Testimonials
Tami's Story
Hello, I’m Tami Schindler! I’m sure if you have ever worked out at Fitness Zone or what used to be Maximum Fitness, you would have been sure to see me, I’ve had a gym membership there since 1999. I think to say that for many, many years I was a bit of a “gym rat”, was an understatement.
I fell in love with exercise at a very early age, I started jogging around age 12. I got my first gym membership at age 14 and started lifting weights. I was using exercise as a coping mechanism to deal with pretty much everything in my life. I also struggled mildly with various eating disorders over the years, but I was never willing to compromise my performance, so I always ate just enough. I wanted to eat well, I wanted to take care of my body and give it what it needs but there was just so much misinformation out there. I remember reading I should eat fat free everything, fat was bad, eat lots of carbs and protein, don’t eat egg yolks. Oh, how I cringe when I think about all the years I threw away the most nutritious part of the egg! And believe it or not, in the 90’s, you know before carbs were taboo, you could literally by liquid carbohydrates to drink, that came in purple, blue and red. Crazy how the experts like to change their minds so often on what is “good” for us. Needless to say, I was very confused and frustrated when it came to food.
When I was pregnant with my first child, I gained 90lbs. Suddenly I had all this extra estrogen, and while I didn’t have one bought of morning sickness, I felt amazing and had tons of energy every day, my blood pressure and blood sugar levels were perfect, but I gained an average of 10lbs a month over the course of my pregnancy. This was really hard for me, especially after I gave birth, I guess I expected all the weight to just fall off like overnight or something. However, I was very preoccupied with my beautiful little daughter, she was a blessed distraction. I started working out about a week after she was born, but because I was nursing and was determined to put my babies needs before my own, I did not fall back into any unhealthy habits. And before she was even a year, I was back into my old clothes. It took me 9 months to put it on, and about 10 months to take it off. And while I definitely had issues with too much exercise and obsessing over food, my lifestyle habits still had their benefits, of course.
Exercise and eating well were a part of life before I got pregnant, during my pregnancy, and after. There were many well-meaning women that told me I would never get my old body back, and I was determined to prove them wrong. Not to mention that I truly believe I may have suffered from mild post-partum, exercise really is such an underestimated anti-depressant. When I got pregnant with my son, I was a lot more relaxed. I knew that when I was ready to get back into my routine the weight would come off just like the last time. It’s funny though, I gained half the weight during my second pregnancy, but it took me just as long to lose 45lbs as it did to lose 90lbs.
Now I have worked in health Food stores and Gyms my entire adult life, and I had always wanted to get my Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Certification for a long time. But I felt like I couldn’t really help anyone because I had so many food and exercise hang ups of my own. But I did eventually get certified in personal training, nutritional specialization and lifestyle wellness coaching. My desire has always been to help people find enjoyment in nutritious food and exercise. And in my own pursuit for a healthy balance, I’ve come to realize that’s its because I struggled and sometimes still struggle that I can help. I spent many years compulsively exercising and stressing over macronutrients, and I often felt guilty, like I didn’t deserve to be fit and healthy. I knew that my food obsessions and over training were not part of a balanced lifestyle.
Because I tend to be a little high strung, and that’s without caffeine, I had often found it difficult to relax and do regular devotions and journaling, which was something I felt I needed in my life. So, a few years ago, I decided that before I could exercise, I had to spend a minimum of 30min. doing devotions, and journaling. It was really hard at first, my compulsive need to workout make it hard to focus. But after a while it became easier and easier, I started really enjoying that time, and often 30 min. turned into an hour. I used to feel like a I failed or wasted my time if I didn’t spend at least an hour and a half working out every morning. Now, during the week, my workouts are rarely any longer than 45min., and I think I’m in better shape than I was before. Sometimes it’s true that less is more! Well except for Saturdays and the occasional Monday morning when I will spend at least two hours just taking my time at the gym, and loving every minute of it. However, there are still days where I get anxiety about food, what to eat, what not to eat, or worry that I didn’t work out enough this week. But I’ve gotten pretty good at talking myself out of that downward spiral. And instead of feeling guilty for my good health, I’m thankful, very, very thankful. God made me this way for a reason, and it’s okay that I’m passionate about nutrition and exercise, but there is a fine line between passion and obsession.
