Actress and former competitor Amanda Blank talks about her neverending diet, her acting career and how fitness helped her get there.
Amanda Blank
Oxygen #62, pg. 36
My astrological sign is
Cancer.
I grew up in sunny Daytona Beach, Florida, but I currently reside in Los Angeles, California.
People call me Amanda now instead of Mandy. I feel as if I’m taken more seriously.
I decided to compete in fitness after I met Debbie Kruck. She was the greatest influence on me.
My first fitness competition was the Debbie Kruck Classic in 1998. I competed in Miami, Florida, and placed second. I qualified for the nationals and the Team Universe. So I went to the Team Universe and and placed third overall and won the routine round. From there I was off to the nationals where I won the whole show.
I’m really focused on my acting career right now. My fitness career is a stepping-stone.
For the ideal physique, I think Debbie Kruck has the best body in the biz. I constantly strive to resemble her physique.
I love the performance part of the fitness industry. There is nothing like being on stage. That’s the whole reason I compete.
One glaring problem of the fitness industry is that the athletes are taken advantage of. These girls give their hearts and souls to look like they do; yet they have to be vigilant of ill-motivated people.
Outside the gym I love to go bowling, skate, dance, lay on my rooftop, shop and go to the movies.
My favorite exercise is lunges – they keep my butt in shape.
I think cardio and weights are both important. Cardio keeps the weight off, and weight training keeps your entire body toned.
Someday, I’d like to have a place in Scotland with my boyfriend, Charlie.
I have a list of goals: to be a serious actor, open a health food café and private gym in the L.A. area, and lastly I want to be married to my boyfriend of five years.
In my fridge I have lots of eggs, chicken, tons of peanut butter and soymilk. I’m dieting at the moment , so I don’t have a lot of fun stuff, except for some whipped cream.
For breakfast this morning I ate a nutritious egg-white omelette with lots of veggies.
The hardest thing I’ve had to train for was the Olympia. I had just gotten back from Japan and I only had six weeks to get ready for the biggest show in the sport. Debbie Kruck helped me get ready – I couldn’t have done it without her.
I stay in shape year-round because I never know when an audition will come up. While I was competing, I would be on a diet for the show, but now I’m on a permanent diet.
