This is Jodi, my coach! We met in 2005, she transformed me for my Figure competition in 2006, and she has become one of my closest friends. I can not say enough great things about this woman. She is tough as nails, tells you like it is, SUPER smart (like MENSA smart!) and hilariously funny. Yes, if she were a dude, I’d be all over her.
(Please not that the references made in this interview to the words “diet/dieted” is not in the restrictive fad-dietey way, but rather a word Jodi uses synonymous to “transformation” or “metamorphosis”)
F: Hi Jodi! I’m so excited to have you here on Fitarella! Please introduce yourself to my fantastic readers!
J: HI!! My name is Jodi Jones and I am a Physique Transformation Engineer. I currently reside at www.jodiojo.com and would love for anybody to stop by and say hi! I am very silly. I enjoy people and I enjoy my craft.
F: What is your background? How did you get into Fitness & Nutrition consulting?
J: My degree is in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in biology. I was focused on Biomed. I was an engineer from 1990 to 2001 when I left the field to stay home with my children. All the while that I was an engineer, I was also an aerobics instructor and personal trainer in the evening. When I left engineering, I just focused on those. In 1998, I added nutrition to my background and have not looked back since. It is now what I am known for more than anything else and at the time of me filling this out, I have dieted well over 1000 (I’m being conservative) women in my short 11 year career. I do diet men as well but have been primarily women for the last 3 years.
F: What is you Fitness & Nutrition philosophy?
J: “Don’t just diet to lose weight, diet to feel & look good.” If you are going to put yourself through the trials of working on a goal, get the maximum amount at the end. Whether it’s beautiful hair, skin and nails, being emotionally sound, hormonally intact or even the top dog in your sport. Be the best that you can be by using food as a resource instead of just a thing you eat all day long.
F: You have had an astounding number of successful competitors on stage in Fitness, Figure & Bikini ( i’ve seen them firsthand!) What do you think it is about your approach that has worked so well with your clients?
J: I did not diet any of them the same. That builds trust. They realized that I was more invested in their success than i was my ego of the “hottest” diet trend out there. Their health was paramount and I wasn’t afraid to pull the plug on their training if I felt that they were not thriving. I was truly humbled by how much they trusted me while I was in that position. They are some very discerning women.
F: What are the most common mistakes you’ve seen people making when trying to make changes to their body (ie, lose weight, gain muscle)?
J: Doing everything at once and forgetting that life is a habit. Until it becomes a habit, you will make “mistakes” or “not be perfect” and etc. That language bothers me and pretty much tells me that you are not ready for process of dieting. This is life…it’s not a test. There should be no such thing as “I feel like a failure”. It’s more: well that isn’t right for you…let’s try this and see how you do…
F: One of the things we’ve included in my diet recently is Coconut oil. Since people can be apprehensive about it as a saturated fat, can you explain what role it can play in a daily diet?
J: Oooo, where do I start? For one, skin and hair. You will know you are eating it almost right away when your skin is silky smooth and your hair is shiny. 2) energy without insulin spike. It’s an MCT (medium chain triglyceride) so it is digested much faster than regular fat and it gives you a bit of a kick. 3) It’s YUMMY! I love coconut oil in the diet and I am going to do a whole blog feature on it so there is more to come on this…
F: If someone were just beginning a fitness program at home, what are 3 things you’d recommend to get them started?
J: I am assuming you mean in terms of exercise? If so, I would say legs to walk, arms for push ups/pull ups and a butt with a GPS signal that can search out the direction of the floor for when you squat.
F: As a busy mom of 3 and business woman, do you have any tips on how to maintain balance in our daily lives?
J: I struggle with this every day. In fact, when you read my blog I let you in on my struggles with this. I can be like a hamster in a wheel. I LOVE what I do so I always want to do it. But too much of anything–even if you love it–is not good. I recently left my last job over this because balance is that important to me. I needed to find me time/kid time/work time and etc. I will say this, though, because I have become much better at it in the last year: set concrete boundaries and then stick to them. I will not work b/w 2 and 5 when my kids are doing homework and transitioning from school. I will not hang out with the family or answer the phone during work time. This is hard because I work from home. So, I’m learning…
F: You have recently changed the focus of your consulting practice. Can you share with us what you will be doing next? What kind of athletes will you be working with?
J: Two types of people we are really focusing on right now: metabolic repair and athletes who are looking to optimize their nutrition to better their craft. Tennis, soccer, endurance and etc. Whomever you are if you are an athlete-we’re looking for you. Metabolic repair is for the girl who has done everything to lose weight but just cannot. Maybe she has PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Disease) or she has dieted one too many times, but we’re here to back her program down and change her focus so she may start seeing some success. General hotness will always be a part of any company of mine b/c it is my signature, but I am no longer working in the competitive fitness/figure market so it’s not the same as before. No extreme!
