In The Gym with Jules

FFFC:  Please introduce yourself to our readers.

JA:  Hi, My name is Jules. I’m a wife, a mother to 2 young boys, a trained nurse/midwife &  ACE certified personal trainer.

FFFC:  How did you get started in fitness and working out?

JA:  I’ve always been active. But when I had my 1st child I gained a lot of weight (6 stones) to be exact. After the birth I went on a liquid diet & lost the weight pretty fast. But I was miserable, hungry & always tired. When I went back to eating real food I immediately started gaining weight so I had to be extreme with my exercise to keep the weight off. It was tough, because the liquid diet had messed up my metabolism.
When I had my 2nd child, again I gained lots of weight; I tipped the scales at 116kg. I wanted to loss the weight but I knew without a doubt that I didn’t want to do the liquid diet. It had taken almost 3 years to rebuild my metabolism, no way was I doing that again!

I cleaned up my eating and started exercising at home. I bought some dumbbells, punching bags, kettle bells & running shoes. 6 months later I lost almost 100lbs; 98.6lbs to the exact.

FFFC:  Why and how did you make fitness your career choice?

JA:  Now that’s a long story but the short version is……….Although I loved my job (midwifery) I wasn’t passionate about it. I wanted to do something I was passionate about. I prayed about finding my passion for a long time, over 10 years. One day during a causal telephone chat with a family member I had an aha!moment.  I found it.  Fitness was my passion.  So I thought, I’ve got to get certified.

FFFC:  How do you balance making time to get in your workouts with the demands of your career and personal life?

JA:  I steal time. In the summer months I wake up early (5am) & get my workout in b4 the day starts. Sometimes while my kids are at their sports I go for a run instead of sitting & chatting with other mums. Also I don’t do long exercise. They aren’t necessary anyway. 40-60mins and I’m good.

FFFC:  What do you like most about working out?

JA:  What’s there not to like?! The feeling that I have just spent time investing in my health; that’s got to be worth everything.

FFFC:  What types of workouts do you create for your clients?

JA:  Usually body weight exercises. A good mix of cardio & strength training.

FFFC:  What is your favorite exercise routine?

JA:  Plyometric, push ups.

FFFC:  What do you consider the most useful workout equipment?

JA:  Your body! Nothing beats body weight exercise. Close 2nd will be a set of weights; kettle bells, dumbbells or barbells.

FFFC:  What do you think is the biggest misconception about this field and what you do?

JA:  Weights make women bulky. A toned lady is masculine. I’m sick of hearing it.

FFFC:  What general tips do you have for the average woman trying to balance family, career with a fitness lifestyle?

JA:  Steal time! Everyone has some dead time. Review point 4.

FFFC:  Do you have any words of wisdom to share with our  readers who continue to struggle with poor eating and drinking choices and habits?

JA:  My motto is “one meal, one workout, one day at a time”.  Set small daily goals. Set small daily/weekly targets.

FFFC:  What would you say is your biggest career accomplishment to date? 

JA:  Starting my own fitness business independently.

FFFC:  Who is your fitness idol?

JA:  Shaun T. I love the way he trains. “Go hard or go home approach. There’s no point to spending 2 hours exercising. Hit it hard for 40-60mins finish & go spend time with your family.

FFFC:  How can our readers find you on the web and inquire about your services?

JA:  I’m on www.julesfitnex.com, Facebook: www.Facebook.com/julesfitnex
Email [email protected]