Mabi Ponce de Leon is
Fitness Member of the Month

Mabi Ponce de Leon is the first JCC member to complete the 300 Challenge. She truly deserves to be named Fitness Member of the Month for July. Read on!

How long have you been a member of the JCC?
I've been an avid exerciser most of my life and this is a great place to workout and stay active. I was a member many years ago—before my children came and through my first pregnancy, and then my husband and I moved away. Then, when we moved to Bexley a couple of years ago, we got a family membership.

How is the JCC part of your regular routine? What do you do when you come, and how much time do you spend here?
I come to the JCC just about every weekday, early in the morning before work - and occasionally on a weekend if I can steal a little time away for a workout. I'm thankful that the Center opens so early. We also come swimming with our kids. I probably spend at least five hours per week here during the school year and a little more during the summer.

What is your favorite activity in the Diamond Family Fitness Center?
Wow, it's tough to pick out one favorite thing since I enjoy doing all of what I do here. I absolutely love swimming and the beautiful JCC pools were the original reasons I became a member. I swam several miles per week through both pregnancies and it kept me healthy.

However, I've always mixed it up with weight training - well, not when I was pregnant. In addition to swimming and weights, I enjoy group 'land-classes' like spinning and circuit training. Basically, I'll try any class that will work with my schedule and will challenge me.

Your favorite piece of cardio equipment? Favorite weight machine or exercise?
Cardio favorites include swimming and the treadmill. For weight-bearing exercises, I tend to favor free weights because I'm short and machines are often too big for me to perform exercises properly. But, I do like the hamstring, quad, and seated leg press machines and the 'Gravitron' machine that I used on the 300 Challenge. The latter is even cooler because it sounds like a superhero!

Do you participate in any leagues or group exercise classes? If so, what are your favorites?
As I mentioned earlier, I take whatever classes work with my schedule and suit my weekly needs. I'm a regular in Stacey's fun - but challenging - Thursday 6-6:45 A.M. class. I also have popped in occasionally to Bobbi Sue's Tuesday "Awesome Arms" and "Ab-Lab" combo and I have recently tried one of her 'step' classes. Last Sunday, I tried Matt's new "Get Ripped" and would like to make that class again when my schedule allows it. And, if a 'Cardio Kickboxing' class gets moved to a 6 A.M. weekday time-slot, I'll definitely be there. Variety makes working out less routine and more fun for me.

How does your participation at the JCC fit into your health and wellness lifestyle and fitness program?
Well, I wouldn't have a program if I didn't go to the JCC regularly. Before kids, it was easier to find time to work out throughout the week. Now, I have to be more creative with my workout times. Sometimes, it's hard to get back into a routine if I've been away a few days for an illness or a semester-end work marathon. And, it can be frustrating on weeks that I cannot put in as much workout time as I need.

But, on my first day back, the A.M. workout crowd gets me back on track. We "early birds" who work out early, shower, and run to work share a great camaraderie. Everyone is really great. People work out together, help each other out with form, share workout tips or an occasional food or vacation recommendation, and spot each other. And, although we may come from different places, we have a lot in common - including families, children, a passion for fitness, and jobs that start early, of course.

Have you set health and wellness goals for yourself? How has the staff at the JCC helped you to reach your goals?
My goal is simple - to stay in shape and be healthy, fit, and strong. I work with teenagers and they definitely keep mentally young, though they probably think I'm ancient. Exercise is yet another way to keep me feeling healthy, young, and full of energy. I'm not much heavier than I was before I had children, but I am different now because I still have a busy job but do not have as much time to devote to working out. Group classes, the staff, and even fellow members have motivated me continue on my journey to be fit.

Most recently, the '300 Challenge' has been an amazingly powerful motivator for me! It looked impossible on paper. However, JCC trainer Matt Tremmel showed me the required exercises and repetitions and gave me the confidence to try the challenge. I figured that it couldn't hurt to try, even if I didn't make the time requirement. It would make me better fit, if nothing else. So, I did the '300 Challenge' workout on my own for about three weeks - feeling stronger each time. Fellow 'early bird' members and Fitness Director Brian Saunders really egged me on to continue. And, right before a recent family trip, I scheduled and did the challenge under the required time. I feel very good about this accomplishment - like I'm slowly getting back to where I was years ago. Editor's note: Saunders added that not only did Mabi complete the required tasks in a little over 23 minutes, she also fulfilled a few of them under the men's guidelines.

How would you describe the JCC to a non-member? What would you recommend most about the JCC to a prospective member?
First off, I would - and often do - tell people about the many benefits of belonging to the JCC...its proximity to Bexley, its beautiful facilities, the great variety of state-of-the-art equipment, its quality staff and class offerings, and its family-friendly atmosphere. In addition, I would recommend the arts and cultural programming and the excellent services available to families. Our son attends the JCC preschool and our daughter occasionally attends the after-school Kaleidoscope program, and we cannot be happier with JCC's outstanding offerings for children.

What does being part of the JCC mean to you?
For us, it's a lifesaver. I needed a place to swim and work out. My kids needed a preschool and after-school care. But, we received so much more! When I come in to work out in the morning, I feel a part of that morning workout family. I'm social, and that human interaction is motivational to me. A visit to the JCC puts pep in my step, a smile on my face, and makes my day better.

For more information about upcoming Fitness classes and events, contact Beth McCullough at (614) 559-6207 or bmccullough@columbusjcc.org.