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Mrs. Montana Lacey Kraft Shares Her Passion For Fitness And The Star Quality That Won Her The Crown!

Bodybuilding.com had the opportunity to speak with Mrs. Montana 2009, Lacey Kraft. She shares her passion for fitness and the star quality that won her the Mrs. Montana crown! Find out more below!

Article Summary:

Lacey Kraft was crowned Mrs. Montana in 2009!
Mrs. Kraft found a passion for fitness when she was pregnant with her son 10 years ago.
Mrs. Kraft is an avid hunter and raises her own chickens.

Mrs. Montana Lacey Kraft Shares Her Passion For Fitness

Mrs. Lacey Kraft is a 4-time Mrs. Montana Competitor (placed runner-up in 2008 and won the pageant in 2009), she is an office manager for her husband's business, she's a mother of two, AND she's a future figure competitor (as well as an Oxygen covermodel hopeful). She joined the bodybuilding.com BodySpace/Forum family in June of 2010, and since then, has become one of our most popular members due in part to how truly inspirational and motivational this 34-year old dynamo is. Read the interview to find out more about Lacey Kraft, Mrs. Montana 2009, is why she is so inspirational.

[ Jamie Filer ] How did you first get involved with fitness? Was it something you did for fun? For a purpose?

[ Lacey Kraft ] I really became involved in fitness when I was pregnant with my son 10 years ago. I wanted to have a healthy pregnancy and baby and so I started eating well and exercising. I did light weights and cardio under the guidance of a personal trainer.

[ JF ] How do you manage being an office manager, a house wife, your Mrs. Montana responsibilities, AND training/dieting for a figure show?

[ LK ] I work as the office manager for my husband's business and so that means that I also work from home. I work out at home, but this is a bit of a catch-22 because it can be easy to put off since I could just do it "later". I keep a tight schedule and that helps me ensure that I get everything I need to get done in a day. Being Mrs. Montana is a little different story since it has required travel and events often center around food (so I try and pick the cleanest choices and avoid carbs and alcohol).

I have made over 50 appearances during my reign, and the travelling has kept me quite busy. There are times when the workouts have slipped because of that but I just jump back in when I get home. The figure show is a bit out on the horizon as I have been focusing my energies on finishing my Mrs. Montana year. I have really enjoyed competing in the pageants and look forward to testing myself in the figure arena.

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I Have Made Over 50 Appearances During My Reign,
And The Travelling Has Kept Me Quite Busy.

[ JF ] What is your training currently like? Did you train harder for your Mrs. Montana pageant?

[ LK ] My training right now consists of a 4/3 weight lifting split. I also do 5-6 days of cardio (I love to run) and I also do a yoga session one day a week. I know that might sound like a lot, but I generally keep all of my workouts to about an hour and a half. I also keep a good variety in my lifting routine by changing it every 6-8 weeks.

I trained harder than I ever had before when preparing for last year's pageant and it did pay off. I was lifting 6 days a week and running for an hour those same 6 days. I don't keep quite as rigorous a routine now though.

Here's an example of one week of my fitness program.

Alternate weeks:

Heavy 10, 8, 6 increasing lbs each set;
Light 15, 12, 10 increasing the weight each set;
Circuit 3 X 10 medium weight

Day 1: Biceps/Triceps/Abs/Cardio

Incline Dumbbell Curl: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Wide-Grip Bar Curl: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Cross Body Hammer Curl: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Skull Crusher: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Bench Dips: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Kickbacks: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set

Day 2: Legs/Cardio

Walking Lunge: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Step Ups: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Single Leg Squats: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Lying Leg Curl: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set

Day 3: Yoga

Day 4: Chest/Shoulders/Abs/Cardio

Dumbbell Press: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Pullover: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Incline Dumbbell Flyes: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Military Press: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Shoulder Raise: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Upright Row: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Front Raise: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set

Day 5: Back/Calves/Cardio

Barbell Row: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Cable Row: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Wide Grip Pull Ups: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Back Extensions: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Standing Raise: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
One Legged Standing Raise: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Seated Raise: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set

Day 6: Abs/Cardio (Pick 2 or 3 exercises from list)

Ball Crunch: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
V Ups: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Side Bridge: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Seated Barbell Twist: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Cable Curl: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Reverse Crunch: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Cable Crunch: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Decline Crunch: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Air Bike: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Hanging Leg Raise: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set
Scissor Kicks: 3 heavy sets of 10, 8, 6 reps, increasing lbs each set

Day 7: Rest

[ JF ] Do you find that your public appearances gave you the motivation to stay in shape, or did balancing your schedule with appearances and work make training difficult?

