RSS 2.0 Feed
January 2011, Cover Stories, Holistic Health & Wellbeing
Fit for Life: Debra Flowers
I want to teach others that they too can change their lives!!!
Introducing Debra Flowers, our new columnist, "Debra will be contributing to our site regularly, offering fitness tips and information on exercising and overall health and wellness. Debra is a NASM-CPT, Speaker, Business Owner and is currently working towards her degree in Kinesiology. Debra's philosopy is "Dump those fad diets and concentrate on practical and realistic weight loss." Debra encourages people to look at their lives, assess what changes need to be made and to gradually and realistically make those changes a lifestyle, not a hobby.
.
Getting in better shape and losing weight -- these are among the top New Year's resolutions for many people. Debra Flowers is a voice that wants to educate others in the necessity of living fit and healthy lives. She has struggled with being overweight and she believes with a little help people can acquire and maintain a healthy lifestyle and mind! While Debra believes that we shouldn’t wait until New Year’s to begin to live healthy, she’s also a firm believer in getting started somewhere. “Just don’t quit after the emotional rollercoaster of New Year’s is over!” Debra not only has come from being overweight but she has survived homelessness and domestic violence and she has made it her life’s goal to aid others in their journey to overcome adversity and becoming fit and healthy as well!
The following is an e-mail interview with Debra Flowers conducting the interview through email gives the respondent a chance to consider the question, yet due to the informal nature of email, the interview doesn't lose that bit of personality and spontaneity captured face to face.
Ftisomag: I first would like to welcome Debra Flowers as a regular contributing writer to the magazine “From the Inside Out.” I personally look forward to the expert information and advice you are going to share with all of us monthly.
Debra: Thank you Lynne, I look forward to being a part of “From the Inside Out”. Your magazine is a great platform for educating people about being healthy spiritually, mentally and physically. I thank you for giving me the opportunity!
Ftisomag: Your section in the magazine is entitled:
Debra: “Fit for Life”
Ftisomag: Why did you choose that name?
Debra: I chose that name because I want people to know that good health and a fit lifestyle does not have a destination. It’s an on-going journey. Fitness should be a lifestyle, not a hobby.
Ftisomag: We have a general idea of who you are now, but how did you get to this place and what was the journey like?
Debra: I got to this place because of fear. Fear of not seeing my children grow up and fear for my life. I had allowed myself to become unhealthy and overweight. By the time I went to the doctor and got all of the necessary tests done, it was discovered that my blood pressure and cholesterol levels were elevated. It was because of fear that pushed me into a different mindset. It’s unfortunate, but a lot of people don’t choose a fit and healthy lifestyle. It’s usually chosen for them due to health risks.
Fitsomag: And the journey?
Debra: Oh Lynne, I wish I could say the journey was easy and I loved it (laughs), but I hated it in the beginning. I actually was working at a local gym as an administrative assistant when I was overweight, so finding a trainer and gathering fitness information was easy for me. I began by asking a lot of questions and doing what my trainer told me to do. The hardest part of changing my lifestyle was NOT eating the foods that I wanted. I began to eat 5-6 small healthy meals per day, I cut out pop and juice, and I drank more water and exercised at least three days per week. Denying your flesh is painful, but so worth it!
Ftisomag: How much did you use to weigh?
Debra: At that time my weight was 205 lbs.
Ftisomag: How long did it take you to get the weight off?
Debra: I began this journey in January of 2005, and by March of 2005, I was 189 lbs and I haven’t looked back! 
Ftisomag: Most women don’t like to answer this question but Debra I have to ask and I’m sure our readers want to know- How much do you weigh now?
Debra: I weigh 165 lbs.
Ftisomag: It has been said that our struggle with our weight first starts with a struggle that we are having in our mind. Our unnecessary weight is a manifestation of our personal beliefs about ourselves. Is that something that you believe?
Debra: Well Lynne, I definitely believe that a lot of our unhealthy weight comes from tradition. The foods that we eat in our culture have a lot of contributing factors to obesity. But once we have knowledge about the consequences of unhealthy eating and we still continue to treat our bodies like garbage cans, then I believe it’s something deeper going on than just wanting to eat. A lot of people deal with pain in many different ways. Some people use food as a crutch to hide the pain they’re going through. I myself did just that.
Ftisomag: What were you going through when you were struggling with your weight and health?
