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: Anita Lee
Category you compete in: Bikini
Date of birth: 10/23/80
Hometown: Cedar Rapids, IA
Career: Pastry Chef
Competition history: 2013 NPC Midwest Open and Iowa State Championships April 6… 1st in Bikini Short and overall in both
Next competition: 2013 NPC Hawkeye Classic April 27
How has your life changed since you adopted this lifestyle and started competing? Since I started on this competition journey, I’ve become mentally stronger. I’ve had to push myself beyond what I thought I was capable of and that is so empowering. I’ve become more comfortable in my own skin and appreciative of my body, not only how it looks but what it is capable of. It hasn’t been a straight shot to the finish line. I’ve gone up and down in weight, but have learned to be comfortable with myself even during the times that I am carrying more body fat than I’d like. It’s just fat. It’s not the end of the world.
What have you found to be the best way to balance family, friends, career, this lifestyle, etc… Scheduling! As a pastry chef, everything is about scheduling and time frames. You have x amount to time to perform this duty and you must move on to the next task at x:xx. I use that organization with the rest of my day, in regards to workouts, food prep, getting the kids ready for school, cleaning, work, homework time, and winding down time with the kids. I go non-stop from 4:30 am to about 9:30 pm. The first time I sit down for the day is at 9:30. I don’t take breaks at work because with no help there, I really don’t have time to. I eat my meals while I’m working and can’t stop. My workouts are the same, gotta keep moving to keep my heart rate up! But I wanted it bad enough, so I just do it. I’m a single mother of 2 girls who are 11 and 4. The younger one is autistic and that brings another load in itself. She may throw an hour long head-banging tantrum and that will throw the schedule off a bit. But just like if a certain machine at the gym is occupied, you figure something else out and you just deal with it. I’ve really learned to adapt to unexpected circumstances through this experience. Having a special needs child can be very stressful and isolating. We don’t have normal play dates with other kids because she doesn’t interact with them the way other kids would. It has been a lot doing it alone, but I manage the best I can. Always do the best you can, because the best you can is always good enough. My workouts are my time for myself. The rest of my day is rushing and busting my behind for work and my kids. The gym lets me burn off the stress from everything and be still in my mind. And seeing results in my body is the reward I get that is just for me, no one else.
If you could change places with one competitor for the day who would it be and why? India Paulino. She has a career and is a champion. I would love to see what it takes to be like that.
Name two of the most inspirational people in your life and tell why they inspire you. Honestly, my parents. They came to this country in 1976 from Laos. They had nothing. Growing up, they provided so much and we lived comfortably. They really did give us a better life than they had. I would like to give the same to my kids someday. Coming to a country, speaking no English and having no money, my parents have come so far. I am so proud of them and they have worked so hard all their lives just to keep their kids happy. They both worked in factories, and working overtime was the norm for them. They worked opposite shifts and rarely saw each .jpeg)
other. My mom would sometimes go a month without a day off, working 12 hour shifts almost every day. As a child, I thought that they didn’t love me because they were always working. But when I came into adulthood, I realized the sacrifices they made for their children. That is a love that I am so grateful for. That selflessness makes me want to be a better person and always do more for my kids.
Tell one recipe or supplement you can’t live without.
A multi-vitamin. Too simple? No, you don’t really feel any effects from a multi-vitamin, but if you’re dieting especially, it’s really important that you’re taking one. If I couldn’t afford anything else, which has been a few times, I would make sure I’m at least taking that.
Tell about a typical training day for you. What exercises, how many sets/reps…etc… I have a training split and train different muscle groups on certain days, which allows for proper recovery. My set and rep range varies, but I always try to keep my heart rate up and super set often. Cardio is a necessary evil. But I’m starting to enjoy it because of the results I see. Whatever I am doing, I always try to keep the intensity high. My time is limited because I need to hurry back to my kids, so I can’t afford to have a half-ass workout.
In closing, Who would you like to give a shout out to? I want to thank Team Bombshell, Shannon Dey for helping me on my fitness journey. I have never had so much support before and Shannon really empowered me and helped me realize my own capabilities. My regional coach, Michon Leddy has been an amazing support and has held my hand through so much during my times of weakness. My coach Vanessa Campbell for not letting me give up. I always say “I didn’t quit for once…” and I’m not exaggerating at all. I have never stuck to anything for any extended period of time. And now that I have accomplished this, I feel like I can do anything if I want it bad enough. Everyone should believe that in themselves. And my parents for supporting me even to this day. They didn’t really understand what I was trying to do in the beginning. My dad just thought I wanted to prance around in a bikini. Then they saw the training and dedication involved and were fully onboard and helped as much as they could. Also, most importantly, my 11 year old daughter Maya. She was supportive through the whole journey. She helped me stick to my diet, hid my peanut butter from me, reminded me when it was time to eat, took my progress pictures, helped me shave before competition. I’m so thankful for all of them.
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