I think if I’ve learned anything over the past 20 or so odd years on my quest for health and wellness, it’s that we are all unique. That healthy comes in all shapes and sizes, there is no one size fits all meal plan or exercise routine. Paleo, keto, vegan, vegetarian, atkin’s, south beach, the zone, carb cycling, intermittent fasting, or just basic clean eating, whatever it is, I think the best thing you can do, is listen to your body. Get informed, do your research, nobody knows your body better than YOU. Take what wisdom you feel makes sense for you, and then try to apply it to your life, be patient, and STICK with it. Generally, when you are trying to live a balanced lifestyle, not just with food and exercise, but in other areas, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, the rest just seems to fall into place.
Being intentional about bringing balance into our lives will look different from person to person. Maybe journaling and self-reflection has always come easy to you, maybe exercise and proper nutrition is something that’s lacking, maybe its family time, or volunteering. I’m still a work in progress, but I feel like I’m on the right track. I still have my triggers, but I’m aware of them, like stepping on a scale for instance. Our wellness journey’s will all look different, we all have to start somewhere, and It’s good to know we are not alone. I hope that my story brings you some encouragement and maybe motivates you a little as well! :)
I fell in love with exercise at a very early age, I started jogging around age 12. I got my first gym membership at age 14 and started lifting weights. I was using exercise as a coping mechanism to deal with pretty much everything in my life. I also struggled mildly with various eating disorders over the years, but I was never willing to compromise my performance, so I always ate just enough. I wanted to eat well, I wanted to take care of my body and give it what it needs but there was just so much misinformation out there. I remember reading I should eat fat free everything, fat was bad, eat lots of carbs and protein, don’t eat egg yolks. Oh, how I cringe when I think about all the years I threw away the most nutritious part of the egg! And believe it or not, in the 90’s, you know before carbs were taboo, you could literally by liquid carbohydrates to drink, that came in purple, blue and red. Crazy how the experts like to change their minds so often on what is “good” for us. Needless to say, I was very confused and frustrated when it came to food.
When I was pregnant with my first child, I gained 90lbs. Suddenly I had all this extra estrogen, and while I didn’t have one bought of morning sickness, I felt amazing and had tons of energy every day, my blood pressure and blood sugar levels were perfect, but I gained an average of 10lbs a month over the course of my pregnancy. This was really hard for me, especially after I gave birth, I guess I expected all the weight to just fall off like overnight or something. However, I was very preoccupied with my beautiful little daughter, she was a blessed distraction. I started working out about a week after she was born, but because I was nursing and was determined to put my babies needs before my own, I did not fall back into any unhealthy habits. And before she was even a year, I was back into my old clothes. It took me 9 months to put it on, and about 10 months to take it off. And while I definitely had issues with too much exercise and obsessing over food, my lifestyle habits still had their benefits, of course.
Exercise and eating well were a part of life before I got pregnant, during my pregnancy, and after. There were many well-meaning women that told me I would never get my old body back, and I was determined to prove them wrong. Not to mention that I truly believe I may have suffered from mild post-partum, exercise really is such an underestimated anti-depressant. When I got pregnant with my son, I was a lot more relaxed. I knew that when I was ready to get back into my routine the weight would come off just like the last time. It’s funny though, I gained half the weight during my second pregnancy, but it took me just as long to lose 45lbs as it did to lose 90lbs.
Now I have worked in health Food stores and Gyms my entire adult life, and I had always wanted to get my Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Certification for a long time. But I felt like I couldn’t really help anyone because I had so many food and exercise hang ups of my own. But I did eventually get certified in personal training, nutritional specialization and lifestyle wellness coaching. My desire has always been to help people find enjoyment in nutritious food and exercise. And in my own pursuit for a healthy balance, I’ve come to realize that’s its because I struggled and sometimes still struggle that I can help. I spent many years compulsively exercising and stressing over macronutrients, and I often felt guilty, like I didn’t deserve to be fit and healthy. I knew that my food obsessions and over training were not part of a balanced lifestyle.
