Age: 20
Profession: Barista (PT in training)
Stats: 5ft5 (165cm) | 58.6 kg (129lbs)
Body Type: Endomorph ( Naturally heavy boned, high body fat, put on muscle and fat quickly)
Why do you train?
Honestly, when I first started out training, I did it to be “skinny”.
I wanted to lose weight, I wanted to be thin, and have a round bum and abs!!
I went to the gym and ran on the treadmill for 40 minutes, and watched how many calories the machine was telling me I was burning.
I knew nothing about training!
However, I then started to get into the weigh-lifting side of things, and started to learn more about how to train, what to train, nutrition and strength.
Now I train not only for the ascetics, but because I genuinely love it. Its my hobby. I used to dread going to the gym, but now I look forward to it.
How do you balance your life commitments with your training?
I don’t have many life commitments, apart from work which I usually finish in the afternoon, giving me time to head to the gym and train.
My boyfriend is also into his fitness, which is handy as we can train together!
When I have to go away for the weekend, or know I wont be able to train for a few days, then I will ensure I get my training in on the other days. I do this by squeezing some muscle groups together into one day, and with supersets.
Training
What is your favourite body part to train?
That’s a hard one. I go through phases of having a favourite.
Being a girl, you would think my first answer would be legs/glutes.
Don’t get me wrong I love a good leg day like the next person, but sometimes I dread training legs…. The effort!!
At the moment I am loving training shoulders, because of the pump!!
How do you prevent injury when you train?
I struggle with lower back pain, specifically when I train legs.
So before my workout I ensure I really stretch out the muscles that I know can give me trouble.
Its always better to be safe than sorry.
What is your cardio like?
Cardi-no? haha.
I don’t really do cardio, I can’t say I even slightly enjoy it.
However, once a week I go to an “extreme HIITs” class that my nutritionist runs. Its like circuits on steroids, apart from that I do no cardio.
Do you have a favourite sports brand?
I would say Gymshark. I have been wearing them for a while now, and its crazy to see how much they have grown! I’m such a fan of their colours & fit.
I also adore Myprotein, they have EVERYTHING and its all so god dam cheap!
Do you use any equipment that deserves a special mention and why?
Not really. Apart from the Beats wireless Solo 2 headphones. They have actually changed my training; I rate them so much!
When I train, I use the whole space in the gym, and these headphones allow me to ditch my phone and just roam free as I please. Also, the sound quality is amazing.
Beats by Dr. Dre Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones – Rose Gold
Nutrition
What is your nutrition philosophy and why?
Flexible dieting is something I truly believe in.
I am a huge believer of if you want something, then have it.
I have tried that “clean eating” stuff, and it honestly drove me crazy. It messed with me mentally, to the point I burst into tears in the supermarket because I was restricting myself from so many types of food.
However, when it comes down to it, ensuring you get your micro-nutrition in, and don’t over do it on sugary, high sat fat food is very important.
Its so much healthier than a IIFYM approach.
What strategy/strategies do you use for your meal prep?
I meal prep in the week, so that I can stay on track when I’m at work. I usually prep my meals the night before, and put it into myfitnesspal while I’m doing it. I am a creature of habit so have the same kind of meals everyday. This is what my usual weekday meal plan looks like:
- meal 1: oats with fruit/seeds
- meal 2: kiwi
- meal 3: rice cakes/ low carb wrap with either chicken/ham with carrot batons, cucumber and tomatoes
- meal 4: rice cakes with peanut butter and banana
- meal 5: home-made protein shake w/ snack
- meal 6: dinner (can vary but usually protein with a carb and veggies
- meal 7: dessert of some kind
What are your top three cheat meals/foods:
- Pizza – got to be a dominos take-away or a pizza hut
Cookies – triple chocolate, oh my god!
- Nandos – lemon and herb with peri-peri chips and macho pea’s.
Do you use any equipment that deserves a special mention?
I use a nutri-bullet to make my protein shakes. I rate them!
Supplementation
What is your supplementation like?
I take two omega-3, one L-glutamine & a multi vit in the morning. Then I take bcaa’s and creatine. As well as protein powder.
Which brands do you use and why?
My nutritionist supplies my tablets. But I use Myprotein for my other supplements. They are so cheap and seem pretty clean (I buy un-flavoured).
What advice would you give someone who is trying to start their fitness journey?
Firstly, set yourself goals before you start. Ensure that you know what you are aiming for before you start (e.g. weight loss, strength, muscle gain).
Make sure that you are enjoying what you are doing, as its not suitable if you’re not.
Fitness is a long, and sometimes tough journey, but always worth it.
Its amazing what you can put your mind too, and how much you can change your body and mind.
Lastly, don’t compare yourself to anyone, only to yourself. Your day 1 is never going to be the same as someone else’s day 100.
Social Media and Contact
Follow my journey on instagram @georgie_fitt
Enquiries: georgie_cooper96@hotmail.com