Connie is a 38-year-old Management Analyst or the Army National Guard and a Detachment SGT for a Finance Company.
Q: What got you started working out?
A: I was at my highest weight and wanted to change it. A friend of mine (Amanda Sanders) told me her friend was doing a 4 week challenge for the new year so I joined it.
Q: How many days per week do you typically work out? What groups are you a part of?
A: I typically do 5-6 days a week. I am part of Stronger together virtually since I live in Springfield, IL. I also do Warrior Strong, I had to take a small break due to training for a marathon.
Q: What’s your favorite exercise?
A: I really don’t have one.
Q: What’s your favorite post-workout meal/snack?
A: Lately it has been popcorn.
Q: What do you find most challenging about working out?
A: The hardest part when I started was keeping it going. Now it is just trying to make sure I can work my other crazy parts of life around it.
Q: What keeps you motivated to work out regularly?
A: My health and my job. I really feel like working out helps me stay sane. I take my frustration out in my workouts whether it be in lifting or in kickboxing. I also have to be physically fit for my job.
Q: What advice do you have for someone who’s thinking about getting started in the gym?
A: Take it one day at a time. Each rep even, if it is one more than the last time, is better than nothing. You have to start somewhere.
Q: What is something you couldn’t do when you started, that you can do now?
A: Deadlift!
Q: What fitness accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: Handstand pushups, deadlifts and kickboxing. I have always wanted to do handstand ups and I have been able to do them. Kickboxing and lifting has always been something I was told I couldn’t do, do to restraints of some injuries but I have push passed all of that.
Q: What goals are you working on now?
A: Running a marathon in Jan of 2022. Not losing what I have gained with my muscles!
Q: Tell us a random fact about yourself that people might not know:
A: Most people know I am in the Army National Guard, but most don’t know I aspired to be in the Guard Band growing up and I was for 9 years. I have spent the rest of my 21 years in Finance and pay!
Q: What’s your favorite thing about working out at The Strength Collective?
A: I love the environment, everyone is family whether or not when I get to come to the gym or virtually. I love the support. I am grateful for the virtual members! Christina and I want more to join us on Monday and Wednesdays!