Ms. Namita Nayyar: Tell us about your journey that took you to the top of the world of fitness training?
Ms. Camille Clarke: Well it all started with struggles with my own health and fitness! As a young person, I was obese weighing in at 250+ pounds at my maximum and living on pizza and candy! When I fell in love with basketball, I was busy and more active and I ate less which Iead to losing a lot of weight. I went all the way down to 125lbs was a high recruited basketball player but then tore my ACL.
Without surgery, I was able to get back on the court at a D1 school! In college, I was Pre Med student. After a semester in med school, at a routine doctor’s visit, the doctors discovered that I had a cancerous tumor in my ovaries! They talked of taking out my uterus and Fallopian tubes! But after my bouts with chemo, my cancer went into remission so I opted not to have the recommended surgery. At this point, I realized I wanted to focus on preventing illness, not trying to cure it when it had already developed. At that point, I attained a master’s degree in exercise science. So basically my life journey has led me into this field! I’ve had the blessing to help others reach their personal fitness and health goals.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: How your experience and background of as an accomplished athlete who played high-school basketball, volleyball and football and with education of BS in Psychology, Sociology and Exercises Physiology and MS in Exercise Physiology from the University of Pittsburgh has helped you in your present profession of Fitness Trainer, Fitness Expert and Fitness Model?
Ms. Camille Clarke: As I mentioned above, all my experiences has had an impact! I always say my experience and education makes me a better trainer! Because I’ve been there, and through it! I understand the emotional eating, the struggles of weight loss and training to be a better athlete, to rehab injuries, and even t face serious disease! If I can do it, then anyone can and I’m here to guide and support others with what I’ve learned.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Share your exercise routine that you do to maintain such a bikini perfect physique?
Ms. Camille Clarke: It varies depending on if I’m getting ready for a competition! I never “let myself go” during off season because I am experimenting with new techniques, exercises and diets, and I like to run in races to support my clients. I generally keep my routine the same on- or off-season but just change my diet when cutting down! I use to be a cardio queen, but I realize that just made it harder for me to maintain muscle! So I lift heavy 3-4 days per week and so sprint/plyo intervals 2 times per week and yoga at least once! I also have regular massages and occasional chiropractic adjustments to keep everything in order.
When I get closer to being on stage, I might add more cardio but no more that 25 min 6 days per week .
Ms. Namita Nayyar: What is your diet? Do you take a particular fixed regulated diet comprising of nutrients and vitamins to keep you in perfect health?
Ms. Camille Clarke: First of all, I always eat clean and try to focus on organic and natural products. I realize I handle carbs very well; if I cut them out ,I lose a lot of muscle and actually look softer and I stop losing weight! But carbs also makes my abdomen section less tight! I am also concerned as to whether I am insulin resistant. My carb sources are gluten free and low glycemic!
I take in a lot of Omega 3’s through supplements but also I eat sardines, salmon on a daily basis! I just switch up how I cook! I’ll do a salmon burger one week or just a salmon filet! Sardines with walnuts or with brown rice!
In prep, I use yams as my only carbs and I eat 6-7 meals per day! My ratio ends up being 45%carbs, 30%protein and 25% fats! I use a lot of coconut oil and butter; when I’m in prep, I switch that to MCT oil! It really helps with my GI, thyroid and energy when dropping carbs and calories!
I also adjust my water as I go. I never take diuretics. I believe in drinking a large amount of water during my last few weeks of prep and then cutting it out in the last few days.
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