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Build Muscle & Lose Fat By Eating Plants
“I advocated for animal rights online with graphic images and angry
rants. Then I realized focusing on the brutal heartbreaking side was hurting my
soul and making me hateful.”
Name: Erika Ressa
Occupation: Bartender
Location: Orlando, FL
Age: 33
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 135-145 lb.
Type of Training: Bodybuilding
Q: What were the steps you took to transition to plant-based nutrition?
As a young teen, I realized animals were being decapitated for food, and I
wasn’t comfortable with that knowledge.
I first stopped eating cows and pigs and then stopped eating chickens and
turkeys. (I never cared for seafood of any sort.)
As a teenage vegetarian, I was left to prepare my own meals and
basically ate pastas and anything I could cook in the toaster!
It wasn’t until more than a decade later that I acknowledged the dairy
industry’s cruel treatment of animals and became vegan.
“I knew in my heart that being vegan was the only way for me to live in
true harmony with my convictions and love for animals.”
As a vegan, I started cooking more from scratch and
stopped relying on ready-to-eat meals and fast food. I expanded my palate and
started trying new foods and cooking methods. As I continue to learn and
experience different foods, my diet is constantly evolving.
Q: Tell us the story of how you got into yoga, what your practice looks
like, and how it has changed your life.
Before I had a gym membership, I trained at home and acquired some fitness
DVDs, including yoga
DVDs. I really enjoyed being able to spend time stretching my body while
relaxing my mind.
I was impressed with the strength and flexibility of yogis I saw online, so
I started practicing more and attended some local yoga classes.
Currently, I attend yoga classes at my gym several times a week, and I
can often be found on the gym mats practicing my handstands and forearm stands.
Whether I’m warming up at the gym with sun salutations or doing headstands at
the beach with friends, yoga has become a part of my life.
“I think yoga plays a role in keeping me injury-free despite heavy
training, and I know it has helped with my flexibility. I highly recommend yoga to everyone for both mental and
physical wellbeing.”
Q: What does your training look like these days?
Most of my training days involve lifting heavy
and compound
exercises. I’m a big fan of calisthenics and plyometrics, so I try
to incorporate them into my training and therefore don’t do any cardio on
equipment.
I get my cardio in by cycling outdoors. I love riding in the warm Florida
sunshine and enjoying nature. I’m often lucky and see deer, raccoons, sandhill
cranes, and even alligators!
Q: Favorite three exercises and why?
The classics! Squats, deadlifts, and
hip thrusts!
Sorry, not bench press!
I’m a bikini competitor, so hip thrusts
are one of my main exercises. Glutes and legs are a big component of bikini bodybuilding and much of my training.
Also, I like lifting heavy, and these exercises allow me to go hard and
set new goals for myself.
Q: Walk us through a day of eating; how do you think about it, and
what do you eat?
I eat a LOT!
I like to think of food as fuel for the body, not just pleasure for the
palate. I still like my food to taste good, but I want it to help me, not harm
me. I’m honestly not the healthiest eater, but I burn major calories at the gym
so I can get away with it.
“Unless I’m preparing to compete, I don’t track my macros or overthink what I’m eating. I do
indulge in sweets and junk food but in moderation.”
To help with building muscle, I always have a protein
shake post workout, preferably blended with bananas and soy milk. I don’t normally eat
breakfast, but I also don’t wake up before noon (bartender life).
Before I train, I’ll eat a light meal, such as a hummus/veggie sandwich or
some fruit and granola. After the gym, I eat a large meal with an emphasis on
protein — perhaps some seitan or mock meat with green veggies or pasta.
“I always like to eat before bed; going to bed hungry makes me sad and
gives me weird dreams about eating entire cakes!”
Q: Tell me a story of the mentor who played a key role in building
confidence in yourself.
My mom has always been my mentor and number one fan. Throughout my life,
both of my parents have encouraged and supported me and motivated me to follow
my dreams.
When I told them I wanted to be a vegan bodybuilder, they were surprised, but they
supported me and came to my first competition to cheer me on. My parents
believed in me, and that made me grow up to believe in myself. I’m blessed to
have loving and supportive parents, and I’m eternally thankful.
Q: What would your friends/colleagues say you’re really good at?
Getting things done.
“Once my mind is set on something, I do it. Some might think it’s
compulsive or obsessive, but I believe in perseverance.”
Example: I had been considering renting advertising space on a digital
billboard to promote veganism. One day, I decided to just go for it. I
made some phone calls, started an online fundraiser, and had a billboard ad up
by that evening!
With generous donations, I was able to rent ad space for an entire year. If
you’ve been considering something for a while, just go for it, you might
surprise yourself.
Q: Fun fact most people don’t know about you?
I like to garden and grow plants I can eat. Someday, I’d like to have a
large garden and grow many fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Also, this is kind of a
secret hobby … I collect my cat’s whiskers. I started years ago, and I have at
least 100. I’m really good at finding them! I just can’t bring myself to throw
away a kitty memento, so now I’m stuck collecting them forever!!
Q: What three pearls of wisdom would you tell your 13-year-old self?
GO VEGAN NOW!!! Seriously. I wish I would have gone
vegan earlier, it’s one of my few regrets.
What other people think of you doesn’t matter, only what you think of
yourself defines you.
Being fit and healthy is more satisfying than
being skinny.
There’s nothing wrong with being skinny, but I’d say this to myself because
I used to have an unhealthy obsession with being thin. Even at my skinniest, I
never liked my body, but fitness finally helped me to love myself.
Q: What have you changed your mind about in past 10 years?
I used to be an angry vegetarian and then an angry vegan.
I was outraged at the atrocities on animals, angry at people’s lack of
concern, angry at their disconnect, angry at injustice, and angry at the
world! I advocated for animal rights online with graphic images and angry
rants.
Then I realized focusing on the brutal heartbreaking side was hurting my
soul and making me hateful. I started concentrating on the good in the
world and trying to portray veganism in a positive light.
“I believe I’m able to appeal to more people interested in veganism this way, and I am happier in
general.”
Q: How do you wind down and relax at night?
I enjoy reading in bed at night, and I always sleep better if my cats are
nearby. Just something about having a kitty close by puts me at ease. If I do
have trouble falling asleep, I practice relaxation techniques I learned from
yoga, specifically progressive muscle relaxation.
For ideas about go for vegan lifestyle, watch this video - BEGINNER'S
GUIDE TO VEGANISM » how to go vegan
Author
Bio:
Chris
Willitts (creator of V3), is the founder and owner of Vegetarian Bodybuilding.
V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System
is a mixture of science and author’s advice, providing users with optimal diet and
exercise. This system is designed for vegans and vegetarians only.
A
lot of research has been put in this program. Furthermore, a lot of
professional bodybuilders and athletes tried and tested the program, praising
its progressiveness and efficiency.
The
program is about taking control of your own body and health according to your
potential and needs. And worry not; you’ll get plenty of proteins with this
system. It will boost you with energy, and you’ll feel just a strong as any
carnivore would (perhaps even stronger, depending on how much you invest in
your exercise). It avoids vitamins deficiency and provides you with a lot of
proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Instead
of saying things like “I think a plant-based diet is good for athletes and
bodybuilders,” the V3 Vegetarian Bodybuilding System claims “I know a
plant-based diet is good for athletes and bodybuilders, and I have results to
prove it.”
To
find out more, visit the website at V3 Bodybuilding – Go for Vegan Lifestyle
