Be a fitness model! HA

My husband came home bragging about this mother of two had lost 70 lbs and was now a fitness model.. um.. talk about pressure.  Anyway, she basically summed up her success to researching what athletes ate and then mimicking their lifestyle.  Pretty basic, nothing new. So I thought about it, did a little research, and what I found was the same thing over and over. 

Via Fit & Slim

• They all mimic a similar lifestyle (why re-invent the wheel?) 
• Ate 5-6 evenly spaced out meals, 
• Most don't calorie count
• Cut out processed foods and large amounts of carbs
• portion control ( with six meals, this is totally doable)

• Cardio is important but said strength training was a must

In my research I found a super cute, super fun blogger: Dedication to life who does guest posts on fitness blogs and has her own super fantastic blog. She shares recipes, workouts, and while she is fit and pretty (far away from where I am) she just seems normal!

Here is a guest post of hers on Trimmed and Fit: Top 10 tips for Beginners (beware: this site has lots of musclely, overly tanned, half naked bootys & bellys). 

KATIE DAWERS's STORY FITNESS

Everyone has a story. Some people’s life stories are sad, some of them are exciting, some are boring and some are inspiring. With my story I hope to inspire everyone from all walks of life. I wont bore you with my childhood journey into adult hood, instead I will start where life really happened, and I mean this in the most literal way possible, when I got pregnant with my son.

​ When I found out I was pregnant with my son I was 18 years old.  I had many unhealthy habits.  I smoked a pack to two packs a day. Caffeine was my best friend, as I would drink the large Red Bulls several times a day, on my minimal caffeine day it was coffee and two large Red Bulls.  It doesn't stop there.  My diet consisted of a bagel or croissant for breakfast, I ate lunch at Jack in the Box and dinner at Carls Jr.  Back then I worked for a lawyer and we would take breaks and smoke cigarettes and drink coffee and I loved it!  It made me happy.   Receiving the news of being pregnant I was in major shock and definitely not ready to make any life changes.  I found out I was pregnant really early, only about 4 weeks and my ultrasound showed only an egg.   After my sonogram I went home and smoked a cigarette, considering this is what I had done to cope for the last 4 years of my life.   After the shock I quit smoking and quit the caffeine as much as I could, I still had my one-cup of coffee every single day. Through out my pregnancy my wonderful husband talked me into walking every day, and so I did. However, I walked maybe half a mile a day if that.  Even though I made big steps (for who I was back then) my diet was not that much better. I would eat pizza with a bag of carrots. I did always try to eat something good.  I didn't have any money then so I lived off tuna helper and broccoli.  The meals were cheap and I was saving for my baby.  I didn’t know then that the most important thing was the health of my baby.




After a long pregnancy Cole was finally born.  I fell in love with this little boy.  I have never loved anything more in my life.  But this love was not enough, this little boy never slept (he still never sleeps) he’s just not a sleeper.  I became a little depressed. I had a little post partum depression and when that wore off I was still depressed. I remember visiting my mother.  My mother told me I was depressed from not sleeping. While I nursed my new born, she continued to tell me I needed to join a group that  had other mothers to support me.  Well my mother had just had a baby herself, my little sister Ava she was about 2 when Cole was born.  My mother did stroller strides back then and so I joined.  In stroller strides we ran a quarter mile stopped and used some bands for strength.  I was dying.  I couldn’t run nor use the bands.  As hard as it was I kept going, it got me out of the house and at the time I lived 45 minutes from my mom so I got to see her twice a week. My husband is a Marine and had to deploy when my son was 7 months old.  I was 45 minutes from my mom and alone with a seven month old baby.  Working out got me through the seven months of my life.  It quickly became my release.  While this is terrific most would say, I also began drinking wine, every night while my husband was gone.  It got me through the lonely nights. I felt like I never got a break and never had a baby sitter.  I hung out with my mom a lot and spent my first month living at my moms house, I was so lost.  Drinking helped and when my husband returned the drinking never stopped it became a habit and a bad one.

