LifeStories

January 19th, 2015 – I woke up that day and knew in my heart that this time things were going to be different. That day was the start of the F3 Program with LifeStart and when I began working with Samantha Bland - General Manager of LifeStart at Arboretum Lakes.

You see I have been heavy my entire life. I struggled with my weight throughout my entire school career which lead to diet pills, fad diets, and self-loathing. Coming into adulthood, I simply began to accept the fact that I would always be fat. Simple everyday tasks such as climbing the stairs in my house began to become taxing. I have two young children, I couldn’t keep up with them, and that was heartbreaking. So, after many failed attempts – I decided to try again.

When you're severely overweight, starting at a new gym is intimidating. "Will people be looking at me? Can I keep up? What if I fail?" Sam took things slowly with me at first to make sure I was comfortable and though she pushed me, she always seemed to know my limitations better than I knew myself. I was also welcomed here with open arms, and have met some of my closest friends thanks to LifeStart!

I'm so proud to say that since my first day with LifeStart, I have lost 122 pounds and have gained my life back! I now run 5K's, compete in Obstacle Course races, and attend fitness retreats. I'm even scheduled to begin training to teach a dance fitness class and have signed up for my first 1/2 marathon!!!

These last 2 years have been a whirlwind, but I am forever grateful for my little corporate gym next door. Samantha Bland helped give me my life back, and I hope that in some way I can inspire others that nothing is impossible!

Ever since I graduated college three years ago, I have been trying (and failing) to lose the weight that I gained due to the unhealthy nature of a typical undergraduate lifestyle. I tried out a variety of different exercises on my own at home, but my efforts were inconsistent and so were my results. Then one day I got engaged and finally decided that enough was enough. I wanted to look and feel my best for the event that I have been dreaming about for years.

I decided to join the LifeStart Wellness Center that was located in the building where I work. The convenient location allowed me to go to the gym during my lunch hour and immediately after work. Going to the gym twice a day was never boring, because the center offers a wide variety of fitness classes that allowed me to try new things, work different muscle groups, and stay inspired.

Another huge source of inspiration has been the center’s manager, Michelle. She is a ray of sunshine that has been so supportive of my goals since the day I joined the gym. It is so nice to have someone like her who not only notices my efforts and constantly encourages me to keep working hard, but goes out of her way to help me if I need it. In addition, she is an amazing instructor. She teaches all of her classes with so much contagious energy and always tries to keep things interesting. Michelle has been a significant part of me being able to attain my goals.

Thanks to her and all of the other instructors at my LifeStart center, I have been able to lose 15 pounds in just 3 months, with still three months to go until the wedding!

When I was younger, I used to always think of myself as someone who was in good shape. As I got older and got married and started a family, I noticed that I was struggling with my weight. I would try to exercise and diet, but with no success.

Over the years, my weight would go up and down. Two years ago, I had ballooned to the highest weight since I had my youngest child 18 years ago.

That all changed when we moved to our new building in August 2015 with its on-site fitness center. I began working with a personal trainer, Cara. She has challenged me every time I workout to push myself to the limits and beyond. Changing my workouts so that my body responded and changed along with them.

The changes to my physical (and mental) wellbeing have been incredible to say the least. I'm in the best physical shape I have ever been -- much stronger, more muscular, and much happier. I now know that with the proper tools and knowledge you can achieve anything. I have lost a total of 30 pounds and am down to 16.7% body fat.

Thanks to Cara and the entire LifeStart fitness center for helping me make this happen.