Carrie found encouragement and support and has lost 60 pounds in 14 months

Written by Carrie, GoodLife Member

I knew I had to exercise

Several factors prompted me to get back to the gym for the first time in years. I liked to eat and didn’t get much exercise. As a result, I’d been overweight for most of my life. Some close relatives had suffered from cancer, stroke and heart disease, and I wanted to avoid a similar fate. I had no energy and I had trouble sleeping.

I also had a sweet tooth, poor eating habits and no willpower, so exercise seemed like my best option for losing weight. However, on my last few attempts to get into an exercise routine, I’d started strong and then tapered off without seeing any results.

After

This time I checked out Personal Training, and was fortunate enough to meet Karin in April 2010. She assured me that I’d get results if I participated in the program she’d design for me. At my initial weigh-in, I discovered I was at 208 pounds. I was mortified that my weight had crept that high, but it helped convince me to take advantage of the program and commit to two sessions a week to drop some of those pounds.

However, I wasn’t optimistic about actually reaching the weight-loss goal I mentioned in our first meeting, particularly since I’d never liked strength training very much. But I quickly began to enjoy my sessions with Karin. Her positive attitude was contagious. With her encouragement, I began to exceed my perceived limits. The workouts were challenging, but I felt great afterward. I began to work out regularly even when I didn’t have a session scheduled, and Karin provided advice about my cardio workouts too. My energy increased and I started sleeping better. In the first month, I lost five pounds and several inches.

Those results encouraged me, and I was surprised by the ripple effect of the exercise.

After putting in all that work at the gym, I found myself reluctant to neutralize it by indulging in sweets or junk food. So I started eating better.

Working with a trainer also helped me break my pattern of fading after a few weeks. At the start, I would sometimes skip working out for a couple of days. But it never stretched into more than that because then I’d have a session with Karin and I’d get back on track. Knowing that I was going to get on the scale regularly also spurred me on.

Carrie – Before

The pounds continued to come off. I got stronger and more confident, and worked harder, as I achieved results.

Karin made sure I was aware of the increases in the weights I used or the number of reps I did. The word “can’t” slowly receded from my vocabulary. I’d been reluctant to venture into a spinning class because I thought it would be too hard, but Karin convinced me to try. I was hooked after one class and it became a regular part of my regimen. By Christmas I had lost over thirty pounds and my original goal of shedding at least sixty no longer seemed like a pipe dream.

Fourteen months into the program, I have taken off 60 pounds, 37 inches and 12 percent body fat. My BMI has gone from 34 to 24.5 and I’ve dropped seven dress sizes.

I work out at least five times a week. I’ve overcome my own doubts and uncertainty. I’m in much better shape than I’ve ever been before and have lots of energy. I’m enjoying myself and I feel great.

My increased confidence has spilled over into other areas of my life. I was recently promoted at work. I’m participating in activities I wouldn’t have tried a year ago. I reached my goal of losing 60 pounds and am now aiming to drop 75-80. Eating well and exercising regularly have become habits that I know I’ll be able to maintain in the future.

I’m very grateful for Karin’s guidance and support, which have made all the difference in this successful endeavour to get fit. I would also like to thank the staff members at Weber GoodLife who took the time to offer encouraging comments.

Carrie is one of our Success Story winners for December. If you are interested in working with a Personal Trainer and overcoming some of your own health challenges, sign up for a free consultation today.