Member since: June, 2012 Location: D1 Abilene
Training: D1 Adult Training Goal: General Fitness & Health
January 25, 2013 – When my husband and I heard a D1 was opening in Abilene we instantly kept an eye out in order to get our 15-year old son signed up. My husband met with the recruiter, Braxton, as the facility opening date grew closer. Following the meeting with Braxton, my husband came home and told me that he wanted to enroll the entire family, which was a fraction higher. I said sure if he wanted to go and work out with our son that was fine… but he said he wanted me to go. They offered an Adult Boot Camp that he thought might be fun for me-all I could do was laugh!
I feel I am an average 43-year old mother and wife. I work from home which is a blessing since my husband is in the Air Force and has deployed a lot over the years. I found having a high pressure job that keeps me attached to my computer and being sedentary most hours of the day has not only been detrimental to my physical and emotional state, but also my spiritual well-being. I have watched myself gain pound after pound regardless of what efforts I tried. Running and walking daily, eating right; there was still no relief. I put on over 35 lbs over four years and exercise became nearly impossible. I started to have shin pain every time I walked or ran, and my ankles began to swell and lose feeling (very scary) when I tried to do either. I realized something needed to change drastically.
I was never the person who would join a group work out. I was also never a person who would join a gym or get a personal trainer. I am extremely modest physically so the entire gym setting is uncomfortable. When I said I knew something drastic needed to happen, I decided to try the boot camp. I had met the staff when bringing my son in for his classes and they were so friendly and encouraging it helped make my decision easier. They told me that everyone works at his or her own pace and goals. The entire D1 staff made me feel so comfortable that I felt positive and excited about my choice!
I choose to attend the 5:00AM class with my husband and beginning with day one, I couldn’t fit into any of my workout gear. Because of this, I bought two shirts (men’s large shirts) and two pairs of pants. I was free of any fear of embarrassment because I could only get better! The first week was enlightening… in a sad way. I couldn’t complete the entire reps, I couldn’t do burpees, I couldn’t go further than 5 yards bear walking or crab walking. I couldn’t do box jumps but I did what I could at my own pace and sat for a breather when I needed it.
My coach, David Hess, has the ability to encourage me in ways that work for me, and I see him encourage others in the way that works for them. Nothing was a “one size fits all” mentality; it is all somehow unique for each one of us. I never fell discouraged or guilty about my abilities. I just feel positive and remain motivated to do a little more each day. I have been going nearly every day during the week and often on Saturdays and I still have not done the same workout twice! It is always a fresh cycle of exercises focusing on different parts of the body.
I began to tone up and eventually slimmed down to a women’s x-large shirt. Just recently, I slimmed down further and I’m now down to a women’s large! All that matters is small continuous steps. I have now lost 15lbs, one full size and 3 inches off my waist! I can now complete all of the workouts, and I am able to do all the exercises. Each and every week, I can feel myself getting stronger and stronger.
One of the best parts is that it doesn’t matter if I miss my 5:00AM class. If I can’t make it that early, I can still attend the 6:00AM, 8:15AM, 12:00PM, 5:00PM, or 6:00PM. The groups might be made up of different people but everyone has the same attitude- we all encourage each other and it is exciting to see the changes and advances that everyone is making. The coaches differ from class to class sometime, Hank, Justin, Andrew, Hess, and Braxton, but they all share similar qualities- kindness, sincerity and knowledge.
I thank God for giving me the courage to go to D1 and for bringing together a group of Godly men to run the facility. I am grateful for the inspiration and dedication they help inspire within me!