My fitness journey began when I was in my early twenties. I began with classes, then progressed onto a personal training gym in Calgary. This is where I found my love for fitness. I gained so much needed information about diet, form, my body and weight lifting. I began to see changes in my body, my mind and my overall confidence. My trainer believed in me, pushed me and showed me exactly how strong I could be. I even managed to train and complete a mini-triathlon. Something I never imagined I could achieve in my wildest dreams !
Along the way, I got married and had my two girls. The most rewarding and amazing thing I’ve ever done is become a mom. It came however with weight gain, exhaustion and the loss of my interests. I worked out during and after my pregnancies, but not at the same intensity (or getting the same results). My body, metabolism an energy level had changed. I kept going, and felt discouraged but knew I needed to do it for myself.
I joined an outdoor boot camp when my youngest daughter was almost two. I committed to 3 mornings a week at 5:30am so that I could go and make it back before they were awake. This was the HARDEST month ever. I was up at 4:45am, but I promised myself I needed to do something just for ME. I became stronger and began to have fun again. Peer support carried me through a lot of hard workouts. I continued that boot camp for 9 years. It was the most empowering and motivating thing I’ve ever done for myself.
Along this journey of fitness, I realized more about myself than I ever thought possible. It allowed me to dig deep and rely on me. I started to believe and see how strong I really was.
Today, I’m 42. My dad passed away in March of 2014, followed later that year by the ending of my 19 year marriage. I needed my training and regular workouts just to get through a lot of days. It was stress relief and time to forget what was on my plate even if it was just for a short time. My girls are now sixteen and twelve years old. It’s so great to hear how proud they are of me, and that I am setting a good example for them. I am definitely a work in progress.
Taking time to take care of myself, I no longer view fitness as selfish. I see it as self-preservation and survival. I grew up with a mom who had diabetes, and sadly watched how this disease affected not only her, but our entire family. I promised myself I would try to be a good mom like her one day, but that I’d also try and stay as healthy as possible for myself and my family.
I joined One On One Personal Fitness in August of 2015. I saw their ads over the years, and received their newsletters in my mailbox (but never called). I’m so happy I finally did. It was time for me to focus once again on what I loved and really needed for myself. It’s a quiet, safe and fun environment with no judgment. The trainers are knowledgeable, creative and constantly ensure that I am getting the workout I’m paying for. For two mornings a week, I look so forward to the dynamic and challenging workouts that are prepared specifically for me.
I also go to spin classes, do some running, barre classes and yoga. Changing things and keeping myself challenged and motivated keeps me from getting bored and continuing to better myself. My challenge has been overt raining (who knew that was a thing!). I have to listen to my body and my trainer. It can be hard with a busy mind that I can’t calm.
When I began working out, I wanted to lose some weight. As time went on, I noticed muscle and body changes not always seen on the scale. I work out to maintain my weight, gain strength, for stress relief and also to keep myself healthier as I age. It’s really important to me that I am healthy and able to take care of myself as long as possible. I want to be here for my kids, and my future grand kids, but also I want to be here as my best self. Joining One On One Personal Fitness has been the best gift I’ve given myself in the last year, and I feel really lucky to be able to work out there.
