LaToya Bellamy Fitness Model Interview and Photos

LaToya Bellamy – Fitness Model Statistics

• Name: LaToya Bellamy
• Height: 4’11”
• Weight: 103 pounds
• Date of Birth: September 21, 1981
• Hair Color: Black
• Bust: 32″
• Waist: 24″
• Hips: 32″
• Location: Los Angeles, San Diego, Hawaii
• Website: facebook.com/Dancer4LifeLA

LaToya Bellamy – Fitness Model Interview

What is your background?
Born in Norfolk, Virginia to wonderful parents, LaToya arrived into this world on September 21, 1981. At the age of three she started dancing at Norfolk Dance Academy where she trained in ballet, pointe and tap at the time. She then relocated to Rotterdam, Netherlands at the age of 11 and started dancing hip hop which has also inspired her to put a hip hop group together called “The International Girls”. The group performed for many celebrities and competed in several hip hop competitions.

In 1994, LaToya moved to the lovely Island of Oahu and continued her dancing in tap, ballet, hip-hop and jazz. LaToya then joined several studios such as Nix Dance, Studio 808 and Hypersquad Dance Company to challenge herself with different varieties of choreographers. Dancing with Hypersquad has given her the opportunity to perform for the Pro Bowl in 1998 and several other events throughout her years with them. LaToya also started her modeling career by being a part of several pageants, then with Vogue International in 1996 and became a VIP dancer. As a VIP dancer they would perform at pageants such as the Asian International Pageant.

In 2003, LaToya relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina and stopped dancing. She then received a great opportunity with Barbizon Modeling and Acting school were she became their lead instructor. She was able to share her choreography skills as well as modeling skills to students that wanted to expand in the industry. With Barbizon she has been able to meet and work with well renowned agencies from all over the world. LaToya has choreographed for several fashion shows and has been a part of fashion shows herself such as Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Bedazzled, etc.

Now living in Los Angeles, she has landed several jobs such as back up dancer for Collabo, Forte’, modeling for Exclusive 5150 Clothing and Golden I Entertainment. Also the Manager for Exclusive 5150 Model Talent Management has opened a lot of doors for her and allowed her to freelance as a choreographer and instructor which have allowed her to teach other models and talent everything she has learned.

LaToya is also a choreographer and dancer for “BURN”, a dance instructor for several studios in California for Center of World Dance (Alhambra, CA), and also for Sophisticated Dance (Carson, CA) and School of Dance and Music.

LaToya has been teaching dance for ages 3 and up (tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, contemporary, hip hop and lyrical) for 13 years now. She has also been dancing herself for the past 29 years and has always had a hard time finding trendy and comfortable dance wear so she has decided to create a clothing line for dancers called Dancer 4 Life, LA. Be sure to keep your eye out for it. It’s now 2013 and she is currently the Founder/CEO of Dancer 4 Life, LA Dance Studio in California which has been a dream since she was 15 and now it is here! “Dance for you like nobody is watching; Dance for you LORD”.

How did you get started in the fitness field?
I started in the fitness field in dance when I was 3 years of age. I trained in Tap, Ballet and Hip Hop. While doing that, I also cheered in elementary school.

What is the #1 thing you like best about being into fitness?
I like that my body stays amazing looking.

What has been your biggest accomplishment in the fitness field?
Being a role model.

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?
The best way to get started is to make sure that you look fit and then look for a great photographer to shoot photos of you so you can send them to different fitness agencies. You can contact photographers directly and set up a shoot date.

Please describe a typical day for you. What is your daily routine like?
A typical day for me is waking up and praying for my day. The day will continue with 30 minutes of stretching and then gong to teach for 5 hours doing different styles of dance.

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?
The #1 “bang for the buck” cardio exercise is to do plie (bend) turns, if you have the space. If you do not have the space, then run in place with your feet shoulder width apart for a count of 8 (front, side, back, side then front again) and do this for 10 minutes.

How much weight (pounds) should I focus on losing every week? What is a safe amount to make sure I keep it off?
Every week, you should set a goal of 5 pounds lost which will allow you to keep it off.

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?
Take strength and power supplements as well as vitamins.

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.
Eat trail mix with nuts and fruit in it which will help with your need for salty foods and will also meet your protein requirements. Also, eat fresh fruit for your sweet tooth.

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?
Your shopping list should consist of green vegetable, fresh fruits, nuts, fish, yogurt and all whole grain starches (brown rice, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat bread).

I’m about 35 pounds overweight. 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?
Start walking and stretching and then start a good cardio program by starting off with basic walking and then escalate to a jog.

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?
Order anything grilled and not fried. Most restaurants have a section on the menu that offers healthier choices.

What exercises do you recommend for getting a bigger, rounder and fuller butt?
You have to start out on your hands and knees with a flat back. Straighten your right leg then bring it back in with it touching the floor. Do a set of 10 and then do your left side for 3 total sets.

What is the most challenging thing you deal with about consistently staying in top shape?
I really don’t have any major challenges. I am very blessed to easily be able to manage my weight and stay lean.

Please describe your normal diet. What do you eat in a typical day to stay in shape?

• Breakfast: Fruit and oatmeal.
• Mid-Morning Snack: Yogurt.
• Lunch: Salad with light dressing.
• Mid-Afternoon Snack: Trail mix.
• Dinner: Fish.

What type of exercises do you include in your routine to stay in shape?

• Strength Training Exercises: Plie Turns.
• Cardio Exercises: Dancing.
• Additional Training: Stretching.

What are the top 5 tips (specific exercises, diet advice, etc) you recommend for developing toned and defined arms?

1. Lift weights, starting with only 5 pounds if you can.
2. Arms up, pull straight down and do not let your elbows drop past your shoulders.
3. Push ups.
4. Eat lots of vegetables.
5. Hold your arms in different ballet positions for about 2 minutes.

What are your top 5 tips for losing unwanted body fat?

1. Drink water.
2. Eat lots of fruit.
3. Maintain a healthy overall diet.
4. Keep a workout regimen (walking, running, stretching, and dance).
5. Count your calories.

What are your top 5 tips for gaining lean muscle mass?

1. Eat a high protein diet (fish, chicken).
2. Eat healthy carbs.
3. Drink lots of water.
4. Don’t train more than three to four times a week.
5. Eat every three to four hours.

What are the top 5 tips you recommend for staying motivated on a fitness plan and truly making a healthy lifestyle change?

1. Have a partner to work with.
2. Stay dedicated.
3. You have to know this is what you want.
4. Talk about your success and read success stories.
5. Write down your goals and post them on mirrors around your house.

What is your training routine like? (Please include a few details – training split, sets/reps, exercises, types of cardio, etc.)

Monday: Dance ballet.
Tuesday: Dance hip hop.
Wednesday: Dance, stretching and toning.
Thursday: Dance, tap.
Friday: Running.
Saturday: Dance, jumps and turns.
Sunday: Off.

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?

1. Sit ups.
2. Crunches.
3. Banana pickers (legs up, back up and reach from side to side).
4. Leg lifts (laying on your back).
5. Salsa dancing.

What are the top 5 tips (specific exercises, diet advice, etc) you recommend for toning the thighs, hips and butt?

1. Plie turns.
2. Do the releve in all ballet positions (going up and down on your toes).
3. Lunges.
4. Running in place.
5. Leg lifts.