National Titleholder Photo Shoot with Michael Vonal

With Miss Teen United States Ashley Greenfield

 

Ms. United States 2011 Laura Eilers

Yesterday was a whirlwind and I'm so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with Mr. Michael Vonal and his team of stylists.

Here are some photos from behind the scenes and the final official Ms. United States headshot!


At 32 years old, it was a little odd photographing alongside the teen titleholder. Not only is she nearly 6 feet tall and blonde, but she's all of 18 years old. Don't we all remember being that age? I certainly didn't look like Ashley Greenfield! I hope she understands that the world is in her hands!

Miss Teen United States Ashley Greenfield,
Miss United States Ashley Smith, and
Ms. United States Laura Eilers

During the shoot, there were a couple of instances that I scoffed at my image wearing dark lipstick. "I think it ages me," I said. Wow... how the photos turned out is breathtaking and humbling! The beauty of my title as Ms. United States, is that I represent the true woman, established in her career, confident, fit, healthy, and vibrant. Red lipstick is the natural choice for a woman fitting this description.

I think it's beautiful the way the final national titleholder photo captures the generation of each of our titles, showing you that age is only a number. Beauty and grace at every age is to be appreciated! Love you girls!

Check out more photos on my Facebook page.

Visit Michael Vonal Photography

Announcing ShoeGasm Gallery as Official Sponsor

Everyone knows that a pageant queen needs outstanding SHOES! Answering the call to action, ShoeGasm Gallery is now an official sponsor of Ms. United States 2011 Laura Eilers! 

Thank you to ShoeGasm Gallery for enhancing Laura's shoe collection with stunning boots and pumps! Laura's favorites are the Pin Buckle and the S&M! Visit www.shoegasmgallery.com. 

 

About ShoeGasm Gallery: ShoeGasm Gallery...chic, eclectic, trendy, classic, urban…EVERY style for EVERY woman in you! At ShoeGasm Gallery, our priority is to provide you with fashionable footwear options. ShoeGasm Gallery has an unmatched, extensive selection of shoes that is constantly updated to reflect the latest and best styles! Being an exclusive online retailer allows us to invest more time and capital into finding the most original styles at pocket-friendly prices. We know that finding the perfect pair of shoes is much like finding love…Always staying ahead of the fashion curve, our mission is to help you find your SOLE mate. 

 

Fans of Ms. United States Laura Eilers can enjoy benefits as well! Visit the ShoeGasm Gallery website and use 10% off discount code MSUS10 during check out. Visit ShoeGasm Gallery on Facebook.

Delta Zeta Enriching: Zeta Rho Alumnae Member News

Laura Eilers, Zeta Rho '97 (William Jewell College), crowned Ms. United States 2011

By DZ News
August 11, 2011

Laura Eilers, Zeta Rho '97 (William Jewell College), has been crowned Ms. United States at the official pageant held in Las Vegas on July 14, 2011.

Laura, who was Vice President of Recruitment and Secretary for her Delta Zeta chapter, resides in Richmond, Virginia, where she operates Going Pro Entertainment, an agency providing services to the professional cheerleading and dance industry. Laura says, "I am the dance team director for Richmond's arena football team and design Go Wild! Wear costuming for many pro, semi-pro and collegiate cheer and dance teams. I am a proud alumna of the Zeta Rho chapter at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. Delta Zeta taught me the value of service, which I hope to carry over within my role as a Ms. United States titleholder. My platform is 'Let's Move in Schools,' encouraging our children to make healthy choices and get active. I also hope to empower women to focus on passion and happiness in order to discover their true professional calling."

Read more here or visit her Facebook page.

Look. Listen. Learn. Courtesy of Jillian Michaels

Jillian Michaels was a huge influence on my decision to become a personal trainer. Watching her on "The Biggest Loser" Season One triggered the "light bulb." We got to see her dramatically influence the lives of others while getting paid for her passion.