Because I tend to be a little high strung, and that’s without caffeine, I had often found it difficult to relax and do regular devotions and journaling, which was something I felt I needed in my life. So, a few years ago, I decided that before I could exercise, I had to spend a minimum of 30min. doing devotions, and journaling. It was really hard at first, my compulsive need to workout make it hard to focus. But after a while it became easier and easier, I started really enjoying that time, and often 30 min. turned into an hour. I used to feel like a I failed or wasted my time if I didn’t spend at least an hour and a half working out every morning. Now, during the week, my workouts are rarely any longer than 45min., and I think I’m in better shape than I was before. Sometimes it’s true that less is more! Well except for Saturdays and the occasional Monday morning when I will spend at least two hours just taking my time at the gym, and loving every minute of it. However, there are still days where I get anxiety about food, what to eat, what not to eat, or worry that I didn’t work out enough this week. But I’ve gotten pretty good at talking myself out of that downward spiral. And instead of feeling guilty for my good health, I’m thankful, very, very thankful. God made me this way for a reason, and it’s okay that I’m passionate about nutrition and exercise, but there is a fine line between passion and obsession.
I think if I’ve learned anything over the past 20 or so odd years on my quest for health and wellness, it’s that we are all unique. That healthy comes in all shapes and sizes, there is no one size fits all meal plan or exercise routine. Paleo, keto, vegan, vegetarian, atkin’s, south beach, the zone, carb cycling, intermittent fasting, or just basic clean eating, whatever it is, I think the best thing you can do, is listen to your body. Get informed, do your research, nobody knows your body better than YOU. Take what wisdom you feel makes sense for you, and then try to apply it to your life, be patient, and STICK with it. Generally, when you are trying to live a balanced lifestyle, not just with food and exercise, but in other areas, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, the rest just seems to fall into place.
Being intentional about bringing balance into our lives will look different from person to person. Maybe journaling and self-reflection has always come easy to you, maybe exercise and proper nutrition is something that’s lacking, maybe its family time, or volunteering. I’m still a work in progress, but I feel like I’m on the right track. I still have my triggers, but I’m aware of them, like stepping on a scale for instance. Our wellness journey’s will all look different, we all have to start somewhere, and It’s good to know we are not alone. I hope that my story brings you some encouragement and maybe motivates you a little as well! :)
Jayda's Story
I was blown away when asked to share my story for the Fitness Zone. My first thought was "I can't share my story for something fitness related". Well that type of thinking is where my story begins.
I have spent most of my life overweight, and could come up with a million excuses as to why that is - but the reality is I allowed myself to use food as a comfort. I didn't have any tragic reason or an overly challenging life, but somehow food became my crutch. I never enjoyed sports or physical activity as a child, despite my mother trying to get me to enjoy figure skating.
I had a very typical childhood, graduated and then had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. I watched my classmates go to post-secondary education and travel. I worked and drifted through most of my twenties, always using food as a drug! When these classmates started getting married and having families I became very jealous and unhappy. Thoughts of never getting married crept into my mind and I began to think I would never live this dream because no one would love the fat girl. I fell into a deep depression and continued using food as a coping mechanism.
This depression and food addiction led me to a very unhealthy place, and my body was breaking down. I was placed on three different blood pressure medications after being diagnosed with hypertension. The doctor would mention losing weight at every visit, and I would leave rolling my eyes thinking she has no clue what I'm up against! I honestly felt defeated and hopeless and saw no way to turn this around.
February 24th of 2014 my Mom had emergency surgery for a brain aneurysm and during her two week hospital stay I saw many stroke victims who were left paralyzed and unable to speak. Having been warned numerous times that hypertension could lead to a stroke I became fearful. This was the start of my "get healthy" journey, although it certainly was not an immediate change.
