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Meet Our Fitness Models Team - Eric Carlson
Diet Exercise Advice
Eric Carlson
Fitness
Model
Hermosa Beach, CA  Originally
born in Chicago, IL, Eric grew up in Round Rock Texas where he excelled at sports.
Although his early years were complicated by tragedy in the form of domestic violence,
Eric was determined to rise above the suffering. He attended college in Arkansas
and Iowa where he played football. Illness sidelined the young athlete when he
was diagnosed with dangerously high toxicity levels. The doctors eventually had
to perform surgery and his life began to transform. After his recovery, Eric was
determined to learn the proper way to maintain perfect health and fitness.
See This Fitness Model's Diet Plan & Exercise Routine
Eric Carlson - Fitness Model Statistics - Name: Eric Carlson
- Height: 6'2"
- Weight: 200-208 lbs.
- Hair: Brown
- Eyes: Brown
- Location:
Hermosa Beach, CA
Eric Carlson - Fitness Model Photos
  
Eric
Carlson - Fitness Model Background 
What's your background? How did you get started in the fitness modeling field?
Answer:
I have been an athlete since I was a kid. Always
playing sports, playing in the dirt, or climbing trees. Until I was sidelined
as a college football player after a severe illness that almost took my life,
I was a pretty fit person. After the emergency surgery to save my life, I fell
into a slump of years of depression that included heavy alcohol & drug abuse
to ease the pain of not being strong and fit anymore. After a surgeon told me
later that my condition would repeat itself in about ten years, I knew I had to
prove them wrong so I decided to research more and more about the human body to
improve my overall body strength. You see, the surgeries, I had two major ones
in less than 30 days on my kidney, were so painful I knew I couldn't face that
pain again. This helped propel me to the level I am at now. I then decided
to enter my first fitness competition in 2004-The Model America by Muscle Mania
to gain exposure for my seminar training company Leading Edge Power. I train/speak
about empowered living and how to achieve the life you desire. I thought that
if I won this contest I would be able to prove that what I teach really works.
I ended up winning Model America contest and then went on to win two more National
Titles-World & Universe all back to back wins. This has not been done by anyone
as of to day and I sit here the only fitness model to win three national titles.
I even have a trophy for the Worlds Best Abs, all following the principles I teach.
Now the publicity is beyond my earlier expectations and I am speaking all
over the world- I love it!
What is the #1 thing you like best about being into fitness?
Answer: What I love about the fitness industry is that
it is an industry driven by highly motivated, committed athletes who are always
giving more than 100%. The finely sculpted athletes I get to work with are always
achieving or reaching for higher levels of success. That's awesome to me. Nothing
is more attractive to me than a driven individual who has sculpted their body
to their personal perfection. And yes, I think the women in this industry are
absolutely amazing! Yum!
What has been your biggest accomplishment in the fitness field?
Answer: My biggest accomplishment would have to be the
fact that I am the only fitness model in the world to be holding three national
fitness-modeling titles. I became aware of this at my last big win in Vegas, NV
at the Mr. Olympia competition when the group of press came up to me and asked
how it felt to be the only guy with two national titles, and now I had an opportunity
to win a third. I felt excited and honored because every time I step on that stage
I am always amazed at the level of competition I am up against. These are some
seriously awesome physiques!
Eric
Carlson - Fitness Model Questions & Answers
Fitness Question #1 - What is the best way to get
started in the fitness modeling industry? Should I just contact the photographers
directly or should I use an agency?
Answer: Read my book, "The Fitness Model Bible"!!
This book has a complete lay out of how to break in to this highly competitive
industry, but until you get the book, contact the photographers. These are the
people you want to make friends with. Agencies can be help, but I find that I
am my own best agent. I get more than 85% of my jobs through my own efforts. Be
a master of self-publicity!
Fitness Question #2 - Please describe a typical day
for you. What is your daily routine like?
