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By Kristin Reisinger, MS RD Ashley contacted me awhile to help her with a diet for her first figure competition. Only knowing that she was a fellow Registered Dietitian, and knowing most of my other RD friends weren't into the field of figure, I HAD to help her out. Through helping her and getting to know a little bit about her, I like her more and more. Interested in art, fitness and music (she like Jack Johnson and anyone who likes Jack is a friend of mine...!).. meet my twin.... meet Ashley Jones! KR: Please tell me a little bit about your background: age, athletic background, childhood, etc. Anything you might feel is pertinent to where you are now in terms of fitness and competition. AJ: I am a 28 year old single gal living and loving Seattle WA. I grew up in a small town called Joseph Oregon, named after Chief Joseph of the Nez Pierce. Joseph is known not only for its beauty but also for its art industry. My father is a well-known bronze sculptor and I inherited a love for the arts and creativity. My interests include music, singing, guitar, fine arts, performing arts, reading, scrap booking, rollerblading, snowboarding, weight training, live comedy... the list goes on. I had 32 people in my graduating class which shows what a small town it was. Growing up that way enabled me to participate in any and all sports and get lots of playing time. I would find myself at school sometimes 15 hrs a day at the crack of dawn for choir practice, to class, to volleyball practice to play practice... Being as active as I was, I was not about to give in to a sedentary lifestyle when I pursued a college education at Washington State University and did my best to avoid the infamous "freshman 15." That is where my weight training took more of a priority in my life as up until that point I had only trained for sport. I was now training for health and staying fit. I began to exercise because it made me feel good! Now after a few years of this I have that competitive edge creeping back in and am looking for new ways to stay motivated and new goals to achieve. I found that a figure competition would be the perfect means to combine my love for art and sport all in one - where "sport becomes art." So here I am training for my first ever figure competition, learning and growing and enjoying every minute of it! KR: How long have you been involved in fitness and how did you get involved? AJ: I began training for figure after I attended the Emerald Cup competition back in April. That was the first time I had witnessed competitions as these and was instantly inspired. After doing a bit of research and getting in touch with some helpful guidance (AKA Kristin Reisinger) I decided to give it a go! KR: Tell me a little bit about how you ended up working as a renal RD and how you enjoy this as your profession. AJ: In pursuit of a healthy lifestyle at WSU, I decided to gain a degree in nutrition. Once I made this commitment it was full speed ahead. I was accepted into a highly competitive and demanding program that combined the supervised practice hours necessary to become an RD with my advance level courses. I was gaining experience in all areas of nutrition, spending 2 weeks at a time in various hospitals and clinics throughout the community. After I did my renal rotation I knew that was the area for me. I enjoyed it for many of the same reasons I do now: I get to work with elderly people whom I love, it is long term care which enables me to form lasting, meaningful relationships with my patients, I can set my own hours and have a flexible schedule, there is so much to learn and many avenues to grow in, and lastly, my wonderful boss who was my very mentor when I was a student doing my rotation at the clinic. I have learned so much from her! KR: What is your competitive history in terms of figure and fitness? AJ: I am to compete in my first ever figure competition on Saturday September 24, 2005 at the Evergreen State Bodybuilding/Figure/Fitness Competition in Wenatchee, WA - wish me luck! KR: What is your current training schedule and nutrition plan like? AJ: I hit the gym at 5am most days which consists of lifting weights 4 times per week based on body part and doing about 1 hr cardio - give or take - on the elliptical machine. On my days off of the gym I enjoy rollerblading, walking, or snowboarding depending on the season. Whatever it is I try to keep it fun which for me, means NO RUNNING!!! Ick, ick, ick. You won't ever see me in a marathon or triathlon which makes figure competition even more to my liking. I do take 1-2 rest days a week and make sure to get adequate sleep at night. I average around 2000-2200 kcals per day although right now as I prepare for this competition in my last days I am eating 1300 kcals per day in the form of 6 small meals of lean protein and veggies and dreaming of all sorts of creative dishes that I will prepare and promptly devour once I am done. KR: What are you fitness plans for the future? Professional plans? AJ: Once I complete my first figure competition I will have a better idea if I will want to continue competing. Whatever the case I know I will continue to stay fit and active for the remainder of my life on earth. I get inspired watching figure and fitness competitions of women 40+ years old with children who have incredible bodies and lead healthy lifestyles. I pray the same goes for me one day! As for professional plans, wherever the Lord leads me. I want to take advantage of being single and live life to its fullest. Right now my current job offers me the ability to do just that. When its time for a change I will know it in my heart and will not pass up a great opportunity to perhaps experience a different city or professional field. As for now I'm enjoying Seattle and all it has to offer. KR: Tell me something interesting and random about yourself. AJ: It takes a lot of mental, physical and emotional strength in order to participate in competitions as these. I get my strength from Jesus Christ and I have relied on Him heavily to help me through the exhaustion of rigorous diet and training. Any success I have is owed all to him and am ever gratefully thankful!!! KR: If there were one thing you could tell a woman looking to get into shape, what would it be? AJ: Focus on how good exercise makes you feel. If you stick with it then it will be impossible to let go, because without it you just won't "feel" right!! I read a saying "Nothing tastes as good as being in the greatest shape of your life feels" and while I definitely do enjoy an occasional treat I know that I can enjoy that treat more knowing I earned it. I can enjoy all of life more because I have more energy, less sickness, a good mood, no guilt, and I just plain look and feel my best! Kristin Reisinger, MS RD, is a New York City-based nutritional consultant, fitness trainer, freelance health + fitness writer and musician. She holds a Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology + Nutrition from Columbia University and is a Registered Dietitian through American Dietetic Association. She is also a competitive figure athlete, former Galaxy competitor, avid snowboarder, rock climber and surfer. She has been competing for over five years and will continue to do so until she is 80. She can be contacted at kristin@kristinreisinger.com.