About a year or so after I started stroller strides, my mother Della Whelchel and Lauren Brooks decided to start a kid friendly class using kettlebells and strollers (Buggybellz). I was excited for my mom, however kettlebells were really intimidating for me.  As their first class approached I went early with my mom.  She was trying to show me a few tips and moves with the kettlebells before other mothers arrived.  Anyone that does kettlebells knows that we start everyone with an 8kg (18lbs). My mother says to me “press it”. First of all I didn’t even know what a “press” was nor was I sure I wanted to. The swing was enough to overwhelm me and the class has not even started yet. While my mother was showing me how to press it ever so gracefully, she handed me the bell and I begin to press it. Lets put it this way, it was very ugly and the bell never made it past my shoulders. I was weak. This was hard for me as in the stroller strides classes I felt I grew stronger.   As my life started to change so did my attitude.   Kettlebells were very intimidating for the first six months or so.   I remember thinking how strong Lauren and my mom were, I thought, “I will never be like that, I couldn’t, I will just stay where I am physically, I cant even imagine being that strong.”   As I attended these classes regularly three days a week I eventually got my form down.   I had the best support, my mom.   We would practice at her house and talk about it all the time.   My mom taught me almost everything I needed to know to get through the days with my baby to how to swing a 16kg kettlebell.   Going into these classes I remember how flabby my stomach was, I hated it.   I had rolls; my arms were flabby and weak.  In my first year of learning kettlebells this slowly but surely started to change and so did my eating habits.  I began to follow my mother.  We would talk about diet a lot as she is and was into health. I still didn’t eat that well though; I would still have pizza every once in a while and hit a fast food joint. My drinking was probably worse then ever at this point. I remained pretty mellow while drinking; it wasn’t like I was a raging alcoholic, or violent, if you didn’t know me you might not even know I have had something to drink. As time went on my mom and Lauren allowed me to teach a Buggybellz class for them once a week after receiving my HKC (Hardstyle Kettlebell Certification). This is around the same time I took one of Laurens classes at her in home gym.   She encouraged everyone to pick up a bell that they have never pressed before after a series of progressions. The biggest bell I ever used before at that time was a 16kg.  So I picked up the 20kg I racked it and I pressed it.  I think this was the first time I realized I could be as strong as my mentors.  I had to figure out how to do this.  Buggybellz wasn’t going to work. I couldn’t carry heavy enough bells in my stroller nor afford them.   I really had to think about this.  I began taking Lauren's classes once a week.  Lauren did heavy snatches in class and I snatched the 20kg, I felt like I was on fire. 

After time Lauren and I started talking about me teaching for her.  I became RKC, Russian Kettlebell Certified, my confidence really started to grow.  I felt better than I ever have in my life and I had such great people supporting me.  I felt like going into Lauren's classes I wanted to be better, as if what I was doing wasn’t enough and I found a way, I just figured it out.  I grew to be really strong and confident. I got compliments on my body more than ever actually for the first time ever! I had this fire in me (I still do) to do something, to be something great; I didn’t want to settle for less. There was more out there, there had to be. I had a dear friend, make a phone call to a mainstream fitness photographer. I sent him some pictures and he said he would throw me in the “hopper”.  Well these “mainstream” guys they get busy, my friend and I kept calling him and emailing and eventually he did a shoot with me for Compax.  I went down to his studio with butterflies in my stomach I probably could have vomited. Luckily he was a really cool down to earth guy.  I spent hours at his studio and when I left I never felt more alive.  I had a rush and I wanted that to be my life.  I had to figure that out too.  While this was all a slow process I kept in touch with the photographer, and I tried signing with different agencies.  I got really into my training, I got really strong and I was going to Lauren's classes 3 days a week and teaching one day a week.  My life has officially changed since the day I found out I was pregnant.

I cut down on my meat tremendously; in fact I even dabbled with being vegan.  I now only eat grass-fed organic meat, I only eat organic veggies, and I no longer use drinking as a release.  I have a glass of wine or two on occasions.  I don't eat any dairy and I make my own nut milks.  I have a garden in my back yard.  I don't eat fast food but of course we have to live and I will have dark chocolate or nut brownies once in a while ;) I do not drink coffee or any other caffeine (unless it’s a special treat of course).  I am now able to press a 24 kg, pull up with a 12kg, single leg dead lift 2 32kg’s, swing my body weight and much more.  I will never stop doing kettlebells I will never stop training it has truly changed my life.  I now have a few shoots under my belt in fitness; you can find me on the cover of 3/GO magazine, in My Mad Methods Magazine, in Nuun, Compax, etc. I have signed with a fitness agency in LA, and am signing with a fashion agency as well.  I now train at On The Edge Fitness with Lauren Brooks, all while continuing to go to college, raise my beautiful son, and hold my marriage together.  My life has forever changed.  I will continue to grow and evolve.  I will continue to motivate myself and always strive to be better as everyone always should. Living outside my comfort zone as much as I can. If there is anything I would want someone to take away from this story it would be that just because you are someone you may not be proud of today, does not mean you have to be that person tomorrow.  You can be whomever you want.  Though, it is not an easy road, you are not stuck and you have a choice, you have to want to change.  There is hope and it only takes one step at a time. Take one step and never look back!

Fitness Models: Unrealistic Heroes?

