An Interview with Fitness Model
Ashley Lawrence

Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing my friend and fitness model, Ashley Lawrence.

She shares a lot of fat loss and weight training tips you can implement into your fitness program right away.

She even supplied some pics.

After the interview you can see what a weight trained body looks like, Ashley Lawrence style.

Gregg: How did you get started in fitness modeling?

In other words, what changes did you make, or planning did you do, to give yourself the best chance at success?

Obviously, fitness modeling is a bit different than other modeling opportunities and requires being lean and toned, not just thin.

Ashley Lawrence: I got my start in fitness modeling by entering into a Hawaiian Tropic swimsuit contest.

I won locally and qualified for the national contest in Las Vegas.

It was a week's worth of Hell but in the end it was all worth it.

I was chosen as one of the 10 Met-Rx fitness spokesmodels along with a year contract and $1000 prize money. I look back now and that was the most work I've ever encountered for a $1000 :-)))

But it did jump start my career and inspired me to start my website, www.FemBomb.com

Gregg: How long did it take you to get to where you are now, and what would you say to our readers who are already tired and frustrated and just want to finally "get in shape"?

Ashley Lawrence: I was able to change my body within 2 years and now I just maintain my shape with a moderate weight training and aerobic schedule. I live life by making 2 steps forward and 1 step back.

Don't expect to be perfect. We all eat bad and miss workouts. When you do just get back in the gym and fix what you messed up:-))) If you eat just a little better and work out just a little more you will make good steady progress:-) Never give up!

Gregg: Most people, when they see pictures of someone like yourself in the magazines, can't relate and they think you've always looked like that, which is discouraging for them.

Preparing for a figure or bodybuilding contest, or a fitness modeling photo shoot is a completely different world from regular old training and eating "right."

Let's face it, you look nothing like a typical model. You're notrail thin. You've developed a lean, sexy, hardbody. Even the most motivated and disciplined people can struggle to stick with their plan.

Most people look at athletes and think it comes easy to them but even you (and I!) can struggle with our motivation at times.

What tips keep you motivated through contest preparation that the everyday person can use in their fight to get and stay in shape (continued below)?

Ashley Lawrence: My motivation for getting and staying in shape is looking at myself in the mirror naked!! (Author's Note: I think all the guys just passed out!)

How's that for being real? I pretty much stay within 5 lbs. of photo shape all the time.

It's easier for me to live like that than binging and having to stress on how I'm going to lose weight for a photo shoot.

You would not believe how much food I can eat and still stay fairly lean. It's only because I workout on a consistent basis and eat really often which keeps my metabolism high.

If you remember anything just remember to workout at least 4 days per week and to eat every 3-4 hours with a diet consisting of protein and carbs with every meal. And drink lots of water!

Gregg: Most people think competitors or models just have to focus on training and eating right.

However, eating right and getting your workouts in can become challenging when doing photo shoots, promotional appearances, etc. just like it is for most people who work a 9 to 5 job.

You have the same challenges everyone else has as far as time, yet you have to be more disciplined than the average person who just wants to get in shape.

What problems did you have to overcome in order to stay on track with your fitness program?

Some of the popular excuses I've heard from people I've trained include "not enough time"(both for exercising and eating right), "eating healthy is too expensive", "don't see results fast enough", "weights will make me big and bulky", "have trouble sticking with an exercise routine".

What were the obstacles you had to overcome?

One thing I'd like for you to address because I feel it's a big one with women, is weight training. Even nowadays, most women shy away from weight training because they don't want to look like Arnold.

If they train at all, it's with the tiny pink weights and they never even break a sweat.

You've developed a gorgeous, sexy, lean hardbody and you couldn't have done it without weights. What do you say to these women to get them to start training with weights?

Ashley Lawrence: We all have the same amount of time in each day. Some of us choose to take care of our body and some don't.

It's the only one we have so we better make it the best we can so it will last as long as possible. My weight workouts last 30 minutes 3 days per week!

Everyone has that much time. On my off days I do the stairmaster probably 2 days a week for 20-30 minutes.

I don't eat even close to perfect but by lifting weights I'm able to keep my metabolism fast. A female will not get bigger by lifting weights unless she is taking steroids. Lifting weights is the only thing that allows me to actually sculpt my body the way I want.

My measurements, weight, and body fat has dropped since starting 10 years ago.

Gregg: In your experience, what's the best way for someone to get started with a new fitness lifestyle?

Ashley Lawrence: Join your local gym and hire a trainer for at least a month!

Gregg: What's the biggest mistake you made when you started and how did you correct it?

Ashley Lawrence: I did not incorporate proper nutrition into my life.

Gregg: Moving forward and knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently, if anything?

Ashley Lawrence: I would have started modeling sooner. :-)

Gregg: What would you have done the same way, and will continue to do, going forward?

Ashley Lawrence: Working out with weights is something I will do forever. It keeps everyone young. :-)

Gregg: Do you feel that ongoing feedback and motivational tools would help in maintaining a fitness program? I always encourage my clients to take pictures periodically.

Ashley Lawrence: I think pictures are excellent in helping you maintain and/or improve your look. Having a website always keeps me in check. I have no choice but to stay in shape! If you need the ultimate motivation just start your own website!

Gregg: If you were to advise a close friend or family member how to follow in your fitness footsteps, what would you tell them?

Ashley Lawrence: I tell them to start working out now and drink more water.

Gregg: What's a typical day for you when it comes to training and nutrition? How are you able to consistentlyfit them into your busy schedule?

Ashley Lawrence: I work out on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the gym and do cardio at home on my stairmaster on my off days a few days a week. Everyone has 30 minutes every day for themselves to look and feel better. I also drink lots of water and add a protein drink almost every day.

Gregg: What do you think are the keys to becoming successful, whether it's competing or just losing 15 pounds?

Ashley Lawrence: Consistency.

Gregg: What's one of the things you find most challenging about what you do?

Ashley Lawrence: Keeping my sweet tooth under control :-)

Gregg: What are your future fitness and modeling plans?

Ashley Lawrence: Continue working out, doing fun photo shoots, and making lots of money doing what I love.:-)

Gregg: Modeling is extremely competitive and a very difficult field to break into. You have to be very dedicated and a real go getter. What can you share from that experiencethat people can use in their own battle to get in great shape?

Ashley Lawrence: Hang in there and stay focused, anything worth having never comes easy!

PICS BELOW!If you really want to succeed with your fitness program and date hot fitness models and bikini babes like Ashley, check out the following information.

• Exclusive Muscle Building Report Reveals: How to Add 11 Pounds of Muscle EVERY 7 Weeks!
• Learn 5 Facts You MUST Understand if You Are Ever Going to Lose Your Belly Fat and Get Six Pack Abs