Ines Subashka: tell us a little bit more about yourself!
Polina Pencheva: Hi, my name is Polina Pencheva. I am 25 years old and I am from Razgrad, Bulgaria. I am a professional boxer competitor. I’ve graduated the National Sports Academy.
IS: How did you get involved in fitness? Have you done any other sports before that?
PP: I’ve been involved in fitness for the past 10 years. This has always gone hand in hand with my physical preparation for boxing. Before that I played basketball for 4 years, but I substituted the team game, for an individual sport!
IS: Do you follow a nutrition plan?
PP:Yes, I do! I started following a nutrition plan since I was a teenager. I was supposed to lose some pounds in order to fit into a category. Gradually it turned into a lifestyle. I eat clean, real food, that provides me the macro and micro nutrients, which are needed for my body to function properly!
IS: Have you ever had problems with disordered eating?
PP: Yes, I used to have disordered eating habits. When I was 17 years old, I was really lost and uninformed. I was supposed to lose some pounds in order to fit into a category, I starved myself and I tortured my body. Sometimes I even deprived myself from water. This caused me some stomach issues. I realized that this is not the way to do it! I realized that we should eat balanced meals and never deprive our body from what it needs to function properly and to be healthy!
IS: In your opinion, why do so many women have eating disorders? What would be your advice to them? How could they get out of the world of eating disorders?
PP: In my opinion a lot of women are being manipulated by the misleading publications in the media. They try to follow strict diets, which interfere with their body’s functions. Diets that could lead to serious health problems and hormonal imbalances! I am not keen on counting calories. Truth is in the physical activity! You should work out! And when it comes to starving- it is dangerous for your health!
IS: Are people around you supportive of your lifestyle or are they being judgmental?
PP: My family accepts my lifestyle. They are really supportive. I think that everybody should take care of his body, because our body is our “temple”.
IS: Have you ever been afraid of lifting weights, because of the fear of getting bulky and masculine? What would you tell women who are afraid of heavy weights?
PP: I’ve never been afraid of lifting weights! I think that a beautiful body, is an athletic, tight, well shaped body! Every woman wants to look good and feel awesome in her body- weights are not an enemy, they are a mean to improve our overall physical condition!
IS: How would you describe your training philosophy?
PP: Working out is a lifestyle… working out is health, strength and the path to success! STRENGTH TRAINING improves my will to make myself better, to achieve what I long for!
IS: How has your life changed after you started working out and eating healthy?
PP: My life changed in a positive direction, since I started working out and eating healthy! All of this contributed for my achievements and better confidence… for feeling healthy and accomplished!
IS:Have you ever had a moment in your life when you wished to be like everybody else- to stay up late every night, go out partying and eat whatever sounds good, instead of working so hard in the kitchen and in the gym?
PP: I think that a person should not be really extreme in his decisions and actions. Sure, there were moments when I went out partying and having fun with friends, but everything has its own price.
IS: How would you finish the sentence “ I work out because…”?
PP: I work out because I feel healthier, stronger and more satisfied!
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