Did you know?
If competition exists in a relationship, it can be a healthy thing.
After a long hiatus I am finally back! In this issue of Ask A Fitness Model you can find out more about bruised egos, proper ways to lose weight, skin care and more in this bimonthly issue!
Atro-Phex is the best non-ephedra fat burner on the market.
No one looks how they do in person in magazines.
You should be doing cardio for a minimum of 45 minutes a day.
Ask A Fitness Model: Yes I'm Back!
After a long hiatus from my writing career, things have settled down over here in LALA
Land, and I have a little mini break with the impending actors strike, which you may or
may not know about.
It has been so long since I have gotten a chance to answer
questions, and with a plethora to choose from, I have chosen those which I feel were
incredibly dynamic and interesting in their own right. So, without further adieu, I will
begin...
[ Q ] Hey Christina,
I hope you can help me with an issue that's cropped up since I started really
getting into fitness and working out. You have definitely been a role model for me
because I'm about the same height and weight as you, and I'm also considered a very
good looking girl. I'm not interested in being overly-bulky or mistaken for a guy (you
can't even really see my muscle definition until I flex), but I love that my workout
routines have made me more toned and fit.
Anyway, the problem is that as I've increased my workouts, my boyfriend has
noticed--and at first that was a good thing! But then the other day he was like "Wow--
you're getting pretty strong... for a girl", and I said, "What do you mean--for a girl?", and I
put my elbow on the table and challenged him to an arm wrestle.
I was just fooling
around, even though I did want to show him that the pullups I've been doing are for
real, and he shouldn't underestimate me! I didn't really think I could beat him, because
even though he doesn't workout at the gym much, he's got about 45 pounds on me
and he's pretty athletic.
So he accepted my challenge and much to my surprise I found I was able to hold
him even for the first few seconds, and then I slowly started to wear him down, and after
a pretty long struggle, I pinned his wrist to the table!
Well, he turned beet red and said
"2 out of 3", and in the re-match I beat him again. Then we did lefty and that was even
worse for him--I slammed his wrist down in seconds!
So I have to admit I had a pretty good laugh at his expense, and teased him a
little about being beaten by a 125 lb. girl, but I didn't realize how seriously he took it. I
really bruised his ego and he's challenged me to re-matches several times since then,
and I've beaten him every time. But even though I don't laugh about it anymore, and
make sure not to rub it in when I win, his attitude is increasingly childish--he gets really
mad when he loses and it's gotten to the point where I refuse to answer his challenges
anymore--which just makes him madder!
RELATED POLL
Are You Stronger Than Your Significant Other?
So I have to ask--as a very attractive woman who also is strong, have you ever
beaten a guy--boyfriend or otherwise--in a contest like an arm wrestle or wrestling
match and dealt with this ego problem? If so, what did you do?
I don't know what else to do except let him win, and I don't really think I should
have to do that. (Plus I think he'd realize it and get even madder at me).
Any advice would be helpful!
Jennie
(A sister and fan!)
Hi Jennie!
First off, thanks so much for the email. This I believe is a common problem,
not only in physical fitness, but in life. Some men get their egos bruised when
their women excel and or surpass them in life... whether it be professionally,
socially, financially, or physically.
Not an uncommon problem. I have dealt with this before, on many different levels.
Where do we draw the line of feminism, and still being respectful of our partners
feelings? What is the right thing to do in any relationship if this should arise?
I am by no means a relationship expert, but I can tell you that having been in a
few competitive relationships, it is very difficult to know when it is you being
overly confident, him being insecure, or a combination of both. If competition
exists in a relationship, it can be a healthy thing. If it goes too far, it can be a
relationship killer.
In your particular situation, rubbing it in was obviously to you in hindsight not the
best move. I don't think you did the wrong thing by not letting him win, but there
is a time and place for everything. Maybe now the right thing to do would be to
throw in some fun incentives that will allow him to feel good about being
beaten... say for example, you guys make it interesting and bet favors. Like a win/
win situation.
You are clearly in a safe, committed relationship so why not make it
things that you trade in the bedroom? Say you win, he gets to do something fun
to you, he beats you, you owe him one so to speak. That way, it is fun no matter
what, and nobody is concerned with the actual competition as much as the fun
outcome later? And, okay, maybe it won't hurt to let him win just one.
Click Image To Enlarge. Why Not Make It Things That You Trade In The Bedroom?
Lets put it this way, sometimes you have to lose a battle to win the war... you
know what I mean?
Hope that helps. Keep being strong, sexy, and feminine! I love hearing a story like
yours! P.S. Definitely not a bad problem to have - being stronger than a
guy!
[ Q ] Dear Christina,
I'm psyched to have found this column. I have SOOOO many questions but I'll just start
with one. I am 42 and have just started to realize my dream of becoming a figure model.
There are thousands of supplements out there. With Ephedra off the market, it just
seems that they are all loaded with caffeine. Have you found any supplement out there
that actually works by boosting energy and burning fat? Thank you very much for your
advice.
