619-822-3296 
It’s not always the number on the scale that tells you you’re moving in the right direction – Jen has made huge changes in her life since joining Leash Your Fitness and is much healthier for it! She’s lost 10lbs, but more importantly, she’s built muscle, become stronger, has more energy, and her clothes fit better! She’s also taken on some incredible challenges along the way. We asked Jen to tell us about her healthier life, her accomplishments, and adventures with LYF. She also has good advice for anyone looking to take their running to the next level!
What got you and your dogs, Magnus and Bear, into Leash Your Fitness? What is your (and your dogs’) favorite thing about LYF?
About five years ago I was recovering from a serious illness and was looking for a way to get back in shape. I happened to come across LYF on Twitter and thought it sounded like a fun way to exercise. I checked out Bonding with Bootcamp and I was immediately hooked. My favorite thing about LYF is that it makes working out fun! Even though I get a really good workout, it doesn’t feel hard because I’m outside enjoying the beautiful San Diego weather, exercising with my dogs. An added benefit is that I think it keeps our dogs healthier – people always comment that Bear (8 years old) and Magnus (13 years old) seem much younger than they actually are, and I attribute their good health to attending LYF classes regularly.
How have the classes helped you in your health and fitness goals?
The best result I’ve gotten from working out with LYF is how much stronger I have become. I started noticing that everyday things in life became easier as I got stronger. It sounds silly, but just being able to lift heavy things, carry groceries, change the water bottle at work, and having more energy in general is very liberating and is what makes me feel healthy. Just feeling better all-around has been the best benefit of going to LYF classes.
You were on the Trail Dogs team for Ragnar Vail Lake 2014 and Ragnar Zion 2015. What motivated you to do these challenging endurance races?
Honestly, I never thought I wanted to do these types of races. I have done shorter races in the past, and the LYF Trail Dogs team asked me to fill in last year when Dawn had a scheduling conflict and couldn’t make the race. She was sad that she couldn’t go, and to be honest, I was surprised that I was asked to fill in because I was only running off and on at the time. But I like a good challenge, and I joined the team and started doing training runs with them. It made me realize that I absolutely love running trails! I admit I’m not a natural runner because I have to push myself just to maintain a slow, steady pace, but I really like being out on the trails. You get to explore new places and see beautiful scenery that you wouldn’t get to experience otherwise. It’s so much more enjoyable to me than running on the street.
At the time you started training for Ragnar you hadn’t been running consistently. What advice would you offer someone who wants to start running for the first time or is starting to run again after a break?
To just keep telling yourself that the more you do it, the easier it gets. It sounds so cliche but it’s really true! And you don’t have to run super long distances or be blazing fast, just run regularly at a nice comfortable pace. Also, I would highly recommend finding a group like LYF Strut with Your Mutt class that welcomes beginner runners. Everyone in our running group is so supportive and encouraging. It makes it more fun to run with other people and you can learn from the more experienced runners. All of the LYF runners are so positive and make running fun.
You once said while out on a LYF run: “you never know where you’ll end up with Leash Your Fitness!” Tell us about that – what are some of the places you never thought you’d end up, and what’s been your greatest experience?
Haha, it’s funny that you guys remembered that I said that. While training with the Trail Dogs for our Ragnar races, and also while going on LYF hikes, it seems like we always end up going up a mountain! Sometimes it’s difficult to push your way up the mountain, but the view from the top is the payoff that makes it all worthwhile. When I drive around San Diego, I look at all the mountains and realize that I’ve actually climbed to the top of most of them because of LYF. It’s a real accomplishment! I don’t know if I can pick out one single experience, but the greatest thing has been that LYF has given me the opportunity to do wonderful things that I never would have done on my own. And in doing so, I have made so many great friends. LYF has become more than just exercise classes for me, but it has really become an important part of my life.
We are extremely proud of Jen for conquering all of the mountains she has so far! We can’t wait to see what’s next for her and her young-at-heart pups!
