Prior to coming to Southwest Strength my exercise was going for a bike ride or maybe a little walk. My entire career has been sitting at a desk with little to no physical work! The last time I set foot in a gym for exercise was high school. I associated the gym with weight lifting and building muscle neither of which I thought I was interested in doing.
So thankful that someone cared enough about my health to “throw it out there” and suggest I try a Bootcamp class to see if I liked it. My hope was just to make it through the first class. Sara was so encouraging and the atmosphere was nothing like I had ever experienced before. One class in and I was hooked!
Being physically fit and healthy was everything that I was not. Over the years I had gained weight and was living a very unhealthy lifestyle. I soon realized that fitness was based on movement, not muscle. A few weeks into Bootcamp I could not believe how much better I felt!
I don’t feel that I have been going long enough to say I have made any one big physical accomplishment. Just the fact that I am there is a huge accomplishment for me. Going to that first class I felt so out of my comfort zone…going to a gym…working out with other people.
My favorite part about Southwest Strength is of course the people!! I feel like I belong to a new little family and part of a team. Everyone is so encouraging and supportive and always cheering you on. It’s a place where when you walk in everyone is happy and smiling and there to support each other. I have been especially inspired by the success stories of others and that has motivated me to continue on and keep pushing myself. Feeling that I have accomplished something at the end of class and then the high fives makes my day every time.
After finishing six weeks of Bootcamp I signed up for workouts 3x/week. I have also changed my eating habits, cutting out a lot of the between meal snacking and have lost 25 lbs. I still have a long way to go but I now know that getting fit is fun and the best part is doing it with other people.
I actually don’t have a favorite movement or least favorite yet although I am not a real fan of the air bike! I am still learning how to do proper movements and each week I feel like I am gaining on that. Some things I may never be able to master but I will always keep trying.
With the results I have experienced so far it has made it easier for me to make this journey a priority. I now have one hour, three times a week that is just for ME and all about ME. Nutrition and eating properly have always been a struggle but is now something that I really need to work on.
To anyone who is on the fence about coming and starting their fitness journey…just do it…don’t wait, you will not be disappointed. It won’t matter what your fitness level is, what size you are or even how old you are. You will be encouraged and supported every class, you will be told you can do it and you will.
I know that I have to show up and put in the work but none of this would be happening for me without a coach. Sara & Nathan are the most encouraging and supportive people you will ever find. They have provided a positive and welcoming atmosphere and have made me feel that even at my age I can still fit in!! Sara pushes us each class and makes sure that we also push ourselves a little harder each class so that we can get better. They have set up daily classes at times that should accommodate everyone’s busy schedule so there should be no excuses for not being able to find a time that works.
Sara & Nathan truly care about their clients and their fitness journey and it is obvious from their own personal accomplishments that they practice what they preach. We are so lucky that we have such great role models to inspire us. Southwest Strength is not just a gym, it’s a training community, a place to go where you will be motivated to work and you will leave feeling better about yourself than you ever thought you could.
My only regret….I wish I had started sooner, but I am there now and that’s all that matters!!