Here's the scoop - Girl Talk - Brief Article

Muscle & Fitness/Hers, Feb-March, 2002

training & motivation in one

"How Hard Should You Train?" in your October/November issue gave me answers to questions I've been asking ever since I started weightlifting more than a decade ago but have been unable to find anywhere else. Lori Gross' clear instructions showed me how to determine the proper weights and reps I need for both hard and moderate workouts. I'm now working out smarter and harder, busting through strength plateaus that had stymied my progress for years. Your magazine is fantastic -- keep those informative, no-fluff articles coming!

Suzanne Giesemann

I had to purchase a second M&F HERS because as soon as I saw Cassandra Britt's amazing black-and-white photos in the October/November 2001 issue, I immediately posted them on my wall for inspiration. She is a beautiful woman. I have been truly inspired!

Alexandria, Virginia

Kassandre Harper-Cotton Oakland, California

an invisible disease uncovered

I was just reading the Success Story in the October/November issue titled "Walking Away a Winner" by Debra Pugh. I immediately started to cry! I was in the best shape of my life a few years ago and was on my way to training to be a competitive bodybuilder. However, I am currently in the worst shape of my life. I suffer from fibromyalgia, I am in constant pain and my fatigue is so intense I feel I can barely get through the day.

Completely frustrated with the medical community regarding this disorder, I decided to grin and bear it and begin working out again. Yet the pain following workouts brings me to tears. I am searching for help regarding nutrition and support for this. I wish the article gave some resources to help me.

I am determined to overcome this nightmare. But when I can't even pour a glass of milk because of the weakness, I can't play with my girls because of the fatigue and they can't even sit on my lap due to the pain, I get very discouraged. Please help by giving me and the many other women who suffer from fibromyalgia some resources.

Anonymous Via e-mail

We were amazed to find out how many of our readers suffer from fibromyalgia (FMS). Our mailboxes were full of requests to contact Debra Pugh, to gather more information about the disease and to find support. If you wish to contact Debra, we'd be happy to forward your letters. Write to Debra Pugh do MUSCLE & FITNESS HERS, 21100 Erwin St., Woodland Hills, California 91367. For further her information, go to the Fibromyalgia Network at www.fmnetnews.com or the Fibromyalgia Association UK at www.ukfibromyalgia.com. At www.tidalweb.com/fms, you'll find tools to help you describe your pain to doctors, including a weekly self-graphing pain chart. To find a support group in your area, contact your local hospital or health center or go to Fibromyalgia Patient Support Center at fmpsc.org.

more cover commentary

I have one comment about your October/November 2001 issue regarding the attack on Kristia Knowles [Girl Talk; "Cover Commentary"]. Unless I have been misinformed, I thought MUSCLE & FITNESS HERS was created to provide women with the nutritional, resistance-training and health information needed to be the best me (you) that I (we) can be. I think Kristia is a beautiful and very fit role model. Looking at her, I find it obvious that she weight trains, follows an eating program and lives a healthy lifestyle. Her muscular form is tight there in print for all of us to see. I, for one, would feel very accomplished to have a form like Kristia's. Please continue to show the different types of fitness physiques, whether they he competitors, trainers or women who just want to be fit, healthy and feel as amazing as they look.

Michele Via e-mail

from our pages

Thank you very much for such a wonderful profile in the October/ November 2001 issue ["Reed All About It"]. I have had tremendous response from your loyal readers and it is awesome to know I've inspired so many I love to motivate others in their goals to live a healthy lifestyle as well as to improve all aspects of athletic performance.

Lisa A. Reed, MS, CSCS Sarasota, Florida

Thank you so much for including me in the October/November issue ["Get Great Glutes"]. I didn't know what to expect and was so surprised to see all the photos. I feel truly honored to be featured in M&F HERS.

One thing I really love about the magazine is that each article is so different and unique from the others. Not just the content, but also the look of the models and competitors featured, This issue is a perfect example.

Cada Sanchez Colorado Springs, Colorado