Growing up with weight challenges helped Regina Buren also gain an understanding of the struggle with pounds and health.
“I’ve gone through periods when I could say I was very fit and also periods when I could say I was out of shape. I understand what its like to be in both places,” she said.
In college at Southern Illinois University n Edwardsville, Buren worked on her degree in business economics and studied French while developing a love of exercise and learning as much as she could about nutrition.
“Both of those work together for our bodies to make them the healthiest machines that God designed them to be,” Buren said. “The body is so amazing and intricate n eating well and exercising regularly plays a tremendous role in our well-being, our overall health and the day-to-day quality of our lives.”
Little did she know at the time that one day her interests would meet again.
After several years in the corporate world as a business systems analyst and prior to that, in accounting, Buren prayed for the type of career that would combine purpose and passion.
“I wasn’t getting that in the corporate world. I had to do a lot of mental preparation to pump myself up before going to work,” Buren said. “I didn’t know exactly what that was going to be. It was a continual prayer before God. In the last couple of years, it really started coming to a head when I started to realize I couldn’t do what I was doing for another 30-40 years before I retired.”
The Lord works in mysterious ways.
And sometimes it’s in unsuspecting settings— like when you are checking out a movie on TV.
“While I was watching that movie, I saw a commercial for the Butterfly Life franchise. The commercial ran a couple of times, I said ‘hmm, that was interesting,’ in the back of my mind. When the movie was over, I popped on the web site to check it out,” Buren said.
As it happened, there was a franchise seminar taking place near her the following week. Buren said she started not to follow up, but a friend encouraged her to go ahead and do it. As a result—Regina Buren, the franchise owner, hung out her shingles for business August 20 of this year at 2520 N. Hwy 67 in Florissant.
Butterfly Life is a 30-minute circuit training center for women. Although it sounds similar to Curves, Buren said that’s where the similarities end.
“On our circuit we use weights on our machines and so you are able to adjust your weightn which is very important when you are trying to lose weight and maintain weight loss. Because you are able to adjust the weight, you don’t have to worry about plateauing,” she said.
“We also offer group exercise classes—we have cardio classes, sculpting classes, yoga and pilates.”
The schedule changes each month, so members always have a different class and a different way to work their bodies. Buren is adding a Turbo-Kick class for the three months of the year and the club is sponsoring an “I Lost It At the Club” weight challenge January 5 through March 2.
“You have a chance to win a weekly prize along with a grand prize valued at $500. Guests can join for those eight weeks for $89. The grand prize includes the services of a professional personal shopper from Image 22 Consulting and $100 in gift cards where you can buy clothes to fit your new body,” Buren said.
Buren said club monthly membership fees are comparable and flexible: $29 for a two-year contract to $49 for a month-to-month contract. Short term three-month contracts and one-year contracts are available as well.
“Some people are contract-shy they don’t want to commit long-term,” Buren said. “And especially with this economy, it gives you a little flexibility so you don’t have to worry about being locked in.”
Being a fitness club owner forces Buren to “walk the walk” and reap the health benefits of the fitness opportunity.
“We are also offering one-on-one fitness coaching, semi-private fitness coaching, group fitness classes as well as nutrition coaching—for members and guests (fees vary).”
Buren has one member who went through nutrition coaching for eight weeks and lost 14 pounds and 10 inches and looks forward to the success stories to come.
“We are here to help women in a supportive, non-competitive environment,” Buren said. “Just come as you are. Let us help you achieve your goals.”
For more information, got to http://www.butterflylife.com/florissant0344 or call 314-837-0600.
