So, what needed to be changed, and how was I going to go about doing this? Well, I spent that entire week in solitude and relfection and this is what has transpired since then.
Firstly, I would like to begin with my initial introduction to the Women's Place. As some of you may already know this is a fitness centre in Kelowna, specifically meant for women. Well it was the first week in January when I took myself along with my 250 pound frame to the facility to inquire about their services and to see what they had to offer me.
I felt as though I had been guided to this facility and I followed the wise voice from within me.
I remember, very clearly, how nervous I felt that early evening and how ashamed I was of the weight that I had gained over the years, nine to be exact. You see, since having my last child back in November of 2002 I continued to gain weight. I did attempt to embrace a new lifestyle change on three separate occasions; however, each time I was unsuccessful.
I had an awakening and this is where my story began.
I remember when I first walked into the Women’s Place the first week of January 2011. It was a new beginning for me as I had spent the last week of December reassessing my previous year acknowledging to myself that I needed to do something drastically different if I was going to see or even achieve the lifestyle results I was hoping and longing for. I was searching for change, but was not exactly sure what this looked like.
I utilized a free weekly offer to try out the gym at the Women’s Place. During my weekly experience I had noticed the advertisement for the Fit ’N’ Fab competition. I wasn’t sure if the Women’s Place was for me? Regardless, something drew me to the Women’s Place and I was committed to remaining open-minded. During my trial week I inquired about the Fit ‘N’ Fab program. I reviewed all the information about the program and then registered myself for the Fit ‘N’ Fab, 8 week, program. I was 100% completely committed, but not sure of what to expect. I knew that this was exactly what I needed to jump start the change I was seeking to see and wanted so desperately in my life.
This program was something like the biggest loser. There were three teams of 10 women and we met once a week as a team. We were provided with a trainer, weekly exercises and challenges. Each team was competing against the other teams. We were required to meet as a team once a week, attend the gym by ourselves at least three other days in the week and at the end of each week we were given challenges to see what the teams and the women from these teams could endure. These challenges were a real test of fitness level. We were tested for agility, flexibility, strength and endurance.
WOW, what a huge challenge it was for myself and for the other women!
During the first meeting with my trainer, Megan; it had hit me that I was finally taking the reins to honour myself after many years of struggling with my weight.
I remember saying to Megan that this year is for me and that I will do whatever it takes to create the change that I so desire to see. This was my commitment.
I am finally taking the steps to implement change. I for the first time in a very long time felt supported, determined, focused and ready to embrace this fitness and the Fit ‘N’ Fab challenge. This program challenged me in every way possible, but with the encouragement and support I knew I could handle the expectations of the program. I showed up for my self everyday and I put forth my absolute best effort each visit I had at the gym. I remember very clearly the emotions that I was feeling every time I successfully completed some great momentous challenge. It was so empowering learning again through new experiences that I could do anything as long as I put my mind to it and was willing to try.
I started the program with the long term goal to lose 100 pounds, but with the short term goal to lose 20 pounds for the purpose of the Fit ‘N’ Fab program. Megan took my weight and measurements before the program started. I committed myself to the program completely and with the support offered by staff, my team, and my trainer, Megan, I was seeing consistent results every weekly weigh in.
During the Fit ‘N’ Fab experience I lost 21.5 pounds and 371/4 inches. I have learned more from this experience in 8 weeks than I have learned in my lifetime about fitness. To have the results that I do is far beyond what I ever expected; a real dream come true. I owe a gratitude of thanks to the Women’s Place trainers, their dietician, my team and the other two teams. I strongly believe that all the teams are winners as everyone stayed the course and honoured themselves with the greatest gifts of all, commitment, determination, perseverance, focus, patience, support and self love. In essence, it was the camaraderie of everyone involved that made all the difference.
I remain 100% committed to this journey that I embarked on 29 weeks ago. To date I have lost 60 pounds and my long term goal is to lose 40 more pounds before the year’s end. I could never have done this alone without the support of other women with the same desire and goals or without my dynamite trainer Megan. The Women’s Place has given me all the necessary tools and support to kick start and endure the journey back to reclaiming the vibrant Debbie I have always been; phyisically fit and healthy.
Thank-you to the Women's Place for the knowledge, the lessons, and the challenges that helped me to embrace the change that was so necessary and vital for me to move forward with reclaiming myself. I will never forget the Fit ‘N’ Fab experience and all the support I had helping me to be successful with my weight goals and lifestyle change.
I am looking forward to 2012’s Fit ‘N’ Fab and to working with the experienced trainers who were insurmountable in helping myself and 29 other women to achieve their fitness goals. If you have had a difficult time with your weight or seeking a lifestyle change I highly recommend the Fit ‘N’ Fab challenge or other programs that the Women’s Place has to offer.
See my before and after pictures below.
This picture was taken the very first day of the Fit 'N' Fab. I am 250 pounds here.
The pictures I am going to post now show me at my new weight loss of 228.5 pounds. I had lost 21.5 pounds and 37/4 inches off my body.
This is the after picture taken at the end of the Fit' N' Fab competition. I am 228.5 pounds in this picture.
This is the after picture taken at the end of the Fit' N' Fab competition. I am 228.5 pounds in this picture.
Approximately, 12 weeks after the competition I was weighed and measured again. I lost 12.5 more inches off my body and 20 more pounds. See the pictures that follow.
This picture was taken, approximately, 12 weeks after the competition ended. I am 206.5 pounds here. I had lost another 12.5 inches.
This picture was taken, approximately, 12 weeks after the competition ended. I am 206.5 pounds here. I had lost another 12.5 inches
This is me now at 60 pound weight loss. I am now 188.9 pounds with the goal to lose 40 more before the year end.
This is me now at 60 pound weight loss. I am now 188.9 pounds with the goal to lose 40 more before the year end.
Something very important that I negated to share in the above story; I won the Fit 'N' Fab competition and received a free yearly memebrship to the Women's Place Gym. I have continued with my lifestyle journey and have now lost a total of 60 pounds. I have 40 more pounds to shed before reaching my long term goal of losing 100 pounds. I am feeling like a brand new person who has regained control over her life through being focused, disciplined, determined, perseverant and so willing to do whatever it took to reclaim myself once again.
Stay tuned as there is more to come.
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