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JOY MAYS, 40 Residence Coordinator, Renewed Hope LLC BEST BODY CHALLENGE PARTICIPANT
LIFESTYLE CHANGE Exercise is very important and is the key to unlocking so much more. I needed to develop disciplined success routines in the morning and at night to help me stay focused on what’s most important in my life — my relationship with Christ, my husband, and my children. A good teacher showed me that when you are pursuing something urgently you must be focused, be strategic, and be relentless. BODY POSITIVITY You have to love yourself first internally, and then it will show up on the outside no matter what size or shape you are. I found that for my husband at least, it’s not my size or what I’m wearing that fires him up — it’s my confidence and passion that make the fireworks. BEST WORKOUT I recommend buying a step tracker and walking to get started if it has been a while. All cardio — including exercise classes and videos or cardio equipment — is great. I believe resistance training makes a huge impact on your tone and curves. Also, running and jogging is great to help increase stamina. I do yoga at least once a week though, flexibility, and core strength are important for us women. Makeup by Lakin Gream, Strandz Salon & Threadz Boutique
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YOU ARE STRONG, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL — ACT LIKE IT, BELIEVE IT, EMBRACE IT.”
BEVERLY BLANTON, 43 Schad & Schad, Litigation Paralegal
PASSION When I turned 18 — the first thing I did was join a gym. SETTING GOALS In 2015, I turned 40. I set out that year to train for and run the Indianapolis Marathon and shave 40 minutes off my prior marathon time. I not only accomplished that goal, but I also ran over 1,000 miles while training. After reaching a huge 1,000 mile milestone (that was the first time I ever ran that many miles in one single year during my entire adult life), I thought - “I wonder if I could run a 100 miles a month?” So, in 2016, I made that my goal....to run 100 miles a month. Goal accomplished. I decided in 2019 I would do the “Run the
Year” Challenge. The challenge basically means running 2019 miles for the year (that equates to an average of 168.25 miles/month, 38.83 miles/week or 5.53 miles/ day.) It is legit the hardest, most difficult goal I have ever tackled. I recently registered for the New York City Virtual Marathon 2019 for a guaranteed spot in the New York City Marathon 2020. Only 500 entries were accepted and I was one of them. MOTIVATION On days I don’t feel like running, I give myself a pep talk. I remind myself of how great I’ll feel when it’s over. I tell myself it’s okay to slow your pace....just move. Some days, it’s literally more of a mental battle than a physical one.
The mind is a very powerful tool and requires training as well. BODY POSITIVITY In a world full of things you cannot control, your body and physical well being is something you can. Being healthy gives you a sense of strength, builds confidence — allows you to hold your head high and stand up for yourself. I tell my children — you are given this one body for your entire life, and you must take care of it. No one else can do it for you. You are strong, you are beautiful — act like it, believe it, embrace it. Don’t waste this life you are given. Makeup by Lakin Gream, Strandz Salon & Threadz Boutique
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MY MOTIVATION IS NOT TO LIVE IN PAIN EVERYDAY.” KAREN STOUT, 45 Master Stylist at Josephs Salon and Spa FITNESS PASSION Yoga became my passion after I realized I could rehab myself with all of its benefits. I was born with spina bifida so I always understood I was going to have to do something to stay in the game without debilitating pain every day. So I stumbled on Bikram yoga about 15 years ago. Its creator had been in a major motorcycle accident that broke most of his body and he rehabbed himself through what he created as Bikram yoga. ACCOMPLISHMENT I never thought of myself as a competitor because I have a very weak left leg, but about two years ago I realized that you only have to work on one leg in the yoga USA competition. That meant for the
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first time in my life I could be a competitor. So in January I found a certified coach named Glenn Brown and we started practicing. In April I competed in Arlington, Virginia, and ranked 20th in the regionals for USA Yoga. I was elated and plan to practice and compete next year also. MOTIVATION My motivation is not to be in pain every day as I work my job. LIFESTYLE CHANGE Yoga for me has changed my life beyond and back. It keeps me healthy, it keeps me out of pain, it keeps my mind more focused, and I always feel happier after a 90-minute Bikram practice. BODY POSITIVITY When I find a problem with my body I try to just work for a solution. Sounds silly but it takes my mind off the problem and puts it on the resolution. Makeup by Emily Roberts, Strandz Salon & Threadz Boutique