Cherie's Journey to be healthy and fit

by Cherie Moon
(Oak Harbor)

I am a 46 year old female, and I have battled with my weight my entire life. Recently I decided I needed to change my lifestyle and become more active and eat healthier.

In February, I joined Thrive Fitness Center to begin my journey to become a thinner and healthier me. The day I went to the gym to sign up I was given a tour of the facility. During the tour they showed me a large room. I could hear the music as I watched in the window, and I thought to myself, I can do that. So, needless to say, my husband and I joined.

I talked him into coming to this class called "body blast." I begged him to come for the first one. If i liked it, I would do them in the future by myself. We did this class, and let me tell you, it was not as easy as it looked through the window. I thought I was going to die! It was the hardest thing I have ever done.

After the class the instructor, Sommer, told me to give it one month...it would get easier. I was extremely sore after and could hardly move. On the way to my next class a few days later I was extremely nervous. I had literally worked myself up to feeling sick. I was afraid that I would feel just as bad or worse than I did the first night. This class was a little easier, I did not feel as bad as I did with the first one.

I like the instructor and hired her to personal train me. This too is a hard task for me, however, I have learned so much about me physically and mentally. I am guilty of negative self talk. I can never see any good within myself. I have promised Sommer that I would quit the negative self talk...this is probably as hard as the first exercise class.

I have been attending these classes, and personal training with Sommer for three weeks. I can feel muscles that I never knew I had and I feel better and more confident in my abilities. I can do plank jacks and mountain climbers. I can run on the treadmill!

I am extremely fortunate to have someone take an interest in me and help me become the person that I DESERVE to be. My main struggle is with food. Prior to working with Sommer I consumed 1100 calories a day, basically starving myself. I now am eating 1500 and struggling to get to my 1800 calorie goal.

Now that I have told you my story let me tell you were I am... I was 291 lbs and now 288. I have lost weight but more importantly I have gained muscle. I will keep ya posted on the future weight loss.