ABOUT ME
Featured Review
I have always loved exercise.
When I was young, I wanted to be a gymnast. But we did not have health insurance or the money to pay for lessons. So I taught myself as much as I could by watching the Olympics and the World Championships and tried landing tricks off the couch...
In high school I ran track. I was ok. Definitely not the best. But not the worst, either. Ask me to run a mile, though? Yeah, right! I was a sprinter, not a long-distance runner.
In college I gained 20 pounds my freshman year. On a 5'2" frame, I definitely looked a bit stout. My clothes no longer fit. I felt yucky. My grandmother also passed away rather suddenly of a heart attack while I was at school. I never realized that when I left home I would never see her again. She was 72. And the most beautiful person, both inside and out, that I had ever known. I always wanted to be like her when I grew up. I learned rather quickly that I do not have a great genetic code on either side of the family. Heart disease. Cancer. Diabetes. Arthritis. High cholesterol. High blood pressure. You name it, it's probably in my genes...
When I came home from school my freshman year, the first thing my dad said was, "Gain a little weight there, Mouse?" (his nickname for me). He was totally poking a bit of fun at my stout stature, all in good nature. But I decided right then and there that I would never weight that much again, unless I was pregnant. I also decided that I would not become a victim to my genetic tendencies. I began devouring nutritional information and diet/lifestyle habits from low-fat to low-carb, vegetarian, vegan, Paleo, macrobiotic, raw, juicing, and more. You name it, I have probably read about it. I became determined to beat my genes.
That summer I also put on my tennis shoes and began running. 1/10 mile at a time. Run-walk-run-walk until I began running longer than I was walking. I learned that running was my PASSION!! Especially trail running! Over the years I have run 5ks, 10ks, half marathons and full marathons. I love to race. But my body doesn't. I push too hard and end up injured.
Then I began lifting... Ugh! I HATE the gym! It's so boring and stuffy. Until I began working with a trainer who made it fun. I learned a TON from him. I got strong and my body composition changed! I finally lost the stubborn, flabby parts that running alone would not eradicate! I liked the new look! And for the most part, I could run more again without getting injured as much.
June 30th, 2014, I herniated a disc in my back while lifting. Looking back, it was a perfect storm waiting to happen. It wasn't my trainer's fault. It was my own pushing through pain and tightness. The next year I rehabbed with Pilates, which I call my miracle physical therapy! It has seriously helped me overcome old injuries, as well as strengthening my back and core. It's amazing!
Last summer, I finally got back into the gym to do some short, easy workouts to rebuild my strength. I invited a running friend to join me. Our little group grew rather quickly until my garage was too full to take any more. We were having fun doing workouts, but I would always put them together on the spot. Then one of the girls said I should put together a plan to help them all get six-packs. I had one before I got hurt, so I figured, "Why not?" We tossed around ideas of what to call ourselves. I have never been a trainer, nor am I certified. So we called ourselves the "Six-Pack Guinea Pigs." And the name was born!
I love to workout hard. I love seeing results. I know what works for me with both "diet" (I hate that word--I really mean eating lifestyle) and exercise. Come along and join our group. Try these routines for yourself! See what kind of shape you can get in at home for FREE! I supply the plan, you just have to do it! Join me in the quest for a six-pack!!!