Michelle
I didn't grow up playing sports, my parents didn't really inspire my siblings and I to be active. I grew-up on a farm, we just were active. Once I left for college I started making poor food choices, and never exercised. I gained 20 pounds over the course of 4 years. When I graduated and started my career as a social worker, I worked odd hours, ate whatever was quick and easy, and was often too tired to do anything but lay on the couch when I got home. I remember feeling upset about the way I looked and even worse about the way I felt.
One day I decided that I wanted to change how I felt - no matter what it took. I thought that I would take up running, it seemed like a good idea until I tried to run a block - wow did my chest burn. After a few weeks of running a block then walking a block, I could finally run a whole mile. I continued on with my running and even ran my first 5K after losing the 20 pounds.
Not long after I got married and soon became pregnant with our first son. I chose to eat whatever I wanted and to not exercise because I told myself I was too tired. I regret that decision, after giving birth to our second child, I had about 35 pounds to lose. I decided to take up running again and this time I added some weight training to the mix.
About 6 months later I registered for my first triathalon. I went on to compete in many more races and completed my first marathon in the spring of 2009. After the urging of my husband, I decided to become a Certified Personal Trainer. This proved to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have so much passion for helping others become the person they know is inside waiting to come out! One of my favorite quotes is:
"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." Zig Ziglar
