Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/214242
MICHELLE FRANCI AND JENNELL PARDO Mark West Elementary School, MARFAC (Mark West Faculty) Association when it comes to weight loss, say this dynamic duo from Santa Rosa. Their mutual support system has yielded amazing results. Franci, 44, a special education teacher, lost nearly 100 pounds. Pardo, 41, a Title I reading specialist, shed 60. Their dramatic transformation has been two years in the making, say the self-described "fitness pals" who cheer each other on relentlessly. Franci was the first to join a gym. Even though both were "totally out of shape," they signed up for an hour-long "boot camp" class followed by Zumba on Saturdays. Boot camp, they say, was a "butt kicker" where they learned to throw medicine balls, flip a tire, and perform other challenging activities at two-minute exercise stations. Now it's after-school and weekend workouts on a regular basis. Eating habits changed with the help of myfitnesspal.com, a free calorie counter and diet and exercise journal, which calculates caloric intake and helps dieters meet weight loss goals. Pardo was slim as a child, but gained weight while studying abroad. She never shed extra baby weight after having three kids. Taking care of her children and nurturing students left no "me time," and she felt guilty doing anything for herself. Franci, who is single and doesn't have children, has been heavy most of her life. Both say they now feel great, get kudos from students and staff on a daily basis, and will continue working out together. TOGETHER IS BETTER The buddy system works because… you have someone to motivate you when you're tired or frustrated, or want to go home after a long day and sit on the couch [says Franci]. When one of us says "I don't want to go," the other says "Put on your workout clothes, we're going, get in the car." When you have a buddy, working out is fun and you don't feel alone. The proudest moment… was after years of avoiding the doctor, finally going, and after being weighed, hearing the computer say, "This weight is not possible, please check your entry" [says Pardo]. Before: Advice to others… Find a buddy. Work out together. Don't worry too much about the scale — look at how the clothes fit on your body. And never give up! Michelle Franci and Jennell Pardo team up to kick butt. When you have a buddy, they say, working out is fun and you don't feel alone. } 500 + 500 + 500 + 500 = 1 lb. FAT W E D N E S D AY T HURS DAY PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT BUSCHMAN Educator 11 Nov 2013 v2.1 int.indd 15 FRI DAY SATURDAY NOVEMBER 201 3 www.cta.org 15 11/13/13 6:31 PM