In January of 2015 my best friend, being very concerned about my health, asked me to join weight watchers. I remember the desperate feeling as I said "I can't give up food, it's my best friend". This was my moment! I was so scared by those words, it still gives me goose bumps today. I joined weight watchers and got real with my actions, decisions, feelings and food addiction.
I lost approximately 80 pounds with the weight watchers program, but it hadn't taught me to deal with my addiction; it had taught me how to count calories. I felt ready to move to the next step but didn't really know what that was. I started a new job and one of my coworkers was Dallas Gerbrandt (who also works at Fitness Zone). Funny how life works! Dallas and I started talking about the gym and after some convincing, Dallas signed me up. He quickly found ways to motivate me; my training was painful but so rewarding! If you are looking for a good workout, talk to Dallas - he had me dry-heaving on my first leg day.
I was terrified to join a gym. Keep in mind, even after losing 80 pounds, I still viewed myself as very obese. I had fears of people making fun of me or telling me I shouldn't be there. I walked through the doors of the Fitness Zone day after day and not once did these fears come true! Instead I met a community of people who encourage each other and slowly but surely I felt a sense of community develop. My chosen workout time was in the wee hours of the morning and my morning crew (as I lovingly call them) has become family to me. A little shout out to this "morning crew" - THANK YOU!
I grew to love the gym and all that it brought me! I became addicted to working out; not only for my physical health but mental health as well. My depression was gone and I finally felt in control of my life! I was able to move from a food addiction to eating for the sake of my body.
I focused on building a better me and became so happy! I remember my best friend saying to me, "now you will meet the man of your dreams". I laughed and said "I'm ok on my own and if I do meet someone they are going to have to eat healthy and work out; they are really going to have to get it!" In July I met that man of my dreams and, wouldn't you know it, our first conversation was about working out! We work out together and eating healthy is a big focus in our lives. He really gets it! On December 29th he asked me to marry him, and I look forward to a life of lifting with this guy!
My story has many more chapters, many more points of how this journey has changed my life. To sum it all up I want to encourage people who think they can't do it; Yes you can! Never in a million years would I have thought I could lose 185 pounds! If I can change my eating addiction to a healthy relationship with food and get off three blood pressure meds (that's right, I'm no longer on medication) then you can reach your goals too.
One rep at a time, one set at a time, one healthy meal at a time. Don't look at the big picture, look at the moment in front of you! You got this!
- Jayda
I have spent most of my life overweight, and could come up with a million excuses as to why that is - but the reality is I allowed myself to use food as a comfort. I didn't have any tragic reason or an overly challenging life, but somehow food became my crutch. I never enjoyed sports or physical activity as a child, despite my mother trying to get me to enjoy figure skating.
I had a very typical childhood, graduated and then had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. I watched my classmates go to post-secondary education and travel. I worked and drifted through most of my twenties, always using food as a drug! When these classmates started getting married and having families I became very jealous and unhappy. Thoughts of never getting married crept into my mind and I began to think I would never live this dream because no one would love the fat girl. I fell into a deep depression and continued using food as a coping mechanism.
This depression and food addiction led me to a very unhealthy place, and my body was breaking down. I was placed on three different blood pressure medications after being diagnosed with hypertension. The doctor would mention losing weight at every visit, and I would leave rolling my eyes thinking she has no clue what I'm up against! I honestly felt defeated and hopeless and saw no way to turn this around.
February 24th of 2014 my Mom had emergency surgery for a brain aneurysm and during her two week hospital stay I saw many stroke victims who were left paralyzed and unable to speak. Having been warned numerous times that hypertension could lead to a stroke I became fearful. This was the start of my "get healthy" journey, although it certainly was not an immediate change.
In January of 2015 my best friend, being very concerned about my health, asked me to join weight watchers. I remember the desperate feeling as I said "I can't give up food, it's my best friend". This was my moment! I was so scared by those words, it still gives me goose bumps today. I joined weight watchers and got real with my actions, decisions, feelings and food addiction.
