Fit & Inspired: I know that you were a High School and College athlete – how have you managed to keep yourself in shape after you were done competing?
April: I still enjoy athletics so much. It’s hard to stop working out cold turkey when it’s what you have done while growing up. I continue alternating my cardio workouts and weight lifting workouts. I try to get one or two 30-minute runs in each week and work out each muscle group on weights on the alternating days. It isn’t easy staying consistent without a coach on your back, but I manage to get the workouts in as much as possible.
Fit & Inspired: Do you follow any particular diet plan? What types of food do you eat and what types of food do you avoid?
April: My diet is balanced for the most part. I definitely treat myself to guilty pleasures, but I always limit my intake and balance it by eating plenty of cooked veggies, grilled or baked chicken, fish, salads and fresh fruit. I always know when I’ve indulged too much because I feel lousy on the inside. That feeling is miserable and as soon as I feel it, I straighten up right then and there and flush my system with fresh, natural foods that process well in my system. I always feel refreshed and light when I eat the right things.
The guilty pleasures not to over-indulge in are white (bleached, unnatural) sugars and flour, combining meats, carbs and starches (it is better to eat each one with a veggie…ie., meat and veggies or startches and veggies). I have also learned that ANYTHING with High Fructose Corn Syrup is a big NO NO.
Fit & Inspired: What types of exercises do you do? How often do you work out each week?
April: Here’s my workout:
Legs: leg curls, leg extensions, leg press, calf raises – 1 day/week
Arms/Shoulders: biceps curls, tricep dips, shoulder press – 1 day/week
Back: pull ups, one arm dumbbell rows, seated cable row – 1 day/week
Cardio: 30 minute runs, normally outdoors – 2 days/week
Stretch: 15 minutes – after each workout
Fit & Inspired: I know that you are busy working on building your entertainment career – how do you make time to fit exercising into your schedule?
April: I force it! As with any career, workouts are usually the last thing you want to do after juggling the day’s responsibilities — and some days I do give in and say, “I’m just too drained to go”. Guilt is often times my motivator. If I’ve skipped too many workouts, my conscious starts in on me saying ” You know, it only takes 1 hour” or “Isn’t that why you joined a 24-Hour Fitness club so that you can’t give yourself these excuses” or “You are so lazy, GO FOR A QUICK 30-MIN RUN AND GET OFF YOUR BUTT!”. After all that has set on my brain, I just go on and get it over with to shut up the inner voice in me that makes me feel lousy for not going. The crazy thing is, after all of that, I always feel sooooo good that I overcame my procrastination. The exhilaration of completing a workout sometimes feel as good as sex 
.
Fit & Inspired: What advice would you give other women who are trying to maintain a fit lifestyle?
April: MAKE TIME FOR YOU NO MATTER WHAT!!! I truly believe that when you look good, you feel good and by that, I would like to emphasize that the feel-good feeling I’m talking about is so much more rewarding when you’ve worked hard for it every week. When you’ve overcome those temptations to just go home or stop and pick up a crispy chicken sandwich on the way home insted of making a b-line to the gym…the victory on the inside is so satisfying. When you’re working out and feeling good about yourself and looking good in your clothes as a result, you can’t help but to have that extra swag in your step. It’s not just a physical thing, its also spiritual and mental. Trust me girls, it works!
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