Alissa Parker is a wife, mother of two girls, an IFBB figure pro, Author and an ISSA certified sports nutrition specialist. She was ranked in the top 10 Nationally in both figure and bikini in 2011. She loves both categories, but figure is more suited for her. She specialize in all areas of sports nutrition including contest prep, plans for weight loss and muscle building, as well as posing coaching for figure and bikini. Whether you are getting ready for a contest or photo shoot, or just want to get in shape, She can help you achieve your goals.
She has worked out on and off her whole life. Her mom taught aerobics, so she took her classes as a kid. She started lifting in high school. She did go through periods when she didn’t work out at all, She was naturally thin when she was younger.
She had her first daughter at 25 and during that pregnancy she thought she could just eat whatever she wanted, since that was pretty much what she did before anyway. That was not the case! She ended up gaining 60-70 pounds and after she had the baby she was just really fat.
It took her a whole year to get that much weight off just dieting, She didn’t start a work-out routine until her daughter was about nine months when she finally went to the gym and signed her daughter up at the gym’s daycare. It was fantastic! She didn’t know what she was missing, 2 hours of time all to herself, and the daycare was so inexpensive. She was hooked! She began getting in better and better shape and then started competing in figure by the time her first daughter was a year and a half in 2007.
She is author of two books “The Art of Posing:Figure Edition” and “The Art of Posing:Bikini Edition”. She did bold photo shoot for Bodies Of Work By Bodybuilding.com and showed her spectacular chiseled physique. She currently specializes in contest preparation and posing coaching.
Achievements of Alissa Parker
- 1st place Team Universe 2013 – Earned pro card,
- 2nd place Jr. Nationals 2013
- 1st place atlantic States 2013
- 2nd place NPC Pittsburgh 2013
- 7th place NPC USA’s 2012
- 7th place 2009 NPC USA figure class E
- 2nd place 2009 NPC Los Angeles figure class E
- 1st place 2008 NPC Los Angeles figure class E
- 1st place 2008 NPC San Jose figure class D
- 5th place GNC 2007 Border States Classic
Full interview on Next Page!
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All Written Content Copyright © 2016 Women Fitness
Alissa Parker is an exceptionally beautiful mother of two girls, an IFBB figure pro, Author, an ISSA certified sports nutrition specialist, fitness model and a fitness trainer. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have been interested in fitness and sports at an early age. You were taught aerobics by your mother as a young child. You started lifting weights in high school. Later you were encouraged & motivated to compete in fitness competitions. You earned your IFBB figure pro card. You reached the pinnacle of success by being ranked in the top 10 nationally in both figure and bikini in 2011. Tell us about your journey that took you to the the world of fitness and as a winner in Professional Bikini and Figure Pro competitions?
Ms. Alissa Parker: Well, the drive to compete really started over 10 years ago when I had my first daughter. During my pregnancy I gained a lot of weight, more than I should have. I used it as an excuse to eat whatever I wanted (a lot of chocolate) and I did not exercise. It has really never has been an easy road for me. I struggled with body image and periodic disordered eating from a young age. So, right after I had my daughter I lost all my weight initially by not eating.
I’ve never really talked about this publicly. My husband brought home a fitness magazine, and I decided I wanted to look like the girls in the magazines. I got back into the gym, started lifting and quickly achieved my goals of getting fit. I started eating healthfully again and working out was once again a passion. It was then that people at the gym urged me to compete, and I actually did! back then it wasn’t that popular. Bikini wasn’t around yet, and I was the first in my gym to do it, and started getting all my friends into it. It took me several years, and a lot of shows to get where I am now. It didn’t happen over night, but years and years of consistency and hard work.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: What is your motivation to take a multi-faceted personality of a fitness model, professional Bikini & Figure competitor, personal trainer, author and nutritional expert?
