Michele Levesque's amazing figure is a physical manifestation of her excellent attitude which gives her excellent mental and physical discipline. If you control what you think you can develop an excellent attitude, excellent discipline and an excellent physique too. Search for that "something" that will give you the DRIVE to be the best you and then it is easier to control your thoughts.
Michele's adorable non-diva persona and grateful disposition must have really helped launch her onto the covers of so many magazines. The photographers and industry... want to work around some who is such a pleasure to work with.
"You are the books you read and the people you surround yourself with." Suzanne Vega. So read Michele's interview and take yourself to a new level.
Michele Levesque: People get so discouraged by the little things (like waking up early to workout.) If there is always something stopping you, then you will never get there. Life is about fighting, it's not easy.
Gabrielle Reilly: Do you use straight discipline to stick to your workout and diet or do you use visualize what it is you want to look like/achieve to keep motivated?
Michele Levesque: I use both. You can visualize all you want but if you don't have enough discipline to resist to that piece of cake, you won't get anywhere...
I'm to the extreme with my workout and dieting. If you do this in a reasonable and balanced way, it will only make you feel better in your body and mind.
I've used visualization many times for goals I had and it actually really works but I think the dieting part is mostly discipline and will power to say NO!
Gabrielle Reilly: What do you do when you feel like breaking your diet?
Michele Levesque: Remind myself that I have a show coming or a photo shoot schedule! I just talk to myself; it's not worth cheating on my diet. I try to take my mind off food, read, and work, work, work. It's willpower and discipline!!!
Gabrielle Reilly: What weight/cardio training do you do in a week?
Michele Levesque: It really depends if I am training for a bikini contest or if I have a photo shoot schedule etc... in general I train 6 days a week. I either do weights 4 x a week. And I just got into speed bike riding, this is my new thing now so I do it 5 x a week! It's a great leg/Cardio workout.
For weights I just try to maintain right now. I am trying to have a more bikini like physique then a muscular physique so very light weight; high reps to keep my muscles right and keep those curves! I will also train 2x a day when I am preparing for a show or a photo shoot...
Gabrielle Reilly: How do you fit your overall training/dieting into your lifestyle?
Michele Levesque: It's been part of my lifestyle for a long time. No matter what happens during my day I do find time to work out. No excuses. Some days are harder than others I'm not gonna lie to you! But training and keeping my body in shape is how I make a living. Dieting is the hardest part. Your whole social life changes, you can't eat what you want, you have to bring your food everywhere in Tupperware... but at the end, it is so worth it!
Gabrielle Reilly: What do you do to keep consistently motivated?
Michele Levesque: I know I am a role model for many people. They look up to me for inspiration or get their butt in the gym. These people are my motivation! I hear stories like: "I was able to lose 70 pounds because you inspired me." There is no reason for me to be lazy!
And the various shoots or contacts I have booked, makes me stay in shape as well. It's also a very "competitive" industry. You have to stay on top of your game all the time.
Gabrielle Reilly: Do you have days when the last thing you want to do is step foot in a gym?
Michele Levesque: OMG, I sure do! I'm excessive, and I have weeks where I'm at the gym or doing cardio 2-3x day. Your body just wants to shut down after a while. I have learned to listen to my body. Not to over train and give my body the rest and break it needs. You will perform way better anyway...
Gabrielle Reilly: Do you have allocated binge days/meals?
Michele Levesque: I think I have the reputation for that! lol I can eat like there is no tomorrow. I don't know where I put it ha ha ha, but my gosh I can eat.
Now I go for a more balanced diet and I don't have too any cravings because I give my body everything it needs. I just go with smaller portions, and everything is controlled.
Gabrielle Reilly: What changes do you think woman over 40 (who are not fitness competitors) need to make in their training and diet?
Michele Levesque: Set small goals to start with. Women come up to me and they want drastic changes. Well everything takes time. I've been training for years! You don't achieve a tight, muscular, curvy fitness body over night. Sad but true. So I would say set small goals and stick to it.... once you achieved it, celebrate and keep going! Consistency, focus and discipline that's what you need.
Gabrielle Reilly: There is a school of thought that suggests low impact cardio will target your body fat as opposed to high impact cardio that actually burns your muscle (which you want to increase your metabolism of course.) What are your thoughts on this theory? Low or high impact exercise for fat loss?
Michele Levesque: I'm all about changes and breaking your routine. I think if you stick to the same tip of workout for a long time your body won't respond to it anymore... It's also a perfect combination of training and diet.
I always switch my workouts and cardio sessions or I do both. I think in the long term, low impact long cardio session will burn muscles and won't give you that look you want. It will make you look "flat". I do maybe 1-2 long cardio session a week and then I'll switch to interval cardio, sprinting, HIIT.
I see better results by doing both and switching it up.
Gabrielle Reilly: What are your favorite easy healthy snacks/meals?
Michele Levesque: Because I am dieting all the time and I have a major " sweet tooth" problem lol I came up with the perfect snack, protein cookies! You can find them here: www.mamadeesprotein.com We are selling everywhere in Florida and soon we will be expending everywhere in the states. But this is my number one snack!
Then I have to make sure I have protein, veggies, a few carbs, good fats with every meal or snack. It's hard to be creative lol and I try to keep it simple. Chicken/broccoli/sweet potato/ fish oil, would be one of my favorite meals.
I just try to vary my source of protein and veggies to feel I am not eating the same thing... but your food has to be dry , no spices most of the time so, that doesn't leave too much culinary creativity!