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How did you get started with bodybuilding?

I’ve always been active and athletic.  When I got into my 20′s though I found it harder to keep my body looking like it did when I was in high school… ya know, eat like crap, sit on your ass all day, and still be a size 2!  I went through ups and downs, crash diets, etc.  I’d balloon up and down 20 pounds in two weeks.  I felt like crap and I hated what I was doing to my body inside and out.  So finally I decided if I really wanted to be healthy, I knew I had to set a goal for myself.  I knew if I set my goal to compete and held myself accountable, I’d do it.  I told everyone I knew that I was going to compete because that gave me even more motivation to stick with it.  Once I got through the first few months of growing pains, adjusting my whole lifestyle, I loved it!  I saw a real improvement in my mind, body and soul and now I’m hooked!

So what is your training routine like?

In general I switch up my workout every week and change to a brand new workout every six weeks… have to keep the body guessing.  Right now I’m working on my strength and next week I’m switching to power moves. I have my own trouble spots just as everyone does so I do a lot of core strengthening all the time.  My abs have always been a weakness of mine (as I think is true of most girls).  I also do a ton of leg exercises like squats and lunges to really work on my butt and hamstrings.  I carry the majority of my fat in my lower back and thighs so I really have to work on bringing in my flanks and tightening my legs.  I’ve also been putting size on my shoulders to help with my symmetry… Every figure girl I talk to wants “more shoulders”!  So I do a lot of shoulder presses and exercises like that.  I like doing Super Sets that keep my heart rate up and keep me moving in the weight room.  If I’m not drenched in sweat and stinky by the end of my workout, I don’t feel like I’ve worked hard enough!

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

HIIT for sure…  I find cardio to be really boring!  I run stairs and hills a lot…. Again, I need a goal to reach.  Running to the top of that hill or flight of stairs gives me something to concentrate on while I’m working out.  Otherwise my mind goes in a million directions at once and I forget what I’m doing.  I think I may have a slight case of ADHD!

What is your Diet like?

Right now I’m in the off season so I’m a little more lenient.  I still plan out every one of my six meals a day, but I don’t restrict my calorie intake as much, allow unprocessed grains like oats, and I allow for a little bit of sugar substitutes like Stevia, and Frank’s Red Hot Sauce on my meats… I LOVE Frank’s Red Hot, but there’s too much sodium in it. :(  I also allow myself a “splurge day” during which I usually go for a cheeseburger or pizza, red wine, and some sort of desert like chocolate chip cookies! On the “on-season” I cut out the splurges, added sweeteners, and sodium.  What stays constant is that I only eat fruits and vegetables, eggs, lean beef, chicken, and fish (I LOVE tilapia and salmon) nuts and nut butter.  As far as drinks go, water and coffee only!

What is your supplementation like?

I take a multi-vitamin each day, low strength Aloe supplements (I have horrible problems with digestion and these have really helped!), and milk thistle (for better liver function)..  That’s about it for supplements!

Plans for the future?

I want to go Pro in the next two years.  My goal this year is to qualify for a National NPC show.  If I can win one, that would be great!  But that’s my goal for the following year.  I also competed for the first time in the Fitness America Pageant: Figure America in Las Vegas this November and took 4th my first time on that stage so I’d like to take home an Over-all Title in that organization this year as well.  I hold myself to high standards because I’m always able to reach them.  I’m not one to take too many baby steps before I reach for the gold! Eventually I’d really like to own my own gym and host my own cooking and baking show.  I LOVE baking and there are so many great deserts and recipes out there you can make without all the fat and sugar.  I think we could really make an impact on our country’s obesity and diabetes problems if we educate people on how to indulge in their favorite foods without all the added crap!

Favourite Quote?

My favorite quote came from Nick Saban, Head Coach of the Alabama Football team, after their rough game vs their rivals, Auburn, this season, “Only the strong survive, but the strong still get their ass whipped!”
Website: www.myspace.com/shawncarla
Bodyspace: http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/ShawnCarla/

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