Interview with Lorena Onfit

Here's an interview with Lorena OnFit after her victory at the Barcelona Championship.

1. What was the first thing you thought when you took first place at the Barcelona 2018 Championship?

It's a mix of emotions that is quite inexplicable; the nerves, the uncertainty leave you a bit blank in those moments. When I reacted, the first thing that came to my mind were the people I share my daily life with: my father, my partner, my friends, my coach... In a way, they live everything with me, and being able to see their satisfaction and share the triumph with them is my greatest reward.

2. How did you feel after winning another first place and also the overall title at the Tarragona Provincial Championship?

It was incredible, and I think it was one of the most exciting moments I've experienced in my competition career to date. The truth is that I was particularly excited to do this specific championship. The previous year I had attended as a spectator and really enjoyed watching it; the venue, the organization, and the entire championship itself had a lot of charm. Plus, the fact that there was a battle for the overall title made it even more attractive, so I absolutely HAD to compete, haha.

I won first place in my Bikini tall category (+1.69cm) with a total of 11 beautiful competitors. Then I went on to compete for the Overall Bikini category prize where all the winners from each respective height class were compared (a total of 6 athletes).

The level was extremely high; all the competitors had spectacular physiques. Honestly, I didn't expect it. While it's true I had visualized it in my head, I didn't think it would materialize. When I heard my bib number, I went completely blank, and my heart skipped a beat—it was an incredible feeling. When I went back on stage, I saw my father, my partner, and all my friends shouting with happiness, and a huge shiver ran through my body; I had done it!

And I want to take this opportunity to thank the championship organization and all the sponsors for making the experience even more unforgettable. I believe what makes a championship a success is the care given to the competitor, and in this specific one, the refreshments, the backstage area, and the entire organization were excellent; I give it a 10! 😛

3. How would you describe your experience from setting the goal to achieving it?

AMAZING. I truly enjoy the process, and that's what makes me live it so intensely and with such enthusiasm. For me, it's not a sacrifice, no matter how tough it might get. The passion with which I do it keeps my motivation alive and makes everything much more exciting.

I value every day, every meal, every workout, and I try to savor every step because, after all, the part where you showcase your work is just a few minutes on stage, and the key is to fully live the rest of the process.

4. Who has been your coach/mentor in this process?

For just over a year, I've been working with Naiche Hurtado. We started working together simply aiming for an aesthetic goal to get in shape. Until last October, during one of my regular check-ups, I suggested competing again in 2018 and having him guide me through the process. From that moment, we set dates and got to work on the preparation to try and present a new version of Lorena.

Today, he has become one of the fundamental pillars in my daily life. We talk daily (in fact, he's the first person I talk to every day, haha), and I think the bond and understanding we have makes both of us enjoy this preparation even more.

I am a super compliant student, and my respect and trust in him are immense. I try to absorb and learn as much as possible from everything. The truth is, I feel very fortunate and grateful to have a professional of his caliber as my guide and, above all, to be able to share this journey alongside a great person.

5. What has been the hardest part of your preparation?

Well, I wouldn't be able to point to anything specific. We did things well and with time, so it wasn't an especially "hard" preparation. Perhaps the first few weeks until the habit was established. In those moments, willpower plays a fundamental role after so many months without following a strict diet. But it was only for a few days; I was very clear about my goal, and that kept me strong against temptations.

6. What is your diet and training like during competition?

I currently train 6 days a week, averaging 1 hour in the gym, and these last few weeks we've added post-workout cardiovascular exercise (25-30 minutes on the treadmill or elliptical) to achieve the desired peak condition.

I train lower body at frequency 3, where one day is more focused on quads and hamstrings, another is dedicated exclusively to glutes, and a third day I review glutes and hamstrings with more analytical exercises. The rest of the days I work upper body and usually do 2 muscle groups per day.

In terms of diet, we've varied throughout the process. As the date approached, we cut calories and reduced carbohydrate intake, always maintaining and prioritizing peri-workout nutrition (before and after training).

But generally, everything is very basic and natural, avoiding any processed foods: rice, chicken, vegetables, fish, egg whites, olive oil... Not very different from how I usually eat off-season.

7. What is your favorite post-competition #cheatmeal?

I always have a dilemma between pizza and a burger. On the one hand, I love pizza, but on the other hand, burger appetizers and sides get me; good fries, nachos, or tequeños often lead me to choose that option.

And for dessert, some ice cream if I feel like it, but I'm not much of a sweet person, so I don't usually overdo the sugar.

8. What sports supplements do you use during preparation and why?

During this preparation, the supplements I have used have been:

• All Day Energy, a multivitamin and mineral to ensure that despite having a less varied diet, I don't have any micronutrient deficiencies.
• ZMA, which helps increase natural testosterone levels and therefore enhance muscle growth and strength. I take it pre-workout and before bed.
• Total Rush 2.0 as a pre-workout to give me an extra boost on days when I was more tired.
• ThermoCaps to enhance fat burning. I take one capsule with breakfast and another 30 minutes before my workout.
• Omega 3 to provide Omega 3 fatty acids. I include it post-workout and before bed.
• BCAAs + Glutamine, which I took pre and post-workout, to promote muscle growth and recovery.

9. If you had to choose a TOP 3 of all WEIDER products, what are your favorites and why?

Without a doubt, my favorites are:

• Total Rush, which for me is the best pre-workout I've ever tried. In addition to giving me an extra boost of energy on those days when I'm feeling sluggish for training, I love the pump sensation it gives me during my most demanding workouts.
• Another top product that cannot be missing from my ranking are the Yippie bars, which are undoubtedly my favorites. All the flavors are incredibly good, but Cookies&Cream and Chocolate&Coconut are my top picks.
• And finally, I can't forget my other favorite bars, the Recovery Bars, or as I call them; "little bones fit." The wafer texture and chocolate coating make them irresistible. My favorite flavors: yogurt and Maria biscuit.

10. Why did you choose WEIDER? What values connect you to the brand?

For me, Weider had always been a benchmark. In my home, I've breathed bodybuilding since I was a kid, and Weider has always been present. My father consumed Weider protein shakes, and I always wanted to try them. In fact, more than once I had secretly gone to the cupboard where he kept them and eaten a scoop, haha (I must say that the flavors have improved and evolved a lot over the years, haha).

Being part of the TEAM Weider was one of the most important moments in my fitness career. The love for this sport, camaraderie, tradition, and quality make me very proud to belong to the Weider family.

11. And to conclude this interview with Lorena OnFit, what is your next goal?

This very month I will participate in the Girona Provincial and the Catalonia Championship, and I will conclude my stage of regional championships. I'm heading straight for the Spanish Championship and to participate in my first international competition: the IFBB Diamond Cup, which will be held on May 25, 26, and 27 in Madrid.