CutAndJacked.com Interview:

Nina Silic

How did you get started in training and
living a fit lifestyle?

I’ve been pretty active all my life as I started dancing at the age of 3 and took it on pretty seriously from my teenage years, so I was constantly bouncing around. I started going to the gym on and off from about the age of 18 and was always a reasonably clean eater for the most part. But I really started getting serious about training and nutrition when I trained and prepped for my first IFBB Bikini competition in March 2011. This really helped me take on a lot of knowledge about training, nutrition and supplementation and the clean fit lifestyle has just stuck ever since.

How do you stay motivated?

Firstly I find it’s really important to surround yourself with positive people that really encourage you to reach your goals. The main thing that helps me is to envision your ultimate goal! And along the way focus on the positives and really be aware of changes no matter how big or small. I find every change or result I get really pushes me to keep going. I also like to stick up photos of how I want to look. If you have a goal and your determined to get there then no one can stand in your way.

What types of cardio have worked best for you?

All types of cardio are great and do their job. I really find that changing things up quite often is what works best for me. Whether it’s intervals, changing resistance, using different machines or just getting outside, I do it all. But I need to sweat it out though and feel a burn otherwise I don't feel like I have done anything. I don't look very glamorous after cardio a session that’s for sure haha.

Do you have a favourite healthy recipe?

Haha YES! I get chocolate cravings a lot. On the weekend I will usually make a Chocolate brownie protein cake it’s amazing!

CAKE RECIPE:

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup of oat flour (You can make your own by zapping some oats through a food processor or blender)
• 4 tblsp Raw Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (I love mine rich)
• 2 servings of Chocolate Proto Whey protein powder
• 1/2 cup Natvia or Stevia in the raw
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup raw cocoa nibs (optional but I love a bit of crunch)

Wet Ingredients:

• 5 egg whites
• 1 tblsp natural crunchy peanut butter
• 200g Fat Free cottage cheese
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup organic coconut oil
• 1/2 cup water (adjust so you get a thick consistency with the mixture)

Method:

• Pre Heat Oven to 180 degrees
• Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl
• Combine all wet ingredients in a smaller mixing bowl. And make sure you beat with a fork for a couple of minutes to ensure it gets aerated slightly.
• NOTE: Make sure you add the water in increments to reach the desired consistency. You may need a little more of less depending on the protein powder you use etc.
• Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix together to ensure there are no lumps.
• Line baking tray with baking paper and pour in the mixture.
• Bake for 30-40mins. Test with a fork after 30mins, if it comes out clean then its ready.
• Remove from the tray and allow to cool on a rack for 20mins

What does your diet consist of?

I stick to a high protein diet all year round with a balance of healthy carbohydrates and fats where I use clean unprocessed foods as much as possible and lots of veggies! My diet does change from time to time but it generally includes items such as, Oats, eggs whites, chicken, salmon, sweet potato, brown rice, flaxseed oil peanut butter and anything green.

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

I don’t really crave junk food or high salt foods but I do crave chocolate! So raw cocoa powder is my best friend as well as my chocolate protowhey. Best way to fix my craving is adding some Proto-whey to my long black coffee or spreading some protein powder paste on a rice cake as a snack. Otherwise I just brush my teeth between meals, which helps and make sure I drink plenty of water. However I do allow myself a cheat every week where I do have anything from gourmet burger to wood fire pizza. You need a cheat to keep you sane haha

What are your top 3 favourite exercises?

I love training legs and glutes! So it would have to be Hamstring curls, kick backs and lunges.

Do you listen to music whilst you train?

Yes music is a MUST! Wow I really need to update my playlist there’s so much random stuff on there, that’s what happens when you download "best of" albums haha never again! I love good rnb or commercial pop. Earthquake by Labyrinth is a good one while I'm training, it makes me feel hardcore lol

What is your training routine like?

It changes depending on whether I have a competition coming up or not but currently it’s this:

Monday:
Am cardio
PM Legs

Tuesday:
Am cardio
PM Shoulders, Triceps, Abs

Wednesday:
AM Cardio
PM Hamstrings, Calves

Thursday:
AM Cardio
PM Back, Biceps

Friday:
AM Cardio
PM Glutes

Saturday:
Rest (which generally includes Run around like crazy doing errands and going to appointments)

Sunday:
Rest

My intensity, exercises, reps, and sets change from week to week,
I really like to mix things up to keep the body guessing

Do you set short and long term goals?

My long-term goal right now is to get my IFBB pro card. Ideally want this to be a short-term thing lol but there is a lot of work to do to get there! So right now I'm just focusing on each contest I do, each one is an aim to better myself and improve my physique in a short amount of time. I really believe that you can't have long term goals unless you set short term ones, no matter how small they are, as they are the little stepping stones that will one day get me to my end result!

What are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of where I work. I work for Muscle Worx Sports Nutrition owned by my partner and I'm so proud to be able to help run his business. He is amazing with what he has achieved and established in such a short amount of time it really pushes me to achieve big things as well.

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

I’m lucky I have had nothing too major. Just recently I had a really bad flu for about a month, which has really set me back in terms of where I wanted to be for my next contest preparation. But it just means I'm even more determined to work even harder to get where I need to be :)

How do you measure your progress?

I take photos every week or two. It really helps put things into perspective when you compare them over a period of time. Sometimes you don't feel any different or the weight on the scales has not shifted but you most certainly look different. I feel sorry for the person who steals my phone one day haha

Who are your favourite, athletes or fitness models?

Favourite athletes/models would have to be Jamie Eason, Ava Cowan and Monica Brant. They are the ones that made me want to get into the fitness industry from day one.

What supplements would you use/recommend if any?

I use ProtoWhey as my protein powder all year round whether I'm trying to build lean muscle on or lean down for a comp/photo shoot. And you can't beat the taste its unreal! Tastes like I'm cheating every time!

What 3 tips would you give to any woman wanting to get a feminine, CutandJacked physique like yours?

1. Eat Clean
2. Supplement right
3. Be consistent and patient, change takes time.

Nina Silic,
Born: 1987

Photos 1 - 5 by: AMPT Imaging

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