I lost approximately 80 pounds with the weight watchers program, but it hadn't taught me to deal with my addiction; it had taught me how to count calories. I felt ready to move to the next step but didn't really know what that was. I started a new job and one of my coworkers was Dallas Gerbrandt (who also works at Fitness Zone). Funny how life works! Dallas and I started talking about the gym and after some convincing, Dallas signed me up. He quickly found ways to motivate me; my training was painful but so rewarding! If you are looking for a good workout, talk to Dallas - he had me dry-heaving on my first leg day.
I was terrified to join a gym. Keep in mind, even after losing 80 pounds, I still viewed myself as very obese. I had fears of people making fun of me or telling me I shouldn't be there. I walked through the doors of the Fitness Zone day after day and not once did these fears come true! Instead I met a community of people who encourage each other and slowly but surely I felt a sense of community develop. My chosen workout time was in the wee hours of the morning and my morning crew (as I lovingly call them) has become family to me. A little shout out to this "morning crew" - THANK YOU!
I grew to love the gym and all that it brought me! I became addicted to working out; not only for my physical health but mental health as well. My depression was gone and I finally felt in control of my life! I was able to move from a food addiction to eating for the sake of my body.
I focused on building a better me and became so happy! I remember my best friend saying to me, "now you will meet the man of your dreams". I laughed and said "I'm ok on my own and if I do meet someone they are going to have to eat healthy and work out; they are really going to have to get it!" In July I met that man of my dreams and, wouldn't you know it, our first conversation was about working out! We work out together and eating healthy is a big focus in our lives. He really gets it! On December 29th he asked me to marry him, and I look forward to a life of lifting with this guy!
My story has many more chapters, many more points of how this journey has changed my life. To sum it all up I want to encourage people who think they can't do it; Yes you can! Never in a million years would I have thought I could lose 185 pounds! If I can change my eating addiction to a healthy relationship with food and get off three blood pressure meds (that's right, I'm no longer on medication) then you can reach your goals too.
One rep at a time, one set at a time, one healthy meal at a time. Don't look at the big picture, look at the moment in front of you! You got this!
- Jayda
Scott's Story
Recently, I was very kindly asked to share my transformation story and I couldn't be more honoured. So here goes nothing.
For me, it all started when I was 4 years old. In the fall of 1997, my father took his life. It was completely unexpected and devastating to my family. It took a toll on all of us and drastically changed our lives.
My coping mechanism became food. I quickly developed an eating disorder and my weight ballooned. Year after year I continued to gain weight and showed no signs of slowing. Elementary, Jr. High, and High School; I wasn't just a fat kid, I was THE fat kid, and I despised myself for it. I will never forget the day when I was 17 and decided to step on the scale. My heart sank. 305 pounds... I was 305 pounds. I quickly went to my basement to a door frame and tried doing a pull-up. Failing at that, I got on the floor and tried doing a push-up, and succeeded in failing at that. I felt weak, pathetic, and utterly helpless. I remember asking myself, through tears, if this was ever going to end.
In my last semester of high school, I began to have my first glimpse of hope. I started lifting weights and managed to lose 40 pounds by grad in 2011. After school, being the stupid kid I still was, I continued the drinking and drug habit I had developed a few years prior and completely lost control of the progress I was making. By 2012, I had put nearly all of the weight back on and fell into a deep depression. I had given up hope, and felt I was destined to feel this way for the rest of my life.
I don't know how or why, but one day in September of that year, something changed. Instead of waking up to the numbness I was used to, I woke up angry. Angry at myself for letting this happen. I was NOT going to let this be the story of my life. That day after work, I went straight to the gym, signed my first contract, and I haven't looked back. I started living my life completely clean and put all of my focus into my health. At this point, my life is completely different than the one I was living before. I've lost well over 100 pounds and had to have excess skin removed in 2015 from how dramatic my change has been. I'm truly living a dream.
