Once upon a time, in a land far, far away (ok maybe just one state over from where I am right now) lived a chick who NEVER had ANY weight issues.  She had never given THOUGHT to working out at a gym.  Then the UNTHINKABLE HAPPENED!!!!  The girl had kids!  Her body turned into a stranger!  She was overweight, unhappy, unhealthy and was clueless as to how to deal!!!

Yep, you guessed it…I’m the chick.  After the birth of my third kid (I have 5 total! They all ROCK!) I got tired of being tired.  You feel me?? I hated to look in the mirror.  I felt worn down all the time.  I had to do something, but what?!?  I tried a million workout videos and just as many quick weight loss schemes.  I would lose a few pounds but then put it back on.  Depression, a presence I have dealt with since the age of 18, began to tighten its grip.

I was either going to fight back or give in to the darkness.  I chose to fight.

I was going to DO THIS!  I was going to lose the weight and be a hot mama!  I headed to the local YMCA.  I joined, did a short cardio session.  Then I went home and didn’t return for another month!  I had three young children at home to deal with.  I had more important things to think of.  I had places to be. I had a plethora of excuses and let me tell you, I used them!

The truth is, I was terrified of the gym.  Saying I was intimidated would be an understatement!  I had never even SEEN most of those machines so of course I had NO IDEA how to use them!!! There were days I put on my gym clothes, got in the car, drove to the gym. Only to sit in the parking lot for 10 minutes before deciding to turn around and go home.  It took multiple times to actually step my foot in the door, but I DID IT.

I found a comfortable elliptical in the corner out of the way.  That became my go-to spot at the gym.  It was there that I became a cardio queen!!  I was killing it on that thing!!  I starting losing a little weight & I was digging the weight loss but it was not a quick process.  I was growing increasingly bored in my corner spot.  Lucky for me, I caught the eye of a couple trainers.  These two took me under their wing & let me join in on their personal workouts.  They poured knowledge out and I soaked up as much as I could!

Those two changed my life.  That small act of kindness, allowing me to join their workouts, was pivotal in my life.  Kindness has a tendency to produce some pretty awesome shit!

I began to LOVE the gym. It became my refuge.  I could take my frustrations and fears there & leave them!!  I felt great, like I could conquer anything.  For the first time in my life I felt comfortable going to the gym!! GO ME!

I lost the weight I wanted to lose and then some.  I went from being overweight, unhappy, defeated to being healthy weight, energetic and happy! From a size 14-16 to a size 4-6.  I didn’t have to dread getting dressed!!! Wooo hoooo!!!!  I wanted to pass along that kindness I had been shown, so I became a trainer myself.

Hope sharing this helps someone else!  If I can do it YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!