Karen killing a workout!  Doesn't look like a 50 year old woman does she???

Karen Studley is always smiling and after knowing her for quite a bit now, she enjoys life!  Always looking at the glass half full, always seeing the positive in situations and people and supportive to anyone she encounters.   She is truly an inspiration in and out of the gym and I see the admiration her kids have for her.  The truest compliment a mom can get!

1.     How young are you?

Just turned 50 this year!!!

2.       Do you have children, if so how many?

Yes, I have 3 children

3.       What do you do for a living?

I work full time as a Process Management Specialist at Prudential Insurance Company

4.       Has your healthy lifestyle had an impact on your family?  How?

For most of my family the answer is yes.  Still working on a few others.  They have watched my transformation over that last several years and have seen how far I have come.  I’ve seen such a change in how they are eating and ensuring they are working out.  They see how important it is to take care of themselves no matter what age they are.  It’s never too late to start.

5.        At what age did you start working out?

I started working out 6 years ago.

6.       What are your inspirations to make fitness a priority in your life?

I lost a very close friend to lung cancer.  From the time she was diagnosed till she past was only 10 months.  She and I were both smokers.  Right before she passed away she told me I had to quit smoking so I would be able to see my kids graduation, get married and have grandkids someday.  She was going to miss out on all those milestones but I could change life. 

I quit cold turkey and never looked back.  I started working out a home using DVD workouts, then moved to a basic gym which really only had weights and machines (no classes).  Then I joined Nex Level the day it opened and I could not imagine my life without it.  I feel amazing and would have never thought 6 years ago that I would be able to do as much as I have over these 6 years.  Ran multiple 5K races, Spartan obstacle races, completed a Triathlon and now I’m working on the Spartan trifecta.  I’m in better shape now that I was in my 30’s.

7.       Do you have any limitations when it comes to exercise?  Past injuries, current injuries, etc.

If so, what do you do to overcome these limitations?

I have trouble every so often with my knees.  I have to make sure that I stretch before and after workouts and if needed I just ask for modification for a particular exercise. 

8.       If you could go back to your 20s and 30s, would you change anything and if so what?

Oh gosh for sure.  First I would have never started smoking.   I wish I knew how impact eating healthy and working out is as I would have started it back them.

9.       If you could give advice to those who think working out is too hard, what would it be?

I would tell them that they have to get that misconception out of their head.  They just have to try it to see that it’s not that hard.  I remember being petrified the first class I did.  I thought I wasn’t going to be able to keep up with the class and just embarrass myself.  That was far from it.  I felt so welcomed and quickly realized that everyone is at different levels of fitness strengths.  Just being there and making the commitment is the first step.

10.   What is your favorite indoor form of exercise?

I enjoy the Bootcamps, Circuits and WOD’s.  I just feel that every workout if different and I never know what to expect each class expect that the trainers will push us to our max. 

11.    What is your favorite outdoor activity?

Oh I have so many as I just love being outdoors.  Whether it’s biking, hiking, playing volleyball, playing horseshoes, swimming, playing ball with my dogs and yes mowing the grass ( I use a push mower…great exercise!!!!) just get up and move.