Meet Tom and Sheri, a husband and wife duo who most recently won the male and female weight loss categories of our Summer Slimdown fitness challenge! We met up with them to get to know them a little better! 

1) What are your main health and wellness goals? 

Sheri: To improve my balance and stamina.  I am a grandmother of 6 and want to play on the floor with them all and....be able to get up without them saying "Mimi, what is wrong with you!?!"

Tom: My health & wellness goals focus on strength training supported with a high in protein and nutrition rich diet. Old age is a thief.  It robs us of muscle tissue making us weak and vulnerable to illness.   I want to get strong and work to stay strong.

2) What do you love about Milestone?

Sheri: There are many things. I love the variety of different free group classes, the trainers are helpful and knowledgeable. I want to shout out to Sue for guiding me on my form and pushing me safely to challenge myself. It feels good to look forward to coming to Milestone daily especially when Nancy greets you every time with a big smile and genuine "Good Morning".

Tom: I love the Milestone facility and great equipment.  Milestone is clean and well-lit.  A shout out to Alison Cardoza for sharing her knowledge and boundless positive energy.

3) How long have you been a member of Milestone?  

Sheri: I am new, just one month but I love it.  Plus I am already getting results.

Tom: I have been a member at Milestone for 12 years.  Milestone is a great fit for me.  My fitness and healthfulness have grown so much that I am not just stronger physically, but I am mentally and emotionally stronger too.  Over the 12 years I have been coming to Milestone everything has fallen into place so well there is no doubt Milestone has changed my life for the better. 

4) What is something we would be surprised to know about you?

Sheri: Until 5 weeks ago I did not exercise.... at all

Tom:  I have been in heart failure 4 times, 2 times quite serious.

5)  What is your piece of advice you would give to others getting started on their fitness journey?

Sheri: Join Milestone, attend a few classes and make new friends.  We are all striving to better ourselves.  It's about having fun while you improve your fitness.

Tom: At the beginning the most important thing is to exercise CONSISTENTLY.   GO TO THE GYM!   You cannot get stronger if you don't go regularly.  My recommendation: go Monday-Friday, yes, 5 days a week.  You will absolutely get results if you stick with it.  

6)  What are your guilty pleasures/indulgences? 

Sheri: I love to take a long bath every night.

Tom: I like watching programs about forensic science.  Oh and I like chocolate.

7)  What tips did you learn from the fitness challenge that will help you stay successful in your fitness journey?

Sheri:  "Plan" - Create a schedule to your consistency.  Select the type of fitness activity that you enjoy, it helps you stick with it.  Try to make a "workout friend"

Tom:  During the fitness challenge I learned how to lose fat, not just weight.  Brenna Tomlinson gave a great nutrion class to kickoff the fitness challenge.  I learned that sugar and the bad carbs (bread, crackers, cookies, you know what they are) spike your insulin.  When our bodies have insulin available that is the only source of energy our bodies will burn.  To burn fat avoid the insulin spike from eating sugar and carbs.   

Thanks to Tom and Sheri for sharing their success and tips with us! We are so proud of your hard work and determination to live health, happy lives!