[ LK ] Being in the public eye was definitely a huge motivator for staying in shape. On the Mrs. Montana website there are numerous pictures of me and some of those are in a swimsuit so I feel like I must maintain that image. For me fitness is a lifestyle and it would not make sense for me to let that go just because I reached a certain goal. Yes, there were times when my traveling schedule did not allow me the opportunity to work out but I just hit it again when I got home.

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There Were Times When My Traveling Schedule Did Not Allow Me The Opportunity To Work Out But I Just Hit It Again When I Got Home.

[ JF ] Was there any pressure from the media or your peers at the pageant to be "too skinny" in order to look a certain way? Are eating disorders and body image disorders prevalent in your field?

[ LK ] I did not feel any pressure to be "too skinny" but yes there is an assumption that you look a certain way, that mostly pertains to how you dress, your makeup and hair! I was not aware of anyone with eating disorders while at any of my competitions. Sure there were some crazy diets but I wouldn't say that anyone had a disorder.

[ JF ] What is your daily nutrition like now?

[ LK ] That might take me all day to answer! I try to eat as wide a variety of clean foods as possible, but I certainly have my favorites. I raise my own chickens and so eggs are a favorite, as is chicken, of course! I also eat venison as my main red meat source (I am an avid hunter as well). Fish is the hard one for me, but I have found there are some good frozen varieties that I like, tilapia is on the top of my list right now.

I eat a large variety of vegetables, fruit and whole grains. I am human though, so I do indulge in a small square of dark chocolate every day which keeps me from getting a huge craving that I might cave too! For me moderation really is the key because I believe that total deprivation just sets you up for failure. Once I learned about clean eating I found that I really can't stomach some things (potato chips are one) and so I just don't get a craving for them.

For Me Moderation Really Is The Key Because I Believe That Total Deprivation Just Sets You Up For Failure

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For Me Moderation Really Is The Key Because I Believe That Total Deprivation Just Sets You Up For Failure.

[ JF ] Do you currently take any supplements?

[ LK ] I take very few supplements. I take a multivitamin, creatine, flaxseed oil, an omega complex, arginine and I drink a protein shake post work out.

[ JF ] Talk to us about your struggles with MS and your aspirations to be the next Oxygen cover model.

[ LK ] I am very lucky with my MS due to the fact that I really have no symptoms currently. I do experience some numbness in my left arm and hand at times (such as when I overheat or my kids get me stressed!) but that is usually short lived. It can make working out a challenge but I try to be smart and workout in the cooler part of the day and I keep hydrated and a fan on me at all times. I generally stay indoors so that I can control those variables.

My main struggle with MS right now is that I have to take an injection every other day which sometimes causes bruising (not a good thing if you are promoting your body!). I would love to be on the cover of Oxygen some day but I still have a lot of work to do and I know the road will not be an easy one but rather lots of hard work and determination. I may never get there but I am sure going to have fun trying and seeing what I can accomplish. I am sure that I will meet many great people and find some new friends in the process.

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I Still Have A Lot Of Work To Do And I Know The Road Will Not Be An Easy One But Rather Lots Of Hard Work And Determination.

[ JF ] If you had one piece of advice for aspiring Pageant Queens, Fitness Models, and Figure competitors, what would it be?

[ LK ] I think the best advice I could give someone looking to compete is to remember to be your best self and never give up. It took me four attempts to win the Mrs. Montana title and each year I just kept fine tuning myself. You also need to find someone who can coach you and give you feedback because there are things you just won't see.

The first time/competitor winner is a rarity and I am disappointed when I see girls that have not come back because they thought they should have won the first time. The truth is that it really takes a lot of hard work and dedication and there is a learning curve to the process. The other hard truth is that there is always somebody who trained just that much harder than you or who was better prepared than you. And remember, it's all subjective, it is just the opinions of those judges on that day. Ok, so that was more than one piece, but this is what I learned in my five years competing.

Check out Lacey Kraft's BodySpace Here.

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