Shelby
Starnes interviews Troponin Athlete Jessica Lyons
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Jess: In high school, I was on the swim team and played soccer and softball. I was voted 'Athlete of the Year' in 1997 by my graduating class. I was offered a swimming scholarship by the University of Maine and went on to swim for the Black Bears for my 4 years of college. My best stroke was butterfly. I also played Women's Rugby for a couple of seasons, but had to quit due to my swimming scholarship.
Jess: I lifted off and on while I was in college. It wasn't a requirement for swimming and by the time I was done with a 3 hour practice, I certainly wasn't thinking about going to the gym! I started getting serious about it when swimming was over and I started gaining weight. I had one semester left and was completing an internship at our local YMCA when Joe got me interested in lifting. That was 6 years ago!!
Jess: Ugh. I work at a gym, so I pretty much live there. I work a 40 hour week, but my shifts vary. I open the gym 2-3 times a week, so on those days, I work until 1:30 pm then start my cardio. Then, I'll go home, eat, nap, and head back to a different gym with Joe to train and do another round of cardio. On days when I don't open, cardio begins between 5:30 and 6 am, then home to eat and get ready for work. I train and do a second round of cardio either at the gym I work at or at the other gym we belong to, depending on what time I get done work. The evenings always consist of food preparation and packing for the next day. Sunday is usually our lazy day. Neither of us lift on Sunday so the only thing I have to do is cardio and some housework. We always have laundry to do!! The off season will be pretty much the same, just with less cardio.
Jess:
Monday = legs/abs (my favorite day to train! sometimes I start with
hamstring curls, but I love to hack squat and front squat on the smith
machine)
Jess: I always take my vitamins! My favorite multivitamin is GNC's MegaWomen Active. I also take vitamin C twice a day - I like the chewable ones! Before my workouts, I take L-carnitine and post workout I take ON's BCAAs. Fish oil capsules are also part of my daily regimen and I take them at each non-carb meal. In season, I add green tea caps and Yellow Bullets for fat burning. The Yellow Bullets are an ephedra product. I have also found that BodySculpture for Women is a great product for appetite suppression. I use that twice a day while in season, too. As far as protein goes, I'm a big fan of Champion Nutrition's chocolate Pure Whey and Banana Ultramet meal replacement. ON makes a great whey product, too. I like their chocolate flavor.
Jess: Well, I just got done competing this past weekend. . . . Nate told me to eat whatever I want for a couple days. . . . I've been taking his advice!! I'll be back to an off season carb cycle in a few days.
Shelby: Your husband Joe is a competitive bodybuilder. What's it like living with another competitor? Jess: We have our ups and downs. When we are both getting close to a show and are low carb and tired, we can get a little 'snippity' with each other. We get through it though, and can tell when the other just needs a little space. The good definitely outweighs the bad since we understand what each other is going through. We have similar diets, so we cook in bulk for the week. We both do the cooking, though there are some things I like to do myself. We don't keep anything in the house that we can't have so that makes it a lot easier. This past spring when he was done competing, he'd go out for his cheat meals when I was busy so I wouldn't have to be around it. It sounds minor, but those are the kind of things that make a difference. We have similar training schedules, too, and get to go to the gym together pretty often. Morning cardio is a lot easier when you have someone literally dragging you out of bed!! Joe and I motivate and support each other 100%. I can't imagine what it would be like living with someone who didn't compete.
Jess: Nate was absolutely wonderful!! I can't thank him enough for all of his help. I had started a prep with someone else for Jr USAs back in January, but it just wasn't working out. I contacted Nate 6 weeks out from the show and he was more than willing to prep me. He changed my diet by having me cycle my carbs and got me in the best shape I had ever been in. He was always quick to respond to my questions and emails and I look forward to working with him again.
Jess: Absolutely!! My experience with Nate was awesome and I think we make a great team. I'm very excited to see what next year has in store.
Jess: USAs was a great show!! It was a huge success for both Nate and I. I placed 5th out of 41 in my height class and it was the first time Nate had prepped anyone for a 2 day show. The competitors were fierce onstage, but we all had a great time backstage. . . . even though we were all crammed in a room much too small for over 200 competitors!! I made some new friends and had an overall wonderful experience. The actual show ran very smoothly and I would definitely do it again.
Jess: I don't have any permanent training partners, though I sometimes shadow Joe and his lifting buddies. I also train occasionally with my close friend Melissa Griffin who just recently earned her pro card. For the first couple years I competed, Shannon Meteraud helped me a lot with posing and suit selection, so a "thank you" goes out to her as well.
Jess: My favorite thing about competing in figure is the personal satisfaction I feel when I know I look the best I ever have. I love how my body changes and reacts to different training programs and diets. I love feeling strong yet still feminine. When I'm out on stage it's kind of like my alter ego! My least favorite thing is that the sport is so subjective. No matter how good you feel about yourself, it just might not be what the judges are looking for. It gets frustrating, but you just have to keep in mind what you have accomplished for yourself.
Jess: My ultimate goal is to become a pro. I still have some work to do, but I think it's a realistic goal. I'd also love to get into fitness modeling.
Jess: Have fun, smile and be confident. If it's not fun, why do it?
Jess:
I'd just like to thank my husband, Joe. I would never be able to compete
without his support and encouragement. He's been with me through it
all, helping me cook my meals, supporting me at every show, and never
letting me give up! He's my rock. |