The Weekly Record Herald is pleased to introduce Tammy Shellhaas, seen above teaching yoga at La Bella Viaggio, the author of the new column “TammYoga in Balance.” Shellhaas’s bi-weekly column will offer fitness and nutritional tips and challenges to help readers live a more healthy lifestyle.

Name: Tammy Shellhaas

Family: John, husband of 29 years; son Ben, who is currently serving in the National Guard in Afghanistan; and daughter Betsy, who attends Ohio University.
Occupation: American Council of Exercise (ACE) certified personal trainer and yoga instructor at La Bella Viaggio in Troy.

It all started when: My initial interest in health and wellness began in college. I was overweight and did not eat right and began to educate myself on what I needed to do to make a change for the better. I started jogging and making healthy changes to my diet.

Exercise soundtrack: Oldies as well as Adele, Rihanna, Pink, U2, Rolling Stones and Lady Gaga. I like most genres of music, so it could really be any artist, it just needs to catch my attention.

From empty nest to trainer: When our daughter was a senior in high school and we would soon be empty nesters, I made the decision to become a personal trainer. I knew I would need something to occupy my mind during this stage of my life. I enjoyed helping others to achieve their goals and share what I had lived and learned.

Best part of her job: I feel I am doing what I was meant to do. I enjoy seeing my clients surprise themselves by doing something they never thought possible.

Be the turtle, not the hare: The biggest fitness and nutritional mistake I see is when a client makes a drastic change in diet or exercise at the very beginning. It is unrealistic to think that the goals they want to reach will be accomplished quicker if they skip meals or lift too-heavy of weights. I’ve been there, done that. It doesn’t work. And more than likely, they will not stick with it because they cannot do this long-term.

Because slow and steady wins the race: There is no quick fix. Consistency to a healthy diet and exercise program will help you to achieve your goals so that you can maintain the achieved results. I had to learn this after many trials and errors. It may not be easy or fast, but it is possible and has greater results for success.