Healthy Habits Graduate: Julie Swink

Seeking to avoid the brittle bones of her matriarchs, this Cooking Light reader and mother of two sought the help of an expert trainer to get her started on a strength routine. Now she's healthier than she's ever been. "It has transformed my body and my confidence," she says. Here, Julie shares her top three strength strategies:

JULIE'S STRATEGIES

• Shelve the excuses. "I just made up my mind. I finally realized that engaging my muscles now was going to help me for the rest of my life."
• Take it seriously. "Because of my bubbly personality, I don't get taken seriously very often. But now when I walk through the gym doors, I'm an athlete. For that one hour, I am dedicated to being tough."
• Get a boost from the burn. "Strength training helps me do everything better. I read better. I'm more emotionally together. I eat better. I'm more confident. I'm not going to be baring my midriff, but I have abs. Seriously! I know I sound like a commercial, but I'm just a regular person."