Destrehan resident Kim Costandi was athletic and involved in sports year-round when she was growing up, but adult responsibilities and motherhood meant she had a hard time incorporating exercise into her weekly routine.
That is, until February of 2020.
“Exercise was not really my thing,” she said. “I did do a bit of martial arts for a few years and managed to get to the rank of Decided 1st Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, but that was about it.”
Costandi first joined Anytime Fitness Destrehan in 2013 but had stopped going for years. She rejoined in February 2020.
“I hate that I got off track, but I’m not planning on going anywhere again,” she said. “My goals when I rejoined were to start making time for me again and commit to getting back in shape. I’ve worked from home the last two and a half years and it hasn’t been easy to stay active during the day. I also want to get healthy for my son – not only to set a good example, but to make sure I’m around to watch him grow up and have his own babies.”
When Costandi rejoined the gym on Feb. 24, 2020, she became a participant of the center’s FitFest and started small team training as a way to jumpstart being back at in the gym. Little did she know gyms would close due to the coronavirus pandemic just a few weeks after she rejoined.
“I think we all faced the same obstacle this year,” she said. “The gym closing in March was a huge stumbling block. It would have been easy to settle into old ways, especially with virtual schooling and work occupying the day, but with the beautiful weather through most of the closure, bike rides and walks with the dog became daily rituals we all looked forward to.”
Costandi said when Memorial Day 2020 rolled around and the gym offered an outdoor workout, she was so happy to be back in a fitness training atmosphere.
“I was excited to start working towards my 100 workout goal,” she said. “It was great to get back in a more scheduled routine.”
Costandi said she is currently working out four to five days a week, and that her overall health has become her main goal.
“For anyone just getting started or needing a little help or a reset, the best advice I can give is to keep going,” she said. “I just want to be healthy. I’m in a good spot right now, but it’s a never-ending journey.”
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