My motivation



It's week four and I'm still kicking.  I don’t think I have ever felt so sick and good at the same time. I definitely have more energy even though most of my muscles are sore. I thought about giving up several times this week, but I am sticking with it. I never thought this was going to be easy but I didn’t expect it to be this hard. Then again, the things worth working for never really come easy, right?

I feel like have worked harder this week than ever before.  I am trying to do what Paul suggested by eating 6 smaller meals a day and adding more protein to my diet. But I’ve been feeling sick when I eat and while working out. I’ve been told this is normal, just my body’s way of getting used to it all.  I just hope I get there soon J Don’t worry though, I am not a quitter!

My highlight this week, besides starting a new position at work, was boxing a little with Paul.  It made me feel like I was beating him up a little for a change!

Although I feel like I worked harder this week than I have other weeks, I only lost 3 lbs (for a total of 17). I guess I feel like I should have lost more. But I did loose so that is a plus.  More importantly I am determined to make this healthy life style a permanent picture in my life! NO ONE can reach all their health goals in one month, right!?

I am reading this and thinking that this all sounds negative, so let me give you some insight on why I think this is good for me and what keeps me motivated. I joke with most people when we talk about me working out and how things are going with Paul. I always say I am going to go get beat up in our sessions. Now he doesn’t really beat me up, but he does push me in our work outs, which I need. Even if I get sick on him though, he is supportive and encouraging. Even when I tell him he is trying to kill me or say “I can’t.” He proves to me that I CAN and I am still alive.  He hasn’t killed me YET….lol.

The most important motivator in my life will always be my daughter. I told you about my mom in my first blog. I loved my mom more than anyone when I was growing up. She was an amazing woman.  Loving and caring, not just for me, but for everyone who know her. But in all my memories of her, she was extremely overweight. It was hard on me growing up, because people do judge others on the way they look. All I know is I loved her. When I was really young others would tease me because she was overweight. I worried for her.

So when my daughter told me she wanted me to be healthy, how could I not flash back to the little girl I use to be, that loved her mom so much, and worried about her all the time? I don’t what that for my daughter. I also want her to know she can do anything she wants to and if she works for it! Though my struggles, she will learn that health is important. It starts with taking care of yourself first, so you can take care of those around you. If I want her to be healthy, I have to show her what it looks like.

Another thing that keeps me motivated is Alexis, Lindsay, Paul, a few members (I am sorry I don’t know all of your names yet), who have made me feel welcome at Anytime Fitness Waunakee. Your smiles, conversation, and encouragement make me feel like I truly belong, even if I feel like a fish out of water sometimes. And all of you that have read my blog, and left words of encouragement. I have never felt so astonished or such a sense of pride that there are so many of you reading my thoughts, struggles and accomplishments. You will have to ask Lindsay for the details but all I remember is there have been over 500 visits to the blog, all over the country and in several other countries as well! I am going to leave you all with a post I found on Anytime Fitness Waunakee’s Facebook page today. It encouraged me and I feel I need to share!

                                                                                               

By: Nicole Nagrani IFBB Bikini Pro

Overcoming life's obstacles

Three weeks down, and it seems the theme this week is “Life can get in the way!” I have made a trip to the emergency room for a friend who is staying with me. I also had to take care of my daughter who got sick this week and needed to make a trip to the doctor. I find there are many circumstances that can get in the way. Usually I would take these situations and use them as excuses not to go the gym and work out. But I am proud to say that I still made it my 6 out of 7 days this week, although I did miss one day training with Paul, I still went. I really owe a BIG thanks to Bo and Ashley (my current roommates) who were willing to help me with Rachael, even though she was sick this week, so I could go to the gym. Thank you for keeping me on track, even if at times I really didn’t want to!

Paul also worked hard to keep me on track. After I missed one of our scheduled workouts, I knew the next session was going to be tough. I was pushed so hard that I got sick. I know this is normal at times but it kind of scared me a little. I really had to push myself the next day to go back. But I did it. I find the more I make myself go the more it feels like a habit. By the end of the week I was really looking forward to going.

My milestones this week: Three weeks ago Paul timed me on how long it took me to walk a mile. Unfortunately I wasn’t quite able to make the mile. I walked .80 miles in 28.5 minutes. We checked again this week I am now doing 1 mile in about 25 minutes. I really didn’t believe I could to that when this all started. I have also lost another 7 lbs (for a total of 14 lbs in three weeks). Every time I get a little discouraged I remember talking to Lindsay when I first signed up. She asked me how much weight I was planning on losing. She said when I am done I will look like her because she is the same height as me and is at the weight I want to be. So I am working at trying to be a Lindsay look a like. LOL!  Hope Waunakee can handle both of us!

