Name: Lydia Lavigne

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH

Personal Information

I'm a full-time engineer and management consultant, part-time student, and a part-time fitness nut, but really just your average everyday Jane.

I enjoy participating in various challenges and living life to its fullest. A huge part of this is fitness, and keeping healthy and strong so that

I can go and experience things. I love to travel for instance, and see the world even beyond the places catered to tourists, and I donít ever want

to be held back from seeing and experiencing things because I physically canít do so. Iím almost always super-busy, trying to balance preparing for

the next physical challenge, a demanding work schedule, and a long-term pursuit of learning through university classes, currently on my MBA, but Iívebeen thinking about law school or maybe a PhD, or maybe not, who knows? Nonetheless, I believe that almost anything is possible, but you need to betruly committed and work for it, as it may not be easy, but itíll definitely be worth it.

What are your greatest fitness accomplishments so far?

Well, Iím not sure if these are really accomplishments, since I didnít win, but I have run four marathons, a couple 15Ks, numerous 10Ks and 5Ks, and Iíve done one figure show as well. Theyíre definitely challenges, but they were for me, and gave me goals to train for, so the accomplishment was on a more personal level, but certainly nothing to speak of in the larger sense of accomplishment.

Are you involved in any fitness sports, if so, what and when did you start in your sport?

I guess running is kinda my thing, since itís always been a mainstay of my fitness regimen. But I donít want to overemphasize that, since I spendjust as much time in the weight room and on the stairclimber or elliptical as I do on the treadmill (donít wanna look like a skinny toothpick!).

Running DOES get boring at times, but I love being alone with my thoughts, experiencing the outdoors, and thinking while plodding along. Iíve beenrunning off and on since high school, but got more serious after college when the college eating and lack of activity really caught up with me, and I

started running to drop weight. Yes, the weight did come off, and though I definitely do many other things now, I just donít feel right if thereís not a run in my routine every few days.

What do you enjoy most about fitness?

Just feeling strong and energetic verses feeling weak and lethargic. I feel so much better after a workout, and that keeps me coming back to the gym.
I like pushing myself to the limit, sometimes a little too far, but I learn a little more about myself every time, every workout, every day.

What are your fitness goals?

Hmmmm, this is always a tough one. With my current work schedule and business travel, itís been difficult to find a consistent gym for good workouts.

But, there are always the running shoes and the outdoors or the treadmill, along with pushups, crunches, the resistance bands and some plyo. So, Iím thinking a spring í07 marathon, maybe. Long-term, Iím looking at another figure show and an ultramarathon, but who knows when on those yet?

What motivates you to maintain a healthy lifestyle?

Bottom line, I donít want to die early or have a miserable quality of life! I see so many people out struggling to climb a flight of stairs, or even requiring assistance to walk around the grocery store, that I never, ever want to get myself in that condition if I can help it. The people Iím watching arenít even old, theyíre in their 20ís, 30ís, or even teens, and I just think about the life that they could have (they could hike up that hill without huffing and puffing) if they just tried just a little.

Would you like to thank anyone?

My wonderful husband Dave, who has put up with my crazy tendencies, changing moods, and single-mindedness more often than anyone; heís been a great source of support when Iíve been down on myself. Heís not so much a cheerleader though, more like a drill sergeant, but sometimes thatís what it takes to keep me going.

Your Email: lydia@lavignes.com

Any other comments or anything else you would like to share?

I think that fitness is or should be an ongoing pursuit in life for everyone. Goals change, your body changes, but you are still in the pursuit of fitness at whatever level or situation youíre in. There is no easy out or holy grail, just a long journey that, if youíre successful, you get to keep going. Time is a precious commodity, and we need to maximize the use of it as much as we can, meaning yeah, you may rather head to happy hour after work instead of heading to the gym, but that hour youíll spend in the gym will make you feel so much better the next morning than the hangover from the happy hour. We all live stressed-out, overscheduled lives, and fitness kinda grounds you and provides you with an escape from the stress of the everyday. Believe me, I know.