Timberline Place would like to introduce you to Carolyn Maul-Latham, a personal trainer authorized by the Timberline Place HOA to offer her fitness services to residents in their homes or at the state-of-the-art fitness center.

How long have you been a personal trainer? Three years. However, I have been involved in sports since childhood. I was co-captain of the Women's Crew Team in college, and have been racing bicycles and competing in running races, triathlons for the past eight years.

What led you to this career? I have always loved being active, whether it's rock climbing, swimming or lifting weights. I also love working with people. I find it very rewarding to help people reach their health and fitness goals. It is exciting to watch clients grow stronger, more self-confident and happier as their bodies change and they learn what they are capable of achieving.

What can a client expect to get out of their workouts with you versus working out on their own? I work one-on-one with clients, educating them on nutrition and what constitutes a balanced workout. We work on strength, flexibility, cardio, and how what we eat helps define who we become. We take into consideration past injuries, current health conditions, likes and dislikes, and each client's schedule to come up with a program that works best for them.

How long have you lived in Flagstaff and what brought you here? Seven years. After graduating from University of Arizona, my husband, Chris and I decided that Flagstaff was the best place in Arizona to raise kids and live an active outdoor lifestyle.

Flagstaff has been named one of the healthiest cities in the U.S. What do you think earned Flagstaff this honor? It's a small town, but has great open spaces, an awesome urban trail, plenty of wilderness and a whole bunch of people who love to be outdoors!

What do you suggest to those getting ready for swimming suit season? A few simple things that can make a huge difference are to stay away from fast digesting carbs (bread, pasta, potatoes, candy, chips, etc), drink your body weight in ounces of water each day (i.e. if you weigh 120 lbs, drink 120 oz of water) and start weight training. These and a few other key ingredients make for a bikini body you won't be afraid to show off at the pool!

Carolyn Maul-Latham is the owner of Synergy Total Fitness. Personal training rates at Timberline Place start at $40 for a one-hour session. For more information or to schedule an appointment call Carolyn at (928) 779-7888 or visit synergytotalfitness.com.

TOP 10 REASONS FOR BUYING A HOME IN FLAGSTAFF

1. Beautiful Weather
300 days a year of sunshine with summer highs averaging 80 degrees

2. Abundant Recreation
Trails for hiking and biking, skiing in winter, rock climbing, backpacking, and golfing

3. Great Location
Conveniently accessible to Phoenix, Sedona and the Grand Canyon

4. Sites and Sounds
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, the Museum of Northern Arizona, Lowell Observatory, The Grand Canyon Railway, Sunset and Meteor Crater and the Arizona Snowbowl

5. Culture
Small town feel with year round art shows, festivals and live theatre performances

6. Shopping
A charming downtown area with one-of-a-kind boutiques, restaurants and galleries, Aspen Place at the Sawmill opening 2008/2009, and the recently remodeled Flagstaff Mall

7. Dining Destinations
From southwestern cuisine to cowboy grub to upscale steaks and seafood to French, Asian and Italian; Flagstaff restaurants feature cuisine from across the globe and include neighborhood coffee houses, wine bars, beer and burger joints and sports bars

8. Growing Area
The population has grown 10.6% since 2000 and job growth is projected at 17.5%

9. Long-term Appreciation Flagstaff has experienced an average of 10% appreciation in the last decade. 2007 saw the first drop with -4% and 2008 is experiencing a turn around with 1% appreciation to date

10. Accolades and Recognition Men's Journal named Flagstaff one of the "Healthiest Places to Live" and National Geographic recognized Flagstaff as one of the "10 Greatest Towns That Will Make You Feel Young"