Female Bodybuilding Success Story

Lisa Romero

Lisa Romero began working out in 2005, but had little knowledge on how to achieve the physique of her dreams. But with the help of her online trainer, she managed to drop 7.15% body fat naturally and totally transform her body!

Lisa Romero

"Some succeed because they are destined to, most succeed because they are determined to" ~ Unknown Transform Now

 

Lisa Romero's Interview

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Karen: What got you involved in bodybuilding and fitness?
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Lisa : I just wanted to feel better about myself. Everyone always told me, “you’re so thin, you’re tiny etc…” But I knew what was hiding under my clothes. I learned how to dress so I could cover the fat that accumulated around my mid section. I wouldn’t wear tight shirts, and I hated wearing a bathing suit. I decided to do something about it.

 

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Karen: Boy, you wouldn't know how much I hear that from people. Very few do something about it, like you just did. How long have you been bodybuilding?
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Lisa : On and off for about 3 years.

 

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Karen: You've accomplished a lot in that short amount of time. Some people can spend 8-10 years just trying to transform. What is your competition weight and off-season weight?
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Lisa : I never competed.

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Karen: Oh, well we need to change that. You have the perfect frame, and mindset, to take it to the next level, the competitive stage. What motivates you to keep in shape during the off-season?
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Lisa : What I see in the mirror.

 

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Karen: Yes. I completely agree. The mirror doesn't lie, and if you are consistently seeing positive changes in the mirror, that's all you need. What is your goal setting process?
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Lisa : I like to break it down. For example, I’ll make a goal to fit into my smallest pair of jeans. Once that goal has been obtained, my next goal will be wearing a tight shirt with those jeans and not see any “fluff” poking out of any place.

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Karen: Oh, I like that. It's simple, challenging, and workable. Now, the bigger question: how do you stick to your goals?
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Lisa: I remind myself that I control my own success. I know I can’t achieve my goals if I try to take short cuts, or if don’t eat and train the way I’m supposed to.

 

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Karen: I hear ya. So many people tend to forget that they are, in fact, in control. You can have the best diet and training program, but unless you follow it, you'll achieve nothing. So, what is your nutrition like off-season?
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Lisa : I don’t really have an off-season as I do not compete. But I do like to relax my diet in the winter, around the holidays. So I guess that’s my off-season.

I pretty much keep my basic diet principals (protein, good fats, clean carbs) but I don’t go crazy when I have an unexpected family dinner or function. I just make the smartest choices I can with the food that’s available to me.

 

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Karen: It's hard to keep 100% strict all the time. Like you, a lot of lifters take the fall and winter off the rigid diet and lighten up a little during the holidays. What is a basic cheat meal for you?
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Lisa : Italian food or Caribbean or Mexican food. And always dessert!!!

 

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Karen: Ohhh... Now you're talking my language! I love that stuff, too. Are there any sacrifices? If so, how do you overcome them?
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Lisa: Yes…not eating the food I cook!!! I cook for myself, then I cook for my husband and daughter. We eat the same protein source, but while they enjoy the carbs like white rice, beans, pasta, or bread; I only have veggies or my very small serving of carbs like brown rice or oatmeal. It’s the same if eat at a family members house. I’m surrounded with great food, but I’ll only eat chicken.

I overcome by telling myself, that I made the choice to live a different lifestyle and I’ve worked too hard to let the “pressures of food” take over. Plus I know that I have a cheat meal coming up soon so I try to look forward to that.

 

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Karen: Ugh... I know the feeling. It's rough doing that, but after it's all said and done, it was well worth it and you are happy with yourself at the end of the day. What is your training split like?
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Lisa: 4 day split, I like working 2 body parts when I train.

I set it up like this:

1- back/ triceps
2- legs/calves
3- chest/biceps
4-shoulders/traps

 

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Karen: Nice training split. I've tried many types of training splits during my 20 years now, and the 3 days and 4 day splits are my favorites. Do you track your personal best lifts and if so, what are they?
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Lisa : I have, but not lately. It’s hard to make personal best lifts when you’re dieting and energy levels can be low at times. However, I do recall these numbers from last year:

Squat: 135 lbs
Dead Lift: 140lbs
Bench: 100 lbs

 

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Karen: I agree. The best time to track your personal best lifts are during your off-season or growing phase. Those are great lifts. Nice core strength. What is your competition history?
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Lisa : To be announced.

 

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Karen: Awesome! I'm glad that competition is on your brain. What are those future competition plans?
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Lisa : I hope to enter my first competition in Spring/Summer of 2009

 

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Karen: Sweet. You should do great. Do you use supplements? If so, what are your favorite supplements?
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Lisa :

Nature’s Best Isopure
Glutamine
NOW- Super Citrimax
NOW- L Cartine
Optimum Opti-Women Multi Vitamin
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Lipo-6
Papaya & Pineapple Digestive Enzymes
Creatine (not all year round)

 

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Karen: Great supplement line-up. I use a similar supplement stack. Does your family support your fitness, bodybuilding, and competitive endeavors?
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Lisa: Yes, my husband and I try to go to the gym together as much as possible. I love being in the weight room with him. He encourages me and helps raise my confidence when I’m feeling frustrated.

My daughter is in the pre-teen age, and she’s my own personal cheerleader.

 

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Karen: That's neat to have a training partner/husband combo. Hey, always have a spotter. ;) And your daughter being proud of your training is another awesome plus. What hobbies do you have outside of fitness?
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Lisa : I like to read mystery & suspense novels.

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Karen: Ah, I rather watch mystery and suspense. What advice would you give someone who wanted to get in such outstanding shape as you are in?
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Lisa : Set your goals and go for it. Your own will is the most powerful ingredient to success. Just like everything else in life, your fitness goals will have road blocks sometimes, but you have to just work through it. People always want to know the secret to being fit & healthy, the answer is YOU!!!

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Karen: You said it sistah! You just have to do it. How has fitness and/or bodybuilding changed your life?
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Lisa : I feel more confident and comfortable with my body. I also have become mentally stronger. Being dedicated to yourself is a hard thing to do when “life” is constantly happening around you. Going to the gym is a habit for me, it’s a part of my life just like waking up in the morning and taking a shower.

 

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Karen: Yes, training and transforming really builds confidence, as well as forms discipline. You are a prime example of all this. Congrats on your transformation success, your recent marriage, and your future competition.
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You Can Start Losing Weight And Transforming YOUR Body, Too!