Interview With Lori Robins
Transformation of the Month - January 2010
Interviewed by: Angela Courduff
WP: Lori, congratulations on winning our ‘Transformation of the Month’ January 2010 and for winning Ms. World Physique, February 2010. Both of them are very well-deserved titles. Great job! We are just going straight to the interview and allow the picture to speak for itself. We can begin with you telling our readers a little about yourself. How did you get you’re your start in fitness?
LR: Thank you! I am so honored! I have always had a love for fitness. By nature I am very competitive so the industry always intrigued me. I got started when a trainer at Gold’s Gym helped me to get back into shape after my first baby. He helped me in such a way that made me want to train and inspire people the way he inspired me.
WP: What are the key factors that dictate the way you train?
LR: For me, a solid inner strength, followed by the mind and then the body; in that order. I feel that if your inner strength, which for me is Jesus Christ, falters then the rest will fail. This is evident when people have the best intentions on starting a training/nutrition program and do not follow through. We all have to have harmony to be complete.
WP: I hear you recently entered the Miami Universe. Is this your first fitness show?
LR: Yes, I did! It was the most exciting experience that I have ever had the chance to be a part of. The training, the nutrition and the hard work were all so empowering. I am blessed to be a part of a team of ladies that helped me through this process! I am part of Team Savage. Cathy, Lindsay, and Andi are the most wonderful and inspiring coaches I could ask for. It is because of their commitment that I was able to have such a great first experience. And, because of them, I am going to be entering into my first fitness show in 2010! Go team Savage!
WP: That’s great! I wish you the best of luck! What was the hardest thing for you to overcome when you first started training for this show?
LR: Completely following the nutritional program without compromise! It made all the difference in the world when I finally gave myself to the program. There where many times during the journey when I questioned why I was putting my body through this rigorous process. I questioned myself and my abilities. But, because of the support I had, I made it through and when I got on stage, the light came on and I got it! My question was answered! This is why I did what I did. I loved being on that stage! And, I cannot wait to do it again!
WP: Can you tell me how your training has changed over the years?
LR: Well, my training was less focused when I was younger. The knowledge that I have with being a trainer and Nutritionist plus being part of Team Savage has made me realize that you don't need to be in a gym for 2 to 3 hours to get a great workout! Focused and efficient are key! The mindset of spirit, mind, and body is truly my belief. All encompassed equals focus.
WP: Can you give me an example of your current workout?
LR: Let’s take today, for example. I did upper body supersets with 6 different exercises of 3 sets of 15 to 20 reps. Then, I did cardio which always consists of 35 to 60 minutes.
WP: What do you feel has been your stepping stone to get where you are today?
LR: My wonderful supportive husband, Sam, has been there for me from the beginning. Without his support, I would not be where I am at today. Another person that has helped me to get to this moment in time is a person who is truly inspiring herself. Her name is Angela Sweet. She has been such an instrumental part in my opening up to this new world of fitness modeling and modeling, in general. Angela has helped me realize that telling people about whom I am, what I do, and what my dreams are, does not mean that I am being conceited. She tells me people want to know who I am, they want to be inspired, and to let my light shine and not be ashamed to do so! She is definitely one of those rare friends that I have that I feel safe to say or feel anyway and she won’t judge me. I have been truly blessed with a great friend!
WP: You are truly lucky to be surrounded with positive, inspirational people! But, Angela is right. It gives comfort to people when they get to know the real person inside of you. I feel everyone is looking for others to role model after and be inspired by. If you keep it a secret, you are only hurting yourself and others around you. What has it been like to maintain your physique?
LR: This is an interesting question for me. When I first started with team savage (I am going to get very transparent here) I was taking fat burners. Cathy took one look at me and knew. I was so embarrassed. It was at that point where I wanted to adopt their philosophy: Totally natural! After stopping the burners, my body went haywire. I gained about 9 pounds and was devastated. But, I followed their program and months later, my body started regulating and balancing itself out. That is when I started seeing the results of my hard work. It was the most empowering moment when I realized that this was all me! I did it all without help of fat burners! Since that time, through trial and error, I have been able to maintain my physique.
WP: You must be so proud of yourself! You can honestly say you did all the work yourself! Can you give me an example of your current diet? What do you normally eat in a day?