Answer: First thing I do is wake up, drink a glass of
Meta Greens and head out the door for a walk. I like to walk for 30-45 minutes
just to get the blood flowing and my head ready for the day. I live at the beach
so sometimes I walk the strand and sometime I walk the shore line watching the
dolphins playing in the surf, yeah nice I know. I then usually come in an begin
15-20 minute meditation followed by a 10-15 minute visualization process. I visualize
daily my goals, dreams, desires, etc. so my spirit and my mind are in alignment
for what I want to create. I have them on 3x5 card to keep track. Then
it's off to the office which is about 10 feet from my kitchen in the back of my
1930's beach house. I sit here working till about 2-3pm daily only getting up
every two hours to eat. Then around 3pm I head to Gold's Gym, Redondo for my afternoon
workout. If I don't go to the gym I will go for a bike ride or a job on the sand.
Then I clean up my day like email, phone calls, etc and end around 6 pm when I
like to have a nice glass of red wine, cook and watch the sunset out of my front
living room. A couple nights out of the week I like to play Xbox 360 online with
some friends of mine. We play EA Sports NCAA Football 07' & Test Drive Unlimited
while chatting with each other via headsets- so fun!
Fitness Question #3 - I don’t have that much
time during the day to workout, so I really want to burn major calories in a short
amount of time. What is the #1 “bang for the buck” cardio exercise I
should do to burn serious calories?
Answer: If you are looking to just burn a high amount
of calories fast then I recommend a spin class, stair stepper machine., or aerobics
class. Getting the heart rate up quickly helps burn those calorie faster.
Fitness Question #4 - How much weight (pounds) should
I focus on losing every week? What is a safe amount to make sure I keep it off?
Answer: The golden rule has been 1-2 pounds a week at
a steady pace will help your bodies metabolism run more efficiently. Losing weight
any faster will cause your body to rubber band back after you have taken it off
so quickly.
Fitness Question #5 - What type of food or supplements
should I take before and after my workouts to help me see results in gaining lean
muscle and losing fat?
Answer: Ingesting a protein shake with say maybe a banana,
or some oatmeal 30-minutes to an hour before your workout will ensure that your
body has supplies on hand to begin repairing itself along with providing you with
added energy supply.
Fitness Question #6 - How do you deal with cravings
for junk foods, sweets and salty food? I can stay on a diet for maybe a few weeks
but I eventually get really bad cravings and binge on snacks and fast foods.
Answer: I practiced myself into a place where I really
don't enjoy these items so much in my diet. When I eat some sugar, or junk food
I would feel pretty crappy. So after years of practicing to say no when I was
strong enough help me become the disciplined eater I am today. If you have cravings
try to fill those cravings with natural foods such as fruit, or berries.
Fitness Question #7 - I’m trying to create a
healthy shopping list to stick with. What are some of the main foods I should
include to maintain a lean and muscular physique?
Answer: Shop the perimeter of the grocery store where
you can load up on veggies, fruits, whole grains, nuts, & lean meats. Avoid
the middle of the store where you will find most foods are all processed. Brown
rice, yams, sweet potatoes, fish, almonds, spinach, broccoli, chicken, egg whites,
water are the basic essentials.
Fitness Question #8 - I’m about 35 pounds over
weight. I have never started an exercise program and really don’t know where
to start. What tips can you give me to get started on the right track?
Answer: Consult your physician and a personal trainer
is your first steps. You would try to drive your car for the first time without
an instructor so get a professional to help show you how to drive this awesome
body. Tell the fitness professional your goals and have them create a map for
success. Then stick to it!
Fitness Question #9 - I tend to eat out most of the
time and really don’t know what healthy foods to order from the menu. What
tips do you recommend for eating out at restaurants to make sure my diet will
not suffer?
Answer: It's EASY to eat out! Look for grilled meats,
fish and avoid all fried foods. Ask to be cooked without butter. Your side dishes
should be veggies, salad, and maybe a small potato-plain. Avoid the bread &
butter, don't even have it on the table. Use balsamic vinegar or a lemon to dress
your salad.
Fitness Question #10 - What exercises do you recommend
for getting a bigger, rounder and fuller butt?
Answer: Squats two ways legs wide toes out and toes straight.
Lunges, butt blaster machines, dumbbell dead lifts, pile squats.
Fitness Question #11 - What is the most challenging
thing you deal with about consistently staying in top shape?
Answer: Staying injury free is the most challenging thing
I have to deal with. I surf, lift weights, mountain bike, climb rocks & trees,
skateboard, etc.