One time a guy, pointing to a poster of me, said “do your abs really look like that?” I was taken off guard, and kind of perturbed. I mean, did he think I would have just drawn them on? Did he think I looked fat now? Was that photo really so unbelievable? The truth is, my abs didn’t look like the poster that day. So much goes into photo shoots, it’s honestly unfair to anyone else who references professional shots as “normal”.
Kristia Knowles, who’s landed the cover of countless fitness magazines like Oxygen and Muscle & Fitness Hers, openly admits magazines photoshop the heck out of pictures. Although I know Kristia is absolutely beautiful and fit in person, the reality of what you may see in print is it’s not always reality at all.
When a fitness article shows off an amazing physique, with a headline to match like “5 Butt Blasting Moves”, the reader automatically thinks (even if they know better) those 5 moves are going to give you “that butt”. How unfair is it that the magazine doesn’t talk about their extreme pre-shoot diet or insane amount of cardio they do to shed fat for that day? Or how about discussing the water pills and laxatives they took to shrink their tummy and skin? Then there’s the fact they are posing on an empty stomach and can’t wait to totally pig out as soon as they’re are done. That, my friend, is the reality.
Aside from the actual physical work a fitness model does to prepare for a shoot, there’s the workout the model gets after the shoot. Abs get painted, skin is smoothed, skin folds are removed, and muscles may even get “pumped”. Although this photoshopped picture of Angelina Jolie is an extreme example of what someone can do with a photo, there are very few pictures that don’t get photoshopped in this business. Kristia says, even the best bodies still get photoshopped. So even the people who already have amazing physiques are made to look even more amazing – and we wonder why we have self-esteem issues. 
Although some people either have great genetics, or they work hard to stay lean throughout the year, most professional figure and bodybuilding athletes don’t. I have been with many of the top fitness celebrities in their “off season” like Monica Brant and Ronnie Coleman, and they don’t look like what we see in magazines. Unfortunately, many fitness stars use steroids to get their coveted muscle and, unless they are close to a show or shoot, they aren’t nearly as lean as you’re used to seeing them – and some of them are actually just plain fat.
True athletes tend to look more like their photos through out the year. Olympic and professional sports athletes aren’t focused on looking fit for one day, they are focused on BEING fit all season. Even my husband, for instance, used to do the “bulking up” for a show and then “leaning out” for a contest, always yo-yoing up and down. Now he stays lean all year round because he’s not training for looks, he’s training for fitness – and his looks are the icing on the low-calorie cake!
Sure, everyone has “heroes”, but maybe it would be healthier for us if we weren’t striving to look like someone in their very best hour of their very best day. The healthiest role models are probably the ones you see every day training in your gym.
Click here for more fun “Celebrities on Steroids” photoshopped photos like this one of Gisele Bundchen.

Kyra Gracie - Brazilian practitioner and grappling world champion

Silje Mariela - Personal Trainer

Silje Mariela from Norway.
Silje is a personal trainer and a makeup artist.

Jamie Keyes ,American model and professional wrestler in WWE

Christie Wickenden who interests in fitness modelling Fitness

Gina Carano - The American mixed martial arts fighter

More Photos

Anabolic Steroids

Many people are convinced that bodybuilders eats a tablet per day and is growing "by leaps and bounds." In fact - it is, of course, a fairy tale. A large number of steroids did not lead to a "mega-growth" of the muscles, but only help quickly to restore muscles exhausted after the workout. Thus, taking steroids, have to train even more, in two and sometimes three times. And it is necessary to know everyone who deals with bodybuilding, or just trains for yourself.

Steroids acting is quite simple. In fact, they improve the recovery of muscle tone, increasing the synthesis of protein. Steroids provide the human body with the male hormones - testosterone, responsible for development and growth of men. Among other things, steroids help to increase strength and muscle mass.

Where and how to buy steroids?
Today, you can buy steroids in three ways. First, you can buy steroids in specialized pharmacies that sell them only by prescription. Second, you can buy steroids "by hand" in sports and fitness centers, where they are sold illegally. And finally, you can buy steroids online through specialized shops here, by the way, there are no restrictions.

Let us consider all these options and determine what is the most optimal option to buy steroids.
Thus, pharmacies and clinics, it is not suitable to buy steroids for personal use and help in pumping their muscles. Because to get a prescription to buy steroids is almost impossible. Therefore, local pharmacy is not a place where you can buy steroids without prescription.

Now about the private sellers in the gym. Generally, do fitness trainer or bodybuilding, offer to buy steroids. They offer products that can be qualitative, and not and it is not so safe. Moreover, given that the sale of steroids "by hand" is punishable by law and is quite easy to get caught, this method of buying steroids, is not very relevant, and safe. At best you can buy low-quality steroids, and at worst, thunder in jail.

