Lindsay Messina – September 2012
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Look out, Bikini competitors – the rumors are true. Lindsay Messina, coach of competitive team NY Divas and head of Body By Lindsay lifestyle coaching, is coming out of retirement. And while the 2008 Ms. Fitness America Champion may be a little rusty after four years out of the game, she’s never been one to back down from a challenge.
Over the last year, Lindsay has been jet setting all over the country, meeting with clients and expanding her business, which included coming on as a promoter for ViSalus’s Body by Vi Challenge, a 90-day body makeover program in conjunction with ViSalus nutrition products.
The constant travel and social events meant eating on the road, skipping workouts and indulging in a few too many cocktails and appetizers. “I wasn’t doing the things I preach every day and it was taking a toll on me,” she says. “Competing again will force me to refocus on taking care of myself and challenging my limits. I want to show everyone that I’m a Diva coach for a reason.”
Lindsay admits the first two weeks of contest prep were difficult. But old habits die hard, and before she knew it, she was pre-packing meals and hitting the gym like a pro once again. “At that two-week point, it became habit and I started craving it.”
Anti-Cardio Solution
Long-distance hiking has become not only one of her favorite pastimes, but a way for this anti-cardio girl to beat treadmill boredom and get a killer lower-body burn in one shot. She started with four-mile hikes up small mountains and has quickly graduated to rock climbing – no easy feat for someone with a phobia of heights. “Rock climbing was always one of my goals. I’ll never forget the feeling of reaching the top,” she says. “Plus, it’s such a crazy cardio and leg workout. You’re using muscles you don’t even use in the gym!”
Cover Girl Q&A
Age: 28
Sign: Aquarius
Height: 5′-3″
Weight: 106 lbs
Location: Westchester, NY
Nickname: Pitbull. “I’m loyal, loving, strong and mighty!”
Guilty pleasure: “Weekly mani/pedis. They’re my vice. I love to feel polished.”
Biggest fear: “Heights!”
Favorite cheat food: “Any kind of pizza. White pizza especially is amazing!”
Can’t live without: “Shoe shopping and seltzer water.”
Favorite day of the week: “I call Sundays ‘Sunday Fundays’ because I allow myself a cheat meal and have brunch with friends or family.”
Lindsay’s Daily Dose
Heaps of healthy fats and the power of protein keep this busy girl’s body fueled and conditioned.
- Breakfast: 1/2 cup cooked oats with flaxseed, 3–egg white omelette with tomatoes and spinach
- Snack (A.M.): 1 red apple with 1/2 tbsp almond butter
- Lunch:4 oz salmon, or chicken with a spinach salad, veggies and balsamic vinegar
- Snack (P.M.): Protein shake made with ViSalus Vi-Shape Nutritional Shake Mix with coconut oil, 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup almond milk
- Dinner: 4 oz ground turkey OR beef with 1 cup string beans and 1/2 cup quinoa
And on gym days, Lindsay fuels up and recovers with these quick meals:
- Preworkout: Grapefruit
- Postworkout: ViSalus Vi-Shape Nutritional Shake Mix with 1/4 cup oats
My Favorite Recipe: Dill Feta Scramble
From pan to pita, this simple scramble makes a perfect on-the-go breakfast (or lunch, or dinner.)
Ready in 10 minutes • Makes 2 servings
- 2 large eggs
- 4 egg whites
- 1 oz. light feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 2 tbsp. fresh dill, coarsely chopped
- 1 six-inch whole wheat pita, cut in half
- Sea salt and ground pepper, to taste.
Whisk the first 4 ingredients in a bowl. Heat oil in a small, nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Cook eggs 1 to 2 minutes, then stir in dill. Reserve some for garnish. Spoon into pita halves and top with more dill.
Nutrients per serving: Calories: 260, Total Fats: 12 g, Saturated Fat: 3.5 g, Trans Fat: 0 g, Cholesterol: 215 mg, Sodium: 550 mg, Total Carbohydrates: 19 g, Dietary Fiber: 3 g, Sugars: 1 g, Protein: 20 g, Iron: 2 mg