A chemical engineer and former marathon runner, Christine became a Nationally Qualified NPC bikini competitor in October 2012 and is currently training for pro status in 2013.
Q When did fitness become a large part of your life?
I’ve always been active in sports as a teenager having participated in track and cross country. Throughout my college days I stayed active doing 5k’s and lifting 2-3x per week. It wasn’t until after college that I started to set fitness oriented goals having completed my first marathon at 24. When I became co-owner of Muscle Gauge Nutrition in 2010 as the food scientist and plant manager, my business partners introduced me to workout regimes primarily based on weight training with high intensity interval training for cardio. It didn’t take long to see changes to my figure by taking MGN’s whey protein supplements and working out regularly.
Q If you had to give some advice to some of the women out there aspiring for a better figure what would it be?
Start lifting weights and consume a high protein diet. Most females go on restricted calorie diets and log hours on the elliptical machine without seeing significant changes to their figure. The scale is the absolute worst way to gauge one’s physique. Weight training 3-4 times per week in addition to a high protein diet is great for maintaining a toned physique.
Q tell me briefly about your pre-contest workout?
My pre-contest workout regime started 9 weeks out to my first competition (as I already workout 3-4x week regularly). I lifted 6 days per week and did cardio every single day (sometimes twice a day) alternating between HIIT (high intensity interval training) and steady state cardio.
Q Tell me about your pre contest nutrition?
My diet approach consisted of 1600 calories per day at 5-6 meals per day. On a daily basis I consumed ~150g of protein, drank 1-2 gallons of water, and only consumed complex carbohydrates with breakfast and lunch. All alcohol and artificial sweeteners were eliminated from my diet and my meals were primarily lean protein (MGN whey protein isolate, egg whites, chicken, or fish), vegetables (asparagus, spinach, broccoli, and kale), and complex carbs (whole grain oatmeal, sweet potatoes, brown rice, and quinoa). I’d allow myself one cheat meal every week. Overall, it’s all about forming good habits and meal preparation. Once the meals are pre-planned it takes the guess work out of the equation and doesn’t subject your diet to the variables of everyday life. If I was feeling particularly hungry, I would drink water and consume tea
Q What are some of the emotional ups and downs you felt through the contest prep process?
Being completely dedicated to competition prep, I had little to no social life as my diet restrictions made it too tempting to participate. The dieting was by far the hardest part and the micro-managing of every gram I consumed made me want to eat unhealthy foods even more. I got through it, although it was lonely at times, and can say I have zero regrets because I prepared myself to my best ability in the time I had allotted myself.
Q Tell me about your post contest and off season routine?
For 2-3 weeks after my last competition, it was easy to stay into my routine as it just became habit to workout daily and eat right. I gave myself a break on the dieting throughout the holidays but maintain a weight training regime of lifting 4 days per week to support muscle growth during the offseason. I consume MGN Pure Isolate for breakfast, postworkout, and Micellar casein at night during my off season to maximize my gains.
Q What are you most excited about in your competition future?
I’m most excited to train and compete for my pro card in 2013. I placed 2nd at my first show in October of 2012 which qualified me for Nationals. The national level competition in November 2012 (GNC Bodybuilding Championships in Atlanta, GA) was a great learning experience in terms of what the judges are looking for and where to focus my offseason training to present my best package in 2013.
Q What is your goal with competing and what is your message to people who are inspired by you?
My goal is to prepare to my best ability for the 2013 competition season and attain pro level status. My message to those who are intrigued and inspired by this sport is simple, there are 7 days in a week and “someday” isn’t one of them. Don’t be consumed with fear of failure or make excuses about the time it takes. If you truly want something, you’ll find a way. You’d be amazed at what you are capable of if you stop whining and start doing.
Q Tell the world something intriguing and funny about yourself?
What 99% of all people don’t know about me is that I can free-style rap (in more than one language), you’d have to see it to believe it. Singing, music, and painting are my favorite pastimes. I played piano for 20 years and have painted for 16 years. Before selecting my career path as a chemical engineer, I wanted to study fine art in Italy but my parents didn’t want me to become a “starting artist.” I still actively create art and have sold about a dozen paintings in my life.
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BIO
Christine Hronec graduated from Drexel University with a B.S. and M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering in 2005. Christine’s industry experience originated from Drexel University’s co-op program where she started as a junior engineer with DuPont at the age of 19 with an employment offer as a Process Engineer upon graduation.
At DuPont she led cross functional teams to develop chemical products for overseas clients and most notably developed a chemical process to increase production capacity by 25% without capital investment or quality issues upon implementation saving DuPont $3MM.
Changing industries in 2008, Christine served as Senior VP of Research, Development, and Manufacturing with Bio-Tech Company, Freedom2-Inc. in Cherry Hill, NJ which later went public and merged with nutraceutical company Nuvilex, Inc.
Christine’s strength lies in her ability to bring technical concepts to commercialization with expertise in hands on product development of chemical, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical based products. Having an entrepreneurial spirit, Christine accepted a part ownership offer with Muscle Gauge Nutrition in 2010. At MGN, Christine serves as the production manager and food scientist.
As a former marathon runner, Christine became a Nationally Qualified NPC bikini competitor in October 2012 and is currently training for pro status in 2013.
