CSM Game-Changer Issue with Cristiano Ronaldo 2019 BODY ISSUE - Lauren Flodquist | Page 366

CSM: How do you keep yourself educated or up-
dated for latest trends and information in healthy
living or lifestyle?
TARA: I read a lot, and ask a lot of questions.
Lastly, trial and error.
CSM: How important is food and nutrition to you
as a model, athlete or as an individual?
TARA: Quality nutrition is a must regardless if
you are a model, athlete or as an individual! You
have to fuel for success when it comes to one’s
quality of life and physique.
CSM: Describe the essential skills to be effective
in maintaining your figure or shape.
TARA: Self-love and dedication would be the
top two skills to keep going despite any obstacle
that may come before you.
CSM: What are your ideas about non-organic
food versus organic?
TARA: My approach is to eat as whole and close
to the Earth as possible.
CSM: What are your views on an all-meat diet
versus a vegan diet?
TARA: I personally work well with a balance to
my nutrition. I find during different times dur-
ing a prep season that certain meats and various
foods help me make the changes I want to be able
to perform my best.
CSM: What groups of food do you usually eat?
TARA: ALL the food!!! I truly am an athlete that
trains to eat. I thoroughly enjoy anything home
cooked on the grill coupled with a lot of color.
CSM: Do you think customized meal plans are
really necessary? Why is that?
TARA: I believe that based on your current fit-
ness goals a meal plan may be beneficial to get
you going. If you are new to learning how to
nourish your body it might be a game changer
for you. After you have the hang of it, it’s vital to
learn how and why you are fueling the way you
are so you can sustain and maintain it for the rest
of your life.
CSM: Any fitness goals for yourself? What are
you aiming now?
TARA: Currently I am scheduled with Casey
Withers for another photoshoot in November in
the Dominican Republic! Aside from that I hope
to hop in a few 5ks for fun, and train for another
Figure Competition in October.
CSM: There are a lot of online coaches and life-
style advisers out in the market already, what are
the factors that people should take into consid-
eration when hiring a personal trainer or online
coaches or maybe investing some time and mon-
ey to them?
TARA: First and foremost, genuine passion for
what they do. Second, credentials!! I cannot
stress this enough. Ensure that if they are going
to provide you a meal plan that they have the edu-
cation to do so. Third, testimonials. They should
be willing to offer success stories without hesita-
tion. Lastly, the willingness to teach you along the
way so you can eventually feel confident enough
to do this on your own. As a personal trainer that
was always my end goal!
CSM: As a fitness and health enthusiast, what are
the essential exercises you have to do? Why is
that?
TARA: I am a huge advocate for weight lift-
ing. Regardless of your fitness goals and/or age,
weight lifting is a game changer and will improve
overall quality of life.
CSM: Do you have any gym etiquette advice for
other people?
TARA: Re-rack your weights and get off of your
phone! The gym is not your house and you are
there to train!
CSM: Fact or myth? Does working out daily im-
prove one’s sexual stamina or prowess during
sexual activity? Why do you say so?
TARA: This one makes me laugh a bit, but is
such a great question. Working out increases all
the happy hormones, and obviously leads to posi-
tive changes in the body. Which in turn makes us
feel more confident resulting in better self-love
equally increased desire to have sex! So, yes one
should workout often!!
CSM: Fact or myth? Does living a healthy life-
style keeps you happy and young? Why is that?
TARA: Fact!! I am turning 40 next year and I feel
incredible. I don’t really let my age impact how
I lead my life. I love being outside, I love fuel-
ing my body with delicious food and love finding
new adventure. Staying active only continues to
allow me to do all of these things. I will be that
80 year old woman in the gym lifting her weights
on the daily.