What's Your Workout?
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What's Your Workout Lezlie Ward Yoga Instructor Wednesday 09/26/12 Total Fitness Center - Lezlie Ward
Lezlie Ward
Age: 45
Occupation: Yoga instructor
City: Columbus
Family: Husband, Brian Ward; son Jonathan, 14; and daughter Suzanne, 12.
Where do you work out?
Total Fitness, Zen Fitness, Art of Living and at home.
Briefly describe your routine.
I teach yoga Mondays and Wednesdays at Total Fitness, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at Zen Fitness. I teach individual yoga sessions in my home twice a week. I attend yoga and meditation classes at various places in Columbus, but also in Bloomington, Evansville and Indianapolis. Another important part of my fitness routine is walking at night with my husband and sometimes my daughter. It is such valuable time together.
What inspired you to start a fitness routine?
I started going to yoga 20 years ago when a friend invited me to a class. I immediately knew it was my ‘thing.’ At first I just did one class a week. Then I became a teacher and had young children and so would still just do it once or twice a week. Over time as the kids have gotten more independent, I have been able to do more.
Why is it something you
have stuck with?
It makes me feel more peaceful, more grateful, more joyful. When I feel peaceful within myself, I am more able to be a good mother and wife and friend and teacher. To me, fitness revolves around connecting with people. I rarely go to the gym or do yoga poses by myself. For instance, a shared walk with my husband strengthens not only my muscles but also my marriage, and is so much more life-affirming than an hour on the treadmill by myself.
Do you follow a particular diet?
I recently realized that I have high cholesterol, which runs in my family, so I have consistently been taking fish oil, niacin and vitamin D to balance that out. My physician recommended that I eat fewer carbs and more protein at breakfast, so I often make myself a fruit-and-yogurt parfait with Greek yogurt, berries and sliced almonds. It is gorgeous to look at and truly delicious.
How do you keep your diet on track?
I have enlisted the aid of my kids. When they see me tempted to sneak one of their fries or a dessert, they call me out. They love to catch me at it and be the boss of mom for a bit. It is one time that I have told them that they can tell me what to do.
What advice do you have for someone just starting out?
Start with what you like, and realize that moving at a pace that suits you will feel really good. There is no need to overdo it. Your body is meant to move.
— Beth Clayton-George,
bclayton-george@therepublic.com
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