Vegan Bikini Competition Prep - ZOE’S MOTHER INSPIRED HER TO CHANGES LIVES

 Click HERE to Find Out How You Can Build Muscle & Lose Fat By Eating Plants

“…my mother started to eat clean whole vegetarian foods and exercise. She regained her full health and is in remission to this day.”

Name: Zoe Feuerstein
Age: 22
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 130lbs
Birthplace: Seattle, Wa
Current Residence: Issaquah, Wa
Sport: Vegan Bikini Bodybuilding Competitor
Facebook:@zoe.feuerstein
IG: @zoefeuer
Website: bodybyzoellc.com

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a certified personal trainer with a specialization in athletic conditioning and nutrition for the average person to the athlete.

My hobbies include getting my sweat on, cooking, writing, and reading up on the latest training science and behavioral science. Recently I was awarded Unanimous 1st Placing @ Vancouver Natural USA Championship 2015.

I have a HUGE passion in life for helping people make transformations to their body, mind, and spirit. I see each client as a whole person and I connect on a deep level. My passion for training began when my mom became seriously ill with lupus. Doctors told my family that my mom was going to die from this illness.

As a result of visiting a naturopath, my mother started to eat clean whole vegetarian foods and exercise. She regained her full health and is in remission to this day.

It was this powerful example of how focusing on your health can turn your life around. That spurred my passion to become more than a personal trainer, but a supporter, an advocate, an example, and an expert in helping others change their lives via plant-based diet and exercise.

Q: Why did you decide to try a plant-based diet?

I started my plant-based lifestyle at three years-old. I had a favorite toy chicken and when my mom told me that chicken nuggets were made out of real chickens I never had meat again.

My upbringing instilled a deep sense of empathy for others and that’s why I’m 100 percent vegetarian and 80 percent vegan.

Q: How did you become interested in bikini bodybuilding competitions?

As I said above, I’m passionate about fitness and creating positive change in my own. I’ve see the power of it my whole life.

“It has saved myself, and others, from downward turns in life such as addiction, depression, and loss of joy.”

I decided to compete because I liked the idea of having a goal that would test my limits physically, mentally, and expand my knowledge on training and nutrition. I was inspired by Layne Norton and his clients, such as Femme Fittale.

I was introduced to them when friends at my local gym suggest that I compete. I loved that it connected me with others in the industry and pushed me to be my own personal best.

Q: What exercises would you choose if you could only do three?

Squat

Deadlift

Incline Bench Press

Q: How would you describe your nutrition program?

Because I’m a National Level BodyBuilding Bikini Competitor my diet varies between on (fat cutting) and off (muscle building).

All year I try to avoid:

• Processed sugars
• Corn syrup
• High amounts of processed carbs
• Gluten
• GMO’s

All year I try to eat:

• Fiber via lots of fresh veggies
• Low GI fruits and whole grains
• Lean proteins at each meal
• Small doses of quality fats throughout the day
• Spices for flavor instead of excessive oils and fats

Off-Season/Muscle Building:

• I eat more carbs, fruits, and fats
• I don’t track my portions and listen to body as I slowly build up my portion sizes

On-Season/Fat loss:

I replace most grains with greens and up my protein.

Q: What does your daily meal plan look like off-season/muscle building?

I aim for 130 grams of protein per day, 200-300 grams of carbs, three servings of fat, and three liters of water per day. I take a multivitamin, omega 3’s, and 25 grams of fast digesting protein powder for post-workout.

• Breakfast: Oatmeal, protein powder, berries, and chai seeds.
• Lunch: 1/3 cup tofu or a block of tempeh with 1-2 cups whole grains and greens.
• Dinner: 1/3 cup tofu or a block of tempeh with 1-2 cups whole grains and greens.

Q: What kind of supplements do you use?

• Quest protein bars (plant-based) for food emergencies
• MRM Veggie Elite or Raw Fusion Protein Power (mornings and post-workout)
• Omega 3s for my skin, nails, and joints (also to help lose belly fat)
• Vitamin B and multivitamin

Q: How do people react when they find out you are vegetarian?

They say, “No, Way?! How do you get your protein, I can tell that you do, but how?”, and “You should eat meat it’s holding you back from being as good of an athlete.”

Q: What are some common misconceptions about vegetarianism?

The most common one is that were all rigid, judging, weak, unhealthy, and void of any athletic ability.

People think that we just eat vegetables and grass. They can’t imagine that we enjoy many restaurants and have more energy than our meat loving friends.

Q: What advice do you have for people who are just starting out with training?

“Get a quality trainer or coach, even if you can only afford it for a short amount of time it’s worth ever penny.”

Even one session with a quality trainer will save you months of pointless efforts in your diet and nutrition.  I always ask people, if you had a sink to fix, but never fixed a sink before, would you try to fix it yourself or hire a professional to help?

Q: What advice do you have for people who are thinking of becoming vegetarian?

“Go on Amazon.com and buy some of the highest rated cookbooks. Start cooking a few vegan meals a week, soon you’ll have a variety that you love.”

Then the switch is easy. Also learn how to cook legumes, tofu, and tempeh ASAP, these will be your staple proteins.

