Briefly describe your daily/weekly workout routine.
With my trainer, I do circuit training. So that’s treadmill/cardio work along with weights and body weight exercises. It’s 60 minutes of non-stop hard work. I try to run two to three miles two or three times a week, which has been a challenge lately to make time for.
What inspired you to begin a regular fitness routine?
My boys! I wanted to be a healthy role model for them. I wanted to be able to run with them and not feel like I was dying.
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Why is it something you have stuck with?
It makes me feel better in all aspects of my life. If I miss a workout, I can tell and I don’t like that feeling. Julie (my trainer) makes me want to do it. She’s so motivating and pushes me to do more and to push harder.
How do you make time to work out?
I consistently schedule Mondays and Thursdays every week at 6 p.m. with Julie. Honestly, I’m still a work in progress on making time to get runs in or other workouts in. It’s a goal of mine to get back on track with being a runner. I miss it and the way it makes me feel.
Have you lost weight or gained muscle mass through working out? How much?
I’ve lost about 25 pounds since I started my journey. I try not to get on the scale, since it’s just a number. I’m a stronger, healthier me and that’s all that I’m worried about.
What’s your favorite exercise?
If I had to pick one, I would say ball slams. It’s a great stress reliever.
Any exercises you dread, but do anyway? Why?
Burpees (a pushup-and-squat-style exercise for strength and aerobic benefit). I just don’t like them. Never have.
Do you listen to music during your workout? If so, what’s on your playlist?
Always, music keeps me moving. My playlist consist of mostly Dave Matthews Band and Mumford & Sons, mixed with a variety of randomness.
Do you follow any special diet or eating plan? If so, describe briefly. Do you “cheat” much?
I’m not on a special diet. I’ve just been making healthy changes that I can keep up with for the rest of my life. I try to cut out processed foods and eat plenty of fruits and veggies. I have a green protein smoothie one or two times a day. I drink juice two to three days a week to get extra micro-nutrients in. I’m human, so of course I cheat. Everything in moderation.
Do you have a favorite fitness moment, such as when you reached a certain goal or overcame a plateau?
My proudest moment was running my first half-marathon last year. I never in my wildest dream ever thought that it would be something I would want to do, let alone actually do.
What do you do to motivate yourself when you just don’t want to work out?
I show up anyway. And once I’m there, I just snap out of it and get to work.
What advice would you give someone who wants to begin working out?
The first step is the hardest, but it gets better as you get stronger.
— Compiled by staff writer Brian Blair
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Age: 38
City: Columbus
Occupation: I do childcare in my home.
Family: Husband Dan; two sons, Gunnar, 7, and Henry, 3.
Where you work out: I go to a personal trainer two nights a week and try to squeeze in runs and other workouts at home.
Hours per week: Two to five, depending on the week. Not as much as I would like — still something I’m working on.
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