Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On NPC Bikini Competitor: Christine Hronec
Category you compete in: Bikini
Date of birth: 1/8/1982
Hometown: Wilmington, DE
Career: Co-Owner Muscle Gauge Nutrition, LLC./Food Scientist
If you could change into a superhero for a day who would you be and why?
I’d have to say Wonder Woman because not only is she a warrior princess of the amazons, she’s gifted with superhuman powers and has a secret identity as an army nurse. She’s the epitome of strength and power while still keeping her look feminine as she fights crime and saves the world all in a day’s work.
What made you begin dedicating your lifestyle to this sport?
As co-owner of dietary supplement manufacturing company, Muscle Gauge Nutrition, I have become completely immersed in the science (and now sport) of the supplement industry. My background is in Chemical Engineering with a BS and MS from Drexel University and I started my career with DuPont before I moved onto bio-tech and nutraceuticals. I’ve always enjoyed running to relieve work stress and began training for marathons as I function best when I have a specific end goal. When I became co-owner of Muscle Gauge Nutrition in 2010 as the food scientist and plant manager, my business partners introduced me to workout regimes primarily based on weight training with high intensity interval training for cardio. I became hooked and loved how a workout could be done in as little as 45 minutes as opposed to logging miles and miles with marathon training. It didn’t take long to see changes to my figure by taking protein supplements and working out regularly. I see people’s lives changed on a regular basis from improved nutrition and moderate exercise and I aspire to motivate many more to benefit from the life changing effects. Not only do I formulate the products in the Muscle Gauge Nutrition line, I use them in my competition prep and am very proud of the quality products we offer consumers at an affordable price.
What approach do you take to dieting...carb cycle..keto?
My diet approach consisted of 1600 calories per day at 5-6 meals per day. On a daily basis I consumed ~150g of protein, drank 1-2 gallons of water, and only consumed complex carbohydrates with breakfast and lunch. All alcohol and artificial sweeteners were eliminated from my diet and my meals were primarily lean protein (MGN whey protein isolate, egg whites, chicken, or fish), vegetables (asparagus, spinach, broccoli, and kale), and complex carbs (whole grain oatmeal, sweet potatoes, brown rice, and quinoa). I’d allow myself one cheat meal every week. Overall, it’s all about forming good habits and meal preparation. Once the meals are pre-planned it takes the guess work out of the equation and doesn’t subject your diet to the variables of everyday life. If I was feeling particularly hungry, I would drink water and consume a lot of hot tea.
What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about competing?
The biggest misconception I hear is from women who fear they will look masculine if they lift weights. Years before I became associated with the sports nutrition industry I believed the same thing, little did I know that lifting weights would get me in the best shape of my life. As a former marathon runner I had the mentality that cardio was key to a fit physique. Little did I know that muscle not only boosts your metabolism, minimized my hunger (high protein diets are more filling and satisfying than empty sugars), but gave me a more lean and feminine shape overall.
What is your most embarassing childhood memory?
My most embarrassing childhood memory was shopping for my first bra with my mom at a Kmart. When we were at the check-out line they needed to do a price ch
eck, held up the entire line and announced on the loud speaker “price-check pre-teen training bra, price-check!” Everyone stared and I was quite embarrassed.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned about YOURSELF during your contest prep?
Competition prep reiterated that a strong will is more important than natural ability. Once I committed to my 1st competition, I refused to budge from my diet and workout regime and was able to keep my focus no matter what.
I didn’t want to make excuses as to why I wasn’t in the shape I wanted to be in; I just resolved to get it done. About 50% of my workouts I didn’t feel like doing for one reason or another, whether I had a bad day, stress from work or personal matters, but I made sure each and every workout got done no matter what. Whether it was a 6am fasted cardio session, two a days, or being the only one at the gym late at night or on weekends, it just felt good to fully commit to something and see it all the way through. Trusting in yourself to not take shortcuts and have the courage to sign up for something not knowing how you’ll do taught me a lot. Everyone has the will to win, but not everyone has the will to PREPARE to win.
Who do you look up and admire and why?
My grandmother- without a doubt the woman I admire most. She was widowed at 24 years old to 5 children (aged 5 to 2 months) in the Philippines. She managed to work 3 jobs and feed 5 children as a single mother, eventually bringing all of them to the United States where each of them obtained a college education as a result of her sacrifices. In this day and age our generation invents trivial things to worry about when in this country, most have never been concerned about where their next meal is coming from. The survivor instinct my grandmother instilled in our family reminds me every day to not take things for granted, to use my resources wisely, and to always believe in my ability to achieve future goals.
Competition history:
10/27/12 NPC Shawn Ra
y Baltimore/DC Grand Prix
11/9/12 NPC Nationals Atlanta, GA
Next competition:
3/23/13 NPC Baltimore Gladiator Classic Bikini
Favorite Motivational Quote:
“If you have to choose between talent and discipline, choose discipline. Talent is overrated.” –Fred Rodger (Advice from my high school art teacher and mentor)
Who would you like to thank?
My company-Muscle Gauge Nutrition, for sponsoring and supporting my new ambitions, my boyfriend- for creating all my workouts, and being there every step of the way for moral support and last but not least, my mom- for bringing me healthy food and sewing all my competition suits, she’s the best!
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