World Physique

Interviewed by: Tammy Renee'

Laurie Delaney grew up in Pennsylvania in an area which prides itself in farming. Right after graduation from High School, she moved first to Washington DC for 10 years, then to San Diego, where she lives now.

Her fitness path began back in Pennsylvania, as a teenager, when she actually printed a small fitness booklet to teach aerobics and stretching, using herself and her mother as models.

"Yes, I still have the booklet; it's pretty funny to look at now", says Delaney.

Although her health is perfect now; it wasn't always.

"I suffered with severe asthma attacks and spent many evenings in the hospital. Despite my health struggle, I always had an active lifestyle in High School; Marching Band, Majorette, Cheerleader, and the best way to get around in our little town before you have a car is to bike, so I did that a lot. I was the skinny girl with spaghetti arms and no hips, and often wondered if I would ever look like a woman. I was very insecure and had low self-esteem. You could say I wasn't the popular girl and would never imagine being popular."

When she moved to Washington, DC after High School, she worked as a Legal Secretary in the city and that active lifestyle was replaced with long hours and longer commutes. When she met her husband years later, that's when she began her ascent back into fitness. She began teaching fitness classes at her apartment complex, then moved on to teach for Body & Soul Ministries, a Christian based dance-like aerobic class that is similar to Jazzercise. She also taught "Body Sculpting" classes at a local gym. Her body began to take shape and her spaghetti arms were becoming shapely and muscular.

She soon moved to San Diego, where she continued teaching group exercise classes at 24-Hour Fitness and her boss, who was a female body builder, invited Delaney to her "show." Delaney had never been to a fitness show before, so she was delighted to go see her boss compete. Well, that was it! She flexed the entire time she watched and she was "hooked." Her boss trained Delaney for Delaney's first show in September 2000 and Delaney has been competing ever since.

Today, Delaney's asthma is controlled, she eats healthy, she works out regularly and she loves her life.

"I have the best husband I could ever have who is supportive and loves me. We both love to travel and have met some awesome people through the years. One of the ways we travel is when I teach yoga classes for an international company called NRG2GO. They offer teaching contracts to certified instructors at 4 and 5 star resorts in the Caribbean. I've been doing this since 2002. This has been an awesome opportunity."

Delaney says she wears two professional hats, so to speak; "I am a Boot Camp Instructor and Personal Trainer, and also an Interior Designer. Both careers are different but similar too, in that I get to help people make decisions and changes in their health and in their homes."

WP: What has been your stepping stone to get where you are today?

LD: Hmmm, stepping stone? I would have to say that having low self-esteem has really been my stepping stone. That sounds silly, but it's the most honest answer I can give you. I didn't like how I looked and I wanted to change it, so I did. I found that in changing my body, I changed my image of myself and that changed a lot about me and got me to where I am today. Now I have confidence, I can say I'm proud of myself and this is my inspiration to shout out to other ladies that they too can make a decision to change their own self image.

WP: What has it been like to maintain your physique?

LD: To maintain my physique gets more difficult as you get older. Yes, it's true. Diet is the most important thing in maintaining my physique and I have to be more careful now than I did a few years ago. Of course, working out regularly keeps my muscles shapely and defined and I continue to strive for improvements in my physique naturally.

WP: Have you done anything different lately?

LD: Lately, I have mixed it up a little. I have been focusing more on areas that are "trouble spots" for me in competitions; for example, my back and legs. I lift heavier now and always work my body parts at different angles and different exercises.

WP: You have competed before. Can you tell me more about it?

LD: I have been competing since 2000. I began as a fitness competitor because I loved the dancing aspect of the routine. I hired a choreographer to do my routine and began learning tricks and strength moves. The coolest "trick" I learned was the "shooshanova." If you have seen fitness shows, you've probably seen one of these moves, where the girls literally dive into the air and fall into a push-up and push their self up. Training as a fitness competitor required sport-specific training to be ready for the moves that are incorporated into the routine.

I soon got tired of all the bruises from the routines and moved on to female body building, where I did quite well, actually. I compete in only natural shows, so it's not like the extremely muscular girls you see on ESPN. Again, the diet is everything. I went from body building into the new category, "figure" in 2000 and won the title of Ms. Figure Millennium. Figure has changed over the years; it used to be more like body building, where you did a routine to your own music with open handed poses and you wore heels. Now, it's mandatory poses and no routine. The last two years, I've dabbled in the bikini division too, which is a lot of fun. I get to be sexy and sassy in the bikini division, which is something I've never really felt comfortable doing, but always wanted to be "like that".

It's been quite a journey through the years, and I've competed with many different organizations. What I've learned from these years is that at each show, there is always something you can improve and I'm competing against myself. Of course, I always want to take home the first place or overall trophy, which I've had the privilege to do a few times, but when you walk away knowing you've done your best, and that a small percentage of people actually ever compete in this arena, I'm overjoyed to be one of them. I love competing. I guess you could say it's "in my blood."

