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Suskia Strafella is 21year-old South African powerhouse and
at a majestic 5’9″ she is making a name for herself as a plant-based warrior in the bikini division.
I believe that vegetarian bodybuilding is growing…you
will digest faster and you will have more energy… I felt like meat gave me less
energy…it’s a great way to decide what your body really needs and what it
lacks.
Suskia’s Profile
Name: Suskia Strafella
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Age: 21
Height: 5’9″
Type of training: Bikini competition
Weight: 132lbs
Supplements
- BCAAs
- Glutamine
- CLA
Why did you become a vegetarian bodybuilder?
I became a veggie about 2 weeks ago, mainly due to the fact
that my body cannot properly digest animal meat. I feel the hormones in chicken
and red meat are negatively effecting my body and stop me from reaching my
goals as an athlete as I tend to miss meals because I dread eating another
portion of meat!
I started competing in April this year, I started because I wanted to
challenge myself, it was always a dream of mine to eventually step on stage
although I was so scared of the prep and the commitment. I’ve always been the
type of person to say I’m going to do something and then I end up disappointing
myself because I either give up half way or I don’t meet my high expectations.
What does your diet look like while preparing for a
competition?
In the past, I only ate chicken and hake with broccoli and asparagus and
pineapple before 3PM and carb loaded every 4th day with sweet potato. Now, my
diet will consist of tofu, beans and lentils and all of my favorite high
protein greens like spinach, broccoli, string beans and asparagus.
What is your favorite food during prep diet?
Egg whites!!! With cayenne pepper for that buuuurn.
Off-season diet?
I try keeping my diet pretty consistent, as I don’t enjoy yo-yo-ing my diet
and my body.
That’s possibly the worst thing you could do to your body. I eat everything
in moderation and still keep to consistent meals, every 3 hours and high protein! With a sneaky cheat meal every
weekend! I love my morning berries with Futurelife and enjoy almonds and
pumpkin seeds during my snack time.
Favorite food off-season?
Definitely the biggest bowl of my Dad’s Napolitano pasta and a jar of
Nutella
Favorite quinoa dish?
Love quinoa with lentils, brussel sprouts, red kidney
beans and broccoli.
Vegan supplements that you use?
I feel that vegan BCAA and Glutamine are an absolute must for
any woman who trains twice a day and at high reps to prevent muscle loss and dehydration. CLA are also
a miracle in mobilizing fat for fat loss. But that’s all, I recommend using as
little supplements as possible, your body can only absorb
so much at a time and there are only 24 hours in a day. Don’t’ ever reply on supplements for energy, a good physique or overall
weight loss and health.
Describe your training for a competition (favorite
exercises, weekly training schedule, etc):
I start off at 6am with my morning cardio spinning/cycling of 30–45 minutes
and finish off with an intense ab workout every single day. I then do my
evening weight training after work. I really enjoy my cardio sessions
as I have so much more energy for that being in the early AM!
When it comes to my resistance training, I incorporate a lot of high
reps, super sets, giant sets and barely any rest in between my sets unless I’m
about to throw up! My high reps and different training techniques are quite a
new method for me so let’s see how it goes with my future prep!
My favorite workout is hands down back day! Love my pulls and row. Nothing
better than that burning pinching hot back sensation.
Describe your training off season (favorite exercises, weekly
training schedule, etc)
Pretty much the same although my cardio is down to only 3 times a week and
kept at 30 minutes… otherwise everything stays the same. Some days I prefer
doing heavier weights and lower reps to build some bulk.
Do you think vegetarian bikini competition and bodybuilding will
go mainstream?
Obviously I’m going to be very optimistic about this, as it’s what I believe
in and because I’ve seen the difference and I’m starting to understand it
better. I do however believe that everyone’s body is just so different and you
need to listen to your body. If you want to eat meat, do it. If you want to eat
veggies only, do it! Nothing is stopping you from being your absolute best
aside from yourself!
I believe that vegetarian bodybuilding is growing and people need
to realize that you can build a beautiful, healthy and muscular
physique without all the animal meat and proteins.
There are ways and a means to do it; you just have to be prepared and armed
with knowledge.
What advice do you have for anyone interested in becoming a vegetarian bodybuilder?
As above, be well educated and know that you don’t need animal protein to build muscle, so don’t fear
becoming a veggie due to false information. You will feel
healthier, stronger and look better due to lack of processed animal hormones.
You will digest faster and you will have more energy (just to bust that myth too). I felt like meat gave me less energy
and made me quite sluggish especially at lunch time. It’s a new challenge and
it’s a great way to decide what your body really needs and what it lacks. Go
for it, you have nothing to lose (literally).
For more ideas related to vegetarian bikini competition and bodybuilding,
watch these 2 videos below –
Vegan Bodybuilding Diet with IFBB Bikini Pro Natalie
Matthews
Vegan Bikini Competition Prep | My EXACT Training
& Nutrition
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 – Vegetarian Bikini Competition and
Bodybuilding
