Rebin Roy Interview

When you get on stage you are often trying to win. Rebin Roy won before she ever stepped on stage the first time. Losing over 100 pounds and becoming bodybuilding.com's transformation of the year was her victory. Now she gets to step on stage and show it off. Rebin is an inspiration and proof of what can be done when you set your mind to something.






Q: First, Rebin, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this.
A: Thanks for setting up this interview. I am very happy to share any information about my life to help or inspire others.

Q: Can you start out by telling a little about yourself.
A: I am a mother of three children ages 6,5, and 4. Currently I am a homemaker who is pursuing a career in comedy.

Q: Before the gym were you an especially athletic person? Play any sports or anything?
A: Before I started this weight loss journey, I never did anything remotely athletic for any length of time. I was a IT Development Manager and spent most of my time at a desk. I have struggled with weight all of my life. I smoked for 14 years, drank regularly, and ate anything and everything.

Q: What initially led you into the gym?
A: I initially went to the gym in hopes of helping me lose weight. I was having back problems and was told that losing weight would help alleviate the pain.

Q: Was training something you picked up fairly easy? How long before you started to see results?
A: Once I got over being intimidated, training became something I picked up quickly and even looked forward to! I started seeing results right away. I think the initial changes I saw helped me to stay focused on my ultimate weight loss goal.


Q: What made you decide to compete for the first time?
A: I had reached my goal weight, but honestly, I felt uncomfortable in a swim suit. I did some research and decided the women whose bodies I admired were bodybuilders and figure competitors. So I decided to take things to the next level and compete.

Q: Is competing something your family and friends supported?
A: Most people have been EXTREMELY supportive! I don’t think family and friends always understood what it took to get to the stage, but definitely most everyone has been supportive. I am also happy to say that I have made many new supportive friends through this process.

Q: Was competing what you expected or did anything surprise you about it?
A: Competing was not at all what I expected. It is one thing to be in good shape. It is another to be on stage with people who are at their absolute best. I was also surprised at how kind and gracious all the competitors have been, and how supportive they are of each other.

Q: Can you share your contest history.
A: I have competed 6 times in thirteen months and my best placing has been 4th out of 11. Although some may say that if you don’t get 1st, you aren’t a winner, I would disagree. Competing has allowed me to not only continue to improve my physique, it has also given me a way to help motivate and inspire others by sharing my story. I was also chosen BodyBuilding.com’s Female Transformation of the year. That was a goal of mine and it was great to scratch that off my list!

Q: As far as body parts, what do you feel is your best one?
A: My hamstrings and now my glutes are my best body parts. I have worked very hard to grow them.

Q: Do you have a part you most like to train or favorite exercise?
A: I love to train shoulders and dumbbell shoulder presses are my favorite exercise.


Q: What is your normal training routine and diet like and how do you alter it for contest prep?
A: I always eat 6 clean meals a day and lift 3-4 times a week. For contest I carb cycle and do tons more cardio. It is not unusual for me to do 12 hours of cardio along with my lifting during contest prep. Although I have raised my metabolism over the years, it is still very sluggish because of my past lifestyle, so I really have to push to get the pounds off. When your body is used to having weight, it wants to keep the weight.

Q: When someone sees your physique or hears you compete for the first time, what is the most common reaction? More positive or negative?
A: The reaction is VERY positive. I have literally seen people’s jaws drop when they hear I have lost over a hundred pounds. It is great to share pictures to people can have a visual of the change. I am truly proud of this accomplishment.

Q: When they see it that first time, what is the one question or comment you are most sick of hearing?
A: I am most sick of hearing people ask me about what ab exercises I do to get my stomach flatter. There is no exercise in the world that will take the place of eating clean and regular exercise. I think people think there is a shortcut to results and that is very frustrating to me. Commitment, consistency, and clear goals are the key.

Q: What is the biggest misconception about women who train and compete or the one thing you wish people understood?
A: I think people think that women who compete are looking to get a “masculine” physique. I personally don’t think there is anything more feminine that a fit body with clearly defined muscles.


Q: What is the best and worst part of training for you?
A: The best part of training is lifting! I never would have thought that it would be my favorite activity. The worst part is cardio. I still have times when I struggle with it.

Q: Do you have any favorite competitors or any you admire?
A: My favorite figure competitor is Francisca Dennis. Her physique and the fact that she is a Mom inspire me constantly. A magazine cover she did a few years back (that initially inspired me), still sits on my nightstand.
My favorite Body Builder is Diane Mueller. She is a personal friend, a positive mentor, and someone who continually overcomes obstacles to be the best of the best. I am glad to know her.

Q: Do you have a favorite cheat food?
A: Pizza! I never liked pizza before competing, and now it is something I crave when I cheat

Q: If another woman told you she wanted to start training, what is the one piece of advice you would most want to give her?
A: I would tell her to give it time. When I think back to where my body was a few years ago, I know that telling myself things don’t happen overnight really helped me stay focused and encouraged.

Q: Do you think its becoming more common to see women using the weights in the gym as opposed to just doing cardio and things?
A: I definitely think it is more common to see women using weights. What I don’t see enough is women lifting heavy.

Q: Outside of training, any other hobbies or activities you enjoy?
A: I love comedy and am pursuing a career in entertainment! I hope to have my own talk show one day. I also enjoy photography and taking funny fitness pictures, video editing and making funny videos, and writing. My favorite way to spend my time though is playing with my kids. They are funny, smart, and very entertaining. They inspire me.

Q: Can you describe a typical day in the life of Rebin Roy.
A: This would be a typical day during contest prep. Wake up for fasting cardio. Eat breakfast and get the kids to school and my Mom to her activities. Eat my morning snack and get something in the crock pot, run errands, laundry, e-mails, before lunch. Pick the kids up and we all eat lunch. Take the kids with me to them gym, lift, have my post workout and then come home to do activities with the children. Get dinner ready and the kids bathed and to bed in time to do more housework and then my second round of steady state cardio (usually when I watch TV). Then it is evening snack and off to bed.

Q: Describe Rebin Roy in five words.
A: Positive, funny, creative, driven, and smart

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: I think people would be surprised to know that I am smart. I went to a Math and Science school and went on to get a Masters Degree in MIS. I am not working in a related field, so people are always surprised to hear that.

Q: Any set plans for the near future as far as competing or anything else?
A: My plan is to get leaner before I compete again. I am also working on a book about my fitness journey.

Q: Anything you want to take this opportunity to plug or promote?
A: I have a Facebook page that I use to share recipes, information, inspiration, and laughter
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Rebin/332448241396?ref=ts

Q: Are you looking for sponsors? If so how can they reach you?
A: I am definitely looking for sponsors and can be reached at rebinroy@yahoo.com or via Facebook. Just look up Rebin.


Q: Rebin, again, I thank you for taking the time to do this. Any last words before you go?
A: I have the wonderful pleasure of competing with my Husband, and I mention that because it is great to have something we are so passionate about it common. Finding people who have the same interests as you keeps things fun! I also want people to know that they can do ANYTHING they put their minds to and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. CHEERS!