AGE:  34

PROFESSION:  Attorney

BACKGROUND:  I am a true Los Angeles native.  I was born and raised here, and I never left.  After logging about 7 years in a downtown high-rise, I now have the great fortune of practicing law 4 blocks from home and one staircase away from the ocean.  No such thing as casual Fridays at the offices of Osher & Osher….EVERY day is casual.

I started working out with Sonki last year, although my commitment was pretty lackluster.  That all changed in January of this year, when I almost had a heart attack and underwent surgery.  After sitting on the sidelines for about a month, my doctor told me…actually, ordered me…to make some changes, which of course included eating better and exercising regularly.  So I returned to Sonki’s class with a little extra incentive, to say the least.

After just one 5-week session with Sonki, I lost 18 pounds (although I think I put back about 3 this weekend in Ojai), cut my mile time down from over 7:00 minutes to 6:26 and have so much more energy and dedication to working out.  I feel really lucky to have Sonki Fitness to help me with my fitness goals.  Definitely a good group of kind and supportive people, with a leader who inspires without being abusive or overly aggressive.

How long have you been working out?  Very sporadically throughout my life.  A whole lot now.

What is your current exercise routine?  Sonki Fitness three days a week, light running on the days in between.

What is your motivation to stay in shape?  With the recent scare, I cannot afford not to stay in shape.  I have a beautiful wife with whom I just celebrated our One-Year Anniversary–I want to be around for many more!

What is your greatest challenge to staying in shape?  I used to think the greatest challenge was getting started.  But now I find that the greater challenge is sticking with a program once I start.  I have done a lot of starting and stopping over the years, which is really frustrating, particularly when I allow a lot of time to pass in between starts.

What is your key to success?  Consistency is huge.  So, too, is pushing myself to keep doing just one more [push-up/sit-up/crunch/etc….].  Oh, I stopped stuffing my face with food.  Yeh, that helped a lot.

How long have you been doing Sonki Fitness Boot Camp?  I think this is my fourth 5-week session but I did start and stop a couple times (see above answer regarding challenges to staying in shape).

What do you like about Sonki Fitness Boot Camp and how has it affected your life?  Getting up at 6:00 a.m. is tough, but I truly enjoy the people in the morning class and it feels SO good to finish a solid workout before 8:00 a.m.  I definitely feel healthier now that I am working out consistently, and I have a lot more energy throughout the day.

What advice would you give to others about fitness?  A couple of things.  First, do not take your health for granted.  Second, when you are about to skip a class because you want to stay in bed, just remember how hard it is to start up again after taking the break.  I hate that “first day back”….

Any other comments?  When I grow up I want to be just like Sonki.