Troy Mom Battles 'Dreaded Muffin Top,' Chronicles 60-Day Fitness Challenge on Patch

Troy resident Gretchen Bovensiep is a busy, busy woman.

The 36-year-old registered nurse juggles a full-time job at one of the area's largest hospitals with the never-ending demands of her adorable 2-year-old son, Charlie, and her Australian Shepherd. Throw in there the unpredictable schedule of her husband, Rick, a volunteer Troy firefighter, and Bovensiep rarely has an extra moment to herself.

But now, Bovensiep said she's ready to start concentrating on herself a little more – starting with reclaiming her pre-baby body and energy.

"I'm desperately in need of getting back in shape," Bovensiep admits. "Running after a boy toddler is draining, and it'd be nice to not be exhausted from chasing him every day."

For a while, though, Bovensiep didn't know where to start until her friend, Krav Maga Detroit trainer Amy Satterfield – also the spouse of a Troy firefighter – posted about an upcoming fitness challenge at Krav Maga Detroit, which is home to Monkey Bar Gymnasium.

"I'd heard her talk about it before, then I saw her post it on Facebook. I thought, you know what? I am interested.”

While Bovensiep admits she'd "rather eat dessert than meals some days" and calls herself a "dessert junkie," she says she is ready to change her diet and meet the challenge, which starts on Oct. 13, head-on.

“If I can feed my son healthy, I can start eating healthier," she said, adding that she would like to drop 15 pounds "because that would get me to a really good BMI (body mass index). I would just like to be in a healthy BMI."

To help keep herself – and perhaps others out there struggling with their fitness goals – motivated throughout the challenge, Bovensiep is blogging about her fitness challenge on Troy Patch as she goes. In her first blog post today, she writes:

"Like may women of my age (36), I am battling the dreaded muffin top! ... So as part of this blog I will take you along on my journey.  I will even show you some before and after pics to show you what really happens to me. Again, I warn you that you will see some muffin top in the first pic, so be kind!"

The 60-Day Challenge starts on Oct. 13 and includes 60 days of unlimited access to the Monkey Bar Gym, unlimited Krav Maga classes, goal monitoring and nutritional coaching for $199 altogether.

For more information on Krav Maga Detroit, Monkey Bar Gym and how you can sign up for a trial class or the 60-Day Challenge, visit kravmagadetroit.com, call 248-688-9501 or email Info@KMDetroit.com.