How did you get started with bodybuilding?
It was back in March 2009 that I was first introduced to the world of bodybuilding. Before that, the only thing I really knew about “bodybuilding” was Arnold Schwarzenegger. LOL! I am definitely a believer that everything happens at a certain time in your life & everything happens for a reason! I had got to a point in my life where I wanted to make a major change, physically, mentally, financially, & more importantly I was looking to improve my entire life. I had started to take control of the one thing I could control & could immediately change and that was my physical appearance & well-being. I had started lowering my body fat & transforming my body in January of 2009 (my new years resolution)- we all try it but not many completely follow through with it.
After eliminating the alcohol, partying, & chaos in my life & with the proper diet & training, I was able to lower my body fat percentage by 6% in 4 weeks.
In addition to the physical changes I was experiencing I found that mentally I was becoming stronger & the discipline & structure I created was driving me to reach even higher…I wanted to take myself to the next level, I just wasn’t quite sure what that meant at the time. My boyfriend & I were enjoying a Saturday at home when he received a phone call from a friend of his that was going to be competing in an upcoming local NPC Bodybuilding competition. My boyfriend, knowing I was hungry for a challenge, started repeating all the info he was hearing & gestured to me as he was talking to his buddy. My ears perked up & I immediately got on the Internet & looked up this amateur competition to see what it was all about. To make a long story short, I discovered a new division called “Bikini” & after doing a little research I decided that this was the challenge I had been looking for and didn’t even know it! My first NPC competition was in May of 2009- The California State Bodybuilding Championship & at 9% Body fat, standing 5 feet tall, weighing 103lbs., I competed & placed 2nd. After that I was hooked & continued competing, participating in 3 competitions in 3 months. At the 3rd competition, The USA’s in Vegas, I placed 1st in Bikini Class A & earned my IFBB Pro card! My experience was amazing & I am so grateful & blessed for all that I had accomplished & in such a short time.
Where does your motivation come from?
My motivation comes from a variety of things. I’m competitive by nature but doing something I truly love, helping others achieve their goals, & being an inspiration is definitely a driving force for me to keep doing what I’m doing! I guess it all started as a challenge…a bet I had with myself just to see if I could do it. One step at a time & before I knew it I was on a roll! This is my passion in life, being able to do what I love as a career & being able to create a business that enhances others lives & health gives me great satisfaction. It also helps that I started from the ground up- my initial motivation was just to prove to everyone (myself included) that I could do the impossible…..& I’m the way I see it, this is only the beginning. I’m just getting started!
What is your training philosophy?
Trust me, it works if you work it! Most people have a hard time with consistency which is one of the most important aspects to getting the results you’re looking for. All these programs you read about & training techniques you hear about CAN work, you just have to work it. That means, find a trainer or program & stick with it! Give yourself at least a few weeks to really develop the habit & don’t take on too much too soon. It’s great that someone is super excited in the beginning & wants to get started & go all out with cardio & intense training but when you overdo it in the beginning you risk falling off just as quickly as you started. So take it slow, one step at a time, work it, & don’t give up! Lack of motivation can come quickly when you’re not seeing the results you want right away so be realistic & give it time. Remember, it’s not easy & doesn’t happen overnight….you’ve heard the saying, “If it was that easy, everyone would be doing it”! The one thing that will set you apart from the others is staying focused & determined when others are quitting!
If you have to pick only 3 exercises, what would they be and why?
I have tons of exercises & programs I’ve put together that give me the ultimate results & I have a ton of fun doing them. My favorite muscle groups to train would be my delts, total legs (glutes, hams, n’ quads), & abs. So the three exercises I would pick would be lateral raises but a pyramid set using 10lb., 12lb., & 15lb. dumbbells (Hey it took me long enough to even build up strength enough for those 15′s! LOL!). I love working the delts because I believe that well-defined shoulders on a woman is sexy. It streamlines a woman’s curves & creates a very powerful yet sensual look on a woman’s body. Plus, most women really neglect their delts & it’s one muscle I like to put extra attention on with my clients! The second exercise I would choose would be a lunge-squat using a smith machine with the back foot/toes raised on a step. Regardless of what amount of weight you put on the rack this is an amazing exercise which not only shapes the glutes but hits your quads & hams as well. Superset that with leg extensions & you’ve got a match made in heaven! Last, but not least, I’d choose a hanging leg raise for my third exercise of choice! Yeah, yeah, yeah…just another ab exercise right? WRONG! This simple exercise can be as intense as you make it hitting all the major abdominal muscles. This is one exercise that will put that line right down the middle of your abs. Throw in some twisting leg raises and you’ve got some obliques to die for!
