I have been working out with weights for about the last 11 1/2 years. I always played sports in high school so fitness and exercise has always been a strong focus of mine! When I went away to college and didn't have my sport practices anymore I really got into running and began lifting weights on a regular basis and have continued since.
When I graduated college 2 goals I had set for myself where to complete a marathon and to enter a figure competition by the time was 30. Both goals have been accomplished!
Click To Enlarge. Jennifer Pillow.
What Workout Plan Worked Best For You?
Generally I do 3 sets of 12-15 reps (lifting moderate/heavy weight). I honestly change my exercises for workouts every week! I never keep it the same in order to keep my body guessing. Always do 3 exercises per body part. Some staple exercises that I normally incorporate are included:
I used to be a "cardio queen". However I now only do 45min-1 hr cardio (generally 7 days a week). Usually 3-4 days a week is outside running and the other days are in the gym using the AMT, Elliptical, Bike, or Treadmill! Intensity varies! Also I do abs 5 days a week and some favorites are:
I love fitness because working out makes me feel good and it is a fantastic way to reduce stress.
Also fitness can be a part of your life regardless of where you are! You can workout in a hotel room, go for a run outside, go to the gym, go swimming, do jumping jacks between commercials. There's just no excuse why it can not be a part of your day!
What Motivates You To Follow A Healthy Lifestyle?
Seeing results and knowing how I feel from eating healthy and clean are my biggest motivators! It's amazing to see how manipulating diet and exercise can change your physique! How cool is that?! Even after training with weights for many years I am still seeing results. What's even cooler is that my body looks better now approaching 30 than when I was 18. Now I love that!
What Made You Want To Achieve Your Goals?
99% of the time if I set a goal I do what it takes to achieve it. Once again I had set a goal at age 20 to compete in a figure competition by 30 and it happened! I went to my first figure show and was inspired and began competition training 2 months later!
During the training of my first show (show date was May 16 2009); I faced a lot of trials and sad times. Soon after I started my training my daddy was diagnosed in March '09 with a very aggressive form of leukemia. I continued training hard even though many days all I wanted to do was sit at home and cry; however I never missed a workout.
My competition training and diet really gave me something to focus on other than thinking about how sick my daddy was and how out of my control the whole situation was. My first competition was May 16, 2009. I called my daddy to let him know how I had done. When he answered the phone he said so are you "Miss Richmond". I laughed and told him no, but told him how I placed!
The second show I did was the OCB Tidewater held on October 24th. I did this show for my daddy because his birthday was on October 26th. I wanted so badly to call and say, hey I wasn't Miss Richmond in May, but I'm Miss Tidewater now! I know Daddy was smiling down at me from Heaven and thinking that too! I placed 1st in Novice Tall and 3rd in Open Tall.
What Are Your Future Fitness Plans?
I plan to continue to eat clean, workout hard, and competing in figure shows! I would love to one day complete in an Ironman! I think I'll shoot for that by the time I'm 40!
Click To Enlarge. Jennifer Pillow.
What One Tip Would You Give Other Fitness Competitors?
Be sure to work on posing and stage presentation! The workouts and diet are very tough and often times posing practice is overlooked, but it is very critical! This is advice I need to follow myself because it is my biggest weakness!
Who Are Your Favorite Fitness Competitors/Bodybuilders?
I absolutely love Tosca Reno with a passion! She is one of my biggest inspirations! I love her, her books, and her website!
What Features Do You Use On Bodybuilding.com?
I have a BodySpace account that I have been inputting my stats so I can see the changes/gains, etc! I also love the vast array of resources for diets, competition advice, and various workouts!
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