SimplyShredded.com

How did you get started with bodybuilding?

After giving birth to six children, I tried many times to lose the weight I had gained. My weight was over 200lb with a few pregnancies with my ideal weight being around140lb. I managed a few times to basically stop eating and do cardio to drop pounds, but I looked flabby and I still was not happy with the way I looked. I think I had lost a combined total of 250lb after all the babies .In 2008, I found bodybuilding.com and joined for any help I could get. From that day on, I found my love with weights. I started a basement gym, and lifted by myself doing the best that I could. The problem was my workout and nutrition plan were not right. I decided to compete in figure in November 2008. I won the novice catergory and was hooked. Following that show, I found my coach Layne Norton on the site. He put me on a plan that started in January 2009 and I have accomplished so much more with his guidance. After competing 3 more times in May, I did an NANBF show in October 2009 and won my IFPA Pro card! I never thought I could accomplish that in less than one year of competing.

So what is the bodybuilding training routine that you use to achieve that killer physique?

My current training split is as follows:

• Mon- upper body
• Tues-legs
• Wed-rest/abs
• Thurs-back/chest
• Fri-legs
• Sat-shoulders/arms
• Sun-rest/abs

The exercises I do are the very basic bodybuilder’s workout. Squats, leg press, deadlifts, leg ext/leg curl, rows, pulldowns,deadlifts…etc. I have found that consistent heavy lifting works wonders for me overall.

When trying to cut down do you prefer to use HIIT or just normal cardio?

When I cut down for competiton, I do both regular cardio and HIIT. Through trial and error over my last 9 months of on/off pre contest prep, I found that running ; just pounding the pavement everyday, was WAY more effective for fat loss than any cardio machine for me. I did half as much regular cardio during my last prep and was in better condition.I split my cardio session during cutting to half in the morning and half after the weight workout. As far as HIIT, there is no better way to drop fat, period. I did hill sprints until I dropped and my legs got super cut.

What is your nutrition  like?

My diet right now is in an offseason mode. I eat eggs, oatmeal, chicken, tuna, steak, hamburgers, brown rice, wheat pasta, bread, cottage cheese,whey protein, natural peanut butter (ALOT) and almonds.I eat tons of fruit and vegetables also. I am also a huge fan of low fat dairy products and I never stop or limit my intake year round.

Tell us a little about your supplementation

For supplements I use mainly Scivation products. Currently, I am taking Xtend, Vasocharge, Whey protein, Knockout. During contest prep I use Sesamin and Dialene-4 for fat burning (works like a dream!) I take beta-alanine, complex B , vitamin C also.

Future Plans?

My plans for 2010 are grand! I am going to try two more NPC figure compettions as well as make my IFPA Pro debut this summer. I will also continue to progress with Layne’s workout plan, and give it 110% effort. There is a tremendous feeling of accomplishment doing your workouts in your basement alone. No one to push you, no one to spot you, no one cares if you even sweat. Every rep I do, comes from my gut. There is also something to be said, for having a coach that walks the walk along with you. I am always wondering how far I can go.I love this lifestyle!

“It’s easy to have a good workout when you feel good. Champions find a way to have a great workout when they feel like sh*t”  -  Layne Norton

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