30 | SUNRAYS AUGUST 2014
ONLINE:
SCTXCA.ORG
FITNESS
W
orking out at the
gym....versus....
another cup of
coffee on the couch.
It’s a morning battle that
Susan Foncell fights every
nowand then. She’s learned,
however, that while the
coffeemight soothe her for a
moment and deliver a quick
jolt later, exercise promises
power for the long haul.
“I know I’ll be energized
for the daily tasks ahead,
and I’ll feel happy about
keeping a commitment to
my health,” says Susan,
who works out regularly
at the Sun City Texas
Fitness Centers to combat
arthritis and to deal with
the chronic back pain she
has suffered since surgery
in 2010 successfully fused
two disks.
It was after back surgery
when Susan, 69, decided to
take the advice of her physical therapist andmake strength training a priority.
She signed on for twice weekly sessions with Sun City Texas Personal Trainer
JB Baier, hoping to get acquainted with the equipment and learn the moves
that would strengthen her core and, ultimately, her back. Now, three years
later, the pair continue to meet every Tuesday and Thursday morning. “Once
I began working with JB, I didn’t want to end my sessions,” says Susan, a
California native who taught high school English for 37 years. “Her knowledge
and experience guided me to the safe use of the machines and reasonable
increases of weight and repetitions. JB also makes exercising enjoyable. She
encouragesme to try newactivities and supportsmy health goals. She’s sincerely
interested in my progress.
“I’ve learned so much from our work together,” she adds. “I’ve learned about
myself physically and psychologically in terms of dealing with my pain. JB
explains which muscles are being strengthened in each activity and gives me
exercises to improve my balance.” Susan also contends that personal training
has kept her focused on her weight-loss goals. She has struggled with weight
issues most of her life, she notes, and has successfully lost 60 pounds since
moving to Sun City Texas, making good use of the community’s “exceptional”
fitness centers, and joining Weight Watchers.
“Exercise has improved my life in so many ways,” says Susan. “Not only
has it aided in my weight loss, lessened my pain, and increased my sense of
achievement, but it’s also given me a sense of belonging to a community when
I greet people I know and feel comfortable at the gym. And, of course, it has
led to my friendship with JB.”
Athlete of the Month
By Lynda Dufour
Susan Foncell
Personal Trainer: Judy “JB” Baier
Meet Judy “JB” Baier
Personal Trainer & Land
Aerobics Instructor
Experience
JBhas been teaching
exercise classes since
1979 and personal
training since 1982.
She owned her own
business, “More Than Aerobics,”
in Georgetown for 15 years before
becoming a regular instructor at
Sun City Texas in 1996. She has
taught at the YMCA, Georgetown
Recreation Center, Dell Computer,
World Gym, Synergy and many
other fitness organizations. In
1995, she was Chairperson for the
AmericanHeartWalk/Run. She has
experience instructingwater classes
in conjunction with the Arthritis
Foundation, working with cardiac
rehab patients, and teaching classes
for diabetics at a local doctor’s office.
Certifications
• Personal Trainer - Cooper Insti-
tute
• Physical Fitness Specialist for
Older Adults - Cooper Institute
• Water Aerobics Instructor - Coo-
per Institute
• Group Exercise Instructor -
Aerobics Fitness Association of
America
• Water Instructor - PACE (People
with Arthritis Can Exercise)
• CPR, AED, First Aid
Personal Life
JB has lived in Georgetown for 33
years. She has four children and six
grandchildren who all live in the
Georgetown area. She loves to dance
and has entered competitions and
given exhibitions around the Austin
area. She teaches Sunday school and
is active in her church. It all makes
for a very busy and fulfilling lifestyle!
For an appointment with JB, call
512-639-8259.
