Molly
April 2023
1. WHAT DID LIFE LOOK LIKE BEFORE YOU FOCUSED ON CONSISTENCY ON NUTRITION AND FITNESS?
Since I was young, I used to experience what is common among many women, a negative self-image I was raised hearing “finish everything on your plate and then you’ll get dessert, people are starving in other areas of the world, and if a little is good, then more is better.” Moderation was not a word in my vocabulary. As a result, I was considered overweight for much of my life. I’ve worked in Corrections for 23 years and we preach self-care as essential when working in our high stress profession. However, I would either be all in or all out. “Go big or go home. You only live once (YOLO!) Once COVID hit, I started to think about wellness and what it meant to me. I started on a keto diet and lost 43 pounds. I didn’t want to do what I’ve done in the past, which is either to white knuckle it, practice yo-yo dieting, and/or gain all the weight back. I hadn’t figured out how to celebrate progress and not strive to perfection (since – surprise – there’s no such thing).
2. What made you decide to make a change? |
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I realized that wellness is more than just fitness and nutrition. Wellness is self-empowerment and the pursuit of the passions of one’s life that aligns with their core values and beliefs. A lifestyle of wellness creates a positive attitude towards self in physical, mental and spiritual ways. I wanted to be healthy for my husband and three sons and feel good in my own skin.
I have an amazing group of friends and family in my life, and I was amazed to discover a whole new fitness family at The Warehouse! My friend Krista Kay joined two months prior to recruiting Ann Dyer and myself to come check it out. Ann and I were prepared to provide an intervention for Krista if this experience didn’t pan out, but I was truly surprised! The instructors and members of the warehouse are inspirational. I heard from day one, “It’s not how you look, it’s how you feel.” Instructors provide modifications and tell you to trust your body and do what feels good. These are foundational values to lifelong success in my overall wellness journey. I’m truly grateful to The Warehouse staff and members!
3. What has changed (attitude, energy, weight, habits, priorities, race times, blood work, confidence, etc.?) |
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At the end of 2022, I received an email congratulating me on reaching 200 visits at The Warehouse. Since I only started in April, 2022 I was astonished at this statistic. This averages to 22 visits per month! It doesn’t feel like it since I enjoy the classes so much. Instead of dreading working out, I look forward to it and I’m disappointed if I’ve gone too long without working out. I have been part of many gyms and work out programs and usually start strong and fade away. Not with this community. This community continues to energize me and grow. I feel stronger, sleep better, have more energy, and I’m proud to say I’ve kept the weight off for over a year and a half without white knuckling it or restrictive eating. However, I want to say that I’m also focusing on strength and how I feel and not obsessing about the number on the scale. I just celebrated my one-year anniversary with The Warehouse and have recently recruited my husband and son as a member. (Well, let’s see if Charlie comes 