Fifty, Fit, and Fabulous
November 2, 2009 by Brooke Griffin
Filed under Events, Featured, Lifestyle Transformations
In a new ongoing series, I will be featuring a variety of real people who have made lifestyle changes to better themselves or are helping to change the lifestyles of others. Hopefully these stories will inspire you or your loved ones to make lifestyle changes to lead healthier and happier lives.
If you are looking for inspiration to change your lifestyle, than look no further than the incredible story of Sharon Simmons. Sharon Simmons has pursued a healthy lifestyle for the last thirty years and she believes, “Fitness is for any age, and age is simply a state of mind.” Sharon started competing in fitness competitions at the young age of 50, with no previous training whatsoever. Sharon says “I had never been a cheerleader, taken gymnastics, or dance.” Since Sharon’s competition debut only four short years ago, Sharon has went on to accomplish more on the fitness stage, winning numerous first and second place titles, than women half her age.
Like so many others, Sharon has had her struggles, growing up in a single parent home, having an economically challenged childhood, and growing up with little to no guidance for a healthy lifestyle. Nevertheless, Sharon made a decision growing up that she would make a difference and a set a positive example for others. Sharon is living up to her commitment as she is a certified personal trainer and nutritional specialist helping others achieve and realize their personal fitness goals. Sharon has most recently authored her first fitness book, appropriately titled “Trip F- Fifty Fit and Fabulous-Proof that Fitness is for Any Age”. The book is available through www.triplef.me or www.amazon.com. You can also find out more about Sharon and her read her amazing success story at www.fitnessanyage.com
Make sure to interact with me on Facebook on Tuesday, as Sharon is giving away a free signed copy of her new book.
I hope you enjoy this new series. Next week, I will be sharing the story of Jen Hazeres and how she is helping transform the lifestyles of others right here in the Tri-State. Also, be sure to check out my new series weekly on the Examiner.com as I am the new fitness writer.
My Real Life Transformation Story
October 26, 2009 by Brooke Griffin
Filed under Events, Featured, Lifestyle Transformations
My Real Life Transformation Story
In a new ongoing series, I will be featuring a variety of real people who have made lifestyle changes to better themselves or are helping to change the lifestyles of others. Hopefully these stories will inspire you or your loved ones to make lifestyle changes to lead healthier and happier lives.
To start things off, I thought I would share my real life transformation story. Contrary to what you may believe, I wasn’t always enthusiastic about working out or eating healthy.
Rewind back just a few years ago. After I moved on from cheerleading, I took my fast metabolism and fast food habit for granted. This quickly added up to extra pounds for me and at 5′ 4″, I struggled to find answers. Faced with using diet fads and a lot of bad advice, I only achieved short term results. Frustrated, I began to learn that long term results weren’t about unrealistic diets or hours at the gym, but instead lifestyle changes. Once I started to understand how exercise and making conscious food choices complimented each other, I began to see positive results. Don’t get me wrong, it was 
difficult to break my bad habits and cut back on Hot Tamales (my favorite candy), alcohol, and eating fast food but I slowly began to see how good decisions and an exercise routine during the week allowed me to reward myself on the weekends. Over time the small changes in my new lifestyle formed habits that not only changed the way I looked but the way I felt as well.
Another big part of my success was finding a training partner, not only someone who motivates me in the gym but someone who helps me make good choices in the kitchen as well. While you may not think that you have a friend to motivate you that is the purpose behind this series. We can all learn from each other and find motivation in someone else’s story. Everyone has a different story to tell and in time I hope you will tell us yours.
I hope you enjoy this new series. Next week, I will be sharing the inspiring story of Sharon Simmons. Learn how this 53 year old stays in shape and how she is leaving her mark on the fitness scene.
(Me, a few years ago)
