squats

1 min squats

1 min elbow up in plank

1 min sit up reach over with weights

REPEAT

1 min Shoulder press ALT

1 min stiff leg with row

1 min off ground lunge (knee up) 30 secs switch legs

1 min abs, reach up with feet up

Skip 2 mins

REPEAT

1 min KB swings

1 min Goblet squat

1 min windmills with weight

1 min burpees

Skip 2 mins

REPEAT

1 min sit up into standing squat

1 min bird dog from p-up

1 min crossover uprights

1 min weighted sit ups

Skip 2 mins

REPEAT

What does your raw diet consist of?

As a raw food vegan, Breakfast is a smoothie packed full of superfoods; goji berries, black maca, ashwagandha, berries and organic orange juice.

Lunch is my heavy meal so usually raw tacos, "neat" loaf, raw lasagna, etc and for dinner is a nice big green salad or maybe another smoothie, and lots of fruit for snacks all day long. I don’t follow a plan, I just listen intuitively to my body and be sure to only put raw, organic food into my body.

What supplements would you use if any?

None, I don’t believe in supplements, sometimes though if I feel like a cold treat at the gym I’ll have a raw protein smoothie made with sunwarriour or garden of life raw protein.