F: What are the basic staples that one should have in their daily diet?
J: protein, carbs and fat. And I’ll be a bit more specific than that: fruit and veggies, GOOD FAT and a true protein source.
F: What is your favorite exercise?
J: Deadlift. If I could marry it, I would.
F: Favorite cheat meal?
J: Anything with butter on it. In fact, I’ll take just a stick of butter if you have one!;)
F: You have a blog, Jodiojo.com that is fabulous! What kind of things do you write about?
J: My blog is being groomed towards all usable content. I want everyone to not only learn something new from my blog, but i want to teach them how to then *use it*. Articles are great, but instructions are that much better. Right now I am in the middle of a series titled “Menu Planning” so I am teaching folks how to periodize their foods for beauty and success. (Beauty for me means a body that is functioning properly. Only then will you be beautiful.) Next will either be good fats and how they can work for you or dismounting a diet (you know…how to avoid gaining it all back by learning how to “transition diet”).
F: Thank you sooo much for spending time with us Jodi! Any last words?
J: Besides, I love you fitarella? How about just my signature sign off… WOOP WOOP!:o)
THANK YOU JODI!
Have questions/comments for Jodi? Let’s hear ‘em below!!
Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell are the authors of
Marathon Moms on Runnersworld.com, a fantastic blog about their lives as moms/wives/writers/athletes. If you haven’t checked it out yet, go there now! Well wait! No, first read this interview, then go there.
1. Please introduce yourselves:
SBS: I’m Sarah Bowen Shea. I’m a freelance writer whose work appears in a variety of publications including Runner’s World, Shape, and New York Times. I am a marathon runner, a competitive Masters rower, and an enthusiastic swimmer. I am also the mom to Phoebe, 6, and twins John and Daphne, almost 3.
DM: I’m Dimity McDowell, who writes for many of the same publications as SBS (her nickname to anybody who knows or sweats with her). I also have two kids: Amelia, who is five, and Ben, who is 2.
2. Dimity is in Colorado and Sarah in Oregon, so how did you meet? How did you come up with the idea for the blog?
SBS:Dimity and I both rowed for our alma mater, Colgate University. We met at a Colgate Crew anniversary dinner when she was still at Colgate and I was an alumna. We became friends from seeing each other at a few rowing races and then I helped Dimity land her first editorial job. The blog was my idea—an off-shoot of our feature that is in the July issue of Runner’s World. A way to bond us together as we trained for the 2007 Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco.
3. How did the blog end up on Runner’s World.com?
SBS: It was part of a feature package we did about training for and running the 2007 Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco.
4. When did you start running?
SBS: Although I jogged a little in high school, I really discovered running as a freshman in college when I joined the rowing team. Running is a classic cross-training activity for rowers, and I enjoyed exploring the countryside around Colgate, which is set in rural New York State.
DM:I pretty much hated running until I joined the crew team @ Colgate too. The mile-run of the Presidential Fitness test in middle/high school always had me quaking in my Tretorns. I used running for cross-training, like Sarah, for crew—always nice not to get on the indoor rowing/torture machine.
5. Have you always been fit? What inspired you to live a fit lifestyle?
SBS: I was not at all athletic growing up—I come from a brains-not-brawn family—so being active is not ingrained in my DNA.
DM: kind of. I grew up swimming on a swim team, playing tennis, skiing. My Mom was a Jane Fonda devotee, so I guess she led by example there, and my Dad was a top regional squash player. I really got serious about fitness my senior year of college, when a top crew coach made me realize that my height (I’m almost 6’4”, combined with my strength) could make me a candidate for the U.S. Women’s National Rowing Team. So after college, I went to a development camp, won the Nation’s Cup (a world championship for those under 21) with three teammates and continue to train to make the real team. I quickly found that that lifestyle—training three times a day, focus is totally on crew—was not compatible with my attitude towards life. In fact, most days, I fantasized about writing about the experience, instead of actually living it. I quit before selection for the 1996 Olympics, and although I have my regrets about doing that, I’m also very happy with where that experience landed me.
Ben, Dimity, Amelia
6. Have you run a marathon together?
SBS: We both ran the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Fran in October 2007, but we jockeyed leads. We didn’t run together.
DM: I ran with another Sarah, my sister, who was on her 5th marathon. The SF marathon was only my 2nd: my first was in 1995, in New York City, when I was young, single and had nothing but time to kill, so training was easy.
