Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On NPC Figure Competitor: Tara Ramos
Category you compete
in: Figure
Date of birth: June 18, 1982
Hometown: Orlando
Career: Pediatric Registered Nurse
Competition history: October 2013 Southeastern USA's 1st place open tall figure, 1st place over 30 figure; August 2013th FL State Championship 4th place open tall figure, 2nd place over 30 figure; June 2013 Mid FL Classic 3rd place Open tall figure, June 2013 Deb Callahan classic 4th place open Tall bikini; April 2013 Europa 2nd tall open bikini; April 2013 Jax Physique 1st place open tall bikini
Next competition: November 23, 2013 Nationals
What do you feel is the WORST part of contest prep?
I honestly don’t have anything during prep that I would consider the WORST. I truly am very organized which helps me to remain balanced as far as my scheduling of workouts and meals go. And mentally, I am so driven that nothing seems to blur my goals.
Would you please tell us a little about your workout schedule? My strength training schedule is usually 2 days on, one day off. I try to hit my shoulders, back & glutes at least twice a week (these are areas I am trying to bring up). My legs grow so fast that I actually don’t set aside a day for just legs. I usually will throw in supersets of plyos during my upper body workouts, and about one day a week I will stick around after an upper body workout to do a few squats and weighted exercises for my lower half. And as far as cardio goes... I have really only been doing max 3 days a week 20 min HIIT sessions. When I switched to Figure from Bikini, my cardio had to decrease so I could build more muscle. I went a few months without cardio at all.
If you had to lose one of your 5 senses, which one would you prefer to lose and why? Smell! I think our sense of smell can get us in trouble when we are in contest prep. I am not one to cheat on my diet, but smelling something really yummy reminds you that “you can't have it”.
If you could change one thing about this sport what would it be? Make it more affordable. Being a mom of two kids, I try not to buy myself a lot of things. I would rather save my money for my family. Between the cost of a trainer, the figure suit, the tan before the show, registration fees, travel fees, supplement cost, etc. It really adds up. We have definitely tightened up our budget this year, since I started competing in April.
If you had a time capsule what would you put inside it and why? I love pictures. I would put all my scrapbooks and photos of our family. I have two beautiful children w
ho are incredibly photogenic, and to look at their lil faces just brings so much joy to my heart.
What is your favorite vacation spot? Colorado! We love the mountains in the summer time. I could never live in such a cold climate, but during the summer Colorado is absolutely breathtaking. When my youngest was only five months our whole family went hiking in Telluride Colorado. I carried the baby in my baby bjorn baby carrier, and my husband carried our son in a backpack carrier. We had an incredible time. Not only was it beautiful to be in the mountains with such incredible views, but it was a workout too!
What advice do you have for women who would like to get involved in and compete in the sport of bodybuilding? Take chances. I had so many doubters when I started. People would say “well you are certainly optimistic for just having a baby”. And I kept saying, “just wait and see”. I knew that I could do it, and there was nothing that could stop me. Hailey was 9 months old when I began my prep for my first show. I would wake up at 4am in the morning and do my fasted cardio. Then after the kids would wake up, we headed to the gym for my weight training session. It was like clock work. But I never listened to those who didn't believe in me.
What is a day-in-the-life of Tara like?
Whew, a day in the life? Are you sure you want to endure this? Lol, I am one busy mama! My husband is a firefighter, so when he works he is gone for 24 to 48 hours depending on his shift. On days I am not working at the hospital, This is my schedule.. I get up at 4 am for fasted cardio. First meal by 5am, my 3 year old gets up and sits with me and we watch cartoons:) By 7 we get the baby up and we all have breakfast together. We hit the gym by 8 for weights. Usually hit the grocery store after the gym. Head home for meals/snacks. We typically head outside or to a park. Go back home for lunch and the kids nap. While little ones nap, I meal prep, clean house, laundry, catch up with emails. When they get up we like to head out and do some sort of activity (whether it be head to the museum, park, Sea World, etc). Later when we get home I get the kids dinner. We sometimes go out for an evening bike ride or wagon ride. Get the kids bathed and ready for bed. I eat my seventh meal around 8pm. And I usually get everything ready for the next day to do it all over again!! Work days I get up at 4am to get ready for work, work 12 hours in surgery. Get home to say hi to kids and husband and then head to gym for workout at 8pm at night. Thankfully I usually only do 2-3 12 hour shifts a week!
Favorite Motivational Quote: “Stop wishing, start doing”
In closing, Who would you like to give a shout out to? My very supportive husband Mike. My parents for helping me with the kids during my shows. My trainer Eric Diffenderfer, and my fellow Team Freak Physique teammates.
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