Were you athletic as a kid growing up? If so, what sports did you play?
I never played any sports when I was a kid and was always known as the skinny girl who was picked last for team sports in gym class. I was unathletic throughout college as well, and after one year at my first job post graduation I started doing exercise videos three times a week at home. In the last two years I have been training with weights and also eating only unprocessed foods. I never realized what an important part eating played in maintaining a fit body.

Tell us about your weekly exercise routine now.
I do weight training three times a week: Monday is back and bi’s, Wednesday is chest and tri’s and Friday is legs and abs. I do cardio five times a week for 30 minutes.

What is your weekly diet like?
I eat about 6 small meals a day, starting with oatmeal and eggwhites with blueberries for breakfast. Then different combinations of brown rice, chicken, tuna and veggies for the other meals. I stopped using artificial sweeteners in January of this year and also stopping drinking colas. So now the only thing I drink is water and I have at least one gallon per day. Although I love all the delicious junk food just as much as anyone, I constantly avoid it except on special occasion because it doesn’t take much of it to ruin my progress.

What keeps you motivated to stay fit?
Working out on a regular basis can be a hassle many times when I am busy with work, but I have a no excuses policy for myself and never cancel a workout. I always find the time for it. The process of working out is a lot of hard work and sacrifice but the results keep me going. I feel great and always have a lot of energy now.

What are your health & fitness goals for the future?
I want to keep improving my body as I age. I feel that I can still do better and work harder and I want to be able to be very active when I’m older and able to participate in life until the end.

What do you do for a living and how does your healthy lifestyle help you achieve your professional goals?
I’m a realtor, and it can be extremely difficult to follow my lifestyle in this line of work. Almost everyday, there is a meeting of some sort with a basket of bagels, donuts and other assorted pastries presented to us. It seems all the events are celebrated by food, and these foods will not help me achieve my fitness goals so I am constantly having to say “no thank you” at all the parties and events. The more I say no thank you to the junk food, the better I look and the healthier I am. I also eat out in restaurants all the time but have no problem ordering salads with no dressing and plain grilled chicken breast, they serve that just about anywhere in town.

Laura is 38 years old and is a Realtor with Prudential Carolinas Realty in Southpark.