Exercise, consistence, don’t give up after a month or two if you are not seeing results, being smart about the type of exercise that you do, find someone with experience to help you design an appropriate exercise program for your body type, maintaining a schedule of your exercise routine, eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, taking the right supplements to help you maintain a healthy and super energetic lifestyle! These are things that we read everyday in fitness magazines, newspapers, websites, advertising on the streets, posters, etc. but really how many of us are practicing and taking advantage from this wonderful “NATURAL ANTI-AGING” medicine?

For some of you that may not know, I will be 40 years old this year and the closer I get to November the more excited and proud of myself I am! Why? Well because honestly I look and feel better than ever, I look at pictures from a few years ago even when I was on my 20s and I just close my eyes and say to myself – “why didn’t I exercise back then?” Not that I was over weight or anything like that but I was a skinny fat no muscle tone, a decent body but no shape at all. I have someone very special to thank for introducing me to the wonderful fitness lifestyle my husband! He got me into this and now I am completely addicted to it! good addiction to have!

So here it is my friends – forget pills, face lifts, plastic surgery, liposuctions etc because the key to eternal youth could be as simple as going to the gym, lifting weights and performing cardiovascular exercises…I have proofed to many of my clients and friends that men and women that exercise regularly have almost or even more energy than people half their age! I get so excited when I get to turn my clients into exercise and healthy eating addicts!!

“As I get younger” ;0 I find myself creating an even more challenging workouts to improve my body, to create perfection and make each muscle in my body look rounder, fuller and more beautiful – “as you read this you will find how much I am fascinated with muscle” that’s why to me preparing for a competition is such a pleasure, because we become almost sculptors of our own body. Every time we pick up the weights we carve and mold our muscle in a especial way that will allow us to turn it into an amazing piece of art.

I am training is going excellent, enjoying the transformation, the increase of muscle mass, and being lean. Preparing for show is always fun for me because my training gets harder and super intense and I love that! I look forward to that special day when get on stage and proof to myself that I can still look good in a little tiny 2 pc bathing suit and that I trained hard to get to that stage! Being an IFBB competitor is fascinating but at the same time very challenging, being on stage with an amazing group of athletes with incredible physiques could be a little intimidating but that’s what competition is all about and that’s another reason why I love to compete and do my best to present the best possible package to the judges. I am also finding out that of course I want to make it to the top 3, win a show, qualify for the Olympia and get invited to the Arnold Classic again but one of my biggest rewards is to feel the way I feel when I am on stage : PROUD OF MYSELF, CONFIDENT, REJUVENATED, HEALTHY AND HAPPY!

Of course exercise and healthy nutrition is important to keep our body tone, lean and looking sexy but lets not forget about the also very important elements that will help us achieve that body .  Quality Supplement program designed to help you take your body to the next level and improve day after day to keep up with our everyday activities. Here are some of my the main supplements that I MUST have in order to keep my body in top shape all year round.

PROTEIN: Following a healthy diet – eating small meals every 2 or 3 hours will give you a reasonable amount of protein each day, eating a variety of foods will ensure that you get all the amino acids that you need in order to stay healthy and strong but I suggest taking and extra serving of a High Quality Protein.  Best time to take a protein shake will be right after your workouts.  Look for a product high in Protein, low sugar and low calories to ensure that you are feeding your body to help increase lean mass and not body fat.  I recommend PROBOLIC SR from MHP!

GLUTAMINE: Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid (building block of protein) in the body.  The body can make enough glutamine for its regular needs, but extreme exercise (the kind that you experience after a very heavy exercise routine) your body may need more glutamine that it can make. That’s why is so important to take one serving right after your workouts.  GLUTAMINE SR – love this product because its proofed that your body will absorbed almost 100 percent of each serving.

Other than these two very important supplements I also take DREN for fat burning benefits, NOBOMB for muscle pump and endurance during my workouts and one serving of BCAAs for additional amino acids. For more information on these supplements please visit www.mhpstrong.com

Anybody looking for a “super rejuvenating” exercise program? feel free to drop me a note!!!

Here are some previews of my latest photo shoot with the amazing fashion photographer AJ!!! Anybody interested in getting super incredible pictures please let me know I can put you in contact with him!

Stay fit!
Angela

Great question Elena! 

