Month: May 2017

Today I want to introduce you to one of the most focused, dedicated and nicest ladies I know.  I met Hema back in 2015 when she started attending Boot Camp at lunch time.  Not long after she started she learned she was expecting her second child and had to take a break.  Since the arrival of her beautiful baby boy she has shown everyone what you can do post-pregnancy dropping weight, inches and getting stronger than ever.  This is Hema’s fitness story!

How long have you been exercising consistently?

I have been exercising for a little over a year.

What influenced your decision to get dedicated and be consistently active?

I feel so much better when I exercise!

How much weight/inches/jean sizes have you lost?  Or/and how much stronger are you?

I have lost over 20 pounds and 15 inches overall, down three jean sizes since I started!

What all do you do to stay active?

I committed to boot camp at least four times a week, I jog two days a week and my kiddos and I  dance almost every night for at least 20 minutes!

What are some of your biggest barriers to staying active and how do you overcome those barriers?

Making the time is the most difficult for me.  I love getting it out of my way on my lunch hour so I do not take away from my family time before or after work.

Since becoming consistent with your exercise, what’s the biggest change you see in yourself physically and mentally?

The biggest change that I have noticed is my energy level, I feel so much better and I can work through a day without falling asleep, physically I notice clothing sizes shrinking.

How would you classify your current eating habits?

My eating habits are good for the most part.

Do you have a specific diet/eating strategy that you follow?

I have cut back on my portion sizes drastically and cut back on processed foods and carbs.

Do you have a favorite go to healthy meal or food?

Zucchini lasagna is one of my new favorite dishes.

Do you have advice for someone contemplating starting a fitness/weight loss journey or advice for someone struggling to stay motivated?

Start with an accountability partner! Usually having someone to motivate you and hold you accountable helps initially until you build a new routine for yourself.  Once you get hooked you will be good to go!

I want to thank Hema for sharing her story.  I always like to highlight a couple of take aways from every person story and Hema’s is no different.  Number one, Hema uses her lunch break to work out so it doesn’t take away from her family time in the evening.  Staying fit and healthy is important and you must find the right balance with staying fit and family time.  Hema’s found that balance.  Number two, working out and eating right helps maintain her energy level so she can power through her day.  Remember exercise + eating right = energy!  Number three, is a common theme with all of our fitness stories, having a friend or friends who work out with you helps maintain motivation and accountability.  A workout partner or partners is essential to success!  I’m glad to have Hema as a part of the lunchtime boot camp crew and again thank you for sharing your story!

Today I want to introduce you to an incredible lady named Consuelo.  One of the toughest and sweetest ladies you will ever have the pleasure to meet.  You see Consuelo injured her knee but continued attending Fitness Boot Camp until the day before her surgery then returned 8 days after surgery (She attends at 5:30 AM)!  This lady is tough and you never hear excuses, EVER!  In addition, as I stated she is one of the sweetest ladies you will ever meet.  Everyone who meets Consuelo instantly likes her.  She exhibits a positive outgoing spirit that’s infectious.  This is Consuelo’s fitness story!

How long have you been exercising consistently?

Right at one year.

What influenced your decision to get dedicated and be consistently active?

I wasn’t pleased with what I was seeing when I started Baptist’s Weight Loss Program and I wanted to do something to complement it.

How much weight/inches/jean sizes have you lost? Or/and how much stronger are you?

All together I believe I’ve only lost about 15-18 pounds (which is the most weight that I’ve lost on my own through hard work), but I’ve gotten so much stronger. I’ve gone from no weight squats to squatting 115lbs, dead lifting 65lbs to 150lbs and bench pressing 45lbs to 125lbs. It’s a daily process, but I’m continuing to take things one day at a time!!

What all do you do to stay active?

I try to do some walking, when I can. After my Meniscus surgery, I’m going to get back to trying to start running.

What are some of your biggest barriers to staying active and how do you overcome those barriers?

Trying to stay on track and stay focused. Prayer is my go to thing to help me overcome these barriers.

Since becoming consistent with your exercise, what’s the biggest change you see in yourself physically and mentally?

I see and feel myself being and getting stronger and able to do more.

How would you classify your current eating habits?

My eating habits can go through all of those stages. Typically my eating habits are good. I normally stick to chicken, turkey and occasionally some bacon and or sausage, veggies (but I’m selective in the ones that I eat). My ALL TIME weakness is sweets.

Do you have a specific diet/eating strategy that you follow?

I refrain from frying or eating a lot of fried foods. I bake more than anything.

