Interview With Gina Lara

September 2009

Interviewed by: Leesa Paul
Photos by: EL SID Photography

(WP): Wow Gina! You look outstanding! Tell our readers a little about yourself.

(GL): My name is Gina Lara. I have been a fitness model since competing in 2003. I am a proud 38 year old fitness model mother of 3 gorgeous little boys, Sidney 7, Charlie 4, and Logan 4 months old.

I have been working in the fitness industry since I had my first son. I decided after gaining 50 pounds with my first pregnancy that I would sign myself up for the Miss Bikini America pageant 6 months from my sons due date. I had never done anything like this before and it definitely paid off. Not only did I win, but it became a whole new life for me. This contest was definitely my stepping stone that got me to where I am today. I was soon afterwards taken in as a model for Bodybuilding.com and have been modeling ever since. My determination came from wanting to prove to myself that I, and woman everywhere, could look just as good after having a baby as you did before becoming pregnant. But most importantly this can be done in a short period of time with determination.

So, here I am four months after the birth of my 3rd baby and I am ready to do it again. I will be competing for the first time since 2003. The date is September 5th exactly 6 months after giving birth again. Why? Because everyone told me that, "The 3rd baby will destroy a woman’s body." “I would never look the same again." “Don't do it stop at two!" I am ready to prove these theories false to myself and woman everywhere. If I can do it anyone can! Go girls.

(WP): Where do you currently live?

(GL): I currently reside in a suburb right outside of Chicago, Illinois.

(WP): How do you maintain your great physique?

(GL): Maintaining my physique is pretty simple until I get pregnant. I tend to gain real fast because my protein intake is cut to a third, my carbs double and my gym time is simply a little cardio 3 or 4 times a week. I completely refrain from strength training. So getting back in shape afterwards is hard. It is like starting from the beginning each time. It is difficult to get the discipline back with a diet as well. But that is all part of the game!

(WP): Were you always active in sports?

(GL): Yes, I was always active in sports. I was a gymnast throughout grade school and when I got to high school I was involved in dance and a cheerleader. I really loved both and pursued them throughout college as well.

(WP): Tell us about your family?

(GL): I will be celebrating my 10 year anniversary this October 9th to Sidney Lara the most wonderful husband and father in the world. Without this man I would not be where I was today. He is not only my husband and best friend, but in regards to my fitness career he is my intense trainer and the best darn chicken grilling man on earth! Without his grilling my diet would be nothing! He-he. Together we have our 3 sons and my family couldn't be any more perfect.

(WP): what has Modeling taught you?

(GL): Modeling in the fitness world has taught me one very important thing and that is to always JUST BE ME. Keeping true to yourself will bring you a long way in this industry. I am known to look like Elizabeth Hurley but I have the personality of Lucille Ball. I wouldn't want it any other way. Too many times you see beautiful girls come and go in this industry because they just don't stay real to who they were.

(WP) What has been the hardest hurdle to overcome?

(GL): My hardest hurdle to overcome when I first started believing I belonged in this line of work. I have never been a insecure person but I think because I only competed 1 time and was thrown in with the "big dogs" right away. Starting only one month after my competition I was featured in calendars with my idol Timea Majorova, who had won and competed numerous times, made me feel slightly in disbelief that I was where I was so fast. I think it took me a while to build up my confidence in that respect. Especially, because my whole intention was to just win the competition for myself. I hadn't even thought about pursuing a career in this field at that point.

(WP) What have your struggles been with dieting?

(GL): Definitely the hardest thing to deal with dieting is pizza. Living here in the Pizza capital of the world, "Home of the Chicago Style Pizza," makes it very difficult to resist. Here in Illinois there is a probably because of the many pizza places as there are McDonalds. But, on a serious note, getting my water intake has always been a struggle for me. To fit 10 glasses in a day is very hard for me. I think because I just forget to drink.

(WP): What are your current goals?

(GL): My key factor now is to get my story out there to woman everywhere. I am focusing my career to pregnant woman. I want to help reduce that feeling of being overwhelmed when the weight is still on and the baby is no longer in their belly. That feeling of disappointment when they look in the mirror they see a different body than before the baby. That I give up feeling, because after 3 months of no sleep and your doctor finely says its ok to start exercising by then you are too tired and have just given up. I want them to know it can and will come off with determination and dedication. That if I can do it they can too.

(WP): how do you prepare training and modeling?

(GL): I have a rule of thumb when it comes to my training and modeling. I am always 3 weeks out from shooting in a photo shoot. So, I have my cheat days and fun weekends, but I maintain my weight that I can be in front of a camera with 3 weeks notice. ALWAYS! This works very well for me.

(WP): What titles have you won?

(GL): My title I hold now is Miss Bikini America Midwest 2003. I have also been the official "OH YEAH "Spokes model for the ads for the past two years. I have been the Bodybuilding.com Model for 6 years. I have been published in magazines such as American Curves, Muscular Development, Natural Muscle and Fitness, BodyFitness Magazine, Ironman, and others. I have been a calendar girl for Girls of Summer, Makemsweat, Boss Calendar 3 years in a row and also the Covergirl and pinup girl. I am also a MMA ring girl spokes model and have done many ads, magazines and aired interviews for the MMA sport.

(WP): Where do you think you will be in 10 years?

(GL): In 10 years from now I will definitely be out of the modeling industry. I would love to be working with woman, however that are in that postpartum stage. There is no greater feeling than helping others feel beautiful.

(WP): Who are some of the photographers that you have worked with?

(GL): Some photographers I have worked with are Michael Styket, Bill Dobbins, Jim Manion, and Walt Osterly.

(WP): What supplements do you take and why?

(GL): I take only one supplement and that is a fat burner called Amp. It is the best.

(WP): What are your pet peeves?

(GL): My pet peeves are people who are phony. Stay real.

(WP): What is most important to you?

(GL): Most important things in life are: loving your family, living your dreams, and just having fun.

(WP): How have you changed since having children?

(GL): I have changed so much in the past years because I look at everything I do from my boy’s eyes now. I want to be a great role model for them so I take more careful steps in everything I do.

(WP): What are your measurements?

(GL): My measurements are 5'4' and 118 pounds. I am 36- 25- 36 in measurements.

(WP): Would you like to give any shout-outs?

(GL): I would love to give a shout out to my mom Connie, my dad Glen and my brother Todd. My husband Sidney and boys Sidney Dean, Charlie and Logan. To my friend whom has always stood by me; Marlene. To my girlfriend; Mary Kay Valenti. Also, my 3 favorite aunts: Gusta, Annie and Kitty. Oh! and my cute cousin Dana who is single by the way. Finally, I can't forget Sal and Michele my two biggest fans.

(WP): What does your training schedule consist of?

(GL): I train for 6 days a week very hard. Everyday consists of 45 minutes of intense cardio on a treadmill or rotating stairs. Then I follow with weight training one muscle group each day. Sundays I take off from exercising and dieting it is CHEAT DAY! YIPPEE YUMMY!

(WP): What is your diet like?

(GL): My diet is pretty regimen. I like to eat about 100 grams of protein daily. I do have some carbs but very minimal. Usually it is with dinner being a potato or rice. In addition to food I try and drink a 1/2 gallon of water every day.

(WP): What are your future plans?

(GL): My future projects are all depending on how I do in September at the competition. Hopefully, they will turn out super good.

(WP): Thank you so much for doing this interview Gina! We wish you the best of luck and are sure they you will do great!