I am forever grateful to all the people who have helped me on my journey, and if there's one thing that I want to tell everybody in the world, it's to never give up. It's a total cliche, I know, but it's true. No matter how desperate a situation may seem, we all have the power to change for the better!
I tried to keep this as short as possible, so thank you very much for taking the time to read this. Of course I have the obligatory before and after pics. I was pretty good at avoiding pictures when I was at my worst, this was the best I could find. From the bottom of my heart, I can't thank all of you enough.
Scott
Member at Fitness Zone
For me, it all started when I was 4 years old. In the fall of 1997, my father took his life. It was completely unexpected and devastating to my family. It took a toll on all of us and drastically changed our lives.
My coping mechanism became food. I quickly developed an eating disorder and my weight ballooned. Year after year I continued to gain weight and showed no signs of slowing. Elementary, Jr. High, and High School; I wasn't just a fat kid, I was THE fat kid, and I despised myself for it. I will never forget the day when I was 17 and decided to step on the scale. My heart sank. 305 pounds... I was 305 pounds. I quickly went to my basement to a door frame and tried doing a pull-up. Failing at that, I got on the floor and tried doing a push-up, and succeeded in failing at that. I felt weak, pathetic, and utterly helpless. I remember asking myself, through tears, if this was ever going to end.
In my last semester of high school, I began to have my first glimpse of hope. I started lifting weights and managed to lose 40 pounds by grad in 2011. After school, being the stupid kid I still was, I continued the drinking and drug habit I had developed a few years prior and completely lost control of the progress I was making. By 2012, I had put nearly all of the weight back on and fell into a deep depression. I had given up hope, and felt I was destined to feel this way for the rest of my life.
I don't know how or why, but one day in September of that year, something changed. Instead of waking up to the numbness I was used to, I woke up angry. Angry at myself for letting this happen. I was NOT going to let this be the story of my life. That day after work, I went straight to the gym, signed my first contract, and I haven't looked back. I started living my life completely clean and put all of my focus into my health. At this point, my life is completely different than the one I was living before. I've lost well over 100 pounds and had to have excess skin removed in 2015 from how dramatic my change has been. I'm truly living a dream.
I am forever grateful to all the people who have helped me on my journey, and if there's one thing that I want to tell everybody in the world, it's to never give up. It's a total cliche, I know, but it's true. No matter how desperate a situation may seem, we all have the power to change for the better!
I tried to keep this as short as possible, so thank you very much for taking the time to read this. Of course I have the obligatory before and after pics. I was pretty good at avoiding pictures when I was at my worst, this was the best I could find. From the bottom of my heart, I can't thank all of you enough.
Scott
Member at Fitness Zone
Samantha's Story
Hi everyone! My name is Samantha and I am one of the employees at Fitness Zone in Steinbach. If you've been to the gym, you've probably seen me training or maybe hanging out around the front desk. :) I haven't always been in shape; in fact, I used to be quite the opposite. This is my story...
Now, before I say anything about the following "before and after" photo... for any of you who are struggling right now to see the light at the end of the tunnel: PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP! You can DO THIS! And even if no one else believes in you - I DO because I'VE BEEN THERE!
I've never really shared my story before because I wanted to forget all about the girl on the left (see photo) and block her from my memory forever. But I think it's high time I show people that I have not always been into fitness, and for the better part of my younger life, I struggled HARD to lose weight, to feel good about myself, and to find some kind of healthy routine.
The left photo was taken at my high school graduation in June of 2009. I was probably around 190-200 pounds in that photo (which was not even my heaviest weight!), but I refused to step on a scale because I was terrified of what it might say. Even though I am smiling in the photo, I was so uncomfortable in my own skin: I ate like crap, tried to diet by severely restricting my calories, ended up binge-eating, and would gain back all the weight I lost. I ended up in a worse situation than when I started. This cycle continued for YEARS and no one knew because I would always put on a happy face and pretend I was fine.
