Laura Ridings - Future Fitness Model

Name: Laura Ridings
Age: 24
Height: 5' 00"
Contest Weight: 100
Regular Weight: 109
Hometown: Chicago, IL

"I first started training for my shows late July and trained for 12 weeks before I hit the stage in Ottawa, IL at the NPC Continental Championships. It was my first show and I placed 3rd. I hit the stage 2 weeks later in Milwaukee at the NPC Badger State Championships and took 2nd place.

My diet consists of 6 meals a day. For the most part, I alternate between carbs and fats paired with around 20 grams of protein at every meal. I make sure my carbs fall post workout whether it's cardio or strength training. It's all about timing everything correctly! My 6th meal, which comes right before bed, is just protein. A typical day for me looks like this:

Meal 1: 6 egg whites with 1/2 c oatmeal
Meal 2: Ground sirloin with 1/3 avocado
Meal 3: 1 scoop Isopure protein shake with 3 oz sweet potato
Meal 4: Chicken with 10 almonds
Meal 5: Tilapia with MCT oil
Meal 6: 6 egg whites or 1 scoop protein shake

I mix veggies in with every meal, along with many spices to keep my meals tasting great! I love to cook!

I'd like to thank my coaches Kelly Keiser and Donnie Schladt for helping me with my diet and posing skills I needed to hit the stage for my 1st season! They are great fitness role models to follow! A big thanks to all my family, friends and clients for being so supportive and patient with me throughout my training season. Hard to believe, but I can get cranky while dieting ;-) A big hug and thank you to Dan Keller and Bob Whitney for their excellent photography skills during my training season. I thank all of the above for traveling to my shows to cheer me on, and for giving me the confidence I needed to rock the stage in 2011! I'll continue to keep them cheering and proud in 2012!

I will hit the stage again in May 2012, but this time I'm moving into the Figure category. I am hoping to qualify for Nationals, and I will be at Jr. Nationals in Chicago. Should I not qualify, I still plan on competing at Jr. Nationals, but in the Bikini category. My dream is to do some Fitness Modeling, so I'm hoping 2012 is the year for me

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Editor's Notes

It's great to come across an athlete that has her diet down to a science, whether it's counting out ten almonds - or - eating just one-third of an avocado. This kind of meticulous attention to detail, reminds me of the old stories of Rich Gaspari, weighing all meals (cooked & cooked) and chatting the body's responses to diet. I also appreciate the fact that Laura isn't just strategic with what she eats and how she trains, but that's she also keen to the fact she may do better in a different division. We've seen champions like Marilena EchoHawk make the move from Figure to Physique (earning her a Pro Card), and we've also heard hints that Carolina Granados may also move from Bikini to Figure. It's a very smart move (whenever possible) for athletes to try their luck (or bring their best) to different forums and markets. I wouldn't suggest a bodybuilder go figure b/c this would mean losing a lot of muscle; however, a Figure star is in a perfect position, as she could conceivably alter her body for Bikini, Physique, and still conceivably come back to her original Division. If the Figure star in question has a background in dance and/or gymnastics, she could potentially even walk onto a Fitness stage as well. If you're a Figure or Bikini competitor - the sky's the limit!

Finally, I think that Laura has some pretty realistic goals for herself. I mean look at her physique! Look at her diet! She could easily be a national - if not, pro - champion, but her goals are humble and clear-cut. I think photographers like Dan Ray, Per Bernal, J.M. Manion, Jeffrey Sygo, Eric Beach and others would love to work with her. I also think that Laura might do even better if she were a part of a major network, like Tanji Johnson's Save Fitness or Team Bombshell -- just an idea. She's already made a pretty significant dent on the circuit (largely on her own), imagine what joining a family of competitors, coaches, nutritionists, and trainers could do for her - and for anyone on the rise.

But as usual, I really would like to thank Laura Ridings for taking the time to appear on FigureBikini.com -- and to congratulate her and her support network for having made a lasting impression on the sport and on us - The Fans!