Remember those kids in grade school who just didn't fit in? Did you join the crowd and make fun of them? It's so hard not to feed into the "peer pressure". I now know that what kids can do to other kids can deeply and forever scare them on the inside. That kind of scaring is worse than a slap on the face. You can see the leftover bruise from the slap but you can't see the abuse from years of negative words on the inside.
I have never been comfortable in my own body. I know in those growing up years most kids aren't comfortable in their bodies either, but there are definitely different stages of comfort! I've always had large breasts. In gym class I was the one who received the stares and comments. That wasn't even the bad part. I had to run, do jumping jacks, and all that was required to pass the physical education class. I would wear really tight bras for physical education thinking it would level out the pain, didn't work. My pectoral muscles hurt so bad I was sure I had torn them or stretched them beyond repair.
These stories are brought up because they helped shape me into who I am and how I react to people now that I'm an adult. The turning point for me was when I had breast reduction surgery. I was actually freed from the weight and pain. My self-esteem soared beyond words. I could move and jump with no pain. An added gift was I could wear a regular shirt, not to mention people now talked to my face and didn't stare at my breast. So now everything is looking good and I get the O.K. from my doctor to go out and live my life, no restrictions.
Never having jogged before, I started training for the Honolulu Marathon with a girlfriend, raisisng money for the AIDS Foundation. We trained for six months and went through a lot of pain, found our inner strength, and relied on our new friends to support us and encourage us to keep taking that next step. I made it not just to the finish line but also through it and beyond. I didn't make the first place time but what mattered was that I had set a goal and accomplished it. I've never been known for not having determination!
About 25 pounds lighter, a lower body that was somewhat in shape, I set out for the gym to work on my upper body. Walking through those doors and signing up was extremely hard. What was I going to do there? Could I keep coming back? Those were only a few of my ongoing questions. I worked out a little but didn't know what I was doing. On the way out I picked up some information on personal trainers who worked out of the gym. Was I really ready for this step?
I found my personal trainer, Cathy Davis! There aren't words to descripe how much she helped me, not with just actions but words. With Cathy's inspiration I lost about 46 pounds and gained muscle definition. I now want to do for others what Cathy did for me. I was sick and laid up for about 2 months and that really took it out of me. My body didn't have the strength to work out until about 2 months ago. So I'm back to losing some weight and defining my muscles again. What isn't used, usually get's lost.
I'd like to help people get fit and in doing that I hope to help people feel comfortable in their own body. Exercise does so much for a person. How many people go into exercise knowing it's such a total mind and body workout? Stress relief, feeling of accomplishment, working hard, feeling healthier, and so many more positive things come from exercise. These are the things I want to take out into the fitness world.
Think of seeing fitness in a different way. When starting an exercise program you are doing it for your body and for the way you feel. If you lose weight, look better, improve medical problems, fit into clothes you never dreamed would fit, and have a better self-image, then see those as added benefits.
We all hear people say "if I can do it you can". I don't like hearing that statement but is true in my case. The one thing you really need is guidance in your exercise training. Let's do this together!