WP: What a great background! Are you planning to compete again in the future?

LD: Of course. I'm not sure which ones yet, but I think as long as I'm alive and healthy, I'll compete somewhere.

WP: What other sports or activities do you enjoy?

LD: I love to dance, I am a fair golfer, I've been riding bikes since I was young, I practice and teach yoga and Pilates, I kayak, love to ski, and enjoy walking on the beach.

WP: What has competitions taught you thus far?

LD: I love this question because competitions have taught me so much. I've learned the meaning of discipline, diligence and dedication. I learned how and what to eat to obtain and maintain a competition physique and the concept of portion control. I've met so many great friends through competitions too and I've learned how to be supportive even when you are standing on stage competing with a friend. There is a mutual respect with competitors because we've all worked so hard to get there, whether we've prepared for a year or a few weeks. The most important thing I've learned is to keep an accurate view of myself even when the judges don’t place me 1st. It's a constant struggle to maintain a positive attitude and be honest with yourself about what changes need to be made for improvement and what you can chalk up to "how the cards fall that day." For example, I can place 1st one day beside a girl and the next week, place 4th and she will place 1st. It's a combination of the show, the judges and what they are looking for that day.

WP: What was the hardest thing for you to overcome when you first started?

LD: The hardest thing to overcome at first was not taking things too personal when you don't win. It can be a real bust to your bubble to work hard and walk away without a trophy or to place near the end of the lineup. I used to get very upset about that, but I've learned how to keep it all in perspective now and be honest with myself, while at the same time asking the judges for ways I can improve next time.

WP: What was the hardest thing you had to deal with when it came to your diet?

LD: The hardest thing to overcome at first was saying NO to myself with my diet. I love sweets and not being able to have ice cream or chocolate when I wanted was a hurdle.

I've overcome that hurdle now, but I'm to a point where I get a reward day each week when I can still enjoy some of my favorite treats.

WP: What are the key factors that dictate the way you train today?

LD: The key factor that dictates the way I train is variety. I never do the same workout twice and I'm always changing angles on body parts to keep my body challenged. I work each body part between 3 and 5 different ways to get a more defined look. Another key factor is consistency and diligence. Most days I am excited to hit the gym, but on the days I'm just not into it, I make myself go and when I leave, I'm glad I did.

WP: How has your training changed over the years?

LD: I do way more cardio. When I started 10 years ago, I didn't need to do much cardio to get my body fat in the range I wanted to keep it. By lifting alone, I was able to get to my goal pretty quickly. Now, I do cardio 6 to 7 days per week for at least 30 minutes and sometimes up to an hour. That's a real change for me. I also lift much heavier than when I first started competing.

WP: What titles/accomplishments have you thus far? Tell me about them.

LD: At my first show, I won the title of Ms. Fitness Millennium and Ms. Figure Millennium. In 2001, I won Novice Overall at the Baldwin Hills Muscle class for female bodybuilding and recently I won 1st place in Masters Figure at an ABA show in Vista, CA. I have also placed 2nd at many shows. It's a huge accomplishment each time I step foot on stage, as I realize that a small percentage of women would ever take on this challenging, but rewarding opportunity.

As far as accomplishments, I have continually grown my personal training business and maintain loyal clients who have made changes in their lifestyles because of what I do. This is a great accomplishment for me.

WP: Are you doing any modeling? If so, please tell me about it.

LD: Yes, I've been modeling for 2 years now and have worked on a few great projects to include; Spokes model for the new HELIX fitness equipment; Booth model for Premier Nutrition; Group photo shoot for Harley Davidson; Full-page advertisement in San Diego Social Magazine; and a Rock video for Eric Sage. I have worked on other projects and continue to aspire as a fitness model. Hopefully one day this list will be too long to list in your magazine. I find modeling jobs through ModelMayem.com and OneModelPlace.com, where I can be found under "LaDelFitness."

WP: Can you tell me any photographers you’ve worked with, or someone you’d like to work with?

LD: I've worked with JW Atherton (Coach A), Truman Photography, Studio 5th Avenue, California Pro Photography, Titus Winters Photography, Bruce Heimbach, and Van Cleave. There were others too, but these were my favorites so far.

I'd love to work with a few, so I'll mention them; Bill Dobbins, Imirage, Aaron Riveroll, Second Focus Photography, and Harry Grisby, III.

WP: What supplements do you currently take?

LD: I currently take a protein supplement, Nitro-Tech. The cookies and cream is my favorite. I also take Red-Line by VPX a month out from a show. I regularly take glutamine, extra Vitamin C, and Calcium. Other than that, I don't take any other supplements.

WP: What are your pet peeves?