Debra: I wanted more out of my life/career and I was in an unhappy marriage. I was putting everybody before my own happiness. I was so busy taking care of my family that I didn’t realize that I wasn’t taking care of myself. I didn’t realize that I had allowed food to take control of my life, until I became unhealthy.
Ftisomag: How did you feel about yourself?
Debra: My self-esteem was at an all-time low, because I had quit loving myself enough to want to change. I often say “If you love yourself enough right now, then you'll love yourself enough to change.”
Ftisomag: What type of help did you have from others (if any)?
Debra: My co-worker at the time was a trainer and a bodybuilder. I told him one of my dreams was to do a bodybuilding competition. So he began to bring in bodybuilding magazines and he kept me focused on my eating and my weight training. He was a big influence during that time. Sometimes it takes someone else to help keep us motivated.
Ftisomag: What was the biggest change you’ve made in your lifestyle?
Debra: My mindset. I would not have been successful, had I not changed my ways of thinking. Mark Victor Hansen said “Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.”
Ftisomag: What are the rewards because of the changes you’ve made?
Debra: There’s so many, but the main rewards are knowing that with good nutrition and physical fitness in my life, I have a good chance to be here for my children. I’m happier and more at peace because the possibilities in my life are endless!
Ftisomag: What should someone do if they are really interested in becoming fit?
Debra: Get help! Go to your local gym and ask questions, unless you’re under doctor’s care, then do what your doctor says. Read and then read some more! I bought and ordered a lot of books and magazines. I was on the computer goggling about fitness and nutrition. Knowledge is power. With the technology we have at our fingertips there should be no excuse for living an unhealthy life.
Ftisomag: You are now a personal trainer helping others. How and why did you decide to become a personal fitness trainer?
Debra: It’s funny but in the beginning it wasn’t my choice to become a personal trainer. As I mentioned earlier, I was working at a local gym, but at that time our hours were getting cut, so management gave me an option to stay on as administrative assistant, working in the evening with fewer hours, or becoming a personal trainer. I took the personal trainer position so I could be with my children in the evening.
Ftisomag: Was changing your career choice hard for you?
Debra: No, not at all. I didn’t know it then but God had a plan for me! I had become quite successful at being a trainer and after I had become acclimated with this profession my old position opened back up with my old hours, but by that time I was on the path that God had destined for my life!
Ftisomag: Not only did you continue to train people but you started your own fitness company. Why?
Debra: After I got healed, meaning my mindset, I wanted to educate others on how to live a fit and healthy lifestyle. I had a personal experience in being over-weight and putting myself last, so I believed that I could help others achieve their best life. So that’s why I started BEYOND MUSCLE INC.
Ftisomag: Tell me about your specialties in terms of fitness and exercise? 
Debra: I am a NASM Certified Personal Trainer (National Academy of Sports Medicine). I am CPR/AED and First Aid Certified and I am currently working towards my degree in Kinesiology. I have individualized programs that specialize in:
- Weight Loss and Toning
- Flexibility and Balance Training
- Speed, Agility and Quickness Training
Ftisomag: What are some of the misconceptions people have about exercising and getting in shape?
Debra: There a quite a few, but the most common is when people come up to me and say “I just want to lose my stomach”. You can’t spot train and you shouldn’t want to. Sure you can target one area, but you won’t be helping the other areas and you’ll be putting too much wear and tear on that one muscle. And without proper nutrition you still won’t have great abs.
Ftisomag: What message would you like to give to all those who are struggling with their weight and struggling to figure out what sort of diet they should be following?
Debra: Don’t give up on yourself. Its never too late to make a change. Take baby steps so you won’t become overwhelmed. Good nutrition not only helps you to lose weight but its essential for the body and all it’s systems to function optimally. Cut out junk food. Substitute those chips, cookies and cakes with fruit, celery sticks, and protein bars. Drink less pop and more water. But most importantly start preparing your meals so you won’t stop at that fast food restaurant when you’re hungry! Start walking or biking. Try a class at your local gym. Small changes lead to big successes!
* This website and its content are: NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR YOUR PHYSICIAN OR THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR OWN DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING ANY LIFESTYLE CHANGE, EXERCISE OR DIET PROGRAM.
Comments(5):
-
Debra's Fitness Article!
Monday, January 03, 2011 Debra
-
Ms. Flowers Article
Friday, January 07, 2011 diana
-
You Look Great!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011 Mary
-
Thanks Diana!
Tuesday, March 08, 2011 Debra
-
Thank you Mary!
Tuesday, March 08, 2011 Debra
