What got you into working out?

What are your favourite exercises? and do you have any special training methods that you use?

How often do you train?

What is your weekly routine?

Do you train any martial arts? what was your martial arts journey? and how did you get into it martial arts?

Do you have any special diets?

What is your favourite Healthy Food(s)?

What supplements do you take ? (protein, amino's etc)

 
What advice would you give our readers on exercising?

Thank you for your time!

I began working out about five years ago but have been seriously training for three years now. I joined the gym to regain my strength after going through chemo treatments. In 2002 I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I was 40 years old and had just given birth to our 2ND child. I went through six months of treatments which left me very weak . When I first started working out all I could do was walk on the treadmill at a two mile per hour pace for about five minutes. As I remained faithful I began to regain my health and strength. The results I have seen in my own life have caused me to become a work out fanatic!! I quit my 30 year job as a Dental Assistant and became a Personal Trainer. I want to help others to become healthy and fit also. In May of 2009 I entered my first NPC figure competition where I placed 5Th in the master division and 4Th in the open division. I entered another competition in July of that year and placed 5Th in the open division. I plan to continue the competitions as it gives me a goal, a reason to train hard .I am living proof that with proper diet and exercise and a stick too it- don't give give up attitude anyone can achieve their health and fitness goals.
 

I love to train legs. Squats would be my all time favorite. It hits every leg muscle making it a very effective exercise.
Next in line would be leg press and lunges. Yep, feel the burn!!

Upper body favorite would be lat pull downs for the back and smith machine press for the shoulders.
I learned to love to work back and shoulders because these were weak areas for me in the beginning.
I'm a firm believer in turning a weakness into a strength
 
As far as special training goes I tend to remain with the old school basic exercises. I change the amount
of reps and weight according to what phase of training I am in for competition.
 

I train 5 day a week
 

It will change every few months but currently my routine is:
Monday-legs, Tues- chest,triceps and calves, Wed.-biceps and forearms, Thurs.- back and light legs, Fri.- shoulders.
I do cardio for 45 minutes 4 to 5 days a week ( unless I'm trying to gain weight) and work abs 4 to 5 days a week.
 

I do not do any martial arts
 

Absolutely!! I believe diet has as huge impact on receiving proper results in the gym. You can do 45 minutes of cardio and go home and eat the wrong foods and cancel out all of the hard work you just did. I eat and recommend to my clients a very clean diet filled with whole grains, lean meats and fresh fruits and vegetables. These meals are small in portions and are eaten about every 3 hours. Eating this way not only keeps you lean but keeps you healthy also.
 

Oatmeal, egg whites, chicken, fish, brown rice, sweet potato, fruit, green vegetables, avocado, cottage cheese, peanut butter and rice cakes. Yummy
 

I train natural no harmful supplements. I use whey protein, branch chain amino acids, L-Glutamine, and creatine
 

Everyone has different reasons and goals for exercising. I believe that the ultimate goal for diet and exercise is for gaining and maintaining ones health. When one is robbed of good health life cannot be lived and enjoyed to it's fullest. I also encourage readers to stay faithful to their programs. If you stick with it you will see your body transform. It will respond to proper diet and exercise. You will see the results you desire. Take it one day at a time for a lifetime!