1. Biography
• Name: Courtney Bureau
• Age: 32
• Height: 5’7”
• Weight: 147 lbs. (off-season) / 130 lbs. (stage weight)
• Body Fat: Currently 10 %
• Hometown: Sorrento, Louisiana
• Gym: The Zoo (Airline Hwy in Gonzales, LA)
• Profession: Dental Assistant, Full time Science Major, Mother of two
2. What got you started in bodybuilding/fitness?
As a former track & field athlete, I am no stranger to the gym. It started my 10th grade year and I think it became embedded in me. I felt at home. It was clear that the gym was the place for me. After my first child, Gabrielle, I bounced right back at it. Then came child number two, Trenton. The weight didn’t drop as fast. I started training at home (push-ups, crunches, and sit-ups). My diet changed completely and I started on a fat loss pill (Hydroxycut). I weighed 179 lbs. when I went into delivery. Then I had Trenton and I dropped to 163. After my 6-week check-up, I was at 154 lbs and determined to lose my pouch.
Training at home was easy. I had a one and a half year-old and a two month old. They kept me on my toes…still do. I trained at home for about two months and lost another eight pounds. It was time for me to go to the gym. I hadn’t stepped foot in a gym in so long, so at first it was strange. I did nothing but cardio until I lost all the baby fat off the stomach. I pride myself on my stomach…flat that’s all I wanted. I did cardio for another two months without touching the weights yet. I lost another 11 pounds. That put me at 135 lbs. At this time, I was still eating correctly and taking Hydroxycut. Then the weights came and I blew up to 147 lbs of solid muscle. I loved the look—it was amazing. I’ve always had arms from track & field and softball but this transformation was really something for me.
3. What keeps you motivated to train?
My motivation: Me. I know what I want and I’m not afraid to go after it. I’m determined to get it and won’t stop ‘til it’s conquered. I love doing it. Training is second nature to me. It’s not a job. I try to make it fun while maintaining my physique.
4. What workout plan has worked best for you?
I’ve tried a lot of training from MMA style, to football to boxing. The style I like is Bill Goldberg football workout and Wanderlei Silva Circuit training workout. I’ve gotten the best results doing both of those workouts.
Wanderlei Silvia upper body workout consisted of the following:
Chest / Shoulders / Triceps:
• Incline Dumbbell Press – 25 lbs. x 20 reps
• Box Jumps 10-20 reps
• Clean and Press: 20 lbs. x 20 reps
• Overhead Extensions: 25 lbs. x 20 reps
• One flight of stairs on the Stairmaster for 5 to 7 minutes straight. That would be one circuit that I would repeat three times.
5. What is your philosophy about cardio?
Just do it! It helps and it works. It works if you work it, so I think it’s the best for weight loss.
6. What is your philosophy about weight training?
My philosophy about weight training: Weights training done correctly can help with muscle growth and cardiovascular health. I am addicted.
7. Do you prefer HIIT or steady state cardio?
I prefer steady stale cardio. Running frees my mind of everything.
8. What are your top 5 favorite exercise?
• Distance running
• Sprints
• Hill runs
• My two favorite pieces of cardio equipment are the Stairmaster and the ski machine.
9. What is your philosophy about nutrition?
My philosophy about nutrition is it’s all about willpower. Nutrition is 80 percent of my training. If my eating is under control, my gains in the gym will amaze. No doubt about it.
10. What nutrition plan has worked best for you?
A nutrition plan for me is really not following a set diet. Clean, healthy eating works for me.
Here is a sample of what I would eat on regular training days:
• Meal 1: Oatmeal, 1 Tbsp. of blueberries, 4 egg whites, 2 yolks.
• Meal 2: ½ of a sweet potato, medium chicken breast, mustard for my taste and season, and a cup of broccoli.
• Meal 3: This is my post workout meal—protein shake made with Muscle Tech protein powder.
• Meal 4: Tilapia (seasoned with soy sauce for my taste) and a cup of green beans.
• Meal 5: 5 oz of round steak, seasoned with Mrs. Dash and sea salt, asparagus.
11. What is your favorite cheat food?
Pepperoni pizza.
12. What is your favorite health food?
Stuffed chicken breast with jalapenos and feta cheese.
13. What supplements have given you the greatest gains?
Muscle Tech products, VPX Meltdown. I’m currently reviewing some new supplements so I’ll report that later.
14. What does your pre and post workout nutrition consist of?
• Pre-workout drink: I’ve use BSN’s NO Explode
• Post-workout drink made with Muscle Tech protein powder
15. Which tools have helped you most with your nutrition and training?
The tools that have helped me are Muscle and Fitness magazines. I read all of them from Fitness Rx for men to Shape for women. They all have great information and I try to utilize what I read.
16. Have online resources (social networks) helped you in your training?
Facebook is a great networking tool. I’ve grown from that. Also MuscleDog is full of information that appeals to all. Bodybuilding.com and TFSupplements also give you knowledge about what is out there for you.
17. Where is the first place you turn to when looking for training / fitness / nutrition advice?
Honestly, the first place I turn to is my trainer (who is my ex). He reads up on what works, what’s out there and what is good and bad.
18. Who are your favorite fitness/bodybuilder competitors or role models?
Monica Brant, Lena Murray, Dorian Yates Jay Cutler, Branch Warren, Tanji Johnson, Trish Warren. They are all amazing people and I truly admire them.
19. What obstacles have you had to overcome?
I struggled with my weight in the beginning because I had a lot going on with my son. He was diagnosed with autism at age 3. That was it. After I started doing research on the subject, learning how this affects my child, what it was going to limit him to do, I knew I had to get myself together. Special needs children have strength out of this world. I couldn’t let my son handle me…LOL.
20. What was the biggest mistake you made when you first started training?
Just going in the gym and being all over the place.
21. What tips would you give to a beginner?
You need to stick to a routine and have some order about it. If you don’t, you run the risk of overtraining.
22. What are your future fitness goals?
To continue growing my fitness modeling port, compete in at least one competition (maybe), and continue to help and inspire as many people as I can.
23. Where can we find you on MuscleDog.com?
You can find me at Cbureau1979 on MuscleDog. Check out my profile to see my bio, fit stats and more.