On the Roller Coaster of Life – Inspiring Women: Maria Amantea

Life is rollercoaster…taking you up to places you’ve never been and then dropping you down to places you never want to go. However, one day all of that can change and you begin the ride of your life — only going up to places you’ve never been.

For Maria Amantea, life is on the upwards roller coaster and doesn’t plan to slow down or change directions any time soon. After going through a drastic transformation, competing in her first competition and working towards a BA in Kinesiology – Maria is just beginning her life in the fitness industry and has just begun inspiring young women everywhere that anything is possible as long as you have a goal and focus to get there…

Womens Ab Workout: TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF. WHO ARE YOU? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING AND WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS IN THE FITNESS INDUSTRY?

I’m currently a student at Western studying Kinesiology. I’m basically a young 21 year old woman with a new found passion for health and fitness. I’ve always been involved with some aspects of fitness growing up as I was heavily involved in hockey through out my teens. I’ve just been learning the ropes to weight training for the past year now. I started training in Dec 2009 for my very first fitness competition- UFE Spring Bash in April 2010.Every since then I committed myself to a healthy lifestyle filled with clean eating and a strict weight training regime. I eventually would like to get my pro card and also do some more fitness modeling. My ultimate goal is to grace the cover of Oxygen one day!

I WAS LOOKING AT SOME PICTURES – WOW – YOU HAVE MADE A HUGE CHANGE TO YOUR PHYSIQUE! WHAT WAS YOUR MOTIVATION/INSPIRATION TO MAKE THAT CHANGE?

My motivation came from somewhere I didn’t know existed. I had gone through a lot emotionally through out my first couple years of university and had a pretty low self esteem. A trainer at the time, now a friend, made me my first diet. I started to lose some weight and by December of 2009, I saw competing as a realistic goal. I decided to put all my energy and focus into achieving this and I’m so very proud to say I never gave up, and that brought me to where I am now.

HOW DID YOU STAY FOCUSED DURING YOUR TRANSFORMATION? (IF YOU DON’T MIND ME CALLING IT THAT – BECAUSE IT REALLY WAS!!)

I would always kind of pep talk myself- like common Maria how bad do you want this? I put pictures of models, motivational sayings, and progress shots of myself around my mirror in my room. I woke up motivated and went to bed motivated. Not to mention I had the support of my amazing family and friends from back home.

WHEN TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT YOU HAVE BE PRETTY PARTICULAR ABOUT YOUR TRAINING.  HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR TRAINING? ARE YOU INTO BODY PART TRAINING OR FULL BODY TRAINING? WHY?

I would say my training is pretty strict. I like to workout around 6 days a week. I’ve adopted 4 weight days plus cardio and 2 strictly cardio and core days. I’ve used different trainers and different methods of training, I think every type has its benefits and it’s really what works best for your body.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BODY PART TO WORKOUT? WHAT EXERCISES DO YOU DO TO KEEP THAT AREA TRIMMED AND TONED?

Photo by Chris Wynia

My favourite body part to train would be my back! It has the most definition and it is a part that I’m really proud of!  I implement a lot of rows, pulldowns and pull ups to keep it toned!

WHAT ARE YOUR GYM MUSTS – THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR GYM BAG AND NEED TO HAVE FOR EVERY WORKOUT?
Gym musts would be my IPOD, music really helps me push through tough workouts and also motivates me. Also, my nike runners. I’m a huge Nike fan!

ONE OF THE BIGGEST PARTS OF FITNESS, WHEN TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT AND ACHIEVE YOUR FLAT STOMACH GOALS IS DIET. HOW HAS YOUR DIET CHANGED SINCE DECIDING TO LOSE WEIGHT AND STEP ON STAGE? WHAT DOES YOUR DIET LOOK LIKE ON A DAILY BASIS? DO YOU ALLOW YOURSELF ANY ‘CHEAT’ MEALS?
My diet has changed drastically, I cannot stress enough. What I used to think was healthy was clearly not. I have started eating higher protein meals, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. Learning about properly fueling your body when doing intense workouts is also so vital to stay lean and strong. Eating more frequently through out day, limiting sugars and startches, has helped me reach my goals. I try to allow for cheat meals once a week if I’m not prepping for a competition, whether it be drinks with friends, icecream, sushi, etc. In prep mode, I don’t cheat and stay on track everyday!

MANY WOMEN FIND THAT THE HARDEST PART OF A DIET IS STAYING ON TRACK – NOT REACHING FOR A CHOCOLATE BAR WHEN YOU ARE CRAVING SWEETS – HOW DID YOU AVOID THOSE TEMPTATIONS? WHAT TIPS CAN YOU OFFER OTHER WOMEN WHO ARE TRYING TO MAKE THE SAME CHANGE?

Every now and then, allowing yourself a treat is a good idea to keep you sane! What’s important to remember is moderation with things like that. When fighting a craving, you really got to ask yourself if that five minutes of satisfaction is really going to help you reach your goals. Ask yourself, how bad do you really want it? When prepping for comp, my trainer would say, chocolate doesn’t taste as good as ripped feels hahaha!

WHO IS (ARE) YOUR INSPIRATION(S) IN THE FITNESS INDUSTRY?

Photo by Chris Wynia

My inspiration comes from people who I aspire to become like in the near future. I look at the gorgeous women in the industry such as Lyzabeth Lopez, Jaime Easton and my personal friend and trainer, Emily Stirling. All these women are breathtaking and are three great role models!

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS?
In 10 years, I see myself with a pro card and will have branded myself in the ever-competitive fitness industry. I should also be settled into a full time career by then and hopefully married! hahaha

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A WEEKEND?
A good way to spend a weekend for me is just to relax with my family and friends. I train hard  plus go to school full time, so some down time on the weekend is nice. I’m a big movie buff so I love just curling up on the couch and watching a good movie J

WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU THIS YEAR?

Next up is the WBFF. I will be competing June 25^th in Boston. Also I graduate university this year, with a BA Honours Specialization in Kinesiology!

WHERE CAN WE FIND MORE INFORMATION OUT ABOUT YOU?

I will be eventually making a website, but anyone can always contact me via facebook!

Check out some other AMAZING women:

Determined to Find What Works – Inspirational Woman: Tiffany Gaughan

From Out of Shape Mom to Bikini Pro Mom- Inspiring Women: Michelle Cagle

Marine Corps to Fitness Model – Inspirational Woman: Tara Thatcher

Related posts:

1. Finding the Essence of Em – Inspiring Women: Emily Lind
2. A ‘Coyote Ugly’ Dancing Fitness Diva – Inspiring Women: Stephanie Brewster
3. Inspiring Women: Tina Marie Guaglianone
4. Age is Just a Number – Inspiring Women: Barbara Server
5. Inspiring Women – Kerrie Ann Frey

Tags: Ab Workout, Amantea, Aspects Of Fitness, Drastic Transformation, First Fitness, Fitness Competition, Fitness Industry, Goals And Aspirations, Health And Fitness, Healthy Lifestyle, Inspiring Women, Kinesiology, Learning The Ropes, Low Self Esteem, maria amantea, Motivation Inspiration, Old Woman, Physique, Roller Coaster, Spring Bash, Upwards, Weight Training Regime