My training sessions began in September of 2011 because I woke up one day and realized the 2 babies I had been using as an excuse for being overweight were turning 7 and 8 years old and I was turning 40 in November. I said to myself this is where it ends, it is important for me as a mom to be able to play an important role in their lives.
I can’t tell you how much money I have wasted on trainers and big box gyms so I knew that I needed a gym that I could feel comfortable in, an environment that I would want to go even on those days that are really hard to get going, and most importantly a trainer that I respect and am committed to. Once I found out Heidi’s story I knew that she would understand the struggles and the wins I would be dealing with.
For instance, in the beginning I couldn’t do a full sit up because my stomach was so big and in the way, or feeling like “Jabba the Hut” doing jumping jacks. (Still not my favorite) I made a promise to myself that this time would be different; I respected Heidi and was just as committed to her as she was to my weight loss journey. So I said I would never “no show”, cancel, or make some lame excuse up that I gave all those other trainers. I wanted to finish this evolution in my life with all I could give. Heidi pushed me to limits I did not know existed. Every month or so she would ask what my goals were, I would give her some unobtainable goal that in my mind I thought I could accomplish, Heidi would politely smile and have another recommendation, and she was always right on target, darn it! She continued to push me harder and harder, and I would whine, and whine about how awful it was, but I always did what was ask of me and that has gotten me to where I am today.
My biggest challenge right now is accepting myself and my accomplishments. Previously, I never thought I was overweight and the fact that I wouldn’t let anyone take a picture of me worked well. But now I sit and look at myself and realize the people who are important to me are telling me how wonderful I look and I am beginning to see what they are talking about.
When I started this mission I weighed 182lbs and today I weigh 136lbs with my end goal being 125lbs. I feel so much better about myself and have regained that energy I had in my youth. This has been the best journey, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
My biggest ah-ha moment was on our recent vacation, my previous vacations went like this “ok, I need to sit down for a bit” or “I don’t want to stand in that line, I’ll just sit here and wait for you guys.” Two weeks ago we went on an extended family vacation with my “firefighter-master chief sergeant” sister in law; she has always kicked my butt hands down. This time was different, I paced her while running on the beach, I hung with her during her boot camp, and I out kayaked her in the ocean! It was the best feeling; she was shocked but very proud of how far I had come.
– Jenna B
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