Interview with Janet Marsico

Hello Muscle-4Life-Nutrition.com readers. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Janet Marsico WNBF Pro Figure Competitor who recently took 1st place in the WNBF 2008 Pro World Figure Championships.

We also would like to mention Janet is an Official INBF/WNBF Stage Coach which allows her to pass on her knowledge and experience to other competitors to help them become champions.

Janet is a very motivational and interesting athlete. I know you will enjoy reading and learning more about her background, training, fitness philosophies, competing, diet, and more.

EC: Hello Janet tell us a little about yourself and how you got started in figure bodybuilding?

Janet: I began when I was 23 years old (I won't give you the year at the risk of dating myself [LOL])!!! when I quit smoking and found myself in Weight Watchers with my mother. I had gone from a skinny 118 lbs. to 130 and could not stand how I looked, so I joined Jack LaLanne, tried the aerobic classes - hated them so I tried the free weights and absolutely loved them!!! I found myself immediately hooked. Back then there were very few women working out with weights so it was basically me and one other girl in the weight room but the guys didn't seem to mind much.... Figure and fitness wasn't around yet so I tried my first bodybuilding show in 1991. I actually placed 3rd in my first show, which was the ANPPC New York State Championships. I competed in the NPC Suburban and the Mets too but I really didn't enjoy being barefoot on stage very much. I guess I'm just too much of a girly girl at heart. I stuck with it for a while though because I still loved the stage. I have been in the performing arts since childhood so the stage was my home. Ballet, jazz, modern was all my favorites!!!

EC: What is your competitive history?

Janet: 1991, ANPPC, New York State 3rd place, 1992 NPC Suburban; NPC, Metropolitan; ANPPC Tri State Overall; ANPPC New York State 1993, WNBF Ms. Exercise 1994 5th place; (then took time off to have my children and raise them, returned in 2004 to the WNBF);

2004 INBF Naturalmania Nationals Overall Figure Champion;

2004 WNBF Figure Championships, 7th;

2004 WNBF Overall Master Figure Champion;

2005 WNBF Worlds Figure Championships, 2nd place

2006 WNBF Worlds Figure Championships, 2nd place

2007 Worlds Figure Championships, 2nd place

2008 Worlds Figure Championships, 1st place (FINALLY, AFTER 5 YEARS OF TRYING!!!)

EC: Do you have a trainer or contest coach or do you do it on your own?

Janet: Oh, yes, Dr. Joe Klemckewski, I couldn't do this without him!! He's my nutritionist and Sean McCauley. both are from thedietdoc.com I refer all my clients to them both. Sean does my training routines and Joe does all my diets, both off season and pre-contest...

EC: What is your training philosophy?

Janet: I believe each individual is different. But I do believe you should train hard, and don't get lazy, but I also believe you should listen to your body. If you need a break for God's sake, take it!!!

EC: If you could thank one person for helping you reach your fitness goals, who would it be?

Janet: That's a hard one, because for the past 13 years, I had a person try to drag me down so it was me who had to really push myself and stay strong and believe "I can do this". But I would have to say my friends and family then, but right now, I would have to say my boyfriend Lew. He has been the most inspiring, positive influence in my life lately. He truly believes in ME, my dreams and believes that there is nothing I can't do... If I could have had him around I could only imagine what goals I could have reached.

EC: What does your current training workout look like?

Janet: Mondays: quads/ hams

Tuesdays: Chest/ tris/abs/cardio

Wednesdays: shoulders/ bis/abs/ calves

Thursdays: glutes/cardio/

Fridays: back/calves

EC: Is this training routine something that our readers can use to build muscle and lose body fat or is this something that is more suited for an advanced athlete?

Janet: With any type of a routine, it is always advised if someone is a "beginner" it is wise to check with a trainer in the gym first. You do not want to try something that you have never done before. You do not want to risk the chance of possibly injuring yourself. But with what I put above, this is just my routine, not my actual "exercises". I did not put those down because each person should do what works for them as an individual. What works for me might not work for someone else.

EC: What would you recommend for a beginner who is starting out and wants to design a routine to build muscle and lose body fat?

Janet: Keep moving. Lift with intensity and use many drop sets and supersets. Train another body part in between as you rest, like abs.

EC: Could you share with us your philosophy on nutrition for the off season and contest prep?

Janet: Since I do not fluctuate more than 3-5 pounds from my contest weight, I strongly suggest to anyone who considers competing, not to fluctuate more than 8-10 pounds from their own contest weight. The reason for this is it is just not healthy for a person to constantly "shock" their bodies. You do not want to get in the habit of "binge" eating after a contest. You should learn to eat clean in the off season, allowing yourself a "cheat day" here and there and to eat in moderation and enjoy yourself but don't eat one way for a contest and like a completely different person in the off season. This is just not a healthy lifestyle. Plus as a fitness/figure competitor you will not be able to do any fitness modeling in the off season this way.

EC: How important are supplements in your bodybuilding program and which supplements do you use year round?

Janet: Species Nutrition Isolyze protein drink, Lipolyze day time fat burner, and Somalyze night time fat burner.

EC: What advice would you give to someone who has tried a number of weight loss programs with no success?

Janet: I would tell them to contact a good nutritionist like Dr. Joe Klemckewski, Dave Palumbo or PJ Braun, all are nutritionists who I highly recommend. Joe is via internet service and Dave and PJ are local.

EC: Where and when is your next competition?

Janet: November, 2009, the WNBF World Figure Championships again. I am trying to keep my title!!!

EC: Who has been the most memorable person you have enjoyed working with

Janet: One person who I enjoyed working with...YES!!! We just filmed my instructional DVD this past January. My boyfriend Lew, was a huge part of that. More than I ever figured he would be. Having him be such a big part of that really made it even more special to me. Making my DVD was one of my biggest dreams and having him there being such a big part, helping me and giving me guidance and advice during the filming made it even more special to me. So yes, there is one person who I have enjoyed working with!!!

EC: Would you like to give a shout out to anyone?

Janet: Yes, the one person who I trust more than anyone right now. Who I love and adore, Lew.

EC: What are your big plans for the future?

Janet: To continue with my Workshops (thefigureworkshop.com); to enjoy every minute with my children and my boyfriend, to build my business as far as I can take it. To sell as many of my DVD's as possible and continue competing for as long as I can!!!

EC: . Anything else you would like to add?

Janet: I just want to thank you and Muscle-4Life-Nutrition.com for thinking enough of me to do this interview. Too many people don't say thank you enough.............

marsico711@aol.com