Fitness Moms

She’s a mother of four, a pharmacy technician and the Herald-Guide’s February Fit Mom

Working out to jump start your day is probably how you’d start each morning if you spent a day in the shoes of Luling’s Shelia Duncan.Duncan, 46, is proof that you don’t need a gym membership to stay in shape.

She exercises at home each morning using her own equipment – an aerobic and incline step, asorted dumbbells and ankle weights, a Pilates ring and flex bands – and has done so for over 24 years.

“I have over 200 exercise videos and I love some of the workouts on Fit-TV,” said Duncan, who is also a pharmacy technician at Winn-Dixie in Luling.

“I need lots of variety, so I mix and match workouts and have even developed my own routines over the years.”

This mother of four says that she exercises every weekday morning and rotates workout routines.

“Depending on my work schedule, I exercise for one hour on my early days and two hours on my late days,” said Duncan.

“On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I do circuit training with cardio and weights, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays I do cardio.”

In addition to cardio and weight training, Duncan also includes stretching and occassional walks into her workout regimen.

“Mu husband walks regulary in the evenings, so I join him for a 3 to 5 mile walk when I can,” said Duncan.

Duncan also points out that she has a very strong family history of obesity and has to carefully watch what she eats.

“I like to think of the word ‘diet’ as a lifelong way of eating and not a temporary situation, so I don’t deprive myself, I just limit,” said Duncan.

“I try to focus on fruits, vegetahbles, whole grains and minimally processed foods.”

“I only use olive or canola oils and very rarely use margarine or butter.”

Duncan says that she doesn’t eat a lot of meat, so her main source of protein comes from nuts and beans, which she loves.

“It’s amazing how much better you feel when you give your body the proper fuel,” said Duncan.

“I feel lazy and lethargic if I’m not eating properly.”

Duncan started exercising to lose weight after giving birth to her first child, who is now 24, but says that it is the pursuit of good health that motivates her now.

“You can’t believe how good it feels both mentally and physically,” said Duncan.

“When you workout regularly, it motivates you to eat better and when you are eating better, it motivates you to exercise.”

Duncan says that she always puts on her workout clothes the minute she wakes up and never misses a workout.

“Some days I can’t wait to exercise and some days I just don’t feel like it, but I always start and once I get going I feel great,” said Duncan.

Duncan, who’s been married to her husband Tim for 27 years, believes that you are what you eat and what you do.

“The very best gift you can give yourself and your family is that of good health,” said Duncan.

“Proper nutrition and exercise are the keys to good health both mentally and physically.”

While taking care of herself is top on Duncan’s list of things to do, she says that the most important thing is to set a good example for her children.

“I want to teach them the values and rewards of good nutrition and a healthy, active lifestyle,” said Duncan.

And when she’s not busy exercising her body, you can find her working out her mind.

“I love doing crossword and sudoku puzzles – brain exercises,” said Duncan.

When asked what her personal fitness goal is, Duncan says that she’d love to be able to continue to keep working out.

“My ultimate exercise goal is to be still working out in my 80s!”

Do you know a St. Charles Parish mom who is in great shape? If so, email your Fit Mom nominations to Heather R. Breaux at heatherb@heraldguide.com and she could be the Herald-Guide’s next featured mom.