Meet our Step Challenge Spokesperson: Lisa Buettner

Hi, my name is Lisa and I am excited to have been chosen to be the spokesperson for this year’s Spark Pittsburgh Step Challenge representing Crossgates Management, Inc.  I have been a  General Manager with Crossgates for almost 7 years.  I am responsible for 7 affordable housing complexes and 3 commercial strip centers.  I am called the company health guru and the biscotti queen.  In the past I had initiated a lunchtime low impact Zumba class, which I hope to start again soon.

 

 

I have always been a very active person!  I have enjoyed teaching dance, Zumba, aerobics and even did some exercise classes in my home for my 3 sisters and a few neighbors.  I had to up my physical activity and watch my diet after being diagnosed with MS 15 years ago at the age of 40.  My condition has been stable, and I follow a very strict diet call the “MS Diet”.  It is very similar to the Mediterranean Diet.   I am also very competitive!  If you say, “you probably can’t do this”  just watch me!  I am always up for a challenge and love to have fun trying!

 

 

I have a wonderful family and friends who helped me get through a heartbreak when I was widowed at 45 after a wonderful 25 years of marriage.  I am now remarried to a fabulous guy and have three amazing stepchildren.  All three are working and attending college, one a first-year student, one a junior and the oldest is working on her masters.  We have a camp at Holiday Camplands in Andover OH, which is about 2 hours from Pittsburgh where we spend several weekends every year.

 

 

I try to keep myself motivated by walking with my sister on our treadmills at 4:30 am before work, using the SparkChallenge website during the day to do a few 10-minute exercise videos, a lunchtime stroll on the walking trail near our office and Zumba class twice a week.  My husband is also starting to join me in the evenings for a walk in an attempt to lower his blood pressure. I am addicted to my Fitbit and love weekly walk challenged with Crossgates employees and friends.

 

 

I do have times when I just sleep in and since a travel a lot for work, sitting in the car for hours does cramp my exercise program.  I have to say that when I don’t walk in the am, it takes me a while to get moving and to focus.

 

 

I am excited for the 2018 Spark Pittsburgh Step Challenge and will be cooking up a healthy Spark recipe kickoff lunch for the Crossgates team at the end of August and yes biscotti’s will be on the menu!   Set a goal, adjust as you move along and give yourself grace when you don’t meet your daily goal!  You always have tomorrow!