Name: Shawna Arthur
Age: 24
Residence: Seymour
Occupation: Personal trainer at Fitness 1440
What is your workout schedule?
“It varies. But I work out six days a week with one rest day, sometimes two. I like to mix it up so I have fun while I’m working out. But for the most part, I stick to six days a week.”
What is your favorite workout to do and why?
“My favorite workout is probably plyometrics and high-intensity interval training. I don’t know why, but I find pleasure in doing high-intensity stuff. Getting my heart rate pumping and feeling sweat on my face is the most enjoyable part about it all. I think I find enjoyment out of punishing myself, and plyometrics and HIIT also burn some major fat, so it’s a win-win there.”
Where do you work out, and what do you like about that place?
“I work out at Fitness 1440, of course. Fitness 1440 has a variety of classes. Barre is probably my favorite, especially for runners. Target 24 gets your heart rate up, so I also like that one, too. In my opinion, 1440 is the best place because of the amount of space and the variety in classes as well as friendly people. 1440 will treat you like a family, and I love that.”
What do you eat or avoid eating to stay healthy?
“Well, that’s a loaded question. There are lots of things I avoid. I avoid pop and sugar, the two most dangerous ingredients. They are just as addictive as anything else, and that is your body actually saying, ‘I need more fruits and veggies’ or ‘I need more water.’ I take Juice Plus to keep me healthy.
Even when I go off the ball on the holidays, I still can count that I’ll be healthy because Juice Plus helps bridge the gap for what fruits and vegetables we don’t eat. I swear by Juice Plus because it has made me feel the healthiest I’ve ever been in my entire life.
And I thank God for this wonderful product I was introduced to a few months ago when I first started at Fitness 1440. Of course, you have to eat healthy in addition to taking them. Specific things I try to stay away from are mainly pop, any high-sugary foods, high-fat foods and breads, of course in moderation.”
What are your fitness goals?
“My goals change every year. I want to lose about 20 to 30 pounds. I simply just want to be healthy. Being healthy is the most important thing in my life right now. As long as I’m healthy, that makes my life better in the long run.”
What are some fitness goals that you have achieved that you are proud of?
“In the past two years, I have lost 110 pounds total. I was pretty overweight out of college, so this helped me in my fitness journey. This is what kind of sparked my passion and journey into personal training.
The second thing is, in May 2015, I ran my first half-marathon, finishing in three hours and 32 minutes. I outlived the odds that I could never be a runner, and I did and still continue to work toward goals every day as a runner.
I believe in always being proud of my accomplishments, no matter what I do. Whether big or small, a goal accomplished is still a goal.”
Are you currently training for any type of event, such as a marathon, a triathlon, etc.? If so, what does your training or routine involve?
“I am currently training for my second half-marathon. I run a few times a week or at least try to anyway. I throw weightlifting and strength training, plus some classes at Fitness 1440, like barre, gravity and target 24.
If you are training for a marathon or a half, a strength training routine is definitely essential.”
How does exercising make you feel?
“Wow! I don’t think there are enough words for this question. First off, it makes me feel happy. I don’t quite feel like myself when I’ve gone even a couple of days without the exercise routine.
Sometimes, it relieves stresses of life for me. Other times, it’s just therapy, and it’s a great therapy to have, I’d say. Secondly, it makes me feel accomplished. You demolish a goal you’ve been wanting to demolish, whether it’s lifting more weight, running longer.
Whatever it is, it makes me feel so proud that I accomplished that goal. Lastly, it makes me feel healthy. It’s a great feeling to go visit your doctor and they say, ‘You’re doing everything right, so keep doing what you’re doing.’ I’ve wanted to hear that statement from a doctor for years. Now, I finally feel like a better person, and it is a bit addicting. But I’d rather be addicted to exercise than anything else.”
What is your advice to encourage others to exercise?
“My advice to others for exercising is to spend the extra money for a gym membership and spend the extra money for a personal trainer.
You may ask, ‘Why is it important?’ Because if you don’t have these two things, you will not stick with the program. Some will, most won’t. Even if it’s just for a few times with a personal trainer, a personal trainer saved my life. Money is obsolete when it saves your life.
For women, don’t be afraid to lift weights. No, it will not make you bulky. I’ve been doing this for a couple of years, and I’m not even close to that. Don’t be afraid to push your limits. You’ll be surprised at what you can make your body do when you push yourself to the farthest limit you can go.
Be persistent, consistent and work hard.
No one ever gets anywhere without those three things. It may be hard now. But someday, you will say, ‘I remember when I couldn’t even do a full pushup.’ Then getting a good routine in for your schedule also is valuable to exercising. Find something you love doing, whether it’s a class, a form of exercising (like plyometrics), weightlifting, running, walking, biking, etc.
Finding something you enjoy doing is key because if you don’t enjoy it, you won’t stick with it. Make sure you ask lots of questions. You may ask, ‘How do you know this?’ Well, I’ve been there. I know what works and what doesn’t.
Find something that will work for you, stick to it and do your best always. And most of all, don’t ever give up.”
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Are you interested in sharing information about your workout? If so, email [email protected] or call 812-523-7080.
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