Blogger Spotlight! Gina from The Fitnessista!

Happy Monday guys!

It’s Total Body Monday on the 90 Day Challenge – get ready for another awesome week of workouts, body transformations, and tons of clean eats. And don’t forget to sign up to win one of 3 prizes in my FitActivewear Giveaway. Winners will be selected on Friday! Now let me introduce you to one of my fitness blogger friends…

Name: Gina

Occupation: Blogger and Fitness Instructor

Blog: The Fitnessista

3 words that describe you: Energetic, motivated and optimistic

Hi, my name is Gina and I’m so excited that Cassey asked me to participate in her Blogger Spotlight series. We’ve been online friends for quite a while- I’ve always enjoyed her videos and am anxiously awaiting the release of her new oGorgeous bags!

I’m 26 years old and teach fitness at a destination health resort and blog over at The Fitnessista. Over there I share workouts, recipes, and adventures with my Pilot husband and maltipoo, Bella. The Pilot and I are expecting our first baby (a girl) in early January.

A few of my favorite things: TurboFire, goat cheese, shopping, throwing dinner parties, teaching Zumba and almond butter.

Fitness idols: Zuzana from BodyRock.tv. Not only is her body RIDICULOUS –that’s great motivation right there- she seems so down-to-earth and real. She’s definitely someone I’d love to hang out with. I also think Chalene Johnson is amazing. Her energy is contagious, and even on days when I don’t really feel like doing cardio, I’ll put in a TurboFire DVD and she’ll change my mind. Her workouts are fun, intense, and it’s obvious that she knows her stuff.

Fave healthy food: A chocolate-cherry smoothie with dark chocolate almond milk, frozen organic cherries, half a banana, handful of spinach and Sun Warrior protein powder

Fave not-so-healthy food: Chips and salsa. There’s nothing terrible about chips, but once I get started, I can’t stop.

Fave body feature: My growing pregnant belly. It’s so much fun to watch it move when the baby kicks! It will be fun to see my abs again one of these days, though 😉

How and when did you start blogging? I started blogging a little over 3 years ago, after quitting my job as a retail sales manager and starting to personal train and teach fitness. I wanted it to be a way to share what had worked for me in the past –I lost 40 lbs through changing my eating and starting a fitness plan while I was in college- and to share meal ideas and workouts with my clients.

When did you know you made it “big time” as a blogger? I wouldn’t call myself “big time,” but it means so much to me that people actual read my blog. My mom and nana always have, but it’s been an amazing way to meet new people and interact with fitness-minded friends all over the world.

Were you always into health & fitness? Not in the least. I danced my entire life, but had always paired that with unhealthy eating. Also, my body was used to dancing so I didn’t see any fitness gains from it- I was just doing the same things over and over, so cruise control would often kick in. Living in a Mexican household, I was also surrounded by cheesy, gooey, delicious foods and had no idea what a smart carb, healthy fat or lean protein was.

I really started to get into health and fitness in college, mostly through reading fitness books and websites, and then became a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor a little over 3 years ago.

Your typical workout:

Pre-pregnancy:

Sunday: off

Monday: HIIT + Total body weights

Tuesday: Zumba

Wednesday: HIIT + Lower body

Thursday: Zumba + yoga

Friday: Long steady-state + upper body

Saturday: Teach Zumba

Now:

Sunday: off

Monday: Easy cardio + Upper body

Tuesday: Cardio (longer steady state)

Wednesday: Cardio + Lower body

Thursday: Teach Zumba

Friday: Easy cardio + total body weights

Saturday: Teach Zumba

My eats change every day, but here are some favorite staples:

Breakfast: Smoothie, protein oatmeal, egg burrito, perfect protein pancakes, or a breakfast cookie

Lunch: A GIANT salad beast with lots of veggies and protein, a pizza made on a brown rice tortilla with goat cheese and veggies + salad, or an omelet + salad

Dinner: Veggie burger and sweet potato fries, quiche, grilled chicken and veggies, quinoa baked with chickpeas and vegetables, or stir fry with brown rice

Snacks: Toast with almond butter, fresh fruit and nuts, small smoothies, Larabars, trail mix, eggs, or goat’s milk yogurt with protein powder mixed in

This is a tricky one. I’ve found that often people need to find the motivation within- if they want it, they’ll make it happen! The best thing you can do is support and encourage them along the way. Ask them to try your favorite fitness class, make dinner together or go for a walk with you. They may be surprised at how much they love it once they join in.

Fats are your friend!!! When I was first trying to lose the 40 lbs, I became horrified of fats. I stayed away from avocadoes, peanut butter, nuts, because I was convinced that fats make you fat. They do the opposite, actually! Healthy fats help your body burn fat, and are critical sources of nutrients.

Tips for newbie bloggers?

Blog about what you love and the readers will follow. Instead of writing about what you think others want to read about, write about what makes you happy and lights your proverbial fire. Reading blogs similar to yours and initiating conversation is also a great way to increase readership.

How many hours of the day are you on the comp, phone, or with the camera? ;P All day. I start at about 7:30 in the morning and shut down around 11pm. When I’m not at the computer, I’ve got my iPhone and/or camera with me, ready to go.

Thanks Gina for sharing with us your healthy ways! I think it’d be super cool get my butt kicked by your Zumba class and then plan revenge through some hardcore POP Pilates. What do you say? ;P

<3 Cassey