It remains the simplest and at the same time, an ingenious method to buy steroids - with the help of the Internet. Buy steroids online is quite easy, moreover, we can not worry about the quality of the product, since selling steroids, drug companies are very sensitive to the quality of products, selling through the Internet mostly qualitative drugs.

The All Over Body 20-Minute Technique

Do you find yourself crunched for time to get in challenging work out in 30 min or less? Try this all over body 20-min work out blast & I promise you will feel challenged and great when you are done. All you need is a set of 5-10lb pound dumbbells or weighted body bar, or even a medicine ball, jump rope and 20 minutes to challenge your muscles. Try switching up, one day use dumbbells, another a weighted body bar and even a medicine ball! Variety is the key to spicing up a stale work out routine!


Minutes / The Workout

0:00-2:00
Jump Rope or Jog in place.

2:00-4:00
Squat (butt, legs): Hold a dumbbell in each hand, arms by sides, and squat or place a weighted body bar across your back or even use a medicine ball-as you rise up from the squat position raise the medicine ball over your head. Do 20 reps. Rest for 30 seconds.

4:00-6:00
Full or modified push-up (arms, chest, core): Do 25 reps.

6:00-8:00
Alternating lunge (butt, legs): Hold dumbbells, arms by sides, and lunge, alternating legs each time, also try balancing a weighted body bar across your back or a medicine ball. Chop to the opposite side as your lunge to include obliques. Do 20 reps on each side.

8:00-9:00
Mountain Climbers or Jumping Jacks.

9:00-10:00
Deadlift (back, butt, hamstrings): Hold dumbbells with palms facing thighs, knees slightly bent and back straight. Bend forward from hips. Stand up, pushing through hips. Or hold the weighted body bar in place of the dumbbells. Do 20 reps.

10:00-11:00
Dumbbell press (shoulders): Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, back straight, dumbbells at shoulders, palms forward. Push arms overhead; lower. Do 15 reps. Also try using weighted body bar or medicine ball in replace of the dumbbells.

11:00-13:00
Jump Rope or high knee march in place.

13:00-14:00
Bent-over row (shoulders, back): Hold dumbbells, palms facing in. Bend knees slightly and hinge forward from hips, back straight. Pull elbows up to ribs, keeping arms close to sides; lower. Do 20 reps. Also try using weighted body bar or even a resistance band!

14:00-15:00
Basic crunch (abs): Do 25 reps.

15:00-17:00
Biceps curl (arms): Rest for 30 seconds, then do 20 curls. You can also use the weighted body bar or even a resistance band!

17:00-19:00
One-arm triceps extension (arms): Extend right arm above head, holding dumbbell. Slowly lower weight behind head, supporting right elbow with left hand. Do 25 reps on each side. You can also do two-arm tricep extension using a medicine ball or weighted body bar.

19:00-20:00
Full or modified push-up (arms, chest, core): Do 15 reps.

Sports Fitness Equipment to Consider

For those who are overweight and out of shape, sports fitness equipment is one of the greatest gifts you'll ever purchase. An exercise routine focused on cardio workouts can help you live longer, look better and feel better. It's all about heart health. It is never too late to get started on a fitness routine.

Cardiovascular workouts are important in any fitness program. Sports fitness equipment focused can be set at a rate to match each individual's needs. Equipment is designed to get the body to pump more oxygen into the heart muscles where it is used to burn fat and carbs.

Prior to purchasing any sports fitness equipment, make sure you have all the necessary accessories. Invest in a good pair of training shoes. In addition, make sure you have a jump rope and a legitimate training program for your body. There are many valid training DVDs on the market. If you can't decide on one, ask a professional for advice or rely on a familiar name brand.

When it comes to equipment, most traditional fitness programs use a treadmill. It easily adapts to each person's ability level by adjusting speed and the level of incline. Walking, jogging or running promotes cardio health and a basic treadmill does all three. High-end treadmills add other gadgets like training software programs, multi-media systems and enhanced computer technology.

An elliptical cross trainer is a popular and effective piece of sports fitness equipment. Not only do elliptical provide a good cardio workout, they also give a good full body routine. While legs stride back and forth, arms also pull against the tension.

A stepper works more on lower body than on cardio but upper body movement can be added. Some steppers feature stationary arms while some allow back and forth arm movement providing more resistance. Newer sports fitness equipment based on stepping machines feature ladders and hand grips incorporating the entire body.

