What is your athletic background, and how did you get involved with fitness and bikini?
I started gymnastics at the age of 3 then moved onto competitive cheerleading. I cheered for two great gyms over the past 8 years working my way up to a level 5 team at both gyms. Through my handwork and my teams dedication we were rewarded with a trip to World's cheerleading competition.
In my senior year I was introduced to the world of fitness competing through a great guy Ron who mangoes La Fitness in Wellington, FL. He approached me one day at the gym and told me he could see me going places. Through another great guy Kevin at La Fitness I was introduced to Janis Garrido from Precision Divas and have been training with her ever sense.
What I like most about this sport is challenging my self to better me then I was the day before. What I like least about this sport I feel that bikini competitors don't get as much respect as other fitness competitors. As a bikini competitor I work very hard spending hours in the gym and of course the kitchen peeping my meals.
What were the major milestones that gave you that "extra" motivation boost?
What gave me that extra motivation boost in the beginning to do my first show was to really prove everyone wrong who didn't believe in me and didn't believe that I had the will power to not get there. I was bullied through my high school years always made fun of for not having that tip top perfect body. Girls were always calling me fat or thunder thighs and it lead me into being depressed and not feeling comfortable in my own skin.
I soon changed my lifestyle after that and was able to get that body that I never had and had the confidence to step on stage at my first show. Sense competing for the first time I fell in love with sport and now I have realized I don't care what any one else thinks about me and that's why I love this sport because its about your self. Your competition is with the person you see in the mirror and no one else.
What are your future goals, dreams and plans?
My future goals and dreams are to go for my pro card. I competed in June and qualified for Nationals and plan to attend Nationals in November. I hope to receive my pro card within the next year.
I also just got offered a contract with Naturally Fit agency for fitness model and plan to have a future in fitness modeling as well as competing as a IFBB Pro Bikini Athlete.
How often do you perform cardio?
Cardio off season I like to do 4 times a weak around 30 minutes of intense HIIT training. When I'm on competition prep I usually am hitting cardio 6 times a week switching it up between HIIT training and Plyometrics which are my favorite!
Which do you prefer, and why…steady state cardio or HIIT?
I prefer HIIT training more the steady long cardio. I never really thought I would enjoy HIIT training until I tried it. I realized when I started to add HIIT training into my workouts my legs started to change more and my body fat percentage started to drop a lot more from when I was just doing steady cardio. It also keeps my cardio more of a challenge for me and that's what I look forward to when I workout. When something is easy and doesn't take much effort you know your body isn't going to change.
What are your favorite 5 muscle building exercises and why?
Squatting is my number one favorite muscle building exercise because bikini is all about building that booty and that's what squats do for you. If you need to build your booty squatting will help you 100 percent!
- Walking lunges
- Side laterals
- Seated shoulder press
- Pull ups
Do you have any gym, muscle building or fitness pet peeves?
My biggest gym pet peeves are when people sit on the equipment and text on there phones and not even use the machines to workout. Also my other big gym pet peeve is when your waiting for a cardio machine and people don't even wipe the machine down and they know your going to use it after they just left all their sweat on it.
How do you prepare meals: do you cook daily or cook for the week?
I have tried both and I have to say preparing my meals for the week is a lot easier then cooking daily. If your someone like me who is always on the go then prepping for the week is just for you. I am always at the gym at least two times a day and I always have my meals with me on the go.
If I'm prepping fish or chicken I usually cook on Sundays and then again of Wednesdays or Thursdays and it works out great. All you do I do is grab my meals for the day and throw them in my Six Pack Cooler and I'm good to go.
What are your favorite cheat meals and foods?
My favorite cheat meals and foods would be everything! Well maybe not everything but pretty close to it, I would have to say my favorite cheat meal is Frozen Yogurt! I would also say any kind of Hibachi Japanese food is also my favorite, fried rice and steak or chicken.
What are some of your best diet, nutrition and supplementation tips for someone who wants to look good?
For diet tips I would have to say you can't look at it as a diet, you have to think of it more as a new lifestyle for yourself. A diet is something that is temporary and a lifestyle change if forever. You can find any recipe and convert the ingredients to make it healthy and doesn't taste much different. I enjoy how I eat and that is how it should be because if you are miserable then competing and living a healthy lifestyle isn't the right thing for you.
Tips on supplementation are pretty simple in my eyes, don't take it just because someone tells you that you should. Before I take any supplements I do a lot of research and make sure that its ok to be put in my body. I don't want to take anything that will hurt my body because it just isn't worth it to me. Do your research on why you are taking it and make sure its okay for you to put into your body before you take it.
What are your favorite meals and foods?
My first favorite meal would have to be my cinnamon sweet potato fries, I slice up sweet potatoes and spray them with Pam and toss them in cinnamon and a few Stevia packets. I also enjoy my breakfast which is usually oatmeal and I like to put berries, unsweetened applesauce, cinnamon, and almond butter on top. I am always experimenting with new recipes and love to try new things.
Which athletes do you admire any why?
I always get asked this question by friends, people at the gym and even my family but the truth is I don't admire anyone. I always tell my self that I just want to be a better me, a better person then the person I was yesterday and that's all. I have no desire to want to be like someone else and many people as me why and I simply say because I am Jen Mezzetti.
Workout music – What's on your playlist?
I usually have my workout music on Pandora and I always need a good beat, fast pace and something that keeps me going in the gym. House music, Rap or Hip Hop always does good for me. Calvin Harris is probably the most popular for me, especially during cardio.
What are some of your favorite motivational quotes?
Abs are made in the kitchen and carved in the gym.
I love to use this quote because abs are tough for girls and even some guys. No matter how much cardio and ab workouts you do if you don't have a clean diet then no abs for you. I rarely workout my abs because I have a clean diet and most of my workouts I am using my core.
If someone wants to connect with you, where can you be found?
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jenmezzetti_npc
- Facebook:www.facebook.com/JensFitnessAndHealthPage
What attracts you to the natural side of sports and competition?
I feel that bodybuilding and fitness competing should be all about being natural. We talk about being healthy and staying fit, keeping away from alcohol and drugs but injecting steroids is drugs. Fitness should be the strongest against steroids and it isn't and I'm surprised.
We tell so many people to live a healthier life but most of them are taking steroids which is very hypocritical. Even bikini competitors are taking different types of steroids to build them up faster which to me is cheating. Any type of drug to make changes to your body that isn't natural is cheating to me.
Favorite activities and hobbies you enjoy when away from the gym?
I enjoy mountain biking and fishing with my boyfriend. I also enjoy going to the beach, shopping any activities outside. I love spending my time outside especially in the summer when its hot!
Which college or professional sports teams do you root for?
I am a huge Alabama College football fan. ROLL TIDE BABY!
