Team Bodybuilding.com Athlete Profile: Imogen Parfitt
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Imogen Parfitt battled an eating disorder and came out on top. Learn how this Bodybuilding.com athlete sends a positive message while fueling her passion for health and fitness.
Imogen Parfitt is a Bodybuilding.com athlete, but she wasn’t always the epitome of fit. Before embracing a healthy lifestyle, she struggled with an eating disorder and an unhealthy body image. Watch her inspiring story to learn how Imogen channeled her energy in a positive way through health and fitness—and regained control of her life.
Q. What’s your favorite body part to train?
I love training back. It’s a big muscle group, and there are so many different variations and ways to train that keep it exciting and different. Here’s one of my favorite routines.
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Note: Use an assisted machine if you can’t lift yourself, or add weight if the movement is too easy.
3 sets, to failure (With no more than 90 sec rest.)
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4 sets, 12 reps (Dropset on last set; aim for at least 10 reps.)
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4 sets, 10-12 reps per side
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3 sets, 15 reps (Rest 90 seconds between sets.)
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4 sets, 20 reps (10 full range of motion and 10 partial reps.)
What’s your favorite post-workout healthy snack?
I love a good post-workout smoothie! After training, I try to have a good balance of carbs and protein for optimal recovery. Recently I have been blending chocolate protein with almond milk, crushed ice, a little water, and a banana. The whey is absorbed quickly by the body to aid in recovery and promote muscle growth. The banana adds healthy carbs and makes the shake even tastier and thicker, so it’s like a filling meal. It’s so delicious and the macros are ideal after hitting the weights!
Imogen’s Banana-Almond Shake
Ingredients
Directions
- Combine ingredients and blend.
Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 smoothie
Recipe yields: 1 serving
Calories: 246
Fat: 6 g
Carbs: 24 g
Protein: 24 g
What advice do you have for people who are struggling to overcome an addiction or unhealthy behavior?
My initial advice is to ask yourself why you want to change. If you have a desire to change, and if you know you are living in an unhealthy way, then you have to accept responsibility and control of over your mind and your body. An achievable first step would be to seek help. There’s saying “A problem shared is a problem halved,” and it couldn’t be more true. Sharing the issue gives you support.
Sometimes the very act of verbalizing a problem takes the weight off your shoulders. By sharing the issue, you create accountability. Taking back control is empowering and feels fantastic. The most exciting part about making a difference to your life is that only you can do it.
A lot of people talk about the importance of using positive self-talk to push through a hurdle. What’s something you’ve said to yourself that’s helped you conquer a workout?
I have to perk myself up a lot when I am prepping–sometimes because of low energy, and sometimes just because I’m not feeling it or my head isn’t in the zone. When this happens, I think about earlier times when I pushed through a difficult struggle. I remind myself that I’ve done it and can do it again. Every workout is an opportunity to improve. You aren’t always going to be able to lift heavier or get more reps out, but as long as you are giving it your best shot, consider it a successful workout.
When you’re in the zone, what are your favorite pump-up songs?
Although I will pretty much listen to anything, I love house music! My gym playlist consists of all different genres: house, R&B, hip hop, rock, pop–you name it! My current favorite song is “Closer” by The Chainsmokers, and a song that always revs me up is Jay-Z’s “99 Problems.” Classics never fail.
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