Real estate agent, IFBB PRO, Army & Air Force Veteran, ex cop, married mother of 3, Lisa Marie Sanders has a boxful knowledge of nutrition, crossfit, fitness, boxing, kickboxing & bodybuilding.
Women Fitness President Namita Nayyar recently caught up with her to talk about her fitness goals!
Namita Nayyar:
You were born in Akron Ohio and raised in a small town Tallmadge OH. You were interested in sports and physical activities since your childhood. You played softball, tennis, ballet, gymnastics and track. Later you were encouraged & motivated to compete in fitness competitions as your father was also a bodybuilder. You reached the pinnacle of success by participating in many physique competitions. Tell us about your journey that took you to the world of fitness and as a competitor in physique competitions?
Lisa Marie Sanders:
Honestly I never had a desire to compete. I just did sports and lifting because I liked it and wanted to stay healthy and in shape as a mother of 3 children. My parents were very physically active and instilled that into all their children as a way of life. I am very thankful they taught me that at an early age. I went into the military straight out of high school, ad that is where I learned my potential physically and mentally.
For 20 years I was encouraged to compete but never believed it until I met a man that is a coach and bodybuilder here in Houston with an excellent track record of athletes. He was very knowledgeable and confident that I would be a pro with his guidance. That was back in 2013 when he prepared me for the first show in Houston, then in 2014 took me to LA where I became Nationally qualified to go Pro in the IFBB. Eight weeks later I was standing on stage in Pittsburg winning Pro status with the IFBB!
Namita Nayyar:
How is your experience in health & wellness, work experience in Army, Air Force & Police and background of many years in CrossFit competitions has helped you in carving your present profession of being a fitness model, fitness expert and a pro physique competitor?
Lisa Marie Sanders:
I believe it gave me the diversity to understand so many levels of training, competing, and working a job that demands a certain level of physical activity along with the mental strength.
Full Interview Continued On Next Page
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Namita Nayyar:
Share your exercise routine that you do to maintain such a bikini perfect physique?
Lisa Marie Sanders:
I love to do a variety of things from CrossFit, plyometrics, weight training, sorints and my favorite cardio machine the Stairmaster. When I am not training for a competition I will mostly do CrossFit daily. When I am training for a show I am on a very strict cardio schedule and train 5 days a week separate body parts. Exercise is an important part of keeping the muscle strong and body healthy but the most important is staying on a healthy balanced nutrition plan for your goals.
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?
Lisa Marie Sanders:
When I am in off-season I still eat clean and keep to at least 5 meals a day with a cheat meal once a week. When I am in contest prep my nutrition is timed, and weighted for each meal. Typically I will eat 7-8 meals a day. My daily foods include lean protein (egg whites, chicken breast, fish, buffalo and turkey breast), sweet potatoes, oatmeal, rice, with all types of green veggies. I stay away from all fruit except avacados when prepping and dairy products. I also take Omega 3, calcium, magnesium, Vitamin D, C, and BCAA (Branch Chain Amino Acids) daily.
Namita Nayyar:
What is your motivation to take a multi-faceted personality of a Fitness & Glamour model, IFBB professional physique competitor, CrossFit Athlete and a Texas Real Estate Agent?
Lisa Marie Sanders:
I have always been one to wear many hats at the same time. It keeps me learning, busy and honestly I am never bored. On any given day I am talking to new clients, showing homes, networking, talking to photographers to book new shoots, new looks and locations and scheduling my workouts and cardio. All the time trying to keep that balance of, being a wife and a mother of three. That is no easy task some days! I have changed careers several times in the last 30 years and probably will again someday.
Namita Nayyar:
You are about 49 years of age and mother of three children, the eldest son turning 27 years of age this summer. You have a perfect chiseled physique. You are an epitome role model for fitness conscious women of today. Tell us the secret of such a beautiful, glamorous and perfect physique?
Lisa Marie Sanders:
First of all I truly believe that exercise, adequate sleep and proper nutrition are the key to a healthy physical fit body! I never stopped eating right or exercising during all three of my pregnancies.