Fitness Question #12 - Please describe your normal
diet. What do you eat in a typical day to stay in shape?
Answer: Breakfast: Protein Shake with 1 ½
cup oats, 1 tbs. peanut butter, and 1 banana. Mid-Morning Snack:
4-6 oz tofu, Tempeh, or tuna with 1 ½ cups brown rice and 1 cup spinach
Lunch:
: 4-6 oz tofu, Tempeh, or tuna with 1 ½ cups brown rice and 1 cup spinach
Mid-Afternoon
Snack: Protein Shake with 1 ½ cup oats, 1 tbs. peanut butter, and 1
banana.
Dinner: 4-6 oz tofu, Tempeh, or tuna with 1 ½
cups brown rice and 1 cup spinach
I eat 6-8 meals a day all pretty much
the same thing.
Fitness Question #13 - What type of exercises do
you include in your routine to stay in shape?
Answer: Strength Training Exercises: heavy weight
training Cardio Exercises: Stair stepper, bikes, treadmill, sprints,
walks Additional Training: surfing, mountain biking, rock climbing
Fitness Question #14 - What are the top 5 tips (specific
exercises, diet advice, etc) you recommend for developing toned and defined arms?
Answer: 1. Eat foods in there natural state
2. Avoid
heavy condiments that have sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and salt.
3. Drink
80-100oz+ of water daily
4. Rotating hammer curls
5. Overhead tricep extension
with a rope
Fitness Question #15 - What are your top 5 tips for
losing unwanted body fat?
Answer: 1. Eat foods in there natural state
2. Eat
4-8 small balanced meals all day
3. Avoid heavy condiments that have sugar,
high fructose corn syrup, and salt.
4. Treadmill at "fat burning zone"
heart rate for 45-60 minutes 5+ days a week
5. Sprints!!
Fitness Question #16 - What are your top 5 tips for
gaining lean muscle mass?
Answer: 1. Eat-Grow!
2. Eat 6-8 balanced meals a day
(not snacks-meals)
3. Eat at the body weight you WANT to BE, not as you are
now.
4. 1.5-2.0+ grams of protein per pound of DESIRED body weight
5. 2-3g+
carbohydrates per pound of DESIRED body weight
Fitness Question #17 - What are the top 5 tips you
recommend for staying motivated on a fitness plan and truly making a healthy lifestyle
change:
Answer: 1. Cut out images of desired body and put your
face on this picture so your mind sees where you are going all the time. 2.
Find an outfit you want to where and look GREAT in! Buy it an hang it where you
can see it daily. 3. Be around other motivated individuals
4.
Read, listen, or watch information that helps increase self confidence
5.
Know that you CAN get to where ever you want to be from where you are at.
Fitness Question #18 - What is your training routine
like? (Please include a few details - training split, sets/reps, exercises, types
of cardio, etc.)
Answer: Monday: Chest & Triceps heavy 10, 8,
8, 6, 4-6
Tuesday: Cross training mountain bike, sprints, hike
Wednesday:
Leg day (10, 8, 8, 6, 4-6)
Thursday: Cross training mountain bike, sprints,
hiking
Friday: Shoulder & traps (10, 8, 8, 6, 4-6)
Saturday:
REST
Sunday: Back & biceps (10, 8, 8, 6, 4-6)
Fitness Question #19 - What are the top 5 tips (specific
exercises, diet advice, etc) you recommend for losing fat around the stomach and
developing a toned and defined midsection?
Answer: 1. Eat foods in their natural state
2. Avoid
heavy condiments that have sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and salt.
3. Drink
80-100oz+ of water daily
4. Crunch's, leg lifts, 4-5 days a week
5. Treadmill
45-60 minutes daily
Fitness Question #20 - What are the top 5 tips (specific
exercises, diet advice, etc) you recommend for toning the thighs, hips and butt?
Answer: 1. Step class women always seem to have the best
bodies!
2. Squats 20, 15, 15, 10, 10, 8
3. Walking Lunges with barbell 4-5
sets of twenty steps
4. Leg extension, hamstring curl, calf raises
5. Slow
jogging on treadmill backed by stairs stepper!
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