Client Success

I became pregnant and my life underwent a significant transformation. The experience of motherhood alone is a significant shift in lifestyle. As a mother of two, my life has become quite busy. Despite my love for motherhood, it came at a cost - a cost that took a toll on my self-confidence as an individual. Within nine months of pregnancy, I gained over 70lbs. While I had hoped to shed the weight eventually, I was at a loss as to how to go about it. Being new to the world of dieting and fitness, I felt lost and unable to make progress. I experimented with various fad diets such as juice fasting, the master cleanse, the lemon detox diet, and even starvation diets, being quite harsh on myself. I also joined the gym and realized I never  "really" workout the way you are suppose to. While I was able to lose some weight with these odd diets, I would always gain it back within weeks, leading to a yo-yo effect on my health. Eventually, I gave up altogether, convincing myself that it was okay to be overweight. It was far easier to stifle my confidence and forego my desire for a fit body than to motivate myself to do something about it. Since I had accepted the way my body had become, I realized it was all surface acceptance. Deep inside, I hated the way I looked. 

Fast forward ten years into motherhood, I managed to shed a few pounds by walking 10k steps every day during the summer months, with the hope of eventually achieving a summer body. However, the weight loss progress stalled at a firm 155lbs. As I went through our family albums, I came to the realization that I had very few photos of myself. And when there were any, I was either hidden behind someone else, leaving only my face visible, or it was a selfie with face filters, or a side pose with my arm squished between a group of thin girls.

That moment was a turning point for self-reflection. Who am I? Why did I let myself slip so far that I can barely recognize the person I've become? After becoming a mother, I've transformed into a homebody, which is the complete opposite of my previous self. Always tired, my joints and knees ache, I was irritable and unhappy with myself.  The thought of attending social events was daunting, as I struggled with what to wear, and the anxiety would often lead me to say no.  To keep myself happy I reached for a chocolate bars or bag of salt and vinegar chips. It was my comfort food. I found myself struggling with this vicious cycle, never ending cycle.  The tipping point came when I saw a photo of myself and my husband on his birthday in July 2022. Sitting beside him, feeding him cake, I couldn't believe that was me.  I was in disbelief.  That photo sparked a deep anger, disappointment and also an awakening within me.

I immediately searched for gyms nearby, but as I scrolled through the options, I started to feel intimidated by the thought of joining a large gym filled with people and their relentless scrutiny, judgement, the feeling of being stared at constantly, became overwhelming. That's when I stumbled upon "FitForGood," which was conveniently near my house. It turned out to be the best decision I ever made. As a private gym, it was locked, so I called the number, and the owner, Thomas, opened the door for us. He welcomed us with respect and gave us a casual tour of the gym without any sales pitch. It was serene and a clean environment, and people were genuinely friendly. The space was so inviting and comforting that it took me less than ten minutes to decide to join. I insisted on paying upfront to solidify my commitment. Thomas insisted that I should go home and think about it and take my time to, but my mind had already made the shift. This place was for people seeking transformation for good, not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally.

I reserved my spot and left, but it took me three weeks to return as I had travel plans, and I needed to prepare mentally.  I found myself digging through prepregnancy clothes to find my favourite pants that no longer goes above my knee. This time, I knew it was going to be different.  I hired a personal trainer and understood that I needed to find myself now; otherwise, it would be too late.(lesson learnt, its never too late) I am in my 40s and need to make this change for myself.  The self talk was empowering, and inspirational.  For moral support, my husband also joined, and was eager to reach his personal goals.  Although my husband and I have different goals, we managed to create a plan that worked for both of us. While I aimed to lose weight, he aimed to gain. We were together, but our journeys were unique.

During my inaugural week with my personal trainer, Thomas, I began at a weight of 147lbs. I recall that within the first ten minutes of our workout, I was struck with a wave of nausea and exhaustion. Thomas introduced us to novel exercises that we had never seen before. Indeed, we spent the entire session practicing body weight training. After an hour, my husband and I were ready to retreat home to slumber. The following day, we awoke with stiffened and sore bodies, which we anticipated. However, the realization of what we had signed up for was a different story altogether.

As we walked and ascended stairs, we found ourselves chuckling and grinning. For the first time ever, my husband and I exercised together, pushing one another to our limits. I relished every moment of the physical challenge. It was amusing to observe my husband give his all, only to return home begging for a massage. We were both experiencing the same level of discomfort, as if we had been physically assaulted. Nonetheless, being married for over 15 years, this was a new and exciting chapter for us, a new activity that we could engage in together, laughing at one another together and supporting eachother along the way.

