Hungarian Fitness Model Anita Herbert Talks With Simplyshredded.com

Quick Stats:

Age: 27
Height: 5’4″ – 163 cm
Weight: 125 lbs – 57 kg

How did you get started with bodybuilding?

About three years ago, my husband encouraged me to go to the gym for the very first time in my life. At that time, we started training together. It took some time, but he eventually turned me on to eating healthy and weightlifting. As I began to educate myself about clean eating and training, I became very interested in this new lifestyle. I loved the way training made me feel, and I also loved seeing how my body was changing day by day. People at the gym started to take notice of how my body was changing too, and they told me that I should compete in a show. At first, I thought it was silly to even consider competing, but then I decided that I should give it a try! Before I knew it, I had five NPC overall wins in a row, and now I’m an IFBB Pro. I just got invited to the Arnold Classic for the first time, and I’m going to be on the Olympia stage in September.

My results didn’t happen overnight; it took a lot of time and patience, but I was very determined, and now fitness has become a way of life for me!

Where does your motivation come from?

My biggest motivation is the mirror. I like to see how my body changes on a daily basis. To me, there is nothing more exciting than discovering a new striation or a new vein popping out on my body! I’m sure some might say that I am crazy, but this has become a lifestyle to me, and I love it! Of course, I have to admit that I like to eat yummy food too, but for me feeling healthy and looking ‘fit’ is far more satisfying than eating a slice of pizza. My life is all about balance, and I can still have a slice of pizza every now and then if I want too, but it just doesn’t interest me as much as it used to.

I honestly also get a lot of excitement and motivation from all of the positive feedback that I receive through my large social media following.

What workout routine has worked best for you?

I switch up my training every once in a while, so it doesn’t get boring. I also like to do aerobic classes and outdoor boot camps too! And on Sunday which is my rest day, I still like to do some form of cardio.

Full Routine:

Monday: Glutes

Smith Machine Squats 4 x 15
Leg Press 4 x 12
Kettle Bell Sumo Squats 4 x 12
Smith Machine Hip Thrusts 4 x12

Tuesday: Hamstrings/Calves

Lying Leg Curls 4 x 12
Standing Leg Curls 4 x 15
Deadlifts 4 x 12
Hip Abductor 4 x 20
Standing Calve Raises 5 x 20

Wednesday: Shoulders

Lateral Raises 4 x 10
Shoulder Press 4 x 15
Front Cable Raises 4 x 12
Rear Delt Fly’s 4 x 15

Thursday: Back

Pull Ups 4 x 10
Wide Grip Pulldowns 3 x 12
Close Grip Pulldowns 3 x 12
Seated Cable Row 4 x 15
Back Extensions 4 x 20

Friday: Arms

Overhead Cable Extensions 4 x 15
Skull Crushers 4 x 12
Cable Kickbacks 4 x 12
Dumbbell Curls 4 x 15
Cable Curls 4 x 15

Saturday: Chest/Abs

Dumbbell Fly’s 4 x 15
Push Ups 4 x 20
Hanging Leg Raises 4 x 20
Crunches 4 x 20
Planks 4 x 1 min

Sunday: Rest

Recovery

If you had to pick only 3 exercises what would they be and why?

Squats: Squats are great because my booty can never be big enough. (Laughs)
Hanging Leg Raises: I love abs and hanging leg raises seem to work the best for me. Plus living in Miami, Florida, I always have to be bikini ready! (Laughs)
Lateral Raises: I love training my shoulders with lateral raises because I love to feel the burn in my shoulders.

What is your diet like?

I have two diets that I stay very consistent with. One diet I use for my off season and the other diet I use for preparing for a competition. When I’m prepping for a competition, my diet is very strict. I consume six meals a day; I measure everything, and I absolutely have no cheats! My protein sources primarily come from chicken, fish and eggs. My carbs consist of oats, quinoa, brown rice and sweet potato. I also love all kinds of vegetables, and I incorporate them into my diet as well. During my prep, I also limit my sodium intake, and I drink one to two gallons of water per day. Off season my diet is more flexible, but I still try to eat five to six meals a day. But in off season, I am able to include one to two cheat meals a week.

Daily Diet:

Meal 1: ½ cup Oats, 4 Egg Whites and ½ cup Berries
Meal 2: 4 ounces Chicken, ½ cup Sweet Potatoes and 1 cup Asparagus
Meal 3: 1 scoop Protein, ½ Banana and 1 tablespoon Peanut Butter
Meal 4: 4 ounces Turkey, ½ cup Quinoa and 1 cup Vegetables
Meal 5: 3 ounces Salmon and 1 small Salad
Meal 6: 1 scoop Casein

What’s the one food you couldn’t live without, and how do you handle food cravings?

I couldn’t live without my peanut butter; it’s peanut butter all of the way! (Laughs) And not just peanut butter, I love all kinds of nut butters too. I can’t keep peanut butter in my house anymore because I just can’t control myself. Last year, during contest prep, my friend gave me a big jar of peanut butter.

My husband had to lock the peanut butter in his safe to keep it away from me, and it’s a safe that only can be opened with his fingerprint! I guess it’s safe to say, I’m nuts for nuts!

What is your supplementation like?

BCAA’s
Glutamine
L-Carnitine
Fish Oil
Flaxseed Oil
CLA’s

What do you love most about living in Miami, Florida? And what do you recommend is a ‘must see’ if someone comes for a visit?

I just absolutely love the Florida heat! I grew up in Hungary, and I had to endure twenty three extremely cold winters. Miami Beach is beautiful, and it’s fun to ‘people watch’ on Ocean Drive.