7. Have you ever done an ultra-marathon or triathlon? Any plans to?
SBS: I’ve done a few triathlons and adventure races, but not for about 10 years. When I’m not running, I’m rowing—I’m on a competitive Masters women’s team called Portland Women’s Rowing.
DM: NO WAY on an ultra-marathon. I doubt I’ll ever do another marathon—my body can’t handle running exclusively. But I am into triathlons: I love to swim and bike, and my running is slowly becoming less of an Achilles Heel. I have two more Olympic distance triathlons this year, and will probably attempt my third half-Ironman distance sometime early next summer.
8. Do you weight train?
SBS: I know I should, but I don’t. But I have started a concerted effort to strengthen my core. My rowing coach demands it, and I’m thinking it’ll help me with my running, as well.
DM:On and off. I need to be more on. I’m addicted to the feeling of a good cardio-induced sweat, so it’s hard to trade that for sit-ups, but I’m realizing more and more that my core is the key to going faster.
9. What is your favorite exercise/workout and your least favorite and why?
SBS: It’s a tough call, but my favorite workout would either be a trail run in the hills of Marin County, California (I used to live in San Francisco) or a lake swim. Few things more tranquil and zone-inducing, to me, than open-water swimming in a lake. Least favorite? Any AT-workouts, like long track intervals or rowing ones. I’m convinced I have very few fast-twitch muscle fibers—and very small lungs for a 5’ 11” woman!
SBS
DM: Favorite: probably a two-hour bike. Long enough to feel like I’ve had a good workout, but not so long that I’m wishing I was out of the saddle. I love the speed of the bike.
Least: like SBS, a fast running workout. I pretty much despise the track.
10. How do you find the time to fit all of your training, running & racing in with everything else that you have to do?
SBS: I make time for it because it is a top priority to me. I don’t go to bed at night without having a good idea when I’m going to exercise the next day. If I know I have a lot of deadlines at work, then I set my alarm extra-early. Or I’ll crush work so I can escape at 4:00 for a 5-mile run. Sure, it’s hard to find the time to train for a major event like a marathon, but that’s why I have done so few of them (4).
DM: The only way I can do it is if I get up early. I’m usually sweating by 6 a.m. on most weekdays. While that sounds harsh, the reality is, my day is much better if I get up and get going. If I wait until 6 p.m., when my husband is home, I’m too tired and fried from the day to do anything but get the kids ready for bed and just get through the rest of the day. Also, my body is used to it now. When I try to sleep in, I usually end up just listening to NPR and tossing and turning, thinking I should just get up and do something. The flip side is that I crash about 8 p.m. every night, and am in bed by 9:30, max, most nights, but I’m o.k. with that.
11. What advice do you have for parents that say they don’t have enough time to exercise or stay fit?
SBS: The other day, another twin mom was telling me how she used to be so dedicated about going to the gym before her girls were born, but now she hasn’t been in months. I asked her why she didn’t just wake up earlier to go a few days a week, and she literally didn’t respond. Nothing. I could see her thinking about that option, and she had no response for why she didn’t do that. It’s all about setting priorities. Like I think cooking a tasty dinner is important, so I arrange my work schedule so I can do that. You just have to decide what’s important to you, and what can wait.
DM: See above: get up early, while your husband is still around, and make it work. Yes, it’ll suck for a few weeks, but the payoff is well worth it.
12. What is your daily diet like? Do you have a training diet that you follow?
SBS: I eat healthily—and heartily—but don’t follow a “diet.”
DM:It’s nothing to write home about. I eat way too much sugar, which I always say I’m going to cut back on, but then never do. I also eat a ton of peanut butter, quesadillas with pinto beans and fruit—all fairly healthy options.
13. Any plans for another marathon any time soon?
SBS: This year I’m focusing on half-marathons. I need to give my husband a break from me training for a marathon—it eats into his weekend responsibilities. But I’m thinking my next one will be in 2009. Maybe Eugene or Newport—both small, Oregon marathons.
DM:As I said, most likely not. I love the idea of training for a longer race, but I think a marathon is just too intense for my frame. Triathlon training gives me the cross-training I need for both my body and mind. I haven’t totally written off the possibility of an Ironman, but that won’t be for at least three more years, when Ben, my youngest, is in Kindergarten.
14. Does your family exercise with you?
SBS: My older daughter, Phoebe, is just starting to run a few kids races. I can’t wait until she and I can go running together. My twins are too young to do anything but run crazy!
SBS & Family
DM: We ride our bikes together: Amelia on her own, Ben in the trailer behind my bike. We ride to school/daycare, and a mile up to an ice-cream shop for a treat. I love doing that.