LR: Today, for breakfast I had 2 egg whites and 1 yolk with spinach, Ezekiel bread and strawberries.
Meal 2 was 2 to 3 ounces of tilapia and asparagus with olive oil and quinoa.
Meal 3 was the same as meal two without the olive oil.
Meal 4 was a protein and carbohydrate rich shake.
Meal 5 (normally post - workout), I had roasted chicken with cauliflower and hummus, strawberries, and a tablespoon of natural peanut butter.
Meal 6 was chicken and green beans. Yummy! I love green beans.
WP: I can so feel your energy while you talk! You are so full of life! How does your diet differ now that you are in training?
LR: The timing of my food is the key to keeping my training on point. If I miss a meal or do not get enough of, let’s say starch, I feel it in my training. I hit a wall. And let me tell you, hitting that wall is no fun! So, I make sure that I eat when I am supposed to eat my meals. Timing is everything!
WP: What is the hardest thing you have had to deal with when it comes to your diet?
LR: The end of the week is always the hardest part. I start out strong, but struggle when I start running out of food by Thursday. Trying to figure out the right amount of fresh foods to buy on Sunday, so I make it strong throughout the whole week has been difficult.
WP: Do you currently take any supplements?
LR: I take Animal Pak, fish oil, and joint supplements.
WP: Can you tell me more about your family? I hear you are married with two beautiful little girls!
LP: Yes, I have been married for 13.5 wonderful years! Sam is my superman and my hero! He means the world to me. He is a soldier in the U.S. Army. I am so proud of his accomplishments. He is so dedicated to his job and his men. I love watching him interact with the people around him. Together, we have two beautiful and fun-loving girls. Elaynna, my oldest, is creative and funny. Ella, my second, is wide open and hilarious! They both bring so much joy to my life. I am truly blessed with a wonderful and supportive family.
WP: You have so much love around you! Who are some of your idols? Who do you admire most in the fitness industry?
LP: When I think of the total package, Lindsay Messina and Andi Martin, come to mind. They both encompass what a fitness competitor, fitness model, and role model should be. They both are very down to earth and very approachable. I feel we need more of these ladies in the industry.
WP: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
LR: I see modeling contracts, TV commercials and print ads in my future! I see myself full out in fitness modeling, modeling, and being a Spokes Model for the industry! The skies the limits! I want them to know that I am here and I am what they have been looking for! Whatever I put my mind to, I will achieve it!
WP: Do you have any pet peeves?
LR: I have a problem with people who can only see the negative side of everything.
WP: What do you consider to be important in life? Why?
LR: My family and my relationship with Jesus Christ are the most important parts of my life. Without either, I would not be in this industry. It is the balance that I get from my relationship with God that centers me to follow my dreams. It is also the love and strength of my husband and beautiful girls that gives me the strength to continue on my path! With a support group like I have the possibilities are endless.
WP: How have you changed over the past few years when it comes to thinking, actions, and life in general?
LR: I am continually changing my way of thinking. Just this year alone, my thinking has evolved. I now have an expanded knowledge, due to my experiences within fitness competing, to help others who want to reach new levels of fitness and health. I not only can help the average person obtain their goals, I can now guide the aspiring fitness competitor to new levels of awareness. How I approach people has also changed in the past few years. I have learned you can’t please people all the time so I don’t try. What I do is concentrate on my attitude and how I respond to people. As long as I stay focused on my journey and stay humble, it doesn’t matter what others think or say, “Because your friends don’t need explaining and your enemies won’t believe you anyways” (Source unknown). My view on life in general is ‘don’t sweat the small stuff, life is way too short’!
WP: Any shout outs?
LR: I would like to say hi to my beautiful girls, Elaynna and Ella. And, I’d like to say I have the most handsome, wonderful, brave and selfless husband in the world! He is my superman! I also want to say hi to a great friend and my source of encouragement, Angela Sweet! She is truly inspiring! I also want to thank Team Savage for helping me get to this point! Team Savage is going to take over this industry!
WP: Is there anything I have forgotten to mention that you would like to add?
LR: I would like to thank you for the opportunity to share my heart.
WP: World Physique is happy to have you share it! It has been a pleasure interviewing you! I wish you the best of luck! Thank you!