 Power walking and running are two of my favorite cardiovascular exercises.  Love doing them outdoors at the park, around my house or on the beach but most of the times I have no choice but to do it at the gym on the treadmill.  I am always looking for ways to change things around, to step it up a bit not only my weight training routines but my cardio sessions as well.  Following are the benefits that I find when I do power walking vs running:

 Power Walking

-          I do it 2 or 3 times a week, start by warming up for 3 – 4 minutes of fast walk – no incline then I increase the level to a fast walk and 12% incline taking long strides, focusing on keeping my abs contracted at all time to allow me to maintain good form, back straight and shoulders back.  My main focus when performing this type of power walk is to use my glutes and hamstring muscles to push to take the next step.  I do this for approximately 15 minutes with out lowering the incline or speed and then rest for a minute by lowering incline and speed and then go back for another 15 minutes of the previews speed and incline!  This is just a sample of what I do on specific days depending on my workout schedule, purpose of training during that month and the way my body feels and look or if I really need to target glutes and hamstrings for a show. 

-          You can also do power walk intervals – those are also very effective when you are trying to lose body fat, I usually brake it down into slow and fast segments, my fast segment are the hardest and fastest I can walk to almost 90 percent of my max heart rate followed by a recovery phase of a slow walk bringing my heart rate down, I repeat that a few times until I complete 30 to 40 minutes sessions.

-          Power walking will help you raise your heart rate, use more muscles, and burn 5 to 10 percent more calories than just walking. 

-          I find power walking challenging and sometimes even more fun than running plus is also not so hard on my knees and hips as running or sprinting

Running

 Based on my own experience and my body type running is one of the best ways to get lean and get my legs in the best shape ever.  Yes some people may not agree with me but I find that running gets my legs just the way I like them to be lean, hard and in amazing shape.  I usually run at least 2 times a week on the treadmill for 35 – 45 minutes using interval training.  I admire those that can run for hours and hours with out stopping and give them a lot of credit for being able to stay on that machine for that long but I am not able to do that – the most time I ever run was for 30 minutes straight at a 6.2 level – if I do more than that I start to feel it on my knees and hips so I try not to do it for long period instead I do interval training and that seems to work excellent for me!  So do I benefit from running once or 2 times a week YES and since my main focus is to stay lean, keep and increase muscle I must eat enough to fuel my workouts, get enough sleep, take the right supplements like BCAA to help repair and rebuild muscle https://secure.maxperformance.com/mhp/myweb.php?hls=1414

 Stay strong and sweat smart

Angela

Hello Fitness friends! 

for those that didn’t have the opportunity to read my exclusive interview with Status Magazine (Issue 14) here it is!  lots of personal information ever published

When it comes to the inner workings of knowledge, skill and tenacity, one needs to look no further than Angela Mraz.  She’s a model, industry executive, powerhouse competitor, mom, wife AND just wrote the book, “Eat, Train & Look Like Me.”  With brains, beauty and phenomenal muscle composition, supplement giant MHP took notice.  Not only do they feature her as their intense, uber-sexy spokesmodel in a slew of ads for their product line, she can now also boast her very own stack!  That alone speaks volumes, not to mention she’s also employed with the company as their International Sales Director.  Angela’s influence and clout has been proven with years of consistency – not only amongst her fans, but fitness veterans as well.

With 2009 being the year in which she got her IFBB Pro Card, Angela was subsequently invited to compete at the 2010 Arnold Classic.  Doing well at the invite-only event seemed to be her destiny, but unfortunately that wasn’t in the cards this time around.  Her placement may have been an upset, but that’s ok.  For Angela, even the negative experiences in life equal a chance to learn, grow and as always, keep fighting.  This tough womanavingH started out in life under circumstances most of us could never imagine – having to escape Colombia as a young woman for dreams of a better life in the USA.  The experience has undoubtedly cultivated her warrior outlook – a trait that is inherently part of who she is.   Angela has mastered the delicate balance of having no ego, and yet remains extremely competitive.  She’ll approach the next show with the same mentality that has brought her on this incredible journey of her exciting life.  After everything she’s been through, you’ve got to know that with this girl, she absolutely WILL continue the fight.

Angela’s words to live by…

“Happiness is in our hands – live to the max, obstacles will always be there but what is life without a little bit of struggle?  Be positive, committed and work hard to get what you want.  When things come easy, it’s not as enjoyable!  Love those around you and give as much as you can without expecting anything in return.”

                                                                  – Angela Mraz

MINI QUESTIONNAIRE

 1). Current marital status

Married

2). Most romantic date ever

One special vacation to Jamaica with my husband….it was a special place for couples only and everyday was the perfect date.  From waking up in the morning in a beachfront suite, breakfast in bed, walk on the beach, couple massages, amazing day activities, and a wonderful night life with candle light dinners on the beach.