Do you have a favorite go to healthy meal or food?

Egg Muffins/Scrambled Eggs and Turkey Sausage or Bacon (breakfast) Baked Turkey Meatballs and Baked Sweet Potatoes (lunch or dinner)

Do you have advice for someone contemplating starting a fitness/weight loss journey or advice for someone struggling to stay motivated?

Get started, stay dedicated, don’t quit, get an accountability partner and join Expect Results Fitness!!!!

I want to thank Consuelo for sharing her story.  I want to highlight three things we can all take from her story.  Number one, success can’t always be measured on a scale.  Consuelo has gotten much stronger and continues to improve.  Getting healthy is more than a number on a scale.  Getting healthy is the total person and I’ll take strength any day because strength gives me the energy to take care of myself and others.  How many people do you know who has the strength to return to Boot Camp just 7 days after meniscus surgery?  Number two, you can tell the first time you meet Consuelo that she is a prayer warrior.  Consuelo uses prayer to help her stay consistent.  She never gets too high or low the things that kill motivation and persistence.  Her walk with Jesus can be seen in everything she does and every person she comes in contact with.  Can you really say anything better about a person?  Number three; while she has several accountability partners, she is that same accountability partner to others as well.  She is encouraged by others and provides encouragement to others everyday!  I am glad Consuelo is a part of the 5:30AM Fitness Boot Camp Family!  Thank you for being you and for sharing your fitness story!

Today I want to introduce you to an Awesome lady named Holly?  Holly’s real name is Ms. Consistency because she attends Boot Camp six days a week and usually does two classes.  As a result of all this hard work I’ve watched this lady get Super Fit & Strong.  She can out work anyone.  I asked Holly to share her fitness story and she agreed.  This is Holly’s fitness story:

How long have you been exercising consistently?

Almost a year.

What influenced your decision to get dedicated and be consistently active?

 I started to feel really run down and like I was falling apart. I wasn’t sleeping well and I felt sore and achy all the time. It was just time for a change! I saw ERF through a friends FB page and decided to give it a shot!

How much weight/inches/jean sizes have you lost?  Or/and how much stronger are you?

I’ve lost about 35 pounds since I started boot camp last May. I feel so much stronger and healthier!

What all do you do to stay active?

I’m at boot camp as much as possible. I feel awful when I can’t be there! I’m addicted to it! My husband and I also like to go hiking when we can.

What are some of your biggest barriers to staying active and how do you overcome those barriers?

I really try not to miss class unless I absolutely have to. It’s a priority for me!

Since becoming consistent with your exercise, what’s the biggest change you see in yourself physically and mentally?

I just feel better all around. I’m stronger and happier. Losing a few pants sizes was nice too!!

How would you classify your current eating habits?

 Good!

Do you have a specific diet/eating strategy that you follow?

Yes, I completed a Whole 30 last summer, and it completely changed my relationship with food. I had been feeling like there were certain foods that were causing me issues with inflammation. I felt so much better after I completed it. Since then I try to stick to a mostly Paleo diet. I have moments of weakness, but I really try to stay away from sugar, and processed foods as much as possible.

Do you have a favorite go to healthy meal or food?

My go to foods are sweet potatoes, turkey burgers, brussel sprouts, apples, and guacamole and carrots.

Do you have advice for someone contemplating starting a fitness/weight loss journey or advice for someone struggling to stay motivated?

 Just do it! It’s so worth it. It was so hard for me at first, but I was determined! Allow yourself time to get acclimated, and don’t be too hard on yourself. The results will come with time so don’t quit! Jeff is wonderful, and this is such a great place with such great people. I love how everyone encourages each other. I’ve made some really great friends that have kept me motivated! This gym is such a blessing to me. I’m SO thankful I was introduced to it!

Thank you Holly for sharing your story!  Three important points I want you to take away from this incredible lady.  Number one, when you want to change your health it has to become a priority.  Too many people complain about the fact they can’t lose weight or can’t get their diabetes under control but they never put their health in their Top 3 priorities.  You must first take care of yourself or you will never be able to take care of others.  Number two, diet is the key to feeling good!  Eat a poor diet and you will feel run down, sick and even depressed.  Change your diet and you will become the winner you know you are.  Number three; don’t be too hard on yourself.  YOU can be your worst enemy.  The little voice in your head is the thing that stops YOU from pursuing the things that are difficult.  Be defiant to that little voice, make it silent and turn that silence to a raucous crowd cheering you on to even bigger things.  All of YOU have it inside you, the thing it takes to make you incredible.  Incredible like Holly!