Ms. Namita Nayyar: What is your diet? Do you take a particular fixed regulated diet comprising of nutrients and vitamins to keep you in perfect health?
Ms. Alissa Parker: I eat a flexible diet, just changing my macros depending on what my goals are. Eating flexibly allows me to eat a wide variety of foods so it’s better nutritionally. I really try to eat as much as possible including carbs and fats. Many people following diets eat from a strict meal plan that is lacking in whole food groups like fruit, for example. Eating the same exact food day in and day out can leave some large gaps in your daily requirements of certain vitamins and minerals. As, far as supplementation, I do take a multivitamin, fish oil, a pre work out, and protein powders are great for sweet cravings.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Do you take some kind of skin treatment to keep it young and glowing and secondly what you do to your hair to make them look so stunning?
Ms. Alissa Parker: Thank you! I try to stay out of the sun, even though when I was younger I was not so smart. I’m always using spray tans to keep a bronzed look. It just makes me feel better. I also love sweating everyday, I feel so much better after a good work out, and my skin feels fresher, after a shower of course.For my hair, I don’t wash or style it everyday. I save it for when I really need it. Plus it’s long and takes forever to blow dry, so I only do it when its necessary. My hair dresser also told me you have to wait till your hair is bone dry to flat iron or curl it because it burns the hair. I used to be lazy and do it too soon. I thought that was a good tip!
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Fitness modelling is about bold photo shoots. You did photo shoot for Bodies Of Work By Bodybuilding.com and showed your spectacular chiseled physique. What advice you wish to give to the women of today to be body confident in order to do such bold modeling?
Ms. Alissa Parker: Being a part of the “Bodies of Work” issue was such a great honor for me. It was a little scary since it was the very first issue, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I did however, know that bodybuilding.com always puts out quality content, and the photographers were very professional. Once I was on set, the professionalism made me feel so comfortable, there were actually several people involved in the shoot, 3 photographers and a handful of executives.
It was kinda funny, after a bit I totally forgot I was naked. My best advice if you are looking to get into fitness modeling or any modeling, is doing research on the photographers you are shooting with. Always make sure that each image you put out there is something that falls in line with the brand you want to create for yourself. You will not get work from reputable companies, photographers, or magazines if you have images that are unsavory. You will likely have to pay to get good photos when starting out. Good photographers are not cheap, but it is an essential investment in your future career.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding professional Bikini competitor girls who all are your fans and shall like to know from you for their climb to ladder of success in field of professional Bikini competitions?
Ms. Alissa Parker: Compete because you enjoy the process! It may not happen overnight, but if you stick with it you can achieve your goals. I took me longer than most to get where I wanted to be, and I’m always working towards the next goal. Stay focused, be consistent, and most importantly have fun!
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Tell us how you felt before and after wining the 1st place Team Universe 2013?
Ms. Alissa Parker: That was one of the most nerve wracking and happiest times of my life. A month before Team Universe I competed at Jr. Nationals in Chicago. I placed second at that show missing my pro card by one place. I knew Team Universe was my chance, and I didn’t wan to fail. I never worked harder in my life and it was the toughest training I have ever had between shows. I was doing 2.5 hours of cardio a day and 2 weight training sessions.
I was never more nervous for any show there was just so much pressure to win. Winning however was one of the best moments of my life. I finally achieved a goal I wasn’t sure I would ever actually achieve. I was on cloud nine. I competed in my first pro show a few months later. I was just so happy to be on stage up there with the women I looked up to for so long.
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