AEDC software engineer, family make fitness a priority

  • Published
  • By Deidre Ortiz
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  Ginny Burns, software engineer at Arnold Engineering Development Complex, has made it a point to lead a healthy lifestyle and be a role model for herself and her family.

Burns, whose passion for fitness led her to start taking part in fitness competitions, said she's never been one to be sedentary.

"I have been active pretty much my entire life," she said. "In middle school I was in track, I did pop warner cheerleading, as a child I would do Solid Gold workout tapes with my mom, and as I got older, I always walked or did Tae Bo videos."

But a few years ago, she became interested in weight training, which sparked her interest in fitness competitions.

"About three years ago when I met my friend, Amanda Anderson, I started weight training. She also talked about wanting to do National Physique Committee fitness competitions, and I had never heard of them, so I was intrigued. 

"I started working out some with her, and through her, I met my trainer, Tonya Willard of Murfreesboro. Tonya is an NPC bikini competitor and has been in many competitions, including national level. She started a fitness team called Fit Mom Nation; Amanda and I are both on the team together."

Burns began training with Tonya two years ago and started doing weekly meal plans and scheduling workouts.

As part of her fitness regimen, she also follows a strict diet. 

"My diet consists of fruits, vegetables, lots of protein, carbohydrates and pretty much all healthy foods. I don't eat prepackaged meals due to the sodium in them and not being able to control ingredients.  I have to prep my food, which takes several hours on Saturday and Sunday to get all the food for my family for the week."
In preparation for her competitions, Burns said her workout routine involves waking up at 5 a.m. every day and doing 30-45 minutes of weightlifting. She also takes time during lunch to get in cardio, and when she gets closer to competition deadlines, she adds in extra cardio.

Burns had her very first NPC bikini competition last year, the Volunteer State Classic in Mt. Juliet May 30, 2015. 

"I competed in the Master's Bikini Age 35 - 40 and Open Bikini, Class B, which is based on height and open for 18 years old and up," she said. "To my surprise, I won both Master's and Open classes and I took two trophies home that night, I remember seeing my husband in the audience and he was taking pictures and was so proud of me. I was in shock honestly, because I never imagined that I would win. It made all the prep work worth it."

Burns said she appreciates her family who are her biggest supporters. She and her husband Ray have been married 14 years, and they have two sons, Thane and
Blaine, who are 8 and 16, and all are athletic in their own right.

"Blaine plays football for the Coffee County Raiders, and Thane's favorite sport so far is Coffee County Soccer. We also practice Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Krav Maga as a family at Transformation Wellness and Martial Arts in Manchester. We have been taking classes there for a couple of years... We try to all stay very active."

Though it sometimes gets tough sticking to the meal plan and workouts, Burns said she looks forward to the competitions because the encouragement from other competitors make it a great experience every time.

"The ladies that you compete with, are so kind and complimentary to one another. It's just a wonderful experience!"

Burns is currently gearing up for her next competition, and hopes two compete in at least a couple more before the end of the year.

For anyone interested in getting started in fitness competitions or just looking to make steps to get healthier, Burns shared a few of her personal tips.

"If you eat something that is not on your meal plan, don't beat yourself up and just stay on track for the rest of the day; tomorrow is another day," she said. "For some people, myself included, it takes a long time to build muscle. Do not give up, it will happen.

"Also, start slowly. No need to walk into the gym and try to deadlift 200 pounds or run 10 miles on the treadmill, just start at your own pace and see if you can beat yourself. Finally, don't compare yourself to others, just try to do better than you did last time, every time!"

-AEDC-