Fitness Amateur Of The Week: Heather Eyes WBFF Bikini Glory!

QHow did your fitness
journey begin?

Being from New Zealand, I’ve always lived an active lifestyle. I played many sports throughout school and was also keen on dance, but I considered myself an all-around athlete.

Near the end of high school, I battled an eating disorder, which started as accidental weight loss and became a regimented addiction to set strict targets for exercise and calories. I never viewed myself as overweight. It was about being successful at something that many people struggle with (losing weight) and an anxiety about exceeding my numerical goals from the previous week. At my lowest (102 pounds), I looked like a completely different person. I looked in the mirror once and barely recognized myself.

I steadily began gaining weight back but slowly adopted a party lifestyle in college and became relatively podgy, which I had never experienced before. I slipped into bad habits, and although I still worked out and played sports, I struggled with binge eating, restriction, and bulimia. My life was unsatisfying and unchallenging.

I started to focus on health and fitness and found Bodybuilding.com, which introduced me to structured workouts and the importance of dieting. I read as much as I could find about training properly and found a boyfriend who enjoyed training too.

What fitness regimen delivered the best results?

Bikini is the least hard looking out of all categories and focuses on strong defined curves without not too much muscle separation.

My dance and sports background gave me a more developed lower body, so it was important to work on my shoulders and back to appear proportioned and defined. I also focused on glutes, hamstrings, and quads to create the overall desired look.

During competition prep, my coach adjusted my diet and cardio depending on how my physique looks. I’m not prepping for a show now, so I’m gaining more muscle mass by eating more and training heavy with minimal cardio. I lift 5-6 days per week depending on my schedule and use a variety of rep ranges depending on how my body feels.

Superset

Leg Extensions
4 sets of 10 reps
Jump Squats
4 sets of 10 reps
Leg Press
4 sets of 8 reps
Donkey Calf Raise
3 sets of 20 reps
Squats
4 sets of 8 reps
Leg Extensions
1 dropset

Arnold Press
4 sets of 8 heavy reps, 4 sets of 8 light reps
Front Plate Raise
3 sets of 20 reps
Superset
Dumbbell Reverse Flyes
4 sets of 10 reps
Dumbbell Lateral Raise
4 sets of 10 reps

Assisted Chin-Ups
4 sets of 10 reps
Barbell Rows
4 sets of 10 reps
Seated Cable Rows
3 sets of 12 reps
Close-Grip Pull-Downs
3 sets of 12 reps
Hyperextensions
3 sets of 15 reps

Walking Lunges
3 sets of 20 reps
Leg Press
4 sets of 10 reps
Straight-Leg Deadlift
4 sets of 10 reps
Cable Kickbacks
3 sets of 10 reps
Seated Leg Curls
3 sets of 12 reps

Superset

Dumbbell Shoulder Press
3 sets of 20 reps
Bench Dips
3 sets of 12 reps
Superset
Dumbbell Incline Press
3 sets of 12 reps
Dumbbell Lateral Raise
3 sets of 12 reps
Superset
Barbell Curls
3 sets of 10 reps
Cable Push-Downs
3 sets of 12 reps

Amateurs Of The Week

Bodybuilding.com honors amateurs across all categories for their hard work, dedication, and great physiques. Learn how our featured amateurs built their bodies and hit their goals!

What nutrition plan fueled your body?

Oats
1/4 cup
Applesauce
2 tablespoons
Egg White
1 white
Dymatize Elite 100% Whey Protein
1 serving
Berries
1/3 cup

Chicken
4 ounces
Green Beans
2 cups

Sweet Potato
1/4 ounce
Chicken
4 ounces
Green Vegetables
2 cups

Prawns
3 ounces
Salsa
2 tablespoons
Green Beans
2 cups
Avocado
1/3 avocado

Steak
4 ounces
Vegetables
2-3 cups

Optimum Gold Standard 100% Casein
1 serving
Almond Milk
1 cup
Cocoa Nibs
1 tablespoon
Coconut Flour
1 tablespoon

What supplements gave you an edge?

Optimum Glutamine Powder
Optimum BCAA 5000 Powder

Fish Oil

How did your passion for fitness emerge?

After I received my personal training qualification at age 19, I worked at the university gym and taught group classes. When I went home for the holidays, I worked for a military-style, outdoor training group. I completely transformed my outlook and priorities from previous years.

I surrounded myself with likeminded people and had the opportunity to work at a fitness expo in October 2013, which felt like fitness Disneyland. Seeing bikini girls compete and meeting the athletes I saw in magazines secured my drive to compete. I paired with a trainer who supported and coached me through my first bodybuilding prep starting February 2013 and competed in May 2013, where I placed fifth overall against girls who were more experienced.

I took a couple months off and decided to compete in the WBFF. The European Championships in November 2013 became my next goal. With a new coach, I began prepping in August 2013 and placed seventh. Now I’m after a WBFF pro card in June 2014 and would love to compete in the World Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Seeing bikini girls compete and meeting the athletes I saw in magazines secured my drive to compete.”

What or who motivates you to live healthy?

I rarely lack motivation, but I’m human and can feel down. In these times, I think about how far I came. Progress photos are useful so you can look back and reflect on where you were. I also look at women who inspire me. A quick look at beautiful, strong, and healthy bodies remind me to push myself.

Where did you go for inspiration?

The Internet gave us freedom to share and connect, especially in the fitness industry. BodySpace, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter give me inspiration and knowledge as I’m able to specify who I follow. There’s always new material posted from all over the world. I like sharing too. The support is fantastic in the online fitness community.

“It’s rewarding to be a role model for younger women, especially those who encountered similar struggles as me.”

What are your future fitness plans?

This year will bring many changes for me. I will finish education in 2014 and the world will be my oyster. I’m determined to win a WBFF pro card after I graduate and compete in the World Championships in Las Vegas alongside my best friend and other women I look up to. Eventually, I want to work in the business side of the fitness industry and be a fitness model. It’s rewarding to be a role model for younger women, especially those who encountered similar struggles as me.

What is the most important fitness tip?

You will never be like the people you compare yourself to. When you stop wishing to be like someone else and focus on yourself, you will see positive changes mentally and physically.

Who is your favorite fitness competitor?

I look up to Jen Jewell. She has been my phone background for years. Her success didn’t happen overnight. As a result, she’s hugely respected and works hard to maintain her reputation.

How did Bodybuilding.com help you reach your goals?

I love reading athlete profiles that explain their training splits and diets on Bodybuilding.com. I also love the articles. There’s lots of information at our fingertips on Bodybuilding.com.