LYNDA MAUS, 49, NORTHFIELD, FITNESS ENTHUSIAST Lunchtime is workout No. 2 I started working out Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, lifting weights in the morning with a personal trainer. Then I work at St. Olaf in the athletic building, and I have a facility I can work out in that's right outside my office. Usually instead of taking my lunch I take lunchtime Monday through Friday to do some kind of cardio like the elliptical or bike.
Adding punch I'm a real advocate for weight lifting. I've come to realize to stay strong and healthy as you age, you really do have to start lifting weights and pushing yourself a little harder. I like cardio, too -- I like to sweat and breathe hard and all that stuff -- but I think lifting weights is where you keep yourself youthful, strong, healthy. I've taught some weight-training classes for the YMCA that's starting up here.
A healthier approach In the last probably four or five years, I've been a little more forgiving of myself. I used to be kind of mad at myself if I didn't work out and think, 'I didn't do anything today,' but I don't really do that anymore. That's not healthy. I just say, 'You know what, I couldn't get it in today; I'll do it tomorrow.'
Eating for pleasure and nourishment At work here I'm known as the person who eats sticks and twigs. I don't eat sticks and twigs, but I am a little ... not necessarily a health food nut, but I don't eat doughnuts and that kind of stuff. To me, eating a doughnut is like, 'I just wasted all those calories -- I could have had two peanut butter sandwiches, something that would give me energy.'
Do it for you Exercising obviously keeps you healthy and strong and is good that way, but it also helps emotionally and keeps your stress levels in check. It's not all about just looking buff; to me, it's less about that and more about the other things. When my five children were young and I was working, exercise was like, 'Yes! I get an hour.' I looked forward to getting to go do that for myself. I would teach aerobics class, and working out with other people, obviously there's something there, an energy there. Teaching and doing my exercise was like therapy. You destress and feel good. You come back energized and ready for the next day.
SARAH MORAN
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