Namita Nayyar:
You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Do you take some kind of skin treatment to keep it young and glowing and secondly what you do to your hair to make it look so stunning?
Lisa Marie Sanders:
Thank you! I have to thank some of that to genetics and some of that is a result of a healthy lifestyle of exercise, rest and nutrition. I was blessed during all 3 of my pregnancies that I did not get any stretch marks on my stomach.
Stress and lack of sleep is big a big factor in how my skin and hair look so I don’t stress about anything I cannot control. It is out of my hands! I just worry about what I can control. I do take Omega 3 fatty acids daily, and use sunscreen and hydrating moisturizers. When I was younger I was one of those sun worshipers and as I got older I became wiser and started staying out of the sun as much as possible.
Namita Nayyar:
Fitness modeling is about bold photo shoots. What advice you wish to give to the women of today to be body confident in order to do such bold modeling?
Lisa Marie Sanders:
LOVE WHO YOU ARE! Embrace it! Use it and believe in yourself. Trust me the self-confidence shows through the all the images.
Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding professional figure competitor girls who all are your fans and shall like to know from you for their climb to ladder of success in field of professional physique competitions?
Lisa Marie Sanders:
First of all find an excellent coach with a proven track record, make sure they understand what your short term and long-term goals are up front. Have a nutritionist that is certified and understands how to bring you in for contest shape with out jeopardizing your health or metabolism in the process. Talk to their references.
Posing and presentation are a huge portion of this sport. Make sure you hire a posing coach and practice, practice and practice again. When it comes to stage time you cannot take any short cuts to your presentation on stage! Make sure your suit compliments you, fits you properly, tanning done by the pros, hair and make up is done for stage. So many folks make the mistake of doing the tanning and make-up themselves. Then they see the pictures from the show and realize it. You have spent too much time training, dieting, and sacrificing to throw it all away for your short time on stage.
One of the last thing is support. That can be from loved ones, family, friends, spouse, other competitors, etc. The other competitors are not your enemy. We actually workout together, support one another, and help each other on and off stage. I have made some great friends with the ladies I compete with and love supporting their journey. We all should support each other!
Namita Nayyar:
Tell us how you felt before and after your spectacular achievement of standing 2nd Place in 2014 Pittsburgh Masters National 45+ Class D and 35+ Class D earning your Pro status?
Lisa Marie Sanders:
I was in shock! When I received first call out in both categories I knew I made it to the top 5 and I was so excited for that! Then once I got off stage and I calmed down I realized I was going to win Pro status that night. What an amazing feeling winning Pro status on my first try, and only 8 weeks after I became nationally qualified. I do have to say that was a VERY exciting time and one of the highlights of my life.
Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your biggest influence and motivation in your path to success? Some of it definitely comes from the values my parents taught me.
Lisa Marie Sanders:
Always be on time (early is even better), strong work ethic, manners, and respect. As I was growing up I learned more about how your attitude, energy and body language are a very important part of how other people perceive you. We all have good days and bad days but outside of that I make a conscious effort to always show a positive attitude, positive energy and body language that makes me approachable and open. I have been told many times over the years that I am intimidating because I am so tall and fit but I also give off a great energy and welcoming smile.
Namita Nayyar:
You have won 3rd Place at 2013 Branch Warren Masters over 35+, 2nd Place at 2014 CA State Championship tall Class, 2nd Place at 2014 Pittsburgh Masters National 35+ Class D (earned Pro status), 2nd Place at 2014 Pittsburgh Masters National 45+ Class D (earned Pro status) and so on. What additional responsibilities these winnings bestow upon you towards the community and the sports of professional physique competitions you compete in?
Lisa Marie Sanders:
I am still very new to this sport. Did my first show in June 2013 then a year later on 3rd show became Pro. I have been a Pro for only 2 years this July and have done 3 Pro shows where I did not make the top 10. We will see what the next year brings!
Namita Nayyar:
What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Lisa Marie Sanders:
I really like this website because it offers so much information on different topics that I believe all women want to read. Easy site to navigate to find info and very well written. I enjoy reading the articles and honored to be among these amazing female athletes.
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http:// www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2019 Women Fitness