Ripped Recipes - Bella Falconi Interviews With Ripped Recipes

Bella Falconi Interviews With Ripped Recipes

Stats

Age: 27

Weight: 120lbs

Height: 5’2″

What got you started in the fitness lifestyle?

I started training at a young age, but my passion for fitness really started about 2 years ago, when I decided to make a big change in my eating habits. I decided to take my game to the next level as I wasn’t seeing that many changes in my body.

Where does your motivation come from?

My motivation comes from the results I’ve achieved so far. Like that famous saying would describe: “the more we get the more we want”. So every day I remember the long road I’ve crossed in order to get to where I am. That gives me strength and focus to continue doing what I love. We are all human beings and we all lack motivation every once in a while. Our desire to succeed is what measures our results. If you want something real bad, you’ll never give up until you get there.

What are your next goals?

My next goal is rock the stage LOL I am working really hard to succeed. I started at 109 lbs and I’ve already put 10 lbs on. Hard work does pay off and I am glad to see that I am being able to overcome my limits and transform my body into what I want it to look like. I would love to be featured in a fitness magazine as well; this is one of my goals for 2013.

What is your training routine like?

My routine is divided into:

Back
Legs
Butt + Biceps
Hamstrings + Triceps
Shoulders

I also do abs 3 x a week and since I am bulking up, I haven’t done any cardio. Before I started getting ready for the show, I was doing cardio 4 x a week (HIIT). My routine is totally focused towards hypertrophy. Less reps + load. I also like to do super sets and drop sets.

Have you had to overcome any obstacles to get where you are today?

Many! I tend to lose weight very easily and gaining muscle mass is definitely a challenge! When I decided to compete in the figure division, I knew I would face many obstacles. But I am glad to look at myself in the mirror and see a wider back and fuller shoulders. There’s more to come. I am not done. There’s more to accomplish. I am always striving for improvements.

What’s your preferred form of cardio?

HIIT for sure! It burns more fat overall, it’s fun and saves a lot of time at the gym! I normally do it on the stair master, treadmill or elliptical.

What does your diet consist of?

There’s no secret in my diet! I eat clean and that should summarize it. I get my protein mainly from chicken and fishes and carbs from sweet potato, quinoa, oats, brown rice and red potato. I eat a lot of veggies and drink lots of water (and green tea). I don’t use salt, only sodium free seasoning and spices. I also eat plenty of good fats from almonds, olive oil, coconut oil, etc. As far as supplements, not that many to be really honest! I take whey protein, glutamine, BCAAs, Omega 3, multivitamin, pancreatic enzymes, 7keto and casein.

Do you bulk/cut or stay lean all year?

Since I’ve never competed before, I stayed lean almost all year in 2012. Now I am bulking (I started in Nov/12). I will probably start cutting in 4 weeks. I am very excited because I truly miss my serious abs!!! LOL

Do you listen to music while working out?

Always! Music keeps me going and pumps up my training! I usually listen to house music… My favorite stations on Pandora radio are Afrojack, Tiesto, Calvin Harris, Kaskade, Deadmau5 and Gui Boratto.

What are you most proud of?

My discipline. I’ve never thought I could get this far when it comes to discipline and commitment. I am perfectionist by nature, but discipline requires more than that. It’s a total surrender. You have to learn how to organize your life into priorities and make it work for you not against you. It’s not an easy task, but it’s worth each ounce of the effort.