One morning, about 5 years ago, I decided to face the dreaded scale and weigh myself. I was completely shocked and mortified to see the number "226" staring back at me. How had I let my health get so out of control? I remember deciding then and there, that very day, that this was the LAST day I would feel sorry for myself and it was time to make a change -- a permanent lifestyle change.
It took me years and YEARS (without any help or guidance) to figure out how to properly take care of my body. I tried so many different avenues of fitness -- from circuit training, to running, to yoga, to weight lifting -- in order to find something that I actually enjoyed doing and wanted to stick with. It took me years and YEARS of research to figure out how to properly nourish my body and eat a well-balanced diet. And it was NOT easy...but nothing worthwhile ever is!
Fast forward 7 years. The right photo was taken in a Walmart change room (selfie! ha ha) in November of 2016. I am 5 foot 10 inches, and currently sitting around 150 pounds. I'm happy, I eat well, I train hard, I am way less stressed, and I care enough about my body to know that absolutely NOTHING feels worse than feeding it with garbage foods and being excessively lazy all the time. I'm not saying that the occasional treats and being lazy sometimes is bad -- it's not; in fact, your body actually needs a break from a regimented diet and training schedule every once in a while. However, being completely sedentary and eating a poor diet was ruining my life until I found the gym and made fitness and health a priority and part of my lifestyle -- and I am NEVER going back!!!
I hope this inspires even one of you to stick it out, no matter how difficult it may be right now. In the long run, your results will be well worth your effort!
Thank you for taking the time to read! :)
Sam
Fitness Zone Employee
Now, before I say anything about the following "before and after" photo... for any of you who are struggling right now to see the light at the end of the tunnel: PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP! You can DO THIS! And even if no one else believes in you - I DO because I'VE BEEN THERE!
I've never really shared my story before because I wanted to forget all about the girl on the left (see photo) and block her from my memory forever. But I think it's high time I show people that I have not always been into fitness, and for the better part of my younger life, I struggled HARD to lose weight, to feel good about myself, and to find some kind of healthy routine.
The left photo was taken at my high school graduation in June of 2009. I was probably around 190-200 pounds in that photo (which was not even my heaviest weight!), but I refused to step on a scale because I was terrified of what it might say. Even though I am smiling in the photo, I was so uncomfortable in my own skin: I ate like crap, tried to diet by severely restricting my calories, ended up binge-eating, and would gain back all the weight I lost. I ended up in a worse situation than when I started. This cycle continued for YEARS and no one knew because I would always put on a happy face and pretend I was fine.
One morning, about 5 years ago, I decided to face the dreaded scale and weigh myself. I was completely shocked and mortified to see the number "226" staring back at me. How had I let my health get so out of control? I remember deciding then and there, that very day, that this was the LAST day I would feel sorry for myself and it was time to make a change -- a permanent lifestyle change.
It took me years and YEARS (without any help or guidance) to figure out how to properly take care of my body. I tried so many different avenues of fitness -- from circuit training, to running, to yoga, to weight lifting -- in order to find something that I actually enjoyed doing and wanted to stick with. It took me years and YEARS of research to figure out how to properly nourish my body and eat a well-balanced diet. And it was NOT easy...but nothing worthwhile ever is!
Fast forward 7 years. The right photo was taken in a Walmart change room (selfie! ha ha) in November of 2016. I am 5 foot 10 inches, and currently sitting around 150 pounds. I'm happy, I eat well, I train hard, I am way less stressed, and I care enough about my body to know that absolutely NOTHING feels worse than feeding it with garbage foods and being excessively lazy all the time. I'm not saying that the occasional treats and being lazy sometimes is bad -- it's not; in fact, your body actually needs a break from a regimented diet and training schedule every once in a while. However, being completely sedentary and eating a poor diet was ruining my life until I found the gym and made fitness and health a priority and part of my lifestyle -- and I am NEVER going back!!!
I hope this inspires even one of you to stick it out, no matter how difficult it may be right now. In the long run, your results will be well worth your effort!
Thank you for taking the time to read! :)
Sam
Fitness Zone Employee