LD: Last minute cancellations and the excuses that follow. As a trainer I get these a lot. I try to be understanding and flexible, but it bugs me sometimes. I am also a helpful person who shares my experiences and gives tips, and pointers to others and feel it isn’t always appreciated, but expected. Another one is loyalty. I believe in the old fashioned way of maintaining a working relationship with someone as long as they provide you a good service.

WP: What do you consider to be important in life and why?

LD: Good health. From what I have experienced and see in others', if you don't have good health, you can't live life to its fullest. Right after that, are having people in your life that you love and who love you back. I think everyone needs a small circle of friends or family that they could call at 3:00 in the morning if they needed something. I'm always honored when I get that call.

WP: Tell me about your family.

LD: My family is multi-faceted, as well. My parents were divorced when I was 3, so I have two families and everyone gets along very well, which, I guess is unusual, but I think it's great. Most of my family still lives in PA and many come visit me more than I visit them, but it's California, who wouldn't want to visit here, right. I am an only child, which I embrace and enjoy the independence, but I do have 1 half brother and 2 step sisters, so I got to experience having siblings on a part-time basis. My family is very close and very supportive. I have been married for 20 years and yes, I'm still dating him. We do not have children, so my little dog gets the attention of a child.

WP: How have you changed over the past few years when it comes to thinking, actions, and life in general?

LD: The biggest thing is with these current economic times, we are all forced to rethink how we spend money and the things we love to do. I've had to limit many of the things I once enjoyed on a regular basis that are considered more luxury than necessary. I can't believe I took those things for granted. Also, as I get older, I think more of future things rather than current things and realize the importance of living that future with someone I love; my husband, and to have a loving family to share life with. I don't take anything for granted and I'm thankful for what I have.

WP: Any shout outs?

LD: Of course, I do. My biggest shout out is to my wonderful husband, Richard, who has supported me in every way. Without his support, I would have never competed at all. He's my biggest fan, encourager and sometimes coach. I am a very lucky lady. I'd like to say thank you to all my boot campers and personal training clients. They are an inspiration to me and without them; I wouldn't be giving this interview. Bob Kipperman of Kippy's is a sponsor for my competition suit which is amazing. Lastly, Robert Loigu of Diamond Physique who introduced me to World Physique Magazine.

WP: Give me an example of your workout.

LD: I do cardio 5 days per week for at least 30 minutes and sometimes 45 minutes. I also do abdominals every other day. I use several methods to work them including, hanging strap knee ups and straight leg, decline bench sit ups, mason twist, V-ups, planks, weighted pull downs, incline bench lowering legs slowly and leg climbs.

Day 1 lifting: Back and Legs. I work back in at least 5 ways and I work legs with a combo of curls, squats, leg press, one-leg lunges and plyometric.

Day 2 lifting: Biceps and Shoulders: I work biceps in different angels with mostly dumbbells. For my shoulder workout, I do a 3 head shoulder rotation as a warm-up, which really defines the 3 heads of the deltoid, then move on to shoulder presses, angels, and push-ups.

Day 3 lifting: Triceps and Chest: I work triceps with dips, kick backs, overheads, straight arm pull downs and bent arm pull downs. For chest, I do bench press, flies, and push-ups.

Day 4 lifting: Back and legs again.

Day 5 lifting: Off.

Day 6 lifting: P90X Plyometric workout.

Day 7 lifting: P90X Arms and Shoulder workout.

WP: Give me an example of your diet. What do you normally eat each day?

LD: That's pretty easy because it's very basic.

Breakfast: Oatmeal with a protein shake mixed with water.

Mid-Morning: Ground turkey, green veggie and brown rice, or Greek yogurt with pistachio and berries.

Lunch: Chicken breast, green veggie, yam or brown rice.

Mid-Afternoon: Brown rice cake with almond butter.

Dinner: Chicken Breast or Fish with green veggie.

Night Snack: Protein Shake.

1 Gallon of water every day!

WP: Could you tell me about your future projects?

LD: I am working on doing a YouTube recording of my cooking class and how to stay fit at home using some of my proven methods that I use for my clients. Another is the future catalog shoot for a new Fashion Designer. The fashion line is in the works and I'm looking forward to representing the line. I'm also collaborating with Kippy's to model his line of clothing and belts as well for his website. There are other projects on the burner, but I'm not able to discuss them at this point.

WP: I've read somewhere that you do cooking classes? What's that all about?

LD: Yes. I was asked by my clients after giving them an eating plan, if I would offer a cooking class to show them how to put things together as meals and cook for the week. So, I came up with a menu, invited 4 girls and sent them a grocery list. In our first class we made protein pancakes, chicken with black beans, Mexican ground turkey and brown rice and pan seared swai. Everyone left with a cooler filled with individual meals. I've had two more since then and it seems to be very popular.

WP: It has been a pleasure interviewing you! I wish you all the best of luck!

LD: I'm honored to be interviewed by you. Thanks for the opportunity.