Goals are good! My goal is to bring you a monthly success story and how each client was able to overcome personal challenges to reach their ultimate goal. This month, I’d like to introduce you to Rebecca, a 39 year old mother of three who was able to take time out of her crazy schedule of juggling her mom hat and her professional woman hat to do something for herself.
What were your initial personal training goals?
My main goal was to get my groove back. Losing weight was part of it, of course, as was feeling stronger, but there was a less tangible goal, the need to feel like I was in control, like I enjoyed my body and that I was able to create the changes I needed.
What caused you to get over that initial fear and make the call to start working out?
I spent a lot of time and energy last summer on some small home-improvement projects. When they had been completed, I realized that I could put that time and energy toward Rebecca-improvement projects. I got a haircut, and a manicure, replaced any make-up that was older than my children and then I called Suzanne.
How did you overcome the challenges of lifestyle changes to incorporate Suzanne’s recommended changes?
I have three little boys, a big affectionate dog, and several unpredictable jobs, so fitting workouts into my schedule will always be a real challenge. Like many people running isn’t necessarily my favorite way to work out even though it’s usually the easiest exercise to squeeze into a hectic day. With the encouragement of Suzanne I was inspired to try interval workouts on my home treadmill and use the Arc Trainer at the gym – both of which felt a lot less awful than running, but still worked up a good sweat!
I’ve started keeping exercise clothes in my car, in case I am able to leave work a little early and get a quick cardio workout before I go home. Suzanne is also great about working around my daily chaos. She will reschedule, or pet the dog so I can do ab work without getting licked and she’s always good-natured about the heckling from the peanut gallery when my boys are home.
How did you incorporate Suzanne’s recommended changes in your daily diet?
I have always enjoyed food and cooking and like most, strict diets have never worked for me. Having Suzanne to talk to about good food and sharing recipes with her makes me think more about enjoying excellent, tasty food, instead of mindlessly gobbling crappy snacks. Of course, it’s not always a fair exchange; Suzanne shared her amazing recipe for squash soup, and I gave her a recipe for chocolate cookies.
What do you see as the main benefit of working with a personal trainer like Suzanne?
The biggest benefit of working with Suzanne is an outside check on how I’m doing. She tells me when I look stronger, or thinner, which every one likes to hear! She tells me if my lunges are lame and she’s always there, holding me accountable, even on the mornings I want to go back to bed.
How has your energy changed?
I definitely have more energy and feel more fit, in general. I used to save my energy for the kids, then collapse with a book and a big glass of wine as soon as they went to bed. Now I have energy left over for me! The real proof came during the big December snow storm. My husband and I spent all day digging out the car, helping neighbors shovel, sledding with the boys, hauling firewood, and pushing stranded drivers out of snowdrifts. The next day, he could barely stand. I didn’t feel a single ache!
What are your next steps in this process?
I’m only a few pounds from my happy weight, which is a nice, quantifiable affirmation of my hard work. To get there, I need to keep carving out time and energy for myself, which can be a big hurdle. A big goal of mine is to find a race or event in the spring that I can train for, helping me push through the cold weather. I want to cement this feeling in my mind – this feeling of being strong and healthy and liking my body – so that I never again settle for anything less!