Continuing our exploration and adoration into the world of Fitness Modelling, we invited Shaherah down to iCandy Studios to show off her impressive physique and also give us a bit of an insight into how she keeps herself in such great shape.
Hi Shaherah welcome to iCandy Studios! Firstly, what got you into fitness modelling?
I just kind of fell into it to be honest! I’ve been involved in organised sports since I was young and have had an athletic frame for quite some time. After doing a few bodybuilding shows it just sort of evolved from there.
Other than fitness modelling, what do you do?
I’m a nutritional therapist and also a marketing/communications professional.
When you realised being a fitness model is what you want to do, how hard did you have to work to get the body you have?
It was definitely a natural progression. Before I started, my muscles were less defined but they were there! The hardest part of training was that a lot of it had to be done on my own. After having spent years doing team sport and having a coach, this required me to be a lot more focused than usual.
Have you ever taken part in any fitness competitions?
Last year I competed with BNBF (British Natural Bodybuilding Federation) where I placed 3rd in the Welsh heat and NABBA (National Amateur Body-Building Association) where I won first in the South East heat.
What is your fitness regime? How often do you workout?
Off-season I try to workout around 4 times a week and try to keep the workout varied so that it’s always challenging. I’m a huge fan of circuits because all you need is open space to do them. Whatever I choose to do I try to make sure that I get a good, thorough workout in.
What is your typical meal plan?
I aim for about 5-6 meals a day and make sure that I eat clean, balanced meals consisting of protein, carbs and fat. So I might go for 1/2 cup of oatmeal with protein powder for breakfast, crudités with cottage cheese for a mid-morning snack, chicken breast with veggies for lunch, chicken breast and ½ cup of brown rice in the afternoon before a workout, protein shake and 3 Ryvitas after my workout.
What simple workout could we do at home to get a booty?
Donkey kicks. Get on your hands and knees and then raise one leg towards the sky and repeat about 15 times and then switch and do it with the other leg. Try 3 sets of 15 per leg to start. Squats are also great for a booty but where most women go wrong is that they don’t engage their minds when squatting. You have to really focus on engaging the booty when pushing upwards out of the squat position.
Can you give us 3 essential tips on how to get a summer body?
- Minimise your refined sugar intake. Sugar is not your friend and generally hampers fitness goals.
- Don’t limit yourself. Gyms aren’t the only place you can achieve fitness goals. Use parks, the road of even your back garden to ensure that you get your workouts in. Wherever you train – make it count!
- Circuits are great for maximum impact in a short period of time. Choose 5 exercises. Choose how many of each you want to do. Choose the order in which you want to do them. Then crack on with it givingyourself a 30 – 60 second rest time between rounds.
For example: 10 pushups, 10 lunges each leg, 10 squat jumps, 15 tricep dips and 20 crunches with no rest in between. After the crunches rest for 45 seconds and start again.Sounds easy on paper, but two rounds in you’ll be vexed with me!
Is there a celebrity body out there that you use as motivation?
I’ve always loved Kiana Tom, Alicia Marie and Monica Brant as women in the industry whom I respect but my motivation comes from places like the Biggest Loser. I enjoy being fit and when I see some of the people on that show having to really fight to lose weight that crept on over the years, it reminds me to not become complacent.
How can girls stay motivated to get fit?
I think that the beauty in being fit is knowing that you can do a lot for yourself. So I would try to sell the benefits of the extra confidence fitness gives you in order to motivate girls to stay fit.
What is the best way to start a fitness model career?
I think you need to genuinely enjoy fitness for a start. There’s no point being fit for 16 weeks a year in order to prepare for a shoot or show and then reverting to lazy habits.
Is it important for you to keep your curves?
Definitely. Everyone is different but I’m quite angular to be fair so I’m grateful for the curvesthat training has given me!
Do you have a favourite track to listen to whilst working out?
I have a couple *blush* ‘This Is Why I’m Hot’ by Mims, ‘Man Down’ by Rihanna, ‘Wotless’ by Kes the Band and ‘Hope and Pray’ by Mavado.
Are you single?
No, I’ve been married for 5 years.
What do you look for in a guy? Would your partner have to be as fit as you?
Intelligence! Iron sharpens iron and I want to be the best that I can be so I need someone around who is going to keep me on my toes. It helps if your partner is as fit as you but the main thing is that they are supportive.
Are men ever intimidated?
I’m not sure. I don’t often pay attention. (laughs)
How do you feel when dressing up in a dress with such a defined muscular body?
I feel relieved to know that I can wear pretty much whatever I want and not have to bother with Spanx or corsets!
Thank you for joining us at iCandy Studios. For a bit of fun, complete the sentences:
The naughtiest thing I’ve done is… I’m keeping schtum!
My biggest turn on is… quiet confidence
The way to impress me is… to be secure in who you are
The way to piss me off is…to be flaky and unreliable
I never leave the house without…my mobile
My best features are…my legs and shoulders
Follow Shaherah on twitter @shaherahjordan
Interview by Debbi Cotti
Photography by Jon Lilley at jonlilleyphoto.com and Simon Howard at SNHFoto.co.uk Make up by Jux-a-pose Hair styling by Veowna Charles
Wanna see more fitness models? Check out Michele Levesque, Natalie, Aniko & Louise Bee