In the beginning...

March 10^th, 2012

Two weeks down!  It’s hard to believe at times, but this is already starting to become a habit. Don’t get me wrong, nothing is easy and there are many times I’ve thought about giving up. Quitting would be easier. I am convinced that Paul is trying to find all the muscles I haven’t used in years and make them all hurt. LOL…just kidding Paul.

Paul is patient and always seems to push me further than I think I can go. One of the first times we met he told me that in a few weeks I would be running. I remember thinking that he was crazy. I haven’t ran since I was in junior high or high school. He also told me I would be walking a mile. I haven’t walked a mile in almost 9 years. Last Sunday I did make my first mile, and Paul had me running around the building last Tuesday. So I guess he isn’t so crazy! I’ve been pushed, and always feel out of breath and red faced when we are done.  I think to myself, “Wow, I did that and I didn’t die!”  I know, sounds funny right.

All of my life I have focused on and enjoyed taking care of others. Maybe that is why I like being a mom so much. It is easy to take care of others and not take care of myself. Ask anyone who knows me well and they will tell you that about me. SO I had a hard time taking the time to go work out in the past couple weeks. I know it sounds strange, it’s only and hour. But it’s something I am doing for myself and that seems strange to me. I can tell you there are days I don’t want to do it. On those days the people closest to me remind me that I have to go. Even my daughter will tell me “NO mommy you NEED to go.”  The only thing she is sad about is that she isn’t able to come with and workout with me. She keeps asking and I have to keep telling her she not old enough yet. So far I have made it 6 days out of the week to Anytime Fitness.

Another obstacle I am facing is making changes to my diet. I was a big Pepsi drinker before I started at the gym. I justified this by saying it was how I got my caffeine.  I really don’t like drinking coffee.  Paul told me I could lose another pound or two a week just by switching that. So I haven’t had regular Pepsi in two weeks. I also eat a lot of fast food breakfasts (about five times a week). In the last two weeks I’ve maybe had two. Paul has been good about looking over my food log and giving me ideas on what I need to change to make the most of weight loss with exercise.

I saw my doctor on Friday.  Not only is my weight down by 7 lbs, but she also took me off one of my diabetes medications (short acting insulin). She told me I have to keep a close watch on my blood sugars because she thinks we will have reduce the medication I am on as well. The doctor also believes she will eventually take me off of it completely if I keep up my good work.

So for all of those people out there just like me, think you can. Just take the first step and you will know you can! I am proving it to myself so why can’t you? I am excited to see what the next week brings. Thank you to Paul, Lindsay, and Alexis for always being excited to see me and making me feel welcome! Thank you for my family and friends who believe in me! Thank you to everyone that has encouraged me and given me the extra boost to keep going!

Taking the first step

Meet Dorothy, one of Anytime Fitness Waunakee’s newest members.  After being inspired by her daughter, Dorothy came into the gym nervous, but ready to make a huge change in her life.  She has big goals, and reaching them won’t be easy, but Dorothy is motivated and is sure to succeed with the help of Anytime Fitness Waunakee and her personal trainer, Paul Marx.

To help keep her on track, and because she is sure to motivate so many others, Dorothy has agreed to my request to write about her weight loss journey each week.  Through this blog, you’ll get to hear how she is doing, what changes she is making, her struggles, and her smallest victories.  Her story is a great one, and there’s no doubt you’ll want to encourage her along the way.  Feel free to say hello, wish her luck, or just write her a message of reinforcement!   She’ll be a mainstay here at the gym, so you are bound to see her!

And if you have your own inspirational story, or working out has made a huge difference in your life, post about it, shoot us your story, or stop by the office and let us know.  We’d love to hear, and so would others that are just taking the first steps towards a new, healthier life!


So, that’s enough from me!  Here’s an introduction to Dorothy, in her own words! 