When trying to cut down do you prefer to use HIIT or just normal cardio?
Personally- straight cardio is right to the point but it can get boring at times. High intensity interval training spices up my cardio & really gets my heart pumping, not to mention it takes my mind off the clock which is nice once in a while. As a woman & knowing my body as well as I do, I find cardio to be a necessity for me to really shed that extra body fat, plus it’s a fabulous complement to my weight training.
What is your philosophy on nutrition?
As with training, start out slow. Make small subtle changes at first like cutting out refined sugars, drinking more water, & cutting out the bad fats & salts in your diet. Nutrition is interesting because depending on how far you’d like to take your body you can get maximum results with the right combo of foods at the right time! You can manipulate your body & metabolism in ways you couldn’t even imagine with food alone. Nutrition is about 80% of your results you’re getting.
No amount of working out will even compare to the power of food. Food is fuel for your physique & with the proper nutrition you can really achieve almost any look you’re going for. For many of my clients with busy schedules, family’s to take care of, places to go & things to do, the last thing they want to worry about is a diet & I can totally understand that. Not everyone wants to or has the time to weight their food, pre-cook their meals, to refer to charts with the proper caloric intake of protein, fats, & carbs. So what I recommend is to “clean” up the food you are used to eating. That means incorporating a variety of whole grains & oats, lean proteins like chicken breast & turkey, fish, eggs, lots of veggies, & the right balance of good fats & olive oil. Try not to get stuck on these fab diets of no carbs, or no fats….they will make you nuts! Find something that you can live comfortably with & make choices that will have a lifelong effect. Remember, competition diets are just that- they are not long term. It can be difficult at first when starting a new regimen especially when we’re talking about food but depriving yourself of the foods you enjoy is no way to live- eat in moderation, give yourself a cheat once in a while, & enjoy life!
What are your favorite meals and foods?
My favorite “Diet” food would have to be peanut butter! One of my most enjoyable competition diet meals would be yams mashed up with a lil Stevia & pumpkin spice with turkey breast on the side! This meal never gets old to me & the combo reminds me of thanksgiving dinner! HAHA!
Favorite cheat food?
OMG…the ultimate question! LOL! Okay, you said cheat FOOD not FOODS..I don’t know how I can choose just one! French fries & burgers are on the list for a post-comp meal for sure. I have a major sweet tooth & you can’t even imagine how much food I can cram into this 5 foot body of mine! Brown sugar scooped up with a graham cracker that has been dipped in peanut butter seems to occupy my late night dreams & satisfies those sweet cravings…weird I know! When I’m back to normal…Hehe….I really enjoy breads, lasagna, anything with carbs, garlic, &/or cheese- it’s the Italian in me!
What supplements do you use that give you great results? How do you use them?
I take plenty of Glutamine, Amino’s, BCAA, Multi-vitamins, vitamin C, & plenty of extra calcium. My branch chains, amino’s, & glutamine really help with the training I put my body through & recovery! The extra vitamins help when I’m getting ready for a show. When I’m dieting so hard, my body lacks a lot of the nutrients it’s not getting & these supplements keep my immune system up & keep me happy n’ healthy!
Favorite Bodybuilders?
I don’t really have a favorite bodybuilder- male or female. I know what it takes to train naturally & work hard dieting & mentally staying sane through it all so I have a lot of respect for others who do the same! There are many great physiques out there but it’s a matter of keeping your dignity & holding yourself to a higher degree & standard, working hard while staying true to yourself!
Favorite Quote?
“Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness, heart, talent, guts. That’s what little girls are made of; the heck with sugar and spice.” -Bethany Hamilton (Greatest female surfer of our time)
Bodyspace: http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/MissMichele/
Website: www.eMpoweringBody.com
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