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I was never really big on exercise until I signed up to join the Air Force in 2002. In high school, I was not a school athlete, I was the typical "band nerd" and was also in Jr. ROTC. Twice a year, our Jr. ROTC class had a PT week and there was a 1.5 mile run included. I would try to run that 1.5 mile, but I would be huffing and puffing. When I signed up to join the Air Force, I did

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I was never really big on exercise until I signed up to join the Air Force in 2002. In high school, I was not a school athlete, I was the typical "band nerd" and was also in Jr. ROTC. Twice a year, our Jr. ROTC class had a PT week and there was a 1.5 mile run included. I would try to run that 1.5 mile, but I would be huffing and puffing. When I signed up to join the Air Force, I did my research on basic training and read the physical standards. To graduate, I had to do so many push-ups and crunches in 2 min, and run a 2 mile run in less than 21 minutes. I knew that I couldn't do that, so I got right to work!! I was not overweight by any means, I was 111 lbs, so weight wasn't an issue, but physical fitness was. I signed up to join the military in July and my ship off date wasn't until December, so I had all that time to work on my physical fitness to prepare for whatever basic training threw my way. It took a couple of months to run the full 2 miles (and it was hard work) but with all that exercise came a bonus that I was not seeking...I lost inches and could fit into size 2's!!!! That was what turned me into a fit freak!

I got through basic training, passed my PT test with flying colors, even my drill instructor was impressed that I was fit from the beginning. I got to my first duty station at Sheppard AFB and became a Physical Training Leader (PTL). We lead our squadron members into PT, so we're kind of like personal trainers and motivators for the squadron. I was going through a rocky marriage while at Sheppard and put on a few lbs, still not quite overweight, but cutting it close according to the BMI charts. I still maintained my fitness, but it took me a couple of years to realize that I had to change my diet. I started watching my calorie intake and when I PCS'd to my second duty station at the AF Academy, I got down to 115 lbs!

With the new duty station came a lot of stress. I started putting weight back on and not watching what I eat. I was kind of a yo-yo dieter, but I still worked out quite a bit. My weight came back up, but I was still passing my PT tests scoring 90% or above. I got pregnant and with pregnancy comes the cravings. My first pregnancy ended in a loss at 16 weeks. I had some weight to lose after that...b/c it was our intention to get pregnant again, but I didn't want to add any weight on to what I gained. I became a member of 24 Hour Fitness and that's when I discovered the Body Bugg and Turbo Kick!! I was addicted to Turbo Kick, and along with PT, I lost 20 lbs! Shortly afterwards, I got pregnant with our first son! That was a bed rest pregnancy, so again, I gained weight. When I was 7 weeks pregnant (before getting put on bed rest), I was able to accomplish my Turbo Kick instructor training. Once I had my son, I taught Turbo Kick at the AF Academy, then started teaching at 24 Hour Fitness after I PCS'd to Peterson AFB! Again, I lost 25 lbs and ordered ChaLEAN Extreme to tone up, but before I had a chance to use it, I got pregnant with our second child. This time, I was able to continue physical activity as tolerated. I ordered Turbo Fire and did the workouts at low impact up until 26 weeks...from that point on, I did elliptical for my cardio. Once I gave birth, I hit Turbo Fire hot and heavy and by the time I returned to duty from maternity leave, I was running PT again as good as I did before I got pregnant! Turbo Fire even geared me up to teach Turbo Kick without feeling out of breath!!

Losing the weight from my 2nd (technically, 3rd) pregnancy is still a work in progress, but I'm staying motivated. I'm setting the example for women in our squadron who have had or might have babies. I've been told (and convinced) that pregnancy ruins your body...not just appearance-wise, but physically weakens your body, metabolism, etc. I've been inspired by ladies from the Powder Blue crew, including Chalene Johnson herself, who is a mother of two! If these ladies can look fabulous after babies (Toni Beier who has had SEVEN kids, and Monica Gray who has had TRIPLETS!!!), then so can I! You ladies are an inspiration!!!!!!!

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