Ready to quit? I was, too. Here’s how I lost 65 lb…
Vanessa - Before and After
Like many women, I thought I had tried it all. I was at the highest weight I had ever been, and I was ready to throw in the towel on weight loss. I hated working out, and I never pushed myself. So I tried diet after diet, from one to the next, and always gained it all back. I was at the end of my rope and needed to do something.
I decided it was time to make a change and try hiring a personal trainer. I heard that there was a great personal trainer and district presenter by the name of Midge Pileggi at the Lucille Roberts Roosevelt Blvd. location, so I decided to contact her. Everyone said she was great, so I figured I didn’t have anything to lose but weight, right? Midge eagerly set me up with an appointment. She sounded so excited!
The next day, I met Midge at the gym. I was thinking, “This might be hard, but she knows I’m a beginner.” About ten minutes in, I threw my water bottle on the floor and said I’d had enough. Midge gave me “the look”, and I continued doing what she asked me to do. She did not let me stop. Running up and down stairs, hopping over benches–this was not the simple bicep curl or sit-up I had imagined. After vowing never to train with her again, I went home. I thought she was crazy!
Trainer Midge and Vanessa
Well, the next day I felt like I had gotten run over by a bus. I immediately emailed Midge saying, “Hi, can’t move. How can I hire you to be my trainer?”
Since then, Midge has put me through various interval programs. She would not give up on me as long as I did not give up on myself. I had to put in the time to come to her classes every morning before work in addition to doing personal training. I had to give it my all in every workout. During training, I have laughed, cried, and pushed myself further and further each time.
To date, I have lost 65 lb. I have developed a love for working out, and, more importantly, I’ve gained confidence in myself. I never thought I would be one to want to workout–much less, to enjoy it! But Midge helped me see something different: she helped me see something in myself that made me think, “Wow, I really can do this.”
Now, I do not miss a workout, and I watch my diet and focus on hitting my goals one day at a time. I have changed. Not only do I have a different outlook on weight loss and exercise, I actually believe in myself. I used to think losing weight and getting fit was impossible, but now I know it really is possible. It’s all about what you put in to it. I’ve overcome many obstacles and still have more weight to lose, but the difference now is that I know can do it. Hiring a trainer for myself was the best thing I ever did. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without Midge, and I am so thankful for her help!
I still continue to work out and to work toward my goals everyday. Finding what worked for me and gaining confidence was all I needed to make this change for myself. My advice to you is, find what works for you and do it. You will be happy you did. I am!
–Vanessa Garcia, Lucille Roberts District Manager in Philadelphia.