15.Any suggestions for someone that would like to start running or train for a marathon?
SBS: Set your mind to it, get some good running shoes at a specialty running store, read our blog, and go for it!
DM: Sign up first—be realistic and give yourself enough time to train for the distance—because I feel like once you commit, it’s easier to justify the hard training. If you think, o.k., I’ll see if I can run 13 miles before I run a marathon, or some other gauge, you have a way out of doing it. If you pay the money (and make the travel arrangements and/or babysitter plans), you’ll be more inclined to see it through. And yes, read our blog.
Thank you Sarah and Dimity for taking the time to do this interview!
Our FFF today is Angie Schumacher. She is a Certfied Personal Trainer and Head Diva at Women’s Diet and Fitness. She is passionate about educating women about health & nutrition and helping them reach their fitness goals. (ready, all together now) Hi Angie!
Tell us a little about you – Who IS Angie Schumacher?
I am 35 years young, married to a wonderful man with no children yet. I am a Daycare Provider by day and Personal Trainer by night! I dedicate my life to helping children grow up in a loving, caring, learning environment and helping women achieve their fitness goals through proper exercise and nutrition, so that they may live a long, healthy life!
Have you always been fit?
Fitness has always been a part of my life, to sports and weight training in HS, to weight training and running in college and now, a certified personal trainer. I am always learning new things and still today, as fit as I am, I am still able to transform my body, which is amazing!
When & Why did you decide to become a personal trainer?
It was about 2 years ago, I joined a online fitness group, to try and reach some goals. I found myself spending hours and hours looking for the perfect workouts and all the answers to my nutrition questions. It was then that I decided to put together a Women’s Diet and Fitness website, that would have all those answers that I was searching for, all in one place. I decided that was just not enough, so I decided to further my help to others and became a Certified Personal Trainer.
What is does your current exercise routine look like? When do you work out?
I do 3 days of strength training workouts, which are either workouts I make up myself, or some that I have found online. I normally do 3-4 days of intervals that last only about 10-15 minutes. I really do not like cardio, so short and sweet are good for me! In exchange for the intervals, I will do bodyweight circuits sometimes too.
I used to work out in the evenings, but since my life has become so busy, I found that I had to get it done in the mornings or else they just weren’t going to get done! So now, 6am, I am getting my workouts in, either at the gym or at home.
What is your favorite exercise & why?
My favorite exercise….hmm..it would have to be squats. I LOVE squats, they are so good for the butt and that’s where my problem area lies, so its where I like to work the most!
What motivates you to live a healthy lifestyle?
Just seeing what changes I can make with my body, by working harder and eating clean, I FEEL good and LOOK good and know that I will live a long, STRONG healthy life.
What is the most challenging part of maintaining a healthy & fit lifestyle? Do you struggle with nutrition at all?
The most challenging is time management. I find that when I get busy, I tend to “slack off” in my nutrition. One thing I do always get in is my workouts, but my nutrition, I do have my on and off weeks! With my busy lifestyle right now, I am so tired at the end of my day, that I just don’t feel like planning my meals for the next day and if I don’t plan, I eat whatever. If I am stressed or tired, I also find it harder to stay on track and eat all the right foods.
What is your favorite healthy recipe?
Oohhh, there are so many! I have recently purchased the Gourmet Nutrition cookbook and found my favorite breakfast recipe! Not only do I eat it for breakfast, but for any meal! I have made this recipe to fit around foods I like.
Pears and Cream Omelet
3 large egg whites
1 whole egg
Pinch of Cinnamon
Pinch of Stevia
1/4 cup low fat cottage cheese
1/4 cup diced apple
1/4 cup diced pear
1/8 cup crushed pecans
1/4 cup low fat plain yogurt
Mix eggs, cinnamon and stevia and pour into pan. Cook until bottom is brown and flip and cook the other side. Mix cottage cheese, pears, apples, pecans and yogurt together in bowl. Transfer omelet to plate and add fruit mixture to one side of omelet and fold over. YUMMMM!!
What advice do you have for women that struggle with keeping fit or losing weight?
Be consistent and patient! You didn’t gain that weight over night and it will not go away over night. Keep up with regular workouts and eat clean. Try to find yourself some type of support system, such as a friend, co worker, family member, fitness group or a personal trainer, who can help you to stay motivated and on track!
–
Angie Schumacher
Longmont, C0
303.746.1432
——————————–
http://www.womensdietandfitness.com/ -
The place to find free exercises, weight loss and diet tips, fitness articles, healthy recipes and much more to achieve successful, healthy weight loss!
www.BuildingABetterU.com
www.AngiesLuv-N-Care.com
