Penny Ragusano, NASM Elite Trainer

Bio

I believe when it comes to eating right and exercising, most of us know what to do, or can access good information to learn. The key is to become aware and overcome what holds us back from DOING what we know. 

Years of failed attempts to gain control of my physical weight left me at my lowest point, frustrated, angry and confused. I had given up on myself and really did not believe I could change what I had become. I had tried all the diets out there and was stuck in the cycle (many can relate to) which was to start a program, make some progress and then quit, only to gain all the weight back plus more. You would think progress would motivate me to continue?

In January 2008, understanding why I "couldn't" succeed in this area of my life when I was successful in other areas became more important to me than losing the physical weight.

In May 2008, I connected with Bill Phillips, author of Body for Life, Founder and CEO of EAS, Co-Founder of Metrix, and his work Transformation. His teachings where a contributing factor in my discovery that all the time I thought I €œcouldn't, it was really that I wouldn't .

My personal experience releasing 50 pounds of physical weight and gaining even more as a result of the inner work has made clear for me that positive, healthy change is possible for each and every one of us no matter where we are in the process.
Privileged with an opportunity to guide others through Bill'€™s 18 Step process towards improving overall health, mind, body, heart and soul, as a Transformation Guide/Coach (2008-2010 Transformation Ventures, Inc.), led me to break from my corporate sales and marketing career for a change into the field of health and fitness.

My passion is to help others let go of what ever holds them back from taking action towards bettering their health. I believe by implementing simple, gradual, sustainable improvements 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.

National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) - CPT and FNS, Sharecare Certified

Specialties:

Affiliation:

  • Sharecare

Location:

Activity

  • Jill Worden
    Hi Penny, We have our power back. Yeah! I was on a plateau and thought for sure I would gain weight this week but actually lost a pound. I think throwing my system off a little might have helped. I tend to get paranoid when I start to lose weight and really reduce my calories afraid that I will gain weight therefore putting myself under stress which does not help out my body in any way. So I was pretty happy with the one pound loss. Now back getting back into the groove of things. Do you workout with a kettlebell at all?
  • Penny Ragusano, NASM Elite Trainer

    Absolutely! 

    There are lots of great ways to get your body 'moving more' including complicated exercise routines that can be time consuming and maybe confuse us into thinking "it's not worth it".

    When it comes to exercise, I encourage it should be fun and something you can continue at some level after

    ...Full Post
  • Penny Ragusano, NASM Elite Trainer
    Great to meet you on Sharecare and congratulations on your progress!
  • Penny Ragusano, NASM Elite Trainer
    Good for doing what you can without power!!! Hope you don't have to wait too much longer for power. The 5-25 is great..not sure which one you saw but there is one for lower and upper body and of course one for HIIT cardio. As for the nutrition, your best is all you can do and it sounds like you are doing it. Do you use whey protein that shakes well in a shaker cup? If so, maybe more of those will help keep the nutrition more on track?
  • Jill Worden
    Hi Penny, I am at a plateau with my weight and just saw the 5-25 workout and hope to do that since we have no power her for my exercise DVD's. I live in Northern Michigan and we got hit with a snow storm last Friday and we still have no power. Diet has been off with no refrigeration but I am still exercising. Can't wait to have my blender up and running for a fruit smoothie or some green drink.
  • Jodie is Jammin'
    Thanks Penny! :) It has been a really interesting journey! I will be looking at the specifics more towards Friday or this weekend. My next couple of days I have enough on my "plate", lol. But it sure can't hurt! Well, may be a little sore. ;)
  • Penny Ragusano, NASM Elite Trainer
    Great! Keep me posted. Jodie I really enjoyed reading your bio and so happy you are making changes and feeling good, healthy and happy! Congratulations on your wonderful progress!
  • Jodie is Jammin'
    Gave it a quick look see and it sounds great. :) Going to look at it more by the end of the week. Saved it to my favs. :)
  • Penny Ragusano, NASM Elite Trainer
    Just saw your comment on my recent blog Jill. Happy you are doing the challenge! Let me konw how I can help along the way.
  • Penny Ragusano, NASM Elite Trainer
    Nice to meet you Jill. Read your inspiring Bio and happy to see you taking steps to continuiously improve your health. How are things going with your weight loss goals?
  • Penny Ragusano, NASM Elite Trainer
    Oh, I'm so gald you like it and extra happy you will be using it =).
  • laurie salloum
    I so love your post quoting Bill Phillips..I am going to use it:)
  • Penny Ragusano, NASM Elite Trainer

    Good Morning to everyone here on Sharecare with weight loss goals. Wanted to share about a new, simple and fun challenge starting today. 

    I am familiar with Bill's Challenges as I finally had success with my personal weight loss goals through one of his challenges in 2008.  My experience led me to

    ...Full Post
  • Penny Ragusano, NASM Elite Trainer

    Good Morning to everyone here on Sharecare with weight loss goals. Wanted to share about a new, simple and fun challenge starting today. 

    I am familiar with Bill's Challenges as I finally had success with my personal weight loss goals through one of his challenges in 2008.  My experience led me to

    ...Full Post
  • Penny Ragusano, NASM Elite Trainer
    Yes it is going in the right direction for sure! Keep up the great work MaryLynne!