Ms. Alissa Parker: My motivation is to help other women. In my new book Fit Starts In the Kitchen, It started out as just a cook book, but I felt the need to share my true story and the approach that has helped me through it. I have struggled with body image, as I mentioned before, since I was as young as 3 years old. I remember being in preschool and thinking I was fat. I later struggled periodically with anorexia when I was in my teens and again in my early 20’s. It’s something that more women struggle with than people think. Even as a competitor I went through bouts of super strict dieting and then binge eating.
It was becoming apparent that it was unhealthy even though I looked like the picture of health. For years now, I have adopted a flexible diet which has provided me with the balance I needed. I focus more on my workouts and being strong rather than how I look. I still don’t always trust what I see in the mirror, but I know this is a struggle for me, and probably always will be to some extent. I just want to be able to reach out to other women. We are in this together. Fitness models are not always the vision of perfection as they seem. I want people to learn how to diet in a healthy way.
There are so many misconceptions out there. You have to be able to find something that makes you happy and you can stick to. I’m hoping to get my book out this year. I share tons of great recipes. I do have an Instagram and Facebook page Fit Starts in The Kitchen both have tons of recipes to get you started.
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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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Ms. Namita Nayyar: Elaborate about your “Monthly Contest Prep Package” and other services you offer online. Tell us more about this endeavor of your’s?
Ms. Alissa Parker: I do offer online nutrition and training programs, posing lessons, and posing critiques. My monthly package includes a nutritional program for the individual. I do not give out meal plans, but I give macro nutrient targets and guidance, as well as cardio plans, training plans are optional, This includes a posing lesson the first month, and I am available via email ALWAYS.I do not take on more clients than I can handle because everything is custom. No two clients are alike. I design a program that makes it easy to follow and stick to that works with their schedule. I also make myself available, many coaches do not. One new service I offer is my posing critique. It is an inexpensive way to have me check out your posing. Send in either a video or pictures and I will tell you what you need to fix. It can help a lot to get the kinks worked out before you go on stage. Usually its just a minor tweak that can set you apart from the rest and showcase a winning physique
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Tell us more about your books “The Art of Posing: Figure Edition” and “The Art of Posing:Bikini Edition”?
Ms. Alissa Parker: My posing books are available currently on amazon. They are really a manual to competing and presenting your best on stage. It covers everything from posing to what to expect before during and after the show. I provide how to’s on tanning, makeup, hair, suit selection, and show checklist I still use to make sure i have everything in order.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Tell us about a memorable experience you still remember about one of the fitness competitions that you wish to share?
Ms. Alissa Parker: After competing in so many shows, I have several. Missed flights, sleeping in airports, competing with a fever 2x, running around tan in rain with a spray tan, and the great friends I have made along the way, but one in particular stands out. It was my 3rd show ever and as I was about to step on stage, I looked down, and noticed my suit was hanging by a thread right in the middle.
It was the only thing keeping my top together. I ran grabbed my mini sewing kit ( which I always bring in case of an emergency such as this) I was literally sewing my suit together as they called my name. I quickly tucked the needle in my top and walked out like nothing was wrong. The whole time I just wanted to get of the stage. I just kept praying that my suit didn’t bust open while hitting my poses. Turned out I won my class and had to stay there to come right back out for the overall. I was in the tall class so I had no time between. Thankfully I did not provide any extra entertainment that evening, but it makes for a funny story now. After all the show must go on and whatever happens never stop smiling.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Ms. Alissa Parker: I really enjoy reading the articles written by other competitors and seeing their journey. I think it is a great resource for women to gain good information about health, nutrition, and beauty. Thank you so much for the interview. I feel honored to be included with such great company.
To know more about Alissa Parker: Check out at: http://www.alissaparker.net/
To know latest about her check out on her social networks:
- https://twitter.com/fitalissa
- https://www.facebook.com/Alissa-Parker-185311851507259/
- https://www.instagram.com/alissaparkerifbb/
Women Fitness Team thanks Alissa Parker for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her and made this interview happen.
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2016 Women Fitness