 3). Most forgettable date moment

I had a few of those before I got married, I am originally from Colombia and unfortunately most of the men that I dated were very possessive and arrogant, not romantic at all and expected to receive more than they wanted to give on the first date! 

 4). Qualities you look for in a partner

There are many things that are very important for me:

- must be sincere

- must love me because of what I am not because of what he wants me to be

- trust and support

- someone who truly listen when I have something to say no matter what it is

- someone who knows when things have to be compromised in the relationship

- someone who is there for me no matter what – bad times, good times!

- someone who is not just my partner but my friend

- someone who takes time to listen and enjoys for who I am and tries not to make me something else

- someone who remembers all the stupid cute stuff I love 

- someone I can laugh with

- someone who knows that I am not perfect but treats me as if I was

- someone who listens with his heart and is a source of inspiration

 5). Physical feature that most attracts you to your partner

His eyes – Skin – lips!

 6). With regards to sexy-time, during your “in-season” do you abstain or indulge?

Most times indulge….but sometimes I abstain and not because I want to but because I am always so exhausted from waking up so early in the morning to do my workouts and with a low calorie diet my energy could be super low night time but try to stay active most times!

 “IN MY PERSONAL OPINION…”

 1). On a deserted tropical island, I would need these 3 things… 

sunscreen, lots of water and food! 

 2). What is the last book you read?

The last book I read was Ultra Metabolism by Mark Hyman.  I love reading about good nutrition, Great ways to stay in the best shape possible, different options to help my clients to lose weight etc.  so anything related to health and fitness I am in!  J  Great book btw!! 

3). A male celebrity I think has the best body is…

Brad Pitt – love everything about him!

 4). A female celebrity I think has the best body is…

Madonna!  Love her lean muscular physique

 5). Fitness Professional you most admire… 

Most IFBB Figure girls…I know what it takes to be able to get your body to that level so I must admire all of them for their dedication and commitment to the sport

 6). Favourite UFC athlete…

I can’t say much about this – honestly I don’t follow UFC or know anybody that I could tell you is my favorite.  Sorry! 

 7).The most fit action star of all time is…

Sylvester Stallone – His movies inspire me and motivate me! 

 8). If I could train with any celebrity living or dead, it would  be…

Madonna…she is an amazing woman, in incredible shape, love her videos where you can see her sexy and fit arms and legs….You can tell she gets very intense when training and following a healthy diet…..I love her physique!

 If you represent a company related to our industry, please tell us who your sponsor(s) are…

I work a for MHP as an International Sales Director and also spokes model and athlete for the company.

Becoming a fitness fanatic changed my life completely.  Taking care of the house, family, a personal training business and a job that requires me to always have a clear and creative mind is part of the wonderful benefits I found in exercise and healthy nutrition.  All of the above are some of the main things in my life and the only way I could be good at each one of them is by taking care of my self!  Yes for some people it may sound selfish but I come first when it comes to finding time to exercise and making sure that I have the right foods available at all times.  Of course it wasn’t easy at the beginning when I first started my career as fitness competitor/model/personal trainer but with time I learned to have full control on how I wanted to shape my body, my mind and way of eating, and I did it by setting up short term goals and by accomplishing each one of them I created wonderful experiences that gave me power and confidence and most important “I NOW BELIEVE IN MYSELF” I believe that I can do anything I want if I put my mind and effort to it.   Yes you can do it too!!! 
Get your body in the best shape ever:

• Lose weight
• reduce fat
• tighten your body
• feel mentally and physically stronger
• increase energy
• rev your metabolism
• reduce stress
• balance your busy life
• improved sense of well being
• feel sexier

Want to know my secrets on how to stay in great shape all the time?

• How I Multi Task: Yes you can do it to!! Exercise routines that get you fitter faster and strengthen multiple muscle groups in no time.

• How do I target trouble areas: Target common trouble areas for women with proven isolation exercises that will help you get real results!  
• New and exciting exercise routines that worked great for me – now you can experience the same results.  You must change up your workout routine to keep your muscles guessing so you get faster and amazing results.

 Being fit, strong and healthy becomes a way of life!  Let me show you how to get started!  Contact me now angela@angelamraz.com and let me introduce you to the wonderful world of fitness!

Stay fit!

Angela

www.angelamraz.com