Janice Lowrey Ferguson

I'm in my 45th year of marriage to an amazing man; we have a beautiful daughter who considers us friends and confidants. Life doesn't get much sweeter than this!  I'm in period of transition from full time teaching (my first year of teaching was in 1965) to part time (online instruction) as a Professor of Special Education at Western Kentucky University (GO Big Red!!).   I have been competing in NPC Masters Figure since my first show in March, 2010 when I became absolutely hooked on the friendships and encouragement I found there. Bowling Green Athletic Club (BAC) ties with Broadway United Methodist Church as my second home and diet is a five syllable word (deprivation)!!

What are your greatest fitness accomplishments so far?
In order of importance, the friendships that have developed in most unexpected places in this season of my life!  If someone had told me that at 68 years of age I’d be wearing a bikini smaller than my lingerie and 4” heels on stage I’d have declared them certifiably delusional!  Yet, here I am and that’s what I do!  In the process of working out I have gained upper body strength I previously never had and gone from a fat lean to a muscular 12.9% body fat!  And I’ve only just begun!
Transformation info – July, 2009 is when I began hanging around BAC experimenting with the different machines.  My husband watched my efforts and with exasperation one day declared if I didn’t get a personal trainer I’d seriously hurt myself.  And that’s how it all began!

What do you enjoy most about fitness?  The feeling of empowerment working out gives me!  I really am not a happy camper on rest days; I HAVE to do something even if it’s only cardio.

What are your fitness goals?  Honestly?  To become a “sculpted 70!”  I’m two years, well a year and a half, to be specific, from reaching that goal.  Can’t wait to see how I’ll turn out with Julie’s guidance!! My secret goal is to compete long enough that other women in my season of life will begin to join me and then NPC will HAVE to offer Masters Figure 65+, and 75+!!!

What motivates you to maintain a healthy lifestyle?  My mother had severe osteoporosis.  Working out has helped me build not only muscle mass but increase bone density.  Besides, it’s a great stress reliever and a wonderful way to meet and encourage other women.

What is the best part about working with Julie?  How she motivates and encourages me!  Emails and texts are answered within hours if not minutes.  She truly cares about each person’s individual progress.  She’d be a great special educator with her ability to create individual programs and diets around each person’s areas of strengths and weakness!

What is the worst part about working with Julie?  The distance between Bowling Green and Covington/Newport!

Favorite 'diet' food: Vanilla UMP Pancake with steelcut oats and Saigon Cinnamon; second favorite; Key Lime Vanilla UMP smoothie. 

Your Website: Friend me on Facebook!

Your Sponsors:  Julie and Rick Lohre, my second family!

Any other comments or anything else you would like to share?  Yes, I’m known for saying (and living) “There’s absolutely NOTHING you can’t do in life as long as it’s legal, moral, preferably low fat, and FUN!!!”