Genevieve Fernandes...fitness is a lifestyle

Exercise should be regarded as tribute to the heart. -Gene Tunney

I have been friends with Genevieve for almost 5 years now, if not more and ever since I have known Gen she has been all about the fitness lifestyle. Always in the gyms training hard, keeping healthy like a lot of my friends and peeps that I know.

I think out of our huge group of friends there are just a handful of us who never really pushed ourselves to take on this healthy lifestyle, myself included!

Is it a case of we just lazy or "different strokes for different folks"?

I guess I am just making excuses when I say that I have a very busy lifestyle and that my work doesn't give me much time to go to the gym everyday and to prepare all those healthy meals. When I am done with my days work, all I want to do is lay flat on my back and let my mind and body get some well deserved rest.  That is a sad excuse; I know, I guess I just have to push myself harder and be more determined to live a healthy lifestyle with a great body...the last time I was in a gym was a year back and that wasn't even to gym, it was for Gen's 1st fitness shoot, before that I was last in a gym for a workout maybe 5 years ago lol (hides face)

With all that's been said, this is one of the reasons for my blog post. To give you a little more insight into who Genevieve is, how she got into competing and the prep that goes into it.

These are images from Genevieve's 1st fitness shoot and her 2nd that she has done with me. You can see the transformation, not only on her body but in her confidence as well.

I asked Gen a few questions about competing...

1. What or who inspired you to compete? 

I have been training for a long time and decided it was time to take it to the next level and started following athletes like Michelle Lewin, Bella Falconi and Andrea brazier and this got her interested and eventually she convinced herself to compete and has been hooked ever since.

Below are images of  Michelle lewin, Bella Falconi and Andrea brazier...

Images are not taken by me

2. How long before a comp do you prepare and also what is it that you do to prepare, what is your diet like and so forth and how much gym time do u put in?

"Normally I start prep 12 weeks from a comp. and as time gets closer things get stricter, such as cheat meals being removed. My diet consists of a lot of protein, fats and greens and re-feeds on a Sunday. I eat 7 meals a day, 5 being food meals and 2 being shakes, closer to comp shakes get removed and replaced with whole foods. I train twice a day, 7 days a week, 1 hour fasted cardio in the morning and evening consists of 45-60 min weights and 20min hiit (high intensity interval training) after

See this is why you have to be disciplined and dedicated to compete.....I myself hardly eat 3 meals a day, lets not even talk about the hard time you put into training. I admire these peeps!

3. How many comps have you entered and what have you accomplished at these comps?

I have already competed in 5 competitions. I won my second one - Gauteng Central Bikini Fitness u163 2015, made top 10 in SA Champs, and qualified to compete in the Arnold Classic Africa that just took place. This was the most prestigious event and one I was blessed to be able to be a part of it. 

I was up against 20 of the best physiques and although I didn't place I feel that being up on that stage was a great accomplishment. I also made top 10 at the Millennium Gold plate 2016. 

4. What has been the hardest part for you on this journey? 

The hardest part of my journey so far has been trying to find balance, and not giving up. This sport I believe is more mentally challenging then physically. There are days when you are tired and you can't get up in the mornings, yet you need to find the will power to. I seem to find staying away from the foods I love very difficult at times, and it messes with my head. There are times when you just don't feel like you are good enough, or lean enough , and it makes you want to give up but I try and remember why I started this and not to compare myself to others, as this is my journey and everyone's journey is the same. Prior to a comp, I think peak week is the most challenging- you are water deprived, depleting and still need to train, at this point mood swings are at the worst and I seem to snap at everything and everyone - I'm still trying to get that part under control lol. Competing is a 24 hour game, it's about how hard you train but also about what you put on your plate, yet all of this has taught me discipline , self control and that anything in life is achievable through hard work and persistence. 

                                                      

5. Is there anyone who has helped you train or just inspired you through these tough times?

I am currently part of a team, Team MadScientist. I am coached by Warren Germishuizen who has been my coach since October last year. I feel he has taken my body to new heights, and given me my best condition to date. He provides me with my diet and eating plan and any thing else I might need clarity on. My boyfriend Paul has helped me at gym, kept me motivated when I've been tired, and helped me push my body further. Iv been Inspired by many fitness athletes in the industry such as the ones I named in the first question, following the big names has made me want to push harder and go further. 

Genevieve has showed focus, determination and perseverance ever since she started competing and from these images of our photo shoot we did, You can tell she means business and I am sure we will be seeing her at many more competitions.

All the best Genevieve and may you achieve all your goals. KICk ASS!

Peace, Love and Harmony

Tyrone Noble