FITBODY Profiles

Courtney Orlando

    Personal Information

    I am a married mother of 2 boys who always keep me on my toes.  I work as a personal trainer and group cycling instructor, as well as a lab analyst for our local health department.  I grew up playing sports, so in that respect I have always been active.  In recent years, I have gotten involved in running, completing 4 half marathons, as well as triathlon.  While training for my first full marathon last winter, I suffered from 2 overuse injuries.  I have tendonitis in my knee and plantar fasciitis in my foot.  Needless to say, I was unable to run my marathon.  During 8 weeks of physical therapy and 3 months off from running, I tried to focus on my swim and began some weight training.  As soon as I picked up running again, I had pain, so I backed off yet again.  At this point I knew I couldn’t spend another day in the gym, aimlessly lifting weights with no direction.  I needed a plan and a goal….enter Andrea Zylius, I saw the amazing transformation she made and wondered if I could do the same.  She told me about Julie and the rest is history!

    What are your greatest fitness accomplishments so far?

    Competing in races, both running and triathlon.  My half marathon PR is 1:48:25 and my 5K PR is 22:24.  I also finished first in my age group in the Woodridge mini-triathlon in 2010, and second in my age group in 2011.  In the Naperville Women’s triathlon in 2010 I placed 3rd amongst all of the women from my town that competed.  I even did a century bike ride (while unknowingly 7 weeks pregnant)!

    This transformation is also a huge accomplishment.  I always heard about “bodybuilder” diets and thought they were crazy…I could never eat like that.  However, I knew I made it when I was getting ready for the gym and my 4 year old son, in reference to my abs, said, “wow mom, that looks like my batman costume.” That was the best compliment I could have asked for!

    WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN & WHAT HAS HELPED YOU MAKE THE TRANSFORMATION?

    In a period of 16 weeks I lost 8% body fat, lost 8 pounds of fat and gained 6 pounds of muscle.  Of course, Julie helped me make that transformation, as well as my running partner-turned-lifting partner.  We feed off one another and push each other to go heavier or get in that last rep.  She understands my diet as well, so we could share tips and recipes and know that we weren’t going through it alone!

    What do you enjoy most about fitness?

    I love challenging myself to see what I am capable of.  6 years ago, I never would have believed that I could run 13.1 miles or complete a sprint triathlon.  I never would have thought that I could go from running a 10 min. mile to a 7:14 min. mile.  I never would have thought that I would be lifting as heavy as I am, and eating the way I eat.  Working out is my stress relief.  Whether it’s a hard weight training session, a long run, or a nice swim, I can work out my frustrations at the gym.  Fit mom=happy mom, and happy mom makes happy husband and happy kids!

    What are your fitness goals?

    Knee and foot willing (I received a cortisone injection 6 weeks ago), I would like to participate in my first half-iron distance triathlon in 2013…injury free!  I would also like to complete a full marathon.  And of course, I want to keep transforming my physique.  Now that I have fallen in love with weight training too, I just have to figure out how to do it all!

    What motivates you to maintain a healthy lifestyle?

    I want my husband and children to see me and want to be healthy and active too.  I want them to know that with hard work and discipline, they can accomplish anything.  I want to be in good health to watch my kids grow up and to grow old with my husband.  Plus, it makes me feel good!

    What is the best part about working with Julie?

    She answered all of my questions in a timely manner and helped me change my lifestyle.  I am so grateful.

    What is the worst part about working with Julie?

    That I never met Julie. I would love to have met her and trained with her in person…that would be one unbelievable workout!

    Favorite 'diet' food:

    High protein breakfast mix…hands down…if I came out of this with nothing more than that, I would be okay!  A close second is a cookies and cream UMP shake blended with ice and a bit of sugar free pudding mix, as well as plain greek yogurt mixed with vanilla UMP and sugar free lime jello mix or cookies and cream UMP…tastes like key lime pie and Oreo cheesecake filling!

    Any other comments or anything else you would like to share

    Julie has changed the way I think about eating and food.  I honestly thought I ate pretty healthy before, but was I ever wrong!  Aside from a few cheats here and there, I can NEVER imagine going back to the way I used to eat.  Who would have thought I could eat so often and get lean on a 2200 calorie/day diet!  More importantly, it has carried over into my family.  My husband has begun working out and eating clean and I am so proud of him.  Even my 4 year old has discovered he enjoys fish and foods other than chicken nuggets. I have also learned the importance of strength training for endurance athletes, as well as proper stretching.  My knee is so much stronger, and I have started running again!  I am so thankful to Julie for helping both me and my family shape up!

    Hometown:

    Plainfield, IL

    Who would have thought I could eat so often and get lean on a 2200 calorie/day diet!

    FITBODY Inspiration

    Julie Lohre FITBODY Profile Courtney Orlando

    Julie Lohre FITBODY Profile Courtney Orlando

    Julie Lohre FITBODY Profile Courtney Orlando

    Working with Julie

    Through the online training, Julie has shown much concern and passion towards my needs and concerns.  She is quick to respond and has listened on so many occasions through my ups and downs.

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