"Be brave and be patient. Have faith in yourself; trust in the significance of your life and the purpose of your passion... When you put positive energy and productive effort into the world it will come back to you. Occasionally in ways you might not immediately understand and on a time frame you didn’t expect. Look. Listen. Learn. Stay open. Your destiny is awaiting you." - Jillian Michaels, Unlimited: How to Build an Exceptional Life

Click on the link above and you'll see stories of people who influence Jillian including her mother and Suze Orman! It's my goal to not only motivate others to get active and eat well but also to live better outside of the gym. It's thrilling for me to help others incorporate their passions into their career. Thanks Jillian! You opened my eyes to this possibility, you are an inspiration! 

Upcoming Appearances

ABOUT MS. UNITED STATES

Ms. United States Laura Eilers will dedicate her year to promote healthy, active lifestyles through the "Let's Move" initiative. She is a former NFL Cheerleader, current certified personal trainer and fitness/dance instructor. She has a degree in public communication, is a small business owner and believes strongly in women's empowerment and entrepreneurship.

Invite Ms. United States Laura Eilers to appear at your event, present to your group or school, or endorse your organization. Email Ms. United States

UPCOMING APPEARANCES
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Miss Fredericksburg USA Pageant
Massaponax High School
8201 Jefferson Davis Highway, Fredericksburg, Va.

Thursday, August 25, 2011
YMCA Bright Beginnings
Target, Midlothian Turnpiked, Richmond, Va.

Monday, September 5, 2011
Labor Day Parade
Buena Vista, Va.

Friday, September 9, 2011
Pro Football Cheerleaders Alumni Reunion
Master of Ceremonies
Monte Carlo Resort, Las Vegas, Nev.

Saturday, September 10, 2011
Kids Cheer & Dance Clinic
Las Vegas, Nev.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Kansas City Royals Baseball Game
Throwing the first pitch!
Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.

Saturday, September 24, 2011
Nickelodeon Worldwide Day of Play
Washington, D.C.

Saturday, October 1, 2011
Hispanic Engineering, Science & Technology Week
Presentations with the Science Cheerleaders
University of Texas - Pan American, Edinburgh, Tex.

Monday, October 3, 2011
Richmond Raiders 2nd Annual Golf Classic
Benefiting Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN)
Country Club of Virginia - James River Course, Richmond, Va.

Saturday, October 8, 2011
Get Heidi Fit Zumbathon
Guest fitness instructor
Benefiting Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

Frederick Athletic Club, 5245 Westview Drive, Frederick, Md.

Fitness & Nutrition with the Queen

I'm a personal trainer, fitness & dance instructor, so I oftentimes get asked how to lose those last 5-10lbs.

Well lucky you, you can join me in my 2-week slim down to prepare for the Michael Vonal photo shoot of the four United States Pageant titleholders! I followed this same plan in my last two weeks leading up to the pageant in Las Vegas!

My workouts are fun, that comes easily to me. I try to workout 45-60 minutes per day, or two 20-minute workouts at best. And when I have to take a day off, well, I do! The most important thing to remember is that you don't have to be in the gym for hours at a time. Consistency is the key. If you can only get in 15 or 20 minutes, then do it! Make the most of that time. You will be surprised how little I really work out.

Generally I eat low carb, but to prepare for events and photo shoots, I follow a carb cycling plan. With this plan, you manipulate the carbs that you intake each day. The key is that every day, you eat your body weight in protein (125 for me), less than 2,000mg sodium, and nothing processed. I'll follow this plan:

**Carb counts exclude vegetables - eat as many veggies as you want!

Monday: No carbs (fewer than 25 carbs) / 30 min run&intervals, 20 min strength training
Tuesday: No carbs (fewer than 25 carbs) / 60 min spin
Wednesday: High carb (about 150-175 carbs) **90 minute workout day: 60 min boot camp, 45 min strength cardio lass
Thursday: Low carb (100-125 carbs) / 30 min run&intervals, 20 min strength training
Friday: Low carb (100-125 carbs) / 60 min boot camp 
Saturday: No carbs (fewer than 25 carbs) / Rest day
Sunday: High carb (about 150-175 carbs) **90 minute workout day: Trying some new classes at a local gym
Monday: Low carb (100-125 carbs) / 30 min run&intervals, 20 min strength training
Tuesday: No carbs (fewer than 25 carbs) / 60 min spin
Wednesday: High carb (about 150-175 carbs) **90 minute workout day: 60 min boot camp, 45 min strength cardio lass
Thursday: Low carb (100-125 carbs) / 30 min run&intervals, 20 min strength training
Friday: No carbs (fewer than 25 carbs) / 60 min boot camp
Saturday: No carbs (fewer than 25 carbs) **Day before the shoot! / 30-45 min jog outdoors, light weight training

Having a plan is really your best way to achieve results. When you write things down, you are so much more likely to achieve your goals. Also it's important to share your commitment with others, whether it's blogging, posting a Facebook status, or finding an accountability partner or personal trainer.