Another staple in the gym, a rowing machine offers an excellent cardio and full body workout. The motion of rowing requires striding of arms and legs. The rate of tension and speed of movement can be adjusted to adapt to each person. Newer machines features cutting edge computerized programs to fit ability levels and individual needs.

Versions of bicycles play an important role in fitness. Stationary and recumbent bikes continue to grow in popularity as many community centers feature organized classes. Stationary bikes remain a good source of exercise. Like most equipment, high-end models offer extras like computerized programs, a sound system with TV and music player and a wide array of settings. Recumbent bikes allow those with physical challenges to get back into an exercise routine.

Gina Ostarly Hot Female Fitness

This beautiful lady is fitness model Gina Ostarly.
Gina was born and raised in New Orleans, but now lives in Florida with her husband and three children.
That's right, three children.
And she's forty.
Yes...forty.

Here again is a lady that you can look to for inspiration and to see that you can do whatever you put your mind to.
I mean really, just look at her!
And Gina is a very busy lady.

She's a gym owner, personal trainer, fitness and swimsuit model and makeup artist.

Contest History:
2007 NPC Gaspari Nutrition Jr. USA Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championships - 11th place
2007 NPC Junior Nationals Bodybuilding, Fitness And Figure Contest - 8th place
2007 NPC Team Universe Bodybuilding, Fitness And Figure Championships - 15th place
2009 NPC Jr. USA Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure & Bikini Championships - 9th place

Bikini Fitness Model Alessandra Ambrosio

Alessandra Ambrosio bikini shot
Dry Flowing Hair

The temperature may be low but this is the time for those hot bikini shoots.

It maybe January but Spring Break is just a few month away.

We can always daydream about the summer or for us snow bunnies, manage to get away from the cold to a warm, sunny beach.

If we need an incentive to go to the gym and work out during these cold months, just take a look of these bikini pictures of Alessandra Ambrosio during a photo shoot in Mauritius in the Mascarene Islands for Victoria's Secret.

Alessandra Ambrosio bikini shot
Wet Hair Look

Alessandra Ambrosio looked super sexy in this aqua marine bikini top with pink flower petal designs and bikini bottom with ring tied.

Whether flinging her golden streaked hair to the wind or presenting a very wet hairdo look, one must admit that she is truly a stunning model.

It's only been 5 month since Ambrosio gave birth to a beautiful 6.3 lbs. baby girl Anja Louise last August and she managed to get rid of all the baby fat by working out.

In fact, she was in tip top shape for Victoria's Secret annual fashion show which taped in November, 2008, less than three month after giving birth.

Victoria's Secret Binkini Model runs through water

Ambrosio has appeared in all the Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows since 2000.

Her most famous walk down the run for Victoria's Secret occurred in 2005 when she was wearing lingerie made entirely out of candy.

Her former roommates were also top Victoria's Secret model Gisele Bundchen and Adriana Lima.

In additional to her multimillion dollar Victoria's Secret contract, Alessandra also models for Armani Exchange and Next U.K.

According to Forbes magazine, Alessandra Ambrosio ranked fifth on the top 10 richest supermodels list with earnings of over $6 million.

Ambrosio is also a designer with her own line Sais by Alessandra Ambrosio.

So take a good look at Ambrosio fit and trim bikini body, and then head to your favorite gym. Remember, summer is just a few months away.

Extreme Fitness in Exercise

I have been (on and off) a member of Extreme Fitness here in Toronto for the past 2 and a half years roughly.

Initially they gave me one month free.

And then in 2009 they gave me three months free, but I had to sign up for a whole year on a contract. (They lost 1 star right there.)

Plus there was the price. About $60 per month, pricey when you consider some other gyms in Toronto only charge $40 and don't hassle you with a contract or fees. (They lost another star because of the price.)

Seriously, for that price I could have been buying $60 worth of gym and exercise equipment every month and be able to work out in the comfort of my own home.

I might have been willing to forgive them the price, except for the lousy service. The one time I lost my water bottle, asked about the Lost & Found and discovered they didn't even have one. Apparently they just throw things out. That was not the only issue with poor service either.

They kept moving the gym equipment around every 3-4 months. You'd come to the gym some days and you couldn't find the piece of equipment you were looking for. ie. Today I went there and they had moved the punching bag and apparently put it in storage, thus totally negating me bringing my boxing gloves with me today. (This was the straw that broke the camel's back.)

I am utterly appalled by the low quality of their yoga studio and their instructors. Perhaps that is because I've gone to traditional yoga studios like Buddha Body Yoga (four stars) on Church Street or Urban Edge Yoga near Bloor and Spadina (five stars + vegan food).