There was an intangible sense of satisfaction and pride we felt as we held our own in the gym. The mysterious nature of that feeling was alluring. We continued to attend the gym, and day by day, the soreness began to wane, and we felt more invigorated. The first week proved to be an ice-breaker between us and our personal trainer, Thomas. He proved to be phenomenal, knowing just how to motivate us to keep going. What made him an exceptional trainer was his ability to create a welcoming and comfortable environment, allowing my husband and me to feel at ease around him.

Fitforgood is an exclusive gym, which means it is available to members at any time of day. One can access the gym using their personal code, and it is not open to walk-ins, which offers a level of security that puts me at ease. The gym is equipped with everything I need, from weights to machines, cardio equipment, mats, and even Nespresso!

On July 24th, I embarked on a 12-week personal training journey with Thomas, and by Oct 24th, I had shed an impressive 20lbs. It required a great deal of self-control, dedication, and consistency. Thomas instilled one simple but powerful rule in us: “Show up”. No matter the circumstances, we were expected to show up to each session. This philosophy has since become ingrained in me, and I have applied it to other areas of my life.

During my training sessions, Thomas was not only a fitness coach but also a personal therapist. He offered an ear to listen and a safe space for us to talk about our lives. It dawned on me after three months that the therapist was me, myself. Thomas was simply there to listen and channel my mental stress into physical activity.

Upon the completion of my training sessions, I was feeling fantastic. My confidence had soared, and I found myself smiling more often. However, I was unsure if I could maintain my progress without Thomas. He recommended that I sign up for an app program that tailors personalized workouts to your needs. Initially, I was declined his offer, believing that I could find workouts on my own through google search or tiktok videos. However, when I attempted to work out on my own at the gym, I felt lost and uneasy trying to perform new and challenging routines. End of the day, I am still a beginner. 

Thomas came to my rescue and suggested that I give this app a try, which I eventually signed up for. To my surprise, the app program became addictive, starting with lighter workouts and gradually advancing to more intense routines. It felt as if Thomas was right beside me, encouraging and correcting me whenever necessary. Of course, there were days when I didn’t give 100%, but even then, I felt exhilarated and powerful. By the end of the program, my weight had dropped to 118lbs, my aches and pains were gone, and my mood had significantly improved. I felt productive and ready to take on the world.

I was so proud of myself, loving myself with all the work I did. After struggling for 13 years, I was very close to my pre-pregnancy weight. I was proud of what I had achieved and found myself setting new goals every month. I wanted more. i wanted to look like those workout models. However, I realized that my new goals required some guidance to push my body further, so I joined fitforgoods bootcamp program. The bootcamp takes place everyday, and sometimes twice a day, with countless options to join different workout groups. Attending every session provides the extra burn that my body needs to reach my goals. The bootcamp is intense and empowering; I sweat, breathe heavily, and feel accomplished.

As individuals, we must make time for ourselves. We often get caught up with our kids, work, family, and social life that we forget to prioritize self-care. We invest in our children's futures, our relationships, and our families, but we must not forget our bodies, which are home to our consciousness and soul.

Presently, I stand strong at 116lbs, only 6lbs away from my pre-pregnancy body. However, I am not just closer to my goals but also better. I have gained strength, noticeable definition, and have developed healthy eating habits that complement my fitness goals. I indulge in my favourite foods without compromising my progress. Recently, I joined an exclusive group training program, which has been an excellent reminder of how a workout should feel. The program involves various super workout sets and accommodates 3-5 individuals. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to achieve their goals faster, learn fitness tricks and hacks, and challenge themselves. This program is suitable for beginners, intermediates, and experts alike.

In conclusion, my fitness journey has been one filled with challenges, setbacks, and ultimately triumph. Through consistency, dedication, and self-love, I have transformed my body and my mindset. I have learned that fitness is not just about the physical body, but also about nurturing the mind and soul. It is about investing in ourselves and making time for our own self-care, even when life gets busy.

As I look back on my journey, I am grateful for the support and encouragement I received from the Fitforgood team, particularly my personal trainer Thomas, who helped me find my strength and confidence. I now stand at a weight and fitness level that I never thought possible, and I feel empowered to continue pushing myself towards new goals.

If there is one thing I would like to share with others, it is that fitness is not reserved for a select few. It is accessible to anyone, regardless of age, shape, or form. With determination, hard work, and the right support system, anyone can achieve their fitness goals and experience the transformative power of physical and mental wellness.

 All you got to do is, show up!