Fitness Super Model Lauren Frahn Talks To Muscle & Strength
What do you love most about bodybuilding/weight lifting?
I love knowing that I have the power (no pun intended) to get my body in its best possible shape and keep myself as healthy as I possibly can. There is such a strong sense of accomplishment during and after my workouts, knowing that I am always striving to improve a little bit each and every day! I couldn’t imagine starting my day any other way (Yes, I am a poet, too) 😛
What keeps you motivated?
I get this question A LOT…and my answer never changes. My “desire to inspire” keeps me motivated day in and day out. Besides my inner drive, which admittedly is HUGE, if there is ever a day that I feel tired, etc, what puts me right back into gear is the thought of helping even one person. Leading by example. NO EXCUSES…PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION!
What does your current training and split look like, and what do you like most about it?
What I love most about my current training and splits is the VARIETY! I create my own workouts for myself each week and they are ALWAYS different. I constantly aim to “surprise” my muscles and in doing so, challenge them to work as hard as possible! GO HARD OR GO HOME! (Okay, if you have not yet noticed, I am a HUGE fan of quotes)
What are some of your best training tips for someone who wants to look good and ripped?
This question was made for ME! Train as if you were competing! Why not, right?! If you are going to put in your time and efforts at the gym, why not push yourself each and every time? I believe in doing things to the best of your ability…do the very BEST that you can.
I don’t think there should be any difference in training intensity, whether you step on stage or not. Always have a “CAN-DO” attitude and push yourself…it will do wonders for your self-esteem, too!
What are some of the most common mistakes made when someone is trying to build muscle and/or get that six pack?
I am going to direct this one to the ladies. A very common misconception that I consistently get asked and emailed about involves worry that weight-lifting will cause too much “bulk”. This is just not accurate. I lift as much weight as I possibly can, with proper form.
Ladies, I promise you that you do not have the genetic makeup to build muscles like men. Weight training will add lean muscle, which will help in efforts to burn fat and calories. Lifting weights, along with proper diet, is essential to getting the body that you want. Trust me and follow my lead. I wouldn’t steer you wrong!
What are your best tips for getting ripped and shredded abs?
You can train your abs every single day (which I don’t believe in doing, as I train them like any other muscle and give them rest), but if you don’t have a proper diet and cardio regime, you will never see them. Abs truly are “made in the kitchen”! Eat a clean diet, along with a proper cardio and weight-lifting routine, (ADD IN SOME PATIENCE…RESULTS TAKE TIME!) and break out those washboards!
How do you prepare meals? Do you cook daily or cook for the week?
I always know my menu for the upcoming week, because I am the head chef for all of my meals! Depending on what I am making, I either prep it daily or weekly. I prepare my oatmeal, shakes, veggies, cottage cheese, egg whites, etc… daily, but I prepare my meats in bulk. Whether prepping chicken, flank, tilapia or salmon, I buy in bulk, portion it out, cook it…and then freeze it. Yes, in labeled bags.
While this does take more time than just ordering out, it is so worth it because I know that it is clean. (It helps having a twin sister with the most scrumptious recipes EVER, too! (“Alli’s Slim Pickins” recipes are just the best!)
What are your favorite cheat meals and foods?
Here’s the fun stuff! Carbs, Carbs…oh…and more carbs! While pizza is a must, I also have an enormous sweet tooth! Cookies, cakes and ice cream, oh my! There is nothing that is “too sweet” for me!
What are some of your favorite supplements and why?
I am not just being biased, Labrada truly has the greatest and best-tasting supplements on the market!
- Pre-Workout ~ Labrada Stim-Force (Powers you right through your workout, without the jitters!)
- During Workout ~ Labrada BCAA Power (Excellent for recovery)
- Post-Workout ~ Labrada Hica-Maxx (By far, best NON-STEROIDAL muscle growth product on the market & incredible for Strength!)
- Labrada GlutaLean glutamine (Excellent for Recovery)
- Labrada EFA Lean Gold (Fish Oil) (Excellent for Cardio-vascular health and also helps with fat loss!)
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin C
- Calcium/Vitamin D
What are your favorite meals and foods?
Being that I am a huge CARB lover, breakfast/post-workout is always my favorite meal because I get to eat oatmeal and Labrada’s protein shakes! YUM! Oatmeal is definitely my favorite “clean” food, along with cottage cheese, chicken and tilapia. I love big spinach salads, too! I have included one of my sample diet plans…
- Meal 1: (Pre-Workout) Labrada Lean Body For Her protein shake.
- Meal 2: (Post-Workout) Protein oatmeal (Instant oatmeal with Labrada protein powder or egg whites mixed in). A great friend taught me about the egg whites mix-in. Hey don’t say YUCK (like I was guilty of doing) before you try it! Make sure to throw in some cinnamon and Splenda or sugar-free syrup! YUM!
- Meal 3: Cottage cheese; almonds.
- Meal 4: Spinach salad with flank steak or salmon.
- Meal 5: Grilled chicken; broccoli/string beans.
- Meal 6: Grilled chicken; broccoli/string beans.
- Dessert: “Pro-Pudding” made with Labrada Lean Pro 8 protein.
What are some of your favorite motivational quotes?
Oh my goodness gracious, if I wrote down all of them, we would have a short novel! Anyone who knows me KNOWS that I am a HUGE fan of inspirational quotes! I surround myself with the, believe whole-heartedly in their messages, and attempt to “Walk the Talk” each and every day. Okay, I will narrow down the list…for convenience purposes… 😉
“‘I can’t do it’ never yet accomplished anything; ‘I will try’ has performed wonders.” – George P. Burnham.
“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe.” – Anatole France.
“Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as you mind lets you. What you believe, you can achieve.” – Mary Kay Ash.
“Undertake something that is difficult; it will do you good. Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” – Ronald E. Osborn.
“For every mountain there is a miracle.” – Robert H. Schuller.
“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” – Jim Ryun.
“You have to set goals that are almost out of reach. If you set a goal that is attainable without much work or thought, you are stuck with something below your true talent and potential.” – Steve Garvey.
“Choosing a goal and sticking to it changes everything.” – Scott Reed.
“JUMP, and you will figure out how to unfold your wings as you fall.” – Anonymous.
Which college or professional sports teams do you root for?
Ohhhhh baby! My absolute favorite sport is football. I could watch any game at any time. However, I am one million percent a NY GIANTS fanattticcccccc! GO BIG BLUE! Ha!