Penny Ragusano – Take a Leap of Faith

Penny Ragusano asks her clients to take a leap of faith and believe that they can change their lives for the better. It is a leap that she took herself. A few years ago Ragusano left her corporate sales and marketing job to pursue her dream of being a health coach.

Now she lives out her health and fitness dream by training clients to make a change and by being a Sharecare NASM Elite Trainer. On Sharecare she blogs about topics such as how to get outside your comfort zone and answers questions about the characteristics of successful weight losers.

Day job: “I am a mother, a daughter, a wife, a friend, a health coach (post-personal transformation), a humble student, a perfectionist at times (the Virgo in me) doing my best to focus on progress, curious, a mystic, a dreamer with a big imagination and a lover of love, light, people and life.”

Favorite quote: “Be the change” – Mahatma Gandhi

Proud to be: “One of so many ‘examples’ that change is possible for each and every one of us. including YOU!”

Favorite hobby: “I love to cook!”

Health mission: “I’m on a mission to do my part in helping transform the nation’s health. I believe by implementing simple, gradual, sustainable changes in the way we think, the way we eat and the way we move, we can make lasting changes towards our overall health and in turn inspire others to do the same.”

What’s always in her fridge: “Eggs are always in my fridge. I keep them raw for cooking as needed and hard-boiled to grab on the go.”

The one healthy thing she does every day: “Smile =). Definitely an important part of living a healthy lifestyle, in my opinion.”

What are your winter exercise tips? “Too cold to leave the house?  How about getting some fun exercise videos that you can do at home?  Be sure they are challenging enough for your fitness level.You can get your exercise in right in the comfort of our own home…in your PJ’s if you want!  If exercise videos are not for you, put on some music and take 20 minutes to rock out to your favorite tunes. Keep it simple and fun.”

Passion: “To help others identify, and then let go of, what ever holds them back from taking action towards improving their health.”

Secret pastime: “Watching old classic movies (Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, Humphrey Bogart for example) and, well, maybe an occasional Elvis [movie].”

Weight-management secret: “I do my best each day to stay aware of myself and my actions. The path to better health is a life journey of ‘daily choice,’ and so I know that each day will not be perfect. If I make a choice I am not happy with, I try to isolate the situation (not beat myself up about it) and focus on my next decision and action.

Advice to live by: “What we think, we become.” –Buddha

Healthy eating advice for the holidays: “Consider trying this: Pick one day a week to enjoy your favorite holiday meals and treats without thought. The other six days of the week, do your very best to stay aware of your choices and stick to clean eating in the right portions, the right combinations, at the right times, to avoid cravings. We really CAN enjoy all our favorite foods, experiences and gatherings while managing our weight during the holidays.”

Research by Cathy Poley

File under: Fit Friday