Elpida: Before Becoming a Buff Bride
Elpida's Starting Stats
Weight: 150 lbs.
Dress Size: 8 to 10
Q: What was your favorite food before becoming a Buff Bride?
A: Chocolate, Twizzlers, etc.
Q: What was your favorite body part before losing your weight?
A: Didn't really have one!
Q: What was your motivation to lose the weight and get fit?
A: I had started to work out about a year and a half ago (Spring 2002), but found that I was never able to maintain a regular, consistent exercise schedule. Sometimes I would go to the gym five days a week, other times I would go once or not at all. I knew I needed some motivation. Also, at the time that I began my exercise regimen, I had an aggressive schedule. I was extremely busy with work (our offices were temporarily moved to Parsippany, N.J., from the World Financial Center after Sept. 11, 2001, so I had to deal with a new commute) and I was also in business school. Trying to balance work with a new commute, business school and exercise was challenging. While I found exercise helpful in reducing stress, I also found it really difficult to find the time and self-motivation to go. I also felt that I wanted to learn how to properly do strength training. Reading articles in fitness magazines is one thing; having an expert trainer teach you the right way to do strength workouts is completely different. Frankly, I was also a bit intimidated by all the machines at the gym and didn't quite know which to use for what.
Q: Did you exercise before becoming a Buff Bride? If so, how often and what did you do?
A: My husband, Frank, had encouraged me to join New York Sports Club with him in March 2002. Prior to that, my exercise regimen had been highly sporadic and pretty much nonexistent. The last time I had exercised was by playing sports (tennis, lacrosse) back in high school. I never exercised during college or the first few years after college.
