We Meet Again, Good Life!

I joined Good Life Fitness in November 2009 to prepare to lose 90 pounds before my cousin's wedding in Newfoundland the following August.  Upon signing up, I had a fitness assessment by a trainer there, who, when I told her my goal, said to me "oh, that's an unrealistic goal - there's no way you can lose 90 pounds in 9-10 months."  My spirit was crushed.  Yeah, maybe that WAS an unrealistic goal.  But I believe the correct response should have been "Wow!  90 lbs!  That's a huge goal, so let's get started and get you ready to achieve that!!!"  She was let go a couple months later - apparently I wasn't the only one who's spirit she crushed.  Not only was she so negative, but she didn't realize how that negativity affected my desire to lose the weight. I quit going to the gym about 8 weeks later because I thought "what's the point!"

Well, this past Tuesday, I joined Good Life Fitness again, thanks to Dad and Michelle giving me a membership for my birthday!  (THANK YOU AGAIN!)  My routine now is to get ready in the mornings and when the kids go to school, I go to the gym.  It is AMAZING how different going to the gym feels now compared to the last time.  When I signed up on Tuesday, Krissy, who signed me up introduced me to the new manager.  His name is Andy.  He is so nice and friendly.  And he has such a positive attitude.  Krissy told him about what I went through the last time I was there with that negative trainer and he was stunned.  He genuinely seemed sad for me.  I've noticed such a difference in the atmosphere at the gym this time around.  Maybe it's my attitude that's different.  But it just seems to be a lot more positive and friendly.  There are no "buff" body builders going around like they own the world.  Sure, there ARE body builders, but they look at everyone there as fellow health-seekers.  It's great!

I told my girlfriends today that going to the gym this time is so different because I know I've already won half the battle.  I'm going to the gym now to get toned and aid in a journey that has already been successful.  The last time I went I always felt like the mountain was too big to climb.  This time, I feel like I'm already almost at the top of the mountain.

NOW, LET ME JUST SAY that this is the mindset I had the last time.  And it was a completely WRONG mindset.  I wish I had someone telling me the last time that I've already reached the mountain top by just getting to the gym!  I wish someone had encouraged me that even though there's a long way to go, I was going in the RIGHT direction.  I wish I had someone push me to complete what I started.  I might not have ever needed the surgery if that were the case.  So if you are reading this and feeling like your mountain is too big, then just get up, put on some gym shoes and walk up and down your street today.  Then tomorrow go a little bit further.  And add more each day.  If you can afford a gym membership, go to the gym and if you need encouragement, find someone on the staff who will be your cheerleader!  Or better yet, let me know and I'll cheer for you all the way!

Yes, I do enjoy going to the gym a lot more now, but I probably would have liked life better if I had stuck with it 3 years ago, lost the weight on my own and had been healthy for these past 3 years instead of suffering like I did. So, as the Participaction commercial says "Don't just think about it, do it, do it, DO IT!"

 Me on my first day back at the gym!

New shoes Dad and Michelle bought me for my birthday.  I feel like I'm walking on clouds!