If you have questions about my workouts or meal plan, just contact me on Facebook or email at msunitedstates2011@gmail.com!

Behind the Scenes at the United States Pageant! Day Two

Slowly but surely, I'll think back on our days in Las Vegas leading up to the United States Pageant! Here is day two...

See Day One

Friday, July 8, 2011

Virginia queens wearing Spring Street Boutique
dresses in Las Vegas at the United States Pageant.

6:00am Wake up for a morning workout. I ran down to the Palms Hotel, where I have stayed with my friends during past trips to Las Vegas, so this was not only a "walk down memory lane" but a "run down memory lane," ...made me laugh thinking of my great friends!

7:15am Returned to the room to get ready. My roommate Miss Virginia United States Ashley Smith was still sleeping. Correction, she was avoiding her alarm clock which continued to ring. Her ringtone will forever be stuck in my head. :)

8:30am We leave the room to meet our other Virginia delegates before pageant orientation. The Miss Teen, Miss and Ms are all wearing dresses from Spring Street Boutique in Charlottesville. Thank you Cynthia! It's a beautiful store, keep an eye out for us to appear in her commercial this fall!

9:00am We arrive at orientation at the Orleans Resort, and I finally get to meet the 2010 queens! I had been emailing the 2010 Ms United States Tristan Topps, and she is even more beautiful in person. She is the definition of statuesque and graceful! During orientation, the pageant director Lynda Samuels reviews the week ahead and answers any questions. The 2010 queens give us a few tips on how to have a great week. We also receive our Tony Bowls opening number dress! All pageant contestants wear the same dress, it's stunning! 

Miss Teen Massachusetts, Ms Florida and Ms Virginia participate
in a United States pageant orientation icebreaker activity.

11:30am Lunch time! We have very short breaks during rehearsal week in Las Vegas, but thankfully the hotel has some great food options (yes pageant girls EAT!) I'm on a low carb diet to prepare for the swimsuit competition, so I opt for chicken salads everywhere I go. We stop by the food court at Fuddrucker's, and oh my! I'm in love their Mediterranean Chicken Salad will become my staple lunch for the next week. We have a short pow wow with the Virginia queens and return to rehearsals! 

1:00pm Each of the age groups meet as a group to introduce ourselves and exchange gifts. The Ms. candidates brought the sweetest gifts, including a fur-trimmed personalized tote bag from Ms. Oklahoma, a ring from Ms. Minnesota, mints from Ms. Massachusetts. Each of  these women is stunning. They are mothers, business owners, entrepreneurs, fitness competitors, WOW!

My perfect bowling form.

2:30pm Choreographer Natalie Carson starts teaching our finals opening number to "New Attitude" which includes all candidates. The dancing is my favorite part! We also spend time on the "Parade of Gowns" which is the final presentation of all candidates. It's amazing all the planning and work that goes into 90 ladies walking around the stage!

5:00pm Dinner, then get ready for tonight's social!

7:00pm All the pageant contestants meet in the lobby before heading to the Orleans' bowling alley right upstairs. That's right! We're wearing evening gowns. This was so fun to get to know the other delegates and take some silly photos. If you aren't having fun, the experience really isn't worth it!

8:30pm Once we hit the bowling alley, the California team faced off against the Virginia team. Miss Teen Virginia United States Ashley Greenfield beat me by just a few points. :)

10:00pm Time to retire to the queens' suite and prepare for swimsuit photo shoots in the morning!

Stay tuned for the next blog which will include the swimsuit photo shoot by Joe Pier and Virginia queens hitting the Las Vegas Strip!