Oh and one time I went there to discuss getting a personal trainer so I work on my boxing and learned that personal trainers cost about $75 per hour. Holy ****! What a fundamental waste of money. (Apparently $75/hour is pretty normal for personal trainers, but wow... I am in the wrong business!)

Oh oh oh!

And when I decided to cancel my membership I tried to talk someone in sales. Apparently they aren't allowed to cancel memberships, only the manager can do that. And the manager (Sam) is normally only there between 9 AM and 5 PM. Otherwise you have to make an appointment.

Well today Sam was in and I managed to catch him in his office, but there was a lineup of people. One of the staff asked what I was waiting for and I said I wanted to cancel my membership. So she gave me his card and told me to do it via email. Seriously. Canceling it via email. So I did so.

And to top this all off the Toronto Star recently ran a series of articles about Toronto gyms and how they are ripping people off and treating them like ****. Basically everyone is getting ripped off with fees, even if they cancel their gym membership and the gym conveniently "forgets" and keeps charging their credit card anyway. Or worse, charges cancellation fees on top of that.

So what are we down to...?

ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE.

And what did Extreme Fitness actually do to earn that one star? Well they have weightlifting equipment, a fair amount of it. Just like every other gym in Toronto. They also have the TVs on the treadmills, computers in the lobby/waiting area and saunas (which I never bothered to use). Just like every other hum drum gym.

Extreme Fitness also tries really hard to sell you "sex" although they don't actually come out and say it. They try really hard to be sexy, playing dance music (all the freaking time its the same songs by Katy Perry and Lady Gaga!) and they even have singles events (which I thought "Wow, what kind of loser goes to those?")

Thus Extreme Fitness is nothing special. Same crappy service, same equipment, and so forth.

Brandy Leaver Sexy body

This beautiful young lady is Ms. Hawaiian Tropic 2005, FLEX magazine bikini contest winner and amateur figure competitor Brandy Leaver.
Well she WAS an amateur, according to her Twitter, on August 3rd 2010, Brandy became an IFBB Pro.
Brandy was born on March 05, 1983 in Waimanalo, Hawaii.
She's five foot six, 125 pounds and her measurements are 36D-26-36.
Watch yourself around her guys....
Not only is her husband the massive Brandon Curry, but Brandy wrestled for four years in high school and boxed.

Female fitness competitions:
2007 NPC Stingrey Classic Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Contest - 1st Place
2010 NPC Junior National Championships - 10th Place
2010 NPC USA Championships - 1st Place

Veronique Morin - Fitness Beauty

This gorgeous redhead is WBFF (World Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation) Bikini Competitor and fitness model Véronique Morin from Drummondville, QC, Canada.

Female Fitness Competition History:
2010 Canadian Bikini, Figure and Fitness Championships - 4th Place
2010 FCPAQ Quebec Natural Physique Championships and Provincial Championships - 1st Place
2010 Championnat Provincial / Provincial Championships - 1st Place
2009 FCPAQ Espoir Quebec Pro Gym Cup / Figure Overall
2009 FCPAQ Espoir Quebec Pro Gym Cup / Femme Culturiste Légère / Women Bodybuilding Lightweight - 2nd Place
2009 FCPAQ Espoir Quebec Pro Gym Cup / Figure Model Tall - 1st Place
2009 Coupe Pro Gym Espoir Québec FCPAQ - Figure Model Tall - 1st Place

Andressa Vieira - Brazilian Fitness Beauty

This is stunning Brazilian figure competitor and fitness model Eva Andressa Vieira.
I think she is absolutely gorgeous and she reminds me of a cross between Danica Patrick and TNA Knockout Sarita (Sarah Stock or Dark Angel for all you lucha libre fans out there).
I've read that she competes in figure, but it looks like with just a bit more mass, she could do bodybuilding easy.
But why mess with a good thing right?
This five foot nine fitness beauty started lifting weights because she felt she was too thin and wanted to improve her figure.
I think it worked!

Andressa Vieira's Female Fitness Competitions
2005 - Champion Paranaense Figure - NABBA
2006 - Brazilian Champion Figure - NABBA
2006 - Champion Paranaense Figure - NABBA
2008 - Champion Brazilian Body Fitness - IFBB
2009 - Overall Champion Brazilian Body Fitness - IFBB
2009 - South American Body Fitness - 3rd Place - IFBB

Susan Thorn Figure and Interview

I have gotten to know Susan Thorn a little bit. One thing I love about her is she is so supportive of others and always encouraging. She lives the fitness lifestyle and likes to inspire and encourage others to live it as well. And of course thee is Susan the competitor, someone who always looks incredible and always improving on stage. The fitness industry needs more Susan Thorn's in it.


