| Where and when have you been born? Born June 15, 1960 in Waterbury, CT Where do you live now?
Still in Waterbury, CT What is your profession?
Whatever I feel like… What kind of activities/sports did you do before you started lifting weights?
Breeding, Training & Showing Dogs, as well as teaching others to do the same; Karate – Tang So Do; Double Dutch; Chasing Children How and when did you get involved into lifting weights?
After recovering from a near-fatal bacteria infection, I was physically in very bad shape. About two years after I recovered from the infection, my son and husband harassed me into going to the gym with them. At first, just walking for a short time on the treadmill was a trial, but I kept at it. Before long, I was walking what seemed like forever and started lifting with my husband. About seven months after I first joined the gym, the other gym members ganged up on me to enter my first competition. Was it a goal for you to compete in bodybuilding competitions right from the beginning or was it something that grew in your mind as time went on and you saw the progress in your body?
As you can see from my answer above, it never really entered my mind until other gym members, who also compete, started to get on me to enter a competition. I’m glad they did! Which competition has been your first one and how did you place?
NABF Tri-State(New York, New Jersey & Pennsylvania) Competition in July, 2000 and I won 1st in Novice and 1st in Masters. And which contest has been the biggest success for you yet?
NPC Nationals, Dallas, Texas, 2002 – placed 11th out of 24 for my first time out in the Nationals! Could you please add a history of all contests that you have entered so far?
June 14, 2003: NPC Jr. Nationals, Chicago, IL, 3rd of 6
Nov. 18, 2002: NPC Nationals, 11th of 24
Sept. 21, 2002: NPC's Women's Extravaganza (1-Year National Qualifier), 1st, Overall
June 1, 2002: NPC Leheigh Valley Bodybuilding Fitness and Figure Championships (2-Year National Qualifier), 1st, Overall
May 5, 2002: NPC New England Bodybuilding Fitness and Figure Championships, 1st
Nov. 17, 2001: NABF American Nationals Pro Division, 1st, Best Poser, Overall, and ranked the #1 Female Bodybuilder of the Year
Nov. 3, 2001: NABF Jr. Nationals, 1st, Overall, Best Poser
Oct. 27, 2001: NPC Gold's Classic, 2nd
Oct. 13, 2001: NPC Natural Connecticut State, 1st, Overall
Sept. 15, 2001: NABF Greater Boston, 1st, Overall, Best Poser
April 28, 2001: NPC Junior USA, 6th
April 2001: NPC Bodybuilding Championships, New Jersey, 2nd
Nov. 18, 2000: Pro-Am American Nationals Bodybuilding Championships, 1st in Open Lightweight, Overall, Pro-Card Winner in NABF
Nov. 11, 2000: won the title of Ms. Waterbury Championship
Oct. 28, 2000: Biogenics Fall Classic, 1st Open Lightweight, Overall
Oct. 7, 2000: Northeastern Jr. Nationals and Male Pro Bodybuilding Championships, 1st in Masters Class, 1st Open Lightweight, Overall, Best Poser
Sept. 15, 2000: Greater Boston, 2nd
July 8, 2000: NABF Tri-State Supernatural, 1st in Novice, 1st in Masters Please describe a typical day in the life of Valerie Varnauskas.
No day is typical! Every day is an adventure. Please tell me something about your daily training routine.
I train with my husband Frank daily. Average training day includes approximately 45 mins. of cardio (varied machines) and about 6 different weight training exercises per major body part. How often do you train in a week?
Normal training week is 6 days on, 1 day off What are the main differences when you train for a competition and in off-season?
I train heavier off-season and lighter weight, higher reps as a competition approaches. What remains the same during both is that I am always changing my routine. I eat clean all year long, with the exception of one splurge meal (PIZZA!!!) a week. Off-season, I will indulge in a piece of cake or some ice cream once in a while. If you don’t mind would you give me some stats (best lifts and some body measurements)?
36-25-34, arms 13”, thighs 20”, calves 14”
Best lift: Squat 275 lbs. for 5 reps, with a spot Which bodypart is your best in your opinion?
I say my abs, and almost everyone else says my biceps! What is your favorite exercise in the gym and which one you don’t like so much?
Single leg lunges on a dead-lift machine is my favorite (they hurt the most when you’re done). I don’t like doing calves and would avoid it if I could! Judging in Women’s Bodybuilding has always been criticised in one or the other way. But please tell me your honest thoughts about today’s judging in Women’s Bodybuilding.
I’m still learning the ropes, but it seems like it could be any one of us on any given day, especially since we are all good enough to win, anyway. I am honored to be included in the same class as them. Please tell me about what else you are doing when you don’t work out (profession, hobbies, etc.)
I work in the Facility Services Dept. of a chemical plant. I clean and maintain their Wellness Center, which is a smaller scale gym provided for the use of the employees. What are your future plans for 2004?
My first and most important plan is to recover from the severe back injury I received in a car accident when rear-ended on March 8, 2003. After that, the sky’s the limit!!! |
