We chat with our gorgeous cover model Amanda Adams.<\/p>\n
On career bucket lists
\nWhen I started out in the industry I knew I wanted to inspire other girls and women to live a healthier lifestyle, but at the age of 22, I was still learning who I was and what I was most passionate about. Did I want to focus on training? Nutrition? Competing? Modelling? Once I started treating myself as a business and a brand, I realised I wanted my focus more on encouraging women to find what worked for their lifestyle and help other women develop their own brand in the health and nutrition world. I absolutely love my job and life! It\u2019s sometimes hard to say that out loud to people because we live in a world where \u2018everyone hates Mondays\u2019. A year ago I was in that group. Nowadays I can work from wherever I want \u2013 in my PJs at home, at the beach or at a fun coffee shop downtown.<\/p>\n
On daring to live your dream
\nYou have to really sit down and think about what\u2019s more important to you. Is it having the creative freedom and flexibility to do work you love? Would you do what you love if it could possibly result in a temporary dip in your bank account? Or are you going to stay where you aren\u2019t truly happy and in a place that drains you each day? It\u2019s a choice. Once I realised that my job was sucking the life out of me, in and out of the office, I knew I needed to make a change even though I was scared. Two quotes my business partner, Ander Wilson, and I always preach to our girls is to \u201cStart before you\u2019re ready\u201d and \u201cStart small, fail small\u201d. If you fail, it\u2019s just a small fail (and trust me you will fail), learn from it, and start it again!<\/p>\n
On fitting in workouts
\nIt really depends on the type of week I\u2019m having. I truly believe in listening to your body. If it\u2019s been a crazy, hectic week and I haven\u2019t caught up on sleep, I\u2019m sleeping that extra 30 minutes or going to bed 30 minutes earlier before I fit in a workout. If I\u2019m doing pretty well on sleep, then I tell myself, \u201cAll you need is 10 to 15 minutes!\u201d If it\u2019s early in the morning I will do what I call my breakfast workout \u2013 push-ups and jumping jacks while my coffee is brewing and jump squats while my oatmeal is cooking. If I have an extra 30 to 40 minutes for a full workout I\u2019ll hit the gym or outside for one of my #aabikinibody workouts.<\/p>\n
On self-image
\nWhen I look in the mirror I see a strong, passionate, still-rough-on-the-edges entrepreneur. My top tip for feeling great is to set mental goals each week for yourself. If you know that the scale isn\u2019t your friend, then throw it away. Ask your best friends or significant other to write their three favourite things about you. Tape that to your mirror and start reading it to yourself each morning. Shy about asking others? Write down three favourite things yourself and read them every morning! Start encouraging other women to love themselves. Sooner or later, that positivity will start to sink in. You\u2019ll be used to saying things like, \u201cGreat job!\u201d, \u201cYou\u2019re beautiful!\u201d, \u201cI love your legs!\u201d and \u201cYou should be proud of yourself!\u201d That makes it much easier to speak the same words to yourself. Join a workout group or accountability team. Having that support system is amazing and every woman needs someone to vent to and receive encouragement from!<\/p>\n
On workout motivation
\nEnergy and empowerment motivate me. Working out not only helps you create a physique that you feel good in, but it gives you energy to accomplish other things in life! I want to go on vacation with my future children and be able to keep up with them. I want to be able to conquer a workout and then three work meetings all in one day, which also comes back to empowerment. I\u2019ve seen what not working out or putting your health and fitness on the backburner can do to you. I don\u2019t want that feeling. I don\u2019t want to lose that freedom.<\/p>\n
On diet
\nMy approach to food is much healthier and realistic than it was in the past. If I have a photo shoot coming up, I don\u2019t ever do anything drastic. I will decrease my carbs just a little, increase the intensity of my workouts and focus on getting enough water and sleep. In the past my diet was more focused on my outward appearance and had nothing to do with how I felt on the inside, my energy level, what my organs and brain needed, etc. I would have days where I felt weak and dizzy, but since I still had a six-pack, I didn\u2019t care. I finally crashed. I\u2019ve found a happy balance with everything, which has resulted in more energy, happier social life, and just an overall positive outlook on life. My diet staples are lean ground beef tacos, Greek yoghurt with walnuts and fruit, and spicy egg white omelettes.<\/p>\n
On cheat meals
\nI honestly believe that you can have your cake and eat it too; my favourite treats would have to be ice cream, pizza, cheeseburgers, and margaritas! In the past I would limit myself to one cheat meal but that didn\u2019t work for me as I would want treats even more and would want to binge on the weekend. In my #aabikinibody program, we help women get off the harmful, restrictive binge cycle and find a balance with eating. It\u2019s freeing.<\/p>\n
On fitness myths
\nOne misconception to me is that you have to go big or go home. I don\u2019t agree with that. Making small changes here and there can really add up. I\u2019ve witnessed hundreds of women change their physiques by doing the minimum. I think if more women knew that, they would get started or keep going!<\/p>\n
On balance
\nI achieve it by setting smart and realistic goals and expectations for myself that work with my lifestyle. Just because I see someone running every single morning doesn\u2019t mean they are more dedicated than I am. Just because I have biceps doesn\u2019t mean I am in better shape than you. I try not to compare myself to others and make sure that the goals I set for myself align with the lifestyle I want. I love weekends and going out to eat. Therefore, I know I need to get my workouts in during the week. I love eating dinner with my husband, so I know I need to have my work finished for the day by 5pm. I love ice cream more than you can imagine. That means I make sure I get the proper amount of fruit and vegies in each week so I can enjoy my ice cream freely.<\/p>\n
NEXT: Meet cover model Sara Fennell><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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