Success Story: Jessi
Late last year I had a rude awakening (choose to call this my Aha! moment - if you like). I went shopping, as I had many times before, but this time I noticed that I was buying clothes not because I liked them, but because they hid my body shape. I was often upset because I was unable to do all the things that I wanted, like hiking or doing a charity walk, because of my lack of endurance. I realized that the happy, in-shape me was in there somewhere but I had to shed the excess pounds, which had grown to an alarming 35, and tone my body to find that me again. Not just for my wedding- but for the rest of my life.
I enrolled in Spin and Bridal boot camp Jan/2008. At the same time I joined Weight Watchers, because I realized my success depended on changing how I lived my whole life by both exercising and eating healthy. I took 2 classes per week and then 2 challenge classes right up until leaving for my wedding. I lost 40 pounds of completely unnecessary body fat -and don't miss it one bit!
I have no fat clothes left in my closet to go back to - I gave them all to charity (I kept just one pair of my old pants). Seeing my size 12 pants in the closet next to my size 8 pants is still a sobering experience (was I ever really that big???).
I am so proud of the results that I achieved for my wedding day. I am excited to look back through the photos as a lasting memory of how great I look and feel. Now that the wedding is done I am motivated to look good on my next hot holiday. I don't want to feel lethargic and out of shape ever again. I know how hard I worked to get the weight off and I don't want to have to do that again. It feels good to work out just for fun.
The classes were at great times and being able to take a new class every 5 weeks was perfect to keep things interesting. I loved that it was a supportive and environment and all the staff were so encouraging. I found that I looked forward to going to class and the harder I worked the better I felt. Our trainer loved to remind us that is was "our workout" and we could only cheat ourselves by not giving it our all.
What is it you say at Defining Eve. Misery Loves Company? Working out with people you know is just so much more rewarding than doing it on your own. My mom, aunt, and sister in law who worked out along side me are proud of me and continue to come to the studio with me so I can't flake out.
My advice? Join a class with a friend if you can, it's great motivation. And it's always good to have a support network. Keep yourself accountable, if you miss a class or have a bad food day then take a honest look at how you got there, resolve not to do it again and remember tomorrow is another day! See working out as fun and something to be enjoyed but also as a serious commitment to yourself and your health.
Lastly, you just never know, you just might be able to keep up in a spin class full of national-level ringette players who are 5-10 years younger then you -- which is where I found myself one night fateful night at Defining Eve.and I did it!