Q: First, Susan, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this.

Q: Can you start out by telling a little about yourself.
A: Sure. I am blessed to have an incredible family! We are so the norm with everyday challenges. Ron and I will be celebrating 25 years together next month, we have 4 kids between us, all grown and gone, and are grandparents 5 time over. I live in a very rural area on 20 acres, 2 miles out on what essentially is an old logging road, so getting to work and working out can be a bit challenging at times. But the beauty of it makes it all worthwhile.

Q: Before the gym were you an especially athletic person? Play any sports or anything?
A: I was never very athletic. I remember ads a senior in high school I joined the gymnastics team, I begged the coach to let me compete. She finally agreed to let me do the exhibition for balance beam. I was shaking so hard I fell off like 10 times, it seemed to go on forever. I am sure my parents were cringing!

Q: What initially led you into the gym?
A: What initially led me to the gym was the weight I had gained during my first pregnancy-54 pounds of it! On a 5 foot 1 inch frame that is a lot.

Q: Was training something you picked up fairly easy? How long before you started to see results?
A: I think it was easy for me-once I picked up my first weight. It was overcoming my lack of confidence in being able to pick up that first weight the 5 years before that was the hard part. I really did see the results pretty quick, which initially is normal for everyone, it is sticking to it with the plateaus that is hard.


Q: What made you decide to compete for the first time?
A: Honestly? I was 40 years old and had some very big personal struggles in my life. I had failed miserably in several areas, they were areas that I had all my life used to define who I was. I had no idea who I was, where I was going, or any confidence or desire to figure it out. I began running as a form of dealing with some major depression. It was during that time I picked up Karen Andes “Book of Women’s Strength Training”. That was in 1999. There was a picture of Monica Brant in there. After reading the book and looking at Monica I had decided that before I was 50 I would compete. I truly thought I was safe and 50 would never come! LOL

Q: Is competing something your family and friends supported?
A: Not initially, of course initially I never told anyone, I really didn’t know how I was going to get there, I was so far away from competition material. - It was a very personal goal. It was not until I gained some confidence in myself-and that was a lot of work- that I had the confidence to tell others. I think I probably shared it with others at the gym before I told my family. And now- there is not a girl in the world that has more support from family and friends than I. It is truly incredible!

Q: Was competing what you expected or did anything surprise you about it?
A: It way surprised me. When I first decided to do it. I think it was about the trophy. I just wanted to win and be good at something. Like is said, I was never athletic, I was always the last one to be picked for the baseball team (and I still am, lol) but I realized that lifting weights and transforming myself was my own competition and something I was capable of. The journey to competing became more about discovering my personal best.

Q: Can you share your contest history.
A: This will be my third year competing and I have competed six times in the last two-three contest per year. I have competed in the natural body building realm as well as non-natural. I have placed all over the board from first on down. I always tell everyone though, where you place is not so significant really, sometimes its all about who shows up! Sometimes you just have to show up!

Q: As far as body parts, what do you feel is your best one?
A: Honestly I just don’t know- I always think it is about the whole package. I love working on and improving my arms and shoulders, that is what I would like to make my best this year.

Q: Do you have a part you most like to train?
A: My most favorite is my legs and glutes, also my most challenging and stubborn. Maybe that why I like it, I love a challenge!

Q: What is your normal training routine and diet like and how do you alter it for contest prep ?
A: My training routine always changes, not only to prevent your body from adapting and reaching a stagnant point but for several reasons. I tend to get bored and off track very easy. Once that happens I lose my motivation, I need to switch things up. Right now I am lucky to be training with Jen Hendershott so my training and diet come from her. I just do what I am told. I need structure and someone to be accountable to or I can easily lose my way.


Q: When someone sees your physique or hears you compete for the first time, what is the most common reaction? More positive or negative?
A: It cracks me up, it is always positive, always. And the most common reaction is that they want to do it too, or they want to get in shape, so I love that! The conversation that ensues is always motivating for me.

Q: When they see it that first time, what is the one question or comment you are most sick of hearing ?
A: The comment I am most hear most often, that I am sick of, is the same one I used to say inside myself, so I totally get it. People often say that “I wish I could” or “Its different for you, you’re lucky”. To them I say “Nonsense!”. I work my butt off to get here, it is not easy. I used to say the same things to others so I totally understand, I get how it is to be in that place that you do not believe it is there for you, those are the people I like to work with because I was there and I really do get it!

Q: What is the biggest misconception about women who train and compete or the one thing you wish people understood?
A: The biggest misconception, or the reason some women tell me they won’t lift a weight is that they do not want to get big muscles. That could not be further from the truth, it just won’t happen. I lift like crazy to TRY to get bigger muscles. It just doesn’t happen by natural means, the work your glutes off means. If you eat right, and lift hard you will have muscles to die for!


