Spotlight on Wellness: Carly Isakovic

Position with Enterprise: Business Rental Account Representative from Washington, D.C.
Age: 27
Height: 5'4"
Favorite exercise: I really enjoy spinning. I'm also into bikram (hot) yoga.

Carly's challenge
For me, it's never been about what number I see on the scale. It's about living beyond the boundaries of my family genetics. When I was 8 years old, I saw my 35-year-old dad have a massive heart attack. My mom gave him CPR and kept him alive until the paramedics arrived. As you can imagine, that day changed my family's life forever. And when my mom suffered a heart attack a few years later, it strengthened my vow to live a healthier lifestyle. While heart disease may run in my family, I made a commitment to myself years ago to do what I can to overcome it.

Making wellness a lifelong journey
Watching both of my parents recover from heart attacks has inspired me to make the right choices over the years to stay active and healthy. I enrolled in a few fitness classes during college and enjoyed them so much that I decided to become a certified fitness instructor. Today, I teach two spinning classes at different gyms in Washington, D.C., and did the same in Cleveland for six years before moving to Capitol Hill with my husband. As an instructor, I try to keep my students from using their own family heredity as an excuse. With a positive attitude and a little bit of effort, I think anything is possible.

Gauging her health
I see weight as just a number. That's why I gauge my health by how I feel mentally and physically, and how I fit into my clothes. I try to make smart, nutritious choices and eat in moderation. Do I eat perfectly every day? No. But I do my best. If I stray from my diet, I don't beat myself up about it. I just remind myself to eat only small amounts of foods that aren't as healthy.

Life beyond my family history
I exercise in the mornings six days a week and teach spinning classes twice a week in the evenings. While that sometimes leads to a crazy day — 45 minutes of cardio at 4:45 a.m., a full day at the office, the commute home and then rushing to hop on the subway to get to my 7 p.m. spinning class — it's definitely worth it. Sure, I'm exhausted at the end of those days, but I know I owe it to myself to feel good and that keeps me going. I also think it makes me more productive in the workplace.

As for my family, they're all reaping the benefits of living a healthier lifestyle. My dad, now in his 50s, is in the best shape of his life. My mom is doing well and my brother also teaches spinning classes. We went through a lot of changes together 20 years ago. Our household went fat free — Snackwells became the cookie of choice — and we all made an effort to become more active. We stuck with it and now have our health as proof of the results.

Encouraging words

• Exercise starts in the mind. A positive attitude can go a long way.
• Be realistic. Don't set goals you can't achieve.
• Smile at the small things. Be proud of all the small things you do toward wellness each day.
• Get your zzzs. Sleep is imperative to keeping your body in balance.
• Fitness is a mindset. Making it a routine means it can't be a chore.
• Life is short. Live each day like it's your last.