Theresa.
Hi Theresa.
Glad you found the column as well! Congrats on realizing any dream, but
especially on one of health. It is never to late to begin with commitment. I have
been through so many fat burners, I can not tell you how many since I have come
to be in this industry.
I actually just signed to be the face of the company you
have probably heard of, BSN. I can honestly say, their fat burner, Atro-Phex, is the
best non-ephedra fat burner on the market. It gives you energy, suppresses
appetite, and not only does it not make me jittery, but I have a strange "elated"
feeling when I take it, if you will.
RELATED PRODUCT
BSN Presents:
Atro-Phex
Atro-Phex is without a doubt, the most incredibly powerful mood, well-being, energy, thermogenic and physical and cognitive performance formula in the history of the supplement world. [ Click here to learn more. ]
Almost the same effect of St. Johns Wort, as if it
soothes my nerves. Whenever I give any of my girlfriends a box of it, they
immediately go buy more.
While no fat burner is by any means a substitution for
the diet and exercise, I think a good fat burner is an excellent addition to any
regime. As with all other supplements, make sure to check with your doctor
before trying anything new.
[ Q ] I have a question for you. Most women in fitness magazines have unbelievably perfect
skin. Are there any supplements that support that? And for girls with pale skin, how
would you even out the skin tone and have an overall perfect color? Help!
Thanks,
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn.
The answer can be made clear in one word: AIRBRUSHING! No one looks
how they do in person in magazines. Not even yours truly, LOL! In fact, with models
they are constantly having dirty weird makeup brushes put on their faces over
and over during a shoot that acne is a common problem.
And, just so you know, it doesn't get any paler than me. I am German, and Irish. I do not tan well! I
love two things for a perfect tan, MYSTIC TAN, and California tan. Both are
airbrushed on, and really only stay pretty for about 5 days - just enough time for a
vacation or photo shoot.
RELATED VIDEO
Fit Dreams Come True:
Episode #5: Photo Shoot!
In her fifth episode, watch as WNSO Fitness Model Pro Diana Chaloux takes you behind the scenes at a photo shoot in Miami. See everything that is involved and what potential hazards await!
I am pale most of the time, unless I am shooting. Then I
am airbrushed, but you wouldn't know it because it is so natural if done right. As
far as keeping a clear complexion, I get regular facials, use a face wash with
glycolic acid, never sleep in my makeup, and get monthly blue light treatments at
a salon in LA called "Kate Somerville". You can get these treatments anywhere,
it is basically a light that changes the way your skin reacts to bacteria and
minimizes breakouts. Not a bad investment!
Orally, I take a multivitamin, drink
tons of water, and avoid dairy. I am allergic, and find it to be a kicker for acne
breakouts. Some of my friends breakout when they eat peanuts, or nuts. Maybe
try and experiment with cutting certain foods out of your diet, and DRINK WATER.
All the time. It is an enormous skin enhancer- when you don't drink enough your
skin tends to look much worse.
P.S. Preparation-H Cooling gel all over your face before you go to bed will immediately tighten it if you have a shoot the next day. Just expect it to be
really tight and dry in the morning.
[ Q ] I been on a strict diet of chicken, oatmeal, green vegetables, egg whites &
potatoes for about a month. I've also been working out really hard, strength training, etc. and I
haven't lost any weight. Why is it taking so long & do you have any tips for increasing
fat loss? Please help! LOL! Thanks.
Jenna
Hi Jenna.
Right away I see two flaws just in two sentences. You make no mention of
cardio training, and potatoes - how many? How often? Are you eating six small
meals a day? Are the carb meals reserved to just the first two-three of those?
You
should be doing cardio for a minimum of 45 minutes to an hour a day if you are
trying to really increase fat loss. At a month in, you should be seeing some
results.
It usually takes about a month to start seeing good results, but clearly if
there are none, you are either consuming too many carbs, or not doing enough
(or any cardio).
Bodybuilding.com: Cardio Super Feature.
Here you will have easy access to the best cardio methods for fat loss, general health, endurance and how to make this seemingly boring activity fun and exciting!
I have an amazing nutritionist who is very reasonably priced, Tony
Haines. If you really do not have any idea about what you should be eating, and
how I would recommend hiring him. Feel free to email him at
tonyhaines@comcast.net. Tell him I sent you.
Definitely increase the cardio, keep up the weight training, but maintain
high reps, supersets, even throw in lots of exercises with your own body weight
like walking lunges across the room, superset them with deep squats of your own
body weight, and make sure to keep sugar, alcohol, bread, and dairy at a
minimum.
Conclusion
Keep up the hard work, and stay motivated! Feel free to email me any questions that
you may have at christina@christinalindley.net! I will do my best to utilize them all and
answer your questions in my future bimonthly issues of Ask A Fitness Model!
Click To Enlarge. 