For more ideas related to vegan bikini competition prep, watch this video - How to Prep for a Bikini Bodybuilding Show as a 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 – Vegan Bikini Competition Prep

 

Fitness Vegan Diet - HOW TO STAY VEGETARIAN AS A BODYBUILDER OR ATHLETE

 

Click HERE to Find Out How You Can Build Muscle & Lose Fat By Eating Plants

The belief that competitive athletes and bodybuilders need to eat meat to be successful is slowly fading away as science backs up the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. While many fitness buffs recognize the health benefits of a vegetarian diet in theory, some still struggle to stay committed to plants in their own lives.

Studies and surveys reveal that the challenges of leaving meat behind are physical, mental, social, and economical. Dramatically changing your diet creates an internal and external transformation and alters the way you approach food and live your daily life.

Since the nutrition needs of athletes and bodybuilders are even more demanding than those of the average person, it’s important to develop a customized meat-free strategy that works for you.

Breaking Old Habits, Building New Ones

It’s an obvious understatement to say that breaking old habits is hard, and this is certainly the case when you’re trying to make the switch from meat to plants.

It takes some people time to adjust to the tastes of meat substitutes and devote time to plant-based meal prep. If you prepare meals for more than just yourself, it can be a challenge to get everyone in your household on board with your new commitment.

The key to making your plant-based diet stick is to acknowledge and embrace your personal reasons for making this dietary change and to always eat with purpose. Every bite you take is an opportunity to improve your body, mind, and spirit.

Writing down small and large nutrition goals is a great strategy that helps many aspiring vegetarians keep track of their trigger points and breakdown moments.

Accommodating Your Active Lifestyle

One of the best strategies to staying committed to plants is to master the art and science of plant-based meal planning. This is even more important if you’re an athlete or bodybuilder who can’t afford to lose your edge at the gym.

For a successful transition, fully develop your new plant-based meal plan before disrupting your old one.

On a plant-based diet, you will need to consume more protein-dense foods — like beans, seeds, and nuts — to build and sustain muscle.

Fortunately, the protein that comes from plant-based sources is more natural and results in an improved muscular shape without the additives and preservatives found in meat.

The Power of Protein Alternatives

As all athletes and bodybuilders know, protein is crucial to productive workouts, recovery, strength, and stamina. Protein comes in many forms, and a majority of them aren’t meat-based!

As a hardworking athlete, your body will benefit tremendously from a varied and diverse set of protein sources to fuel your workouts and give you the strength and energy you need. A balance of protein and carbohydrates fuels working muscles and powers up your training sessions.

These are a few of my favorite protein sources* that are meat-free, easy to prepare, and absolutely delicious:

• Lentils
• Broccoli
• Tofu
• Hemp and chia seeds
• Quinoa
• Spinach
• Asparagus
• Almonds
• Greek yogurt made with sheep or goat milk

*All of which are the organic and non-GMO versions.

Meat-Free Meal Prep Tips

Any healthy diet, whether vegetarian or not, requires a certain amount of advance planning. If fitness is important to you, don’t leave your body’s fuel up to chance and simply “wing it.”

To start, clean out your fridge and pantry to get rid of all the unhealthy options just waiting to tempt you. You need a game plan before you hit the market, so make a list of protein sources, fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, sauces, and spices before leaving the house.

Buying in bulk and batch cooking will save you time and money if you have extra storage space. This is also the time to invest in divided containers, cooler bags, and freezer packs to establish a meal management system that fits your schedule and lifestyle.

Sunday is a popular meal prep day for focused bodybuilders and athletes to get on the right track for the week ahead.

When you have a little extra time, make a big batch of healthy snacks, cook base foods like quinoa and sweet potatoes, slice and chop veggies for snacks and meals, and prepare protein shakes and smoothies in jars or plastic bags to freeze for later use.

The key is to make your weekly meals easy and ready to go without a hassle, so you stay committed and don’t make excuses.

Surround Yourself with Plant-Eating Warriors

It’s important to be patient with yourself as you transform your diet and recognize that important changes like this don’t happen overnight.

In fact, a study conducted at the University College London found that the average time to adopt a new habit is 66 days; however, individuals varied anywhere between 18 and 254 days.

After fighting your own internal battles, there are social pressures to deal with as well.

Not only is it a challenge to resist old habits when you’re alone, but those pressures get multiplied when you’re not surrounded by a community of people who eat like you.

That’s why it’s important to talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling and always listen to what your body is telling you.

One of the best ways to embrace the vegetarian lifestyle is to surround yourself with like-minded individuals who also care about their health, fitness, and environmental impact.

Become a regular at local vegetarian restaurants and chat with the staff and other patrons about meat-free dishes and nutritional balance. To get creative in the kitchen and have some fun, sign up for a vegetarian cooking class.

And never leave home without some healthy snacks, so you won’t be tempted to give into cravings and reverse your progress.

The road to a plant-based lifestyle can feel challenging and isolating at times, but just know that you are on the right path and that others will follow your lead.

For more ideas about fitness vegan diet, watch this video - HIGH PROTEIN VEGAN MEAL PREP

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 – Fitness Vegan Diet