Q: What is the best and worst part of training for you?
A: The worst part is trying to fit it all in. I can never seem to find the time to devote to the kind of training I would love, and the best part is the same. I love the weekly challenge of organizing and prioritizing my life, my self, and my workouts. The sense of accomplishment I get at the end of the week, and the frustrations of not getting it done, are what drive me to the next.

Q: Do you have any favorite competitors or any you admire?
A: Jen Hendershott and Ava Cowan. They both exemplify, live, and work in the manner that I strive to. In all they do you can see the devotion to the promotion of fitness in mind, body, and heart. They are both incredible givers and inspire so many. To them is about way more than the competing.

Q: Do you have a favorite cheat food?
A: I don’t know if I could limit it to a cheat food, for me it’s a whole cheat meal! LOL When I cheat I do my best to choose wisely, Jen taught me that. I love to cook and eat gourmet food, Italian food is my favorite, and it always includes pasta, any yummy sauce, red, béchamel, pesto……. bread, a great glass of red wine.

Q: If another woman told you she wanted to start training, what is the one piece of advice you would most want to give her?
A: Have a plan! And a plan that is based on your needs, abilities, time constraints, and resources. Otherwise you will suffer defeat and quit early on. You have to understand it is about the process, your own process, and the journey. You have to have a “why”, and it has to be your “why”, not anybody else’s. You have to start there-to be successful it has to be individualized to your need, your journey. Any direction forward and you are a winner! Whatever that direction is for you.

Q: Do you think it is becoming more common to see women in the gym training as hard as men?
A: Seriously??? Sorry guys, but I think as women we tend to work harder, because we have to. And I am probably speaking to the women over 35 because that’s what I know. In order to achieve the same results we have to work harder, our metabolism has slowed down, most of us have had kids and are still trying to improve upon the not so great changes we experienced during those years. I do think that being a women in the gym has never been less intimidating- the guys certainly are supporting it. You guys have to do better at the cardio!


Q: Outside of training, any other hobbies or activities you enjoy?
A: Well like I said, I LOVE to cook. Cooking is my favorite hobby- so especially during competition season I miss that. I love to read and do research in the areas of health care and would love to get more involved at the legislative level, at least at the state level. That is an area I would love to pursue more.

Q: Can you describe a typical day in the life of Susan Thorn.
A: The fact of where I live right now dictates most of it. I typically am up at 3 or 4 am. All the years of the ranch and horses dictated that. My work commute was always long so to try to get a workout in before demanded it. Now I am on the road so much that I don’t think I have a typical day anymore. Ron and I after much heartfelt discussion put our house on the market last month and are looking to make some changes this year, simplify a bit. We will be saddened to leave this incredible life we have had here but we are excited as well.

Q: Describe Susan Thorn in five words.
A: LOL ….Difficult, Inflexible, Demanding, Grateful, Happy, and Incredibly blessed. That’s 6 huh?

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: I think for as gabby as I am, I really am a very private person, very quiet- when I go to the gym I usually plug in the ipod and get to work.

Q: Any set plans for the near future as far as competing or anything else?
A: For the next 8 months I will not compete. I think this might be my last year, I am working very hard with Jen on eating healthy, training hard, improving upon the foundation I currently have. I am very excited. I have completed my Health and Wellness coaching certificate through Insight Zone, I am nearing completion of my trainers certificate through ISSA, I have launched my website that has a women’s health focus, there are so many things I am so excited! When August comes around and with Gods blessing I will be ready to bring the best me I can to the stage, and look to doing three shows this year.

Q: Anything you want to take this opportunity to plug or promote?
A: Well, in general Women’s health in mind, body, heart, and soul. I am seeking to do that by the same direction as my mentors, by leading by example, inspiring and empowering others. My new website will be the portal to do that as it matures. I hope to work with women that are facing emotional challenges, chronic weight, or disease issues. As a nurse of 28 years, a mom, a competitor, and fitness nut I know anything can be overcome!

Q: Are you looking for sponsors? If so how can they reach you and what are they getting in Susan Thorn the athlete and competitor?
A: If ever the opportunity arose for a sponsor, especially in the area of promoting women in an older age group such as me I would be so honored, it would be a way to give back the blessings I have experienced in my own journey!

Q: Susan, again, I thank you for taking the time to do this. Any last words before you go?
A: Again Jason, I think it is incredible that you do this, I know that it inspires others. Thank you for providing a forum for me to share and promote fitness and health in mind, body, heart, and soul!

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