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Describe your workout regimen.

I worked out as a coach for new people at Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping in Johnston. In helping others reach their goals, it made me push myself harder and reach my goals as well.

Do you set small goals and reward yourself for reaching them? How?

I have goals in terms of getting to the workouts every day. My biggest challenge is just getting to the gym. I know if I get there, with the design of the Farrell’s program, I will get a good workout. I also set goals on my eating each day and try to avoid junk food and fast food six days week. I reward myself with one free day a week that I can eat or drink anything I am craving.

Do you work out with a partner or a group or alone? Why?

We are made to need community. If you are surrounded by others with similar goals, you will help one another meet those goals. Other people inspire you and make you realize what you are capable of doing. Their success can lead to your success, and people love to help people. That is why I work out with the entire class. When I have others I am leading or working out with, I feel like I need to set the pace for others to follow. That makes me go beyond what I thought I was capable of in relationship to fatigue. I have learned that our bodies are capable of going much further than we think if we fight through the mental wall we hit when our muscles start to burn or I think to myself, “I can’t do one more.”

What are the keys to your diet?

The program Farrell’s teaches is six small meals per day. Keep your carbs in check and make sure they are good carbs rather than empty carbs. Stay away from soda. I can’t believe how many cans or bottles of soda Americans consume each day. I try to make sure to eat a good balance of protein as well with each meal. But for me, I think the key is portion size. We have become a nation of enormous meals and “super-sizing” everything. I also try to drink a lot of water each day. My downfall is coffee.

What advice would you give to someone just starting on a workout program?

Get in a community of people that will feed off of one another and push you when you don’t feel like you want to do it that day. If you are a natural leader, then put yourself in a leadership role where others depend upon you to lead.

Any fitness goals you’re working toward?

I want to reduce my waist size another 4-6 inches and maintain that size for the rest of my life. So my goal is to get there first through a healthy diet and regular vigorous exercise. If I do that, my internal health will naturally become more fit as well.