Lauren McBride

Lauren the personal trainer, Lauren the fitness model, Lauren the Lifestyle management coach, and Lauren the fitness expert journalist. Is there Anything Lauren can’t do? Let’s find out.

Natural Sports Nutrition presents Lauren McBride.

To read the interview simply click on each question and the answer will appear or disappear.

Read the Interview

Hello Lauren. Thank you for this opportunity for the readers to get to know you better. Can we start off with a little background information about you. Where did you grow up and where do you currently reside?
- I was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ and am living in Scottsdale, AZ today. I love it here, I love the warmth, the variety of outdoor activities and how close we are to the California coast.
How old were you when you began exercising?
- I was 17 years old when I became interested in health and nutrition. That is when I stopped drinking soda and eating fast food and started working out. It wasn’t until I was in college that I had a real fitness programme that I stuck to and started training really hard.
Was there anyone or anything that was responsible for motivating you to get started?
- It was a simple conversation with a friend that flipped the switch and turned the light bulb on for me. My friend was telling me how strong her nails and hair was because of the healthy foods that she ate. That was the first time I actually thought about how the food that we eat affects our bodies. After that I started reading fitness magazines to learn as much as I could about becoming healthy and fit.
Can you tell the readers about your first experience competing in a fitness model competition?
- A friend of mine convinced me to compete in the Fitness America competition in 2007. It was the first time I really pushed myself physically to my full potential. I went on a strict (and very healthy) diet, trained very hard, increased my cardio dramatically and took my fitness to a whole new level. It felt invigorating being on stage in the best shape of my life and showcasing all the hard work I put into my body. I got 11^th place overall of about 40 women and received 6^th place in the bikini round. This motivated me to compete in the America’s Fittest Model competition in San Diego 5 months later where I won 1^st place.
When is your next competition? Have you ever or will you ever compete in fitness?
- I have not set my next competition date yet, but plan on competing once or twice this year. While competitions help you stay on track with staying in great shape, I have been pursuing more modeling than the competition lifestyle. I don’t ever plan on competing in the fitness competitions, but have great respect for the discipline that goes into those competitors.
How exactly did you get to become a "Lifestyle Management Coach"? and when someone works with you what are some of the things you cover with them?
- Lifestyle Management goes hand in hand with personal training. It is important not only to know how to workout in the gym, but how to keep yourself motivated throughout the day, how to eat the proper foods, and make the right choices throughout your life that will make you the best version of yourself. My clients and I go over visualisation techniques, nutrition education; including proper portion sizes, healthy food choices, grocery shopping tips, proper water consumption, and healthy sleep patterns. There is so much more to fitness than working out in the gym.
As a personal trainer what are the most important points you try to make to your clients in regards to their fitness regimes?
- I would say the most important point is consistency ,consistency, consistency. If you want to get fit, you must stay focused and regular with your training. It is also important to have good form and to not over train your muscles. You must also make sure your body is getting the right nutrition, water and sleep for proper muscle recovery.
What does your current workout schedule look like?
- I like to keep my workouts varied and so I run in the mornings and weight train three times a week focusing on total body workouts in a circuit fashion keeping my heart rate elevated the entire time to ensure I burn a lot of calories. I rarely do the same program twice. I do other interesting cardio workouts like plyometric work, hiking the beautiful mountains here in Arizona, mountain biking and kickboxing on the days I don’t weight train. It is important to “shock” the body with new resistances and movements so that your body doesn’t hit a plateau. It is also important to change it up so your mind doesn’t get bored with your workouts. Fitness should be fun!
What does a typical day meal plan look like for you?
- I eat mostly organic whole foods and eat six small meals throughout the day. My complex carbs are Ezekiel bread, brown rice or quinoa which I eat in my morning meals and I have lots of lean meats such as chicken and turkey, fish 3-5x a week and an occasional meal with bison or lean grass fed organic beef. I also eat lots of fresh organic veggies throughout the day and have organic fruit in the morning.
  
  A day may look like this:
  
  Meal 1:
  - Quinoa pancakes made with 3 egg whites and one yolk with ¼ cup quinoa flakes
  - ¼ cup blueberries
  - I cup of ginger tea
  Meal 2:
  - 1 apple
  - Small handful of pumpkin seeds
  - Two slices of turkey breast meat
  Meal 3:
  - Spinach salad with veggies and olive oil and Bragg apple cider vinegar
  - 4oz. of chicken
  Meal 4:
  - Protein shake with water
  - 1 tbsp almond butter
  - Several celery sticks or carrots
  Meal 5:
  - Broiled salmon
  - Steamed broccoli, asparagus or green beans
  Meal 6:
  - Protein shake or 3-4oz of lean meat
  - 1 cup of chamomile tea sweetened with Stevia
What exercise do you find is the most effective for getting rid of stubborn fat?
- I use multi-joint movements within my programs to keep my heart rate up. This means using more than one joint within each exercise. For example a squat, curl press which includes your legs, biceps and shoulders. This elevates your heart to a new level and allows you to burn more calories in a shorter period of time.
  
  I also do interval training which takes the intensity from high to recovery in increments. This challenges your heart more and also burns more calories in a shorter period of time. Try running at 6mph for one minute and then bring it down to 4.5 for recovery for 1-2 minutes. Repeat this for 30-40 minutes.
Do you use supplements, and if so, which do you find to be the most effective?
- I use all natural supplements and never use a thermogenic which artificially elevates your heart rate to “burn more calories” I have found these to lower my metabolism overtime. The supplements I use:
  - L-Carnatine- for fat metabolism
  - L-Gluatamine- for muscle recovery and immunity
  - A multivitamin
  - Probiotics- for a healthy digestive tract (so important for your health)
  - Omega 3 in fish oil form– for many health benefits
  I have found these to be the most beneficial for my body.
I am going to ask you a few quick questions, simply type the first thing that comes to your mind Favourite cheat food?
- Sushi, goat cheese and chocolate (not together!).
Best way to deal with hunger while dieting?
- Don’t completely deprive yourself. If you are really craving something, have a little bite. It’s not going to ruin your progress, and it will keep you from overeating when you think you just can’t take it anymore.
Favourite leg exercise?
- Hiking or yoga. I don’t like to focus on specific muscles in my legs on bulky fitness equipment, I would rather use them dynamically while enjoying the activity.
Role model in the fitness world?
- Amber Elisabeth. She has an incredible physique and is also a wonderful person on the inside as well. I would love to one day have the success in this industry that she has already accomplished.
Least favourite exercise to do?
- Running. I am not a natural born runner. I make myself do it because of the benefits and it gets better as I go, but it is not something that I particularly look forward to.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
- Having a family with my husband and raising our kids to live a healthy lifestyle. I will have my own training and yoga studio here in Arizona and I would also love to be a role model within the fitness industry inspiring others to achieve their fitness dreams.