I am the youngest of six children; I had one sister and four brothers. My mother, father, and half of my siblings are overweight.  I always had a few extra lbs in high school and more as an adult.  At age 30 I got married and had a baby. I gained a lot of weight with my pregnancy, eventually weighing over 300 lbs.  When my daughter was 6 months old, I woke up and couldn’t get out of bed or walk. I somehow injured my back, they thought during childbirth.  I went through months of pain, lots of pain killers and muscle relaxers, physical therapy and nothing seemed to help.  I was in pain all the time. I finally saw a spine specialist who suggested I get an epidural shot in my back. At the time I could not stand the pain anymore and I tried it. It really did help, although I was concerned that these shots contained steroids. I ended up losing my job that I had had for about 6 years, because I couldn’t even walk. I was also gaining more weight because I was no longer active. I had to get shots in my back every 3 months and it started to help where I could get around with a walker. Finally being mobile, I was able to go back to college and get my accounting degree. The shots I had to get went to every 6 months.

I started to research having gastro bypass surgery in 2006, because I had hit my max weight of 480 lbs. Needless to say I was scared away from surgery when my sister had the same surgery and passed away after hers because of complications. I graduated from college in December of 2009 and was able to start working. I became more active, but at the time I was already diabetic and taking medication for cholesterol. I also had sleep apnea. I was just starting to be able to walk without a walker most of the time.

Although I was working I wasn’t able to keep a job for very long because I was still having problems walking and my health had declined so I was sick a lot!  I was considered disabled and felt like a failure because I couldn’t keep a job. 

In January of 2011 I lost my mother. They told us they thought her weight was the reason she passed away. By this time I was scared. I lost the two most important women in my life because of their health at early ages.


It made me start thinking about what am I doing to myself. I started to think about gastro bypass again. I felt like I needed to change things but wasn’t sure where to start. I knew I had to do something soon because I didn’t know what would happen to my daughter if I died. I started talking to my doctor and a dietitian. I was able to lose 110 lbs.

In October of last year my husband and I separated and are now going through a divorce. Because of this I was feeling even more pressure to get healthy because I was more convinced than ever that I need to be there for my daughter because I feel like her father cannot. After talking to my cousin Chris a lot, he convinced me to start watching the Biggest Loser on TV. After he pestered me relentlessly to watch the show I finally gave in. I thought it was wonderful that these people are really losing weight, but I could never do that. After a few weeks of me watching it my daughter got interested in it and wanted to watch it also. About two weeks ago she said “mommy I think you should go on the show.”  I asked her “Do you really think I could do that?”  She said “Yes mommy.  I want you to be healthy.” I can’t tell you what that did to me. I was actually thinking about doing it.

But that is just it. I do a lot of thinking and not acting. I want to get healthy but I am not doing anything about it. I was talking more to my cousin and blaming him for corrupting my daughter with The Biggest Loser!  He said “What is stopping you?” I responded, “I don’t want to go on the show and have someone yell at me all the time and let the whole world see me fat.”

Then he asked “Why don’t you join a gym? You know you won’t get what you need out of it unless you hire a trainer also?” I thought about it that day. Why not? I am starting a new chapter in my life and getting rid of excess baggage.  Why not get rid of all excess baggage (meaning my weight too)?

On Tuesday February 21 I called Anytime Fitness.  I asked all my questions and set up an appointment to visit the gym on Wednesday. Lindsay showed me around and explained everything to me. Lindsay was very friendly and supportive. She also set me up with Paul, a personal trainer. I was a little overwhelmed after leaving.  I was feeling good that I signed up, but afraid that I might not succeed.  But the most important feeling I had was that I need to change my future.

On Friday February 24^th I met Paul for the first time. I am really happy that Lindsay suggested him. I really wanted someone who would be aggressive but not in your face. I know I don’t do well with someone yelling at me. Paul was very nice and informative. He went over how dieting and working out needs to work together. He measured my body weight and body fat and asked me about my goals. Then we worked out and he assessed my abilities and physical level. I committed to training with him three days a week. I can say I was worried but somehow they had the perfect trainer for me that fits my needs well. This all went better than I had expected. I was very happy and felt excited with my decision to join.

So here is my goal. I will get down to 160 lbs. I believe I can do this in 2 years or less. I will not have diabetes, high cholesterol or sleep apnea when I am done! My biggest obstacle is myself, if I let myself be. Other obstacles will be finances (like being able to afford Paul) and time (I have a child that needs to be watched). But really all these are excuses….I need to do this for me, my daughter and our future!

I won’t lie, the first day (or three) I was really sore. I haven’t worked out in like 9 years. My legs did hurt. But it got better with time. I feel better a week later. I am happier and feel better and have been sleeping better. I feel good walking into the gym because staff is always greeting me with a smile and Paul always stops by to say hi.