NPC Figure Competitor Megan Donnelson

[jimbosmith316]

[h=1]​Keep moving forward and all your goals can be achieved!
NPC Figure Competitor Megan Donnelson Interviews with Directly fitness[/h][FONT=&quot]

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[h=2][/h][h=2]Quick stats:[/h]

• Height: 5’4”
• Weight: 130-135 (Off-Season), 122-125 (Contest)
• Titles: NPC National Level Figure Competitor
• Upcoming Events: NPC National Bodybuilding Championships, November 9-10 in Atlanta, GA

[h=2]1. How did you get started with bodybuilding?[/h][FONT=&quot]I ran out of sports to play!

I needed another challenge. Bodybuilding, for me, began as just a hobby, a way for me to stay active after leaving college softball behind. Quickly, it turned into my lifestyle. The more I learned about bodybuilding and nutrition, the more I wanted to learn. I love what weight training has done for my body and health, not to mention what it will continue to do for me throughout the years. I can honestly say that I’ve never felt stronger or healthier than I do today.[/FONT]
[h=2]2. Where does your motivation come from?[/h][FONT=&quot]

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My motivation comes from my want to better myself. I love challenges, and I love learning. I love knowing that there is always room for improvement, and I can always be better than I was yesterday. I love when people tell me that I have inspired them in some way. That motivates me.
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[h=2]3. What is your training routine like?[/h][FONT=&quot]My training usually consists of a 4-5 day body part split.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]For example:[/FONT]

• Monday – Chest and Bis
• Tuesday – Legs
• Wednesday – Off
• Thursday – Shoulders and Tris
• Friday – Back and Abs
• Saturday – Add-in a 2nd (lighter) day for a body part that might need extra training
• Sunday – Off

[h=2]4. What kind of cardio do you feel works best for you?[/h][FONT=&quot]HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) is my favorite form of cardio! It’s great for burning fat, and doesn’t eat away at my hard-earned muscle. I like to mix up my HIIT between sprints, plyos, and track workouts. For recovery, I will throw in the occasional LISS cardio session with a jog or a long walk to give my legs a break.[/FONT]
[h=2]5. What are the most common mistakes you see people make while achieving their ideal physique?[/h][FONT=&quot]

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They give up. They don’t see results fast enough and they quit. They don’t understand that in order to achieve a fit physique, it takes non-stop dedication in the gym and in the kitchen. That is why being fit is a lifestyle.
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[h=2]6. How does your on and off season training and diet differ?[/h][FONT=&quot]It really doesn’t differ much. Unless I’m on my deathbed, I don’t take time off from the gym. The gym is my happy place. In the off season, I minimize my cardio and my diet is a little less “tight”, but my training stays intense all year ‘round.[/FONT]
[h=2]7. Do you tend to focus on training, nutrition, or both?[/h][FONT=&quot]Both. They go hand-in-hand. If you focus on one and not the other, you’re not going to get the best results. And let’s not forget… you can’t out train a bad diet![/FONT]
[h=2]8. What’s your diet like?[/h][FONT=&quot]Right now I am prepping and dieting for a competition, so my diet is a little more structured than normal. I eat many of the same foods whether I’m prepping or not, but in off season I don’t pay as much attention to weighing or measuring my food. Typically, I will separate my fats and carbs so I’m not eating them in the same meal.[/FONT]

Fats and carbohydrates are both sources of energy and too much of both can equal extra fat storage, so I keep mine separate.
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[FONT=&quot]A sample day of my diet:[/FONT]
[h=2]Meal 1:[/h]

• 5-6 Egg Whites
• ½ Cup of Oatmeal or ¼ Cup Oatmeal with ½ Cup Berries

[h=2]Meal 2:[/h]

• Whey Protein Shake
• Serving of cashews

[h=2]Meal 3:[/h]

• 4-6oz of: Chicken, Lean Ground Turkey, Lean Ground Beef, or Fish
• Baked Sweet Potato (3-4oz)
• 1 Cup Veggies (Broccoli, Peppers, and Cauliflower are my favorites)

[h=2]Meal 4:[/h]

• 4-6 oz of: Chicken, Lean Ground Turkey, Lean Ground Beef, or Fish
• 1 Cup Veggies
• 1 T Olive Oil

[h=2]Meal 5:[/h]

• Post-Weight Workout: Whey Protein Shake
• Fruit (Apple or Banana)

[h=2]Meal 6:[/h]

• Casein Protein Shake
• 2T Natural Peanut Butter or Almond Butter

[h=2]9. Do you believe in cheat meals? Why or why not? Example of yours?[/h][FONT=&quot]I do, but I like to refer to them as “treats”. Treating myself every once in a while helps me to stay on track with my lifestyle, if that makes sense. Restricting yourself from everything “bad” usually only results in a binge later. When you train hard and diet hard, a treat every now and then (in moderation!) won’t kill your results. One of my favorite treat meals is sushi with ice cream for dessert![/FONT]
[h=2]10. Which physical feature you are most proud of?[/h][FONT=&quot]

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My shoulders, because they are my favorite feature! Also my back, because it’s been my most difficult body part to develop, but after 3 years it’s slowly coming together.
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[h=2]11. If you could change one thing about your physique what would it be?[/h][FONT=&quot]Wouldn’t change a thing. My current physique is a direct result of my hard work, and I love it.[/FONT]
[h=2]12. What supplements do you use if any? If not, why not?[/h]

1. Whey Protein Powder – I use this mainly pre/post-workout because it’s a fast absorbing protein and gets into your system quickly.
2. Casein Protein Powder – Take a scoop of this right before bed because it’s a slower digesting protein.
3. BCAA (Branched-Chain Amino Acids) – First thing in the morning (especially if doing a.m. fasted cardio), pre/post-workout, and before bed.
4. Glutamine – Post workout (cardio and weights), and before bed for muscle recovery.
5. CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) – Take this with each meal to aid in fat reduction.
6. Multi-vitamin – Take each morning!

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[/h][h=2]13. Favorite Bodybuilders, models, or athletes?[/h][FONT=&quot]I have incredible amounts of respect for athletes in general, especially bodybuilders. Arnold Schwarzenegger has always been one of my favorites. The original, old-school bodybuilders are a rare breed. Not having all of the resources that we do today, they earned their knowledge of the sport by trial-and-error, by what worked for their bodies. They helped build bodybuilding into what it is today.[/FONT]
[h=2]14. Do you listen to music while you workout? If so what kind gets you pumped up?[/h][FONT=&quot]

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[FONT=&quot]Absolutely! I’m always rocking out between sets in the gym.

Techno and house music is usually what you can find on my iPod.[/FONT]
[h=2]15. What is your biggest dream in fitness?[/h][FONT=&quot]My biggest fitness dream is to ultimately discover just what I’m capable of, and see where my drive and abilities can take me. I have so many fitness dreams that I want to chase, my current one being: earning the opportunity to compete as a professional figure competitor. Eventually, I’d love to own my own gym or fitness studio![/FONT]
[h=2]16. Do you have a favorite quote?[/h][FONT=&quot]I have two![/FONT]

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
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[FONT=&quot]Don’t be afraid to dream big! But when you do, you need to find the guts to go out there and make those dreams come true![/FONT]

“What do I fear? I fear stagnation and lack of progress. I fear never reaching my potential and being average. I fear being forgotten..The past..Yesterday’s news. I fear giving up and being passed by, going softly into that good night. I fear settling, giving in to the “that’s just the way it is” mindset. I fear not feeling these fears anymore and just floating along. These fears feed me, they nourish my drive. I love my fear.”
This is the fear of winners!
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[h=2]17. What last 3 tips would you give to our readers to reach their fitness goals?[/h][FONT=&quot]1 – Educate yourself! With all of the resources available to you, there should be NO excuse for living a lazy and unhealthy lifestyle. Take some time and surf the net, check out health and bodybuilding magazines. See what you can learn![/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2 – Don’t underestimate the importance of a healthy diet. If you’re training and training and not seeing your desired results, then you probably need to take a look at what you’re eating.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]3 – Don’t give up! It’s NOT going to be easy! If it were easy, wouldn’t everyone be fit and healthy? Whenever you think of quitting or giving in to temptation (because there will be times), just remember your goal and why you started.[/FONT]

 

[Iron Game]

Very nice

 

[jimbosmith316]

I wouldn't complain

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