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How Did You Get Started? I have always been involved in organized sports growing including soccer, softball, gymnastics, figure skating and track & field. I decided to stay with track and competed as a Division I Collegiate Track & Field as a sprinter/hurdler.
After college I decided to attend law school and still wanted to keep in shape and find a hobby that fulfilled my goals of staying healthy, fit and competitive and decided to cross over into INBF and NPC as a Natural Figure Competitor. So I started competing in the INBF and recently started competing in the NPC.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Tara Di Luca.What Workout Plan Worked Best For You? I work out one body part during each training session. I always perform three sets of each exercise with 8-12 repetitions with minimal rest, depending on whether I am lifting heavier or lighter weights, which I find works the best to my advantage. When I am aiming to build some mass, I lift about heavier and perform three sets of 8 repetitions.
I like to perform three or four different exercises for each of these body parts, while still keeping the sets at three with 8-12 reps depending on the weight.
I also do abdominal exercises every day that I train. I started incorporating cardio into my program when I started competing in INBF and NPC, and typically train on the Elliptical anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes depending on what part of the training season I am in.
  Click Image To Enlarge.Tara Di Luca.
My daily routine is often a test of time management skills and quite a juggling act at times. I am an attorney by profession, and feel that my life is well balanced when I have my extracurricular outlets to keep my mind and body sharp and healthy. However, it also can be very exhausting and the best medicine for me is getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night. What Nutrition Plan Has Worked Best For You? When I am training for a show, I typically eat five times a day. I have been told that I am somewhat unconventional in that I typically start dieting two to three months out as opposed to many months out. That is all the time I need to reach my optimum physique for the competition.
When in competition mode, I introduce a lot of protein into my diet with low fat and low to medium glycemic complex carbohydrates, preferring egg whites, lean chicken breasts, tuna, lean turkey burgers, salmon, tilapia, oatmeal, broccoli, asparagus, brown rice and yams.
I have also realized the importance of staying well hydrated all day. I admit I am not the premier role model when it comes to discipline in dieting, as I have an affinity to all things sweet! I believe everything in moderation is the best way to go and constant deprivation only creates a miserable, grouchy person.
 Click Image To Enlarge.Tara Di Luca.
Copyright 2008 : Photo by Frank CollettiWhat Supplements Have Given You The Greatest Gains? Why Do You Love Fitness? I love working out and setting new goals for myself and working towards those goals. I often find myself enjoying the road to achieving my goals than the actual goal itself!
I feel honored when people ask me for advice on training and nutrition and always try and assist in the best way that I can. I have met many great friends through competing who share the same passion for the sport. I love feeling, looking and being healthy!
 Click Image To Enlarge.Tara Di Luca.
Copyright 2008 : Photo by Frank CollettiWhat Are Your Future Fitness Plans? I enjoyed competing in the NPC Bev Francis Eastern States in held in NYC this past November and am pleased to share that I placed 3rd in the Tall Class among a tough class of competitors. I also competed in the NPC Atlantic States this past June. If I decide to continue on the competing path, I will aim for the Eastern States again this November or the INBF New York State Championships held in October each year.
I also like to keep in mind that fitness is an industry with many opportunities whether it is in competing, nutrition, clothing, or modeling. So I would also be interested in representing fitness/supplement companies or promoting athletic/fitness equipment or being represented as a fitness/sports model, spokesperson, or motivational speaker.
I am also pursuing my passion of designing athletic/workout clothing, and hope to transform my hobby into a realistic business venture.
 Click Image To Enlarge.Tara Di Luca.What One Tip Would You Give Other Fitness Competitors? Do it for you! Remember that the goal of Figure and Fitness is promote fitness and health and the stage provides an opportunity to display everything that you have worked so hard for!
However I have seen too many competitors overtrain, over-diet, over-supplement, and abuse their bodies and develop unhealthy habits which defeats the whole purpose of what working out and competing should be all about. Remember, never trade an athletic, fit physique for an unhealthy bag of bones! Without your health there is no happiness! Who Are Your Favorite Fitness Competitors/Bodybuilders? Mary Elizabeth Lado, Gina Aliotti, Felicia Romero, Amy Linas.
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