Questions: 
1. How long have you been at B-Fit and why did you want to join?
Late spring of 2018 I joined B-Fit looking for an exercise community that would not only be encouraging as well as knowledgeable as I pursued my fitness and health goals but be an additional link to our community. Multiple moves through the years have taught me that action on my part is essential to feel connected to a community and having others to do life with, in a healthy approach, is always a meaningful part of feeling at home.
2. What have you learned at B-Fit to help with your health and nutritional choices?
10 years ago our family decided to cut out artificial and processed foods. We swiftly saw a positive change in the way we felt physically and emotionally! Oh, the havoc these things can wreak on your entire body! B-Fit is a community of others who support these habits and help me discover ways to enrich a healthy nutritional perspective. Being a modern family on the go means we aren’t always going to make stellar food choices but being aware of healthier options as our culture and products shift is empowering. I always walk away from conversations with Bev with additional tools to aid me as I continue to walk a more health conscious journey for myself and family.
3. What are your current/future nutrition goals?
Being realistic about the body I HAVE in the context of a nutritional goal may sound strange but the mindset is freeing! Everyone knows you can’t keep eating or beating your body up like a 20-year-old when your not 20! I’ve discovered intermittent fasting as a result of conversations with Bev and other clients. It may not be a lifelong habit, but I have experienced tremendous benefits from it thus far. I believe all habits have an effect on our health and nutrition so finding what works best for your body to help you be healthy and feel good are imperative.
4. What would you tell others about the training and community atmosphere at B-Fit?
I’ve been in the fitness industry in one form or another for nearly 25 years. Finding a place where you are challenged yet safely guided by a willing and knowledgeable professional is not as easy to find as one might think. Those traits coupled with a collective appreciation for various fitness levels among fellow clients is the icing on the cake. Everyone is on their own journey but none are on it in isolation. Having a place to be challenged to improve physically with a focus on overall health for longevity among a supportive peer group is exactly what I was hunting for and have found at B-Fit. You are greeted by name and people know you. It’s like nonbeer drinking, health-conscious version of CHEERS!
5. You have experienced a Diastasis Recti surgery. How did you prepare for the surgery with working out?
My goals for preparing for surgery were to be in the best overall health I could be, increase strength and stability, and maintain flexibility all while not further injuring myself. The first step I took was being open and honest with Bev during our consult so she knew very clearly of my injury and my goals. From there, she was attentive to those concerns and focus during each small group session I attended. We modified where needed and concentrated on safe, steady progress. Something that also helped was seeking nutritional advice for post-operative nutrition. I’m SO GLAD I did! The last thing I wanted to do was eat after surgery so it was a comfort to know how to eat where it truly counts for maintaining muscle, staying properly hydrated and having nutrient dense foods for nourishment.
6. How did training at B-Fit help with your recovery after surgery?
My husband, family, surgeon and I were impressed with how well I was able to move around given the limitations from the surgery. My strength and stability training truly paid dividends here. I cannot emphasize this ENOUGH! Not needing the assistance in those oh so delicate habits of everyday life was so nice! I healed on schedule and was still able to steadily traverse through that process without other aches and pains due to strain on other parts of my body from not being able to walk upright for nearly 2 weeks. Having a tricked out walker complete with headlights and an airhorn compliments of our 13-year-old also helped. 😊
Once I was cleared by my surgeon, I went back to B-Fit, and it was incredible how much more my body could do than I expected. Bev was very helpful in keeping a balance with my restrictions, guiding me safely through my workouts and listening to what my body was telling me. In some ways, I was disappointed to notice the strength and stability I had lost but then realized I would have been far worse off had I not properly prepared beforehand. Once muscle memory kicked in and my brain and body began working together again, I quickly made strides which felt GREAT!
7. What would you tell others that may have to stop working out for a period of time because of surgery?
GET PREPARED BEFOREHAND! For real, do yourself a favor and prepare ahead of time where it counts. Be honest about the limitations you’ll have afterward so you can focus to alleviate the added stress your body will endure during recovery by getting those areas strong, stable and mobile. Listen to your body… but, don’t let it cheat you. You truly are capable of more than you think. Surgery can wreck your outlook sometimes as much or more than your body. It’s okay to be hesitant to get back to a workout regimen but there’s a point you get to where you need to push through a little bit more and teach yourself you can do it again.
8. What is your favorite and least favorite exercise?
Depends on the DAY! My favorite exercises are ones that I feel weak in. I enjoy seeing and feeling the progress in an exercise I couldn’t do well a few weeks ago. My least favorite would probably have to be anything I have to get up at 5 A.M. to do! Thank the good Lord there are 9:00 small group classes! Holla!
