I started my fitness journey about 3 years ago. I was about 50 lbs heavier than I am now, having practiced a high-metabolism diet with a low-metabolism body for far too long. Eventually I decided that enough was enough and that I needed to change. Luckily, this was at the same time that Nicole got fed up as well. We were in a mutual disgust with our situation, and that allowed us to push each other to do better. We did what most people do; we immediately sought careers as treadmill jockeys, being far too intimidated by the free weight section. I remember one day I saw Matt, from high atop my treadmill, and thought “I don’t ever want to work out with that guy. Talk about intimidating!” But as luck would have it, Nicole took one of his classes and got me to try it too. I was hooked.
Going to the class, seeing the same great people everyday, and making new friends that would push me to new levels in my workout made it a great environment. And to top that, I could do it all side by side with Nicole. We would share in the joy of each other’s successes, as well as the mutual misery of a grueling workout. Either way, we were pushing ourselves to levels we never before thought achievable. Most of my fitness journey has been a pattern of intimidation, followed by discomfort, followed by breakthrough. I was intimidated by Matt, and uncomfortable in his class. I was intimidated by all of the other men and women hefting larger weights than I could. But as time went on, I was able to swing a 25 lb kettlebell, and then a 35, and 45, 50, and so on. I attribute most of my success to group formats, and to working out with Nicole. She’ll call me out if I’m phoning it in. I’ll grab a weight that’s too light and she’ll say “You can do better.” And she’s (usually) right.
Working in a group format has been really helpful in keeping me motivated after major setbacks. When I had surgery for plantar fasciitis, or when I messed up my wrist after a fall, going back to the group training kept me driven. Even when I took a couple months off and lost what felt like 90% of my progress, everyone else working hard around me kept me motivated to do better and to be better. It creates a sense of friendly competition that I know has helped me advance much faster than I would have on my own. It has been an incredible experience for me thus far, and I can’t see it stopping any time soon. There is nothing better than beating a personal best, or cheering Nicole on as she does the same. Those incredible moments, like finally being able to do pull-ups after years of trying, make all the 5 am classes, all the intimidation, and all the pain worthwhile. I don’t think any of it would have been possible without the incredible guidance of Matt and Julie, the support from my fellow classmates, and the constant motivation and inspiration I get from Nicole.
Going to the class, seeing the same great people everyday, and making new friends that would push me to new levels in my workout made it a great environment. And to top that, I could do it all side by side with Nicole. We would share in the joy of each other’s successes, as well as the mutual misery of a grueling workout. Either way, we were pushing ourselves to levels we never before thought achievable. Most of my fitness journey has been a pattern of intimidation, followed by discomfort, followed by breakthrough. I was intimidated by Matt, and uncomfortable in his class. I was intimidated by all of the other men and women hefting larger weights than I could. But as time went on, I was able to swing a 25 lb kettlebell, and then a 35, and 45, 50, and so on. I attribute most of my success to group formats, and to working out with Nicole. She’ll call me out if I’m phoning it in. I’ll grab a weight that’s too light and she’ll say “You can do better.” And she’s (usually) right.
Working in a group format has been really helpful in keeping me motivated after major setbacks. When I had surgery for plantar fasciitis, or when I messed up my wrist after a fall, going back to the group training kept me driven. Even when I took a couple months off and lost what felt like 90% of my progress, everyone else working hard around me kept me motivated to do better and to be better. It creates a sense of friendly competition that I know has helped me advance much faster than I would have on my own. It has been an incredible experience for me thus far, and I can’t see it stopping any time soon. There is nothing better than beating a personal best, or cheering Nicole on as she does the same. Those incredible moments, like finally being able to do pull-ups after years of trying, make all the 5 am classes, all the intimidation, and all the pain worthwhile. I don’t think any of it would have been possible without the incredible guidance of Matt and Julie, the support from my fellow classmates, and the constant motivation and inspiration I get from Nicole.
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