How did you get started with bodybuilding?
H
ow did I get started with bodybuilding,or should I say figure! Since my younger days I was always a gym rat, I’m still young, 19 years of age. When I was 17, I worked front desk at a gym, I wanted to be around a gym 24-7, I was training twice a day, and doing research online on diets, etc that I can follow. One of the bodybuilders at the gym I was working at approached me, noticing that I work really hard. He told me I should get into figure competing. From then on, I got right into it. He introduced me to a trainer, and later that year did my first show, when I was 18, and a senior in highschool! Believe me I get did looked at funny, while being in class, and pulling out a tilapia from my purse!
Where does your motivation come from?
My motivation comes from myself. Being able to eat healthy, and train hard every single day, gives me the inspiration that not everyone can do this. It’s such a gift. It changes your outlook and perspective on not only your physique, but also your inner beauty!
What is your training philosophy?
I do all old school bodybuilding techniques!
If you have to pick only 3 exercises, what would they be and why?
If I had to pick 3 exercises, the first one would be pull ups. I love pull ups, because most people can’t do them. It takes alot of strength, and it’s one of the best exercises for your back.
My second exercise would be body weight dips. This is also takes alot of your own strength since your not doing assisted. I feel strong, and stonger everytime I do them. They’re great for your triceps, and chest depending if you do wide grip, or close grip. My third exercise would have to be side laterals, for your shoulders. This is a great movement, that really isolates your delt!
When trying to cut down do you prefer to use HIIT or just normal cardio?
When trying to cut down, I do a little of both. HIIT is a great way to burn fat, within just a few minutes. I would do HIIT every other day, so my body has time to recover from each intense session.
What is your philosophy on nutrition?
Nutrition is EVERYTHING! Without nutrition, your workouts are POINTLESS! Nutrition is the key to your goals.
What are your favorite meals and foods?
My favorite meal would have to be my post workout. Only cause your starving, and for some reason the food tastes 20x better then it normally would! ;) Eating healthy, you start to get very creative with your meals. Like my first meal would be egg whites, and oatmeal. Instead I’d mix them, and make it into a pancake, so it gives me a different taste! Or with sweet potatoes, cut them into fries, and bake them, and their goes your sweet potatoe fries! It’s all about being creative, it’s all in your head!
Favorite cheat food?
Peanut butter… Mmm!
What supplements do you use that give you great results? How do you use them?
I use alot of supplements. As of right now, I’m taking beta-alanine before my workouts, and I’ve already seen impovements, less fatique! I also take BCAA before my morning cardio, so I dont loose any muscle. Besides that I’m also taking a multi, calcium, vitaminc, fishoils, 5htp (helps your mood on LOW carb days), zma, casien protein, and whey isolate for in-between meals!
Favourite Bodybuilders?
I’m my own favorite. We all work just as hard so why not give yourself some credit ;-)
Favorite Quote?
“The secret is boring, and that’s the problem. The secret is consistency. Having the balls, the discipline, to eat and train a certain way day in, day out. The days, the weeks, they all blur together… Do you have what it takes to live a life where every day is just like every other? What you gotta figure out is how to get through it, treat each meal, each rep like it’s your last…. Yeah, like I said in my last entry, you gotta be able to transform the word “monotony” into “consistency”. If you can do that, then you will understand the secret… The sky will open up and you will have that clarity of vision.”
Website: www.marielizrodriguez.com
