I would like to introduce to you Jacqueline of the very new website, Fitarella.com. I met her online and found her to be a very inspiring and wonderful woman! Make sure to stop by her site and give her a warm welcome!

Now onto the more about Jacqueline…

Q: Please tell us a little about yourself...

I am a mom to a beautiful 3.5 year old gir, wife to a fantastic man, and fitness coach to anyone that wants/needs support in their lives to achieve their goals.

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Q: Have you always been a fit person fit? What motivates you to live a fit lifestyle?

Absolutely NOT! As far back as I can remember I had a weight problem. And because of that I never
participated in any sports (I was embarrassed and felt inferior – kids can be mean). Unfortunately I spent a lot of time in front of the TV eating myself in to oblivion. Later I developed a severe eating disorder that
consumed my life. It’s kind of sad to think about now, but it’s part of who I was. What motivates me now is my daughter. I never want her to go through what I went through and I think the best way I can do that is to be a good example for her and teach her about healthy living in a positive way.

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Q: What do your workouts look like? Do you have any favorite exercises?

It depends on what my goals are at the time. I might be training for a marathon, a figure competition or just barely making it to the gym…all of which are very different training.
Today I am just maintaining so I usually do cardio 4-5/wk (alternating between steady state cardio, hard core intervals & running outside). My weight training consists of a 4 day rotation, 2 days off & one day of sprints & plyometrics. I love training my arms & shoulders because I can see an immediate pump and I feel like superwoman!

Q: How do you find the time to exercise with your busy lifestyle and your daughter?

I’m a super early bird. I get up at 4am while the family is still asleep and am at the gym by 4:45am. Most of the time they never know I left.

Q: Do you struggle with your diet/nutrition? What suggestions do you have to others who struggle with their diet/nutrition?

My relationship with food is very different today so I don’t struggle in the sense that I feel like I have to deprive myself of any foods. But for me that comes from the relationship I now have
with myself & my body. But I do sometimes struggle with not over indulging in certain foods. The fact is that I have my family’s very Brazilian/puerto Rican genes so my problem areas are butt, his thighs. If I don’t pay attention they inflate like balloons in no time!

Q: What does a typical daily meal plan for you, look like?

Am –(post workout) whey protein w/water & 2 rice cakes w/honey & coffee

Mid am- protein pancakes

Lunch – salad, grilled chicken or tuna, w/ veggies, some nuts, raisins, FF dressing

Mid pm- 1 can tuna w/dressing
Dinner – steak, sweet potato, salad, FF cool whip w/fruit for dessert

Q: What inspired you to be come a Certified Holistic Nutrition Counselor, Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor?

I struggled with Bulimia for 7 years. It pretty much took over my life until I hit bottom and I just couldn’t function in my everyday life. After a lot of treatment & help from my family & friends I was able to uncover a lot of stuff ‘behind’ my eating disorder. As I worked & focused on those issues, I also had to relearn my relationship with food. So I initially enrolled in nutrition school with the intent of healing myself, but I ended up with so much more. Because of that experience I was able to recover and I wanted to share that with other people that were struggling because I know what it’s like in those dark places. So becoming a Certified Holistic Nutrition Counselor, Personal Trainer & Fitness Instructor was organic for me I think. My way of being able to reach out to others.

Q: Anything else that you would like to add?

Thank you so much Angie for this interview. To me it is a very big deal, because it’s like a mile stone in my recovery. I no longer have an active eating disorder, but like an alcoholic, I will always have my disease, I just choose to be sober. So I am honored that you asked me these questions because it reminds me of where I’ve been and how thankful I am to be where I am today.

I want to thank Jacqueline for her amazing interview! She is a true inspiration! Make sure to read more of her fitness insight at Fitarella.com