Linda's Story

Printer-friendly version

Nine months ago I finally faced the facts. I was fifty pounds overweight and in poor condition - both mentally and physically. Although I had started biking a year earlier, hoping it would take off the pounds and get me in shape, I wasn't really making any good progress. While biking had become a passion and my cardio was greatly improved, the weight was still there. I wanted to be a better biker. I wanted to be physically fit...strong in body and mind...healthy. I wanted to lose the weight. I wanted a lifestyle change. I realized that I couldn't do it alone....I needed help.

So I went to Lifestyle Family Fitness and signed-up for hourly sessions with a personal trainer twice a week. I needed someone to hold me accountable (since I obviously couldn't) and show me how to get healthy. While each session was hard, in only several weeks I saw differences. I started sleeping better. I started losing pounds. My biking on the weekends improved. Those changes motivated me big time. I started doing an hour of cardio after my training sessions. Then I started going to the gym two other days during the week to do cardio. I started to look forward to my weigh-ins. My body and mind was undergoing a transformation. 

My trainer Wagner ("the Terrible") could read me like a book. He knew how hard he could push me to do better. He praised my accomplishments, but held me accountable when I underachieved. He taught me correct form, the different muscle groups, better eating habits, and how to appreciate my body. He had faith in me and my abilities, even when I didn't. He has a real passion for what he does and his passion drove me to achieve what I never could have done on my own. 

Nine months later and I am a different person. Mentally, I am at peace with my spirit. I respect and appreciate myself. My thoughts are clear. Physically...what a change. I've lost 43 pounds, gone from an 18/20 dress size to a 10/12 dress size, lost 11% body fat and gained 8% lean muscle. I am healthy strong and fit. 

My passion with biking remains and I've exceeded my initial goals. I'm able to easily complete century (100 miles) rides and metric century (63 miles) rides. Last weekend, I finished a metric century ride on the open road with an average 18.7 mph, a new personal best. And I've even started running. Did a 5K last weekend also. 

Nine months....this time would have gone by regardless of what I did. But look at me now, and I'm not finished. I've set new fitness goals for myself. With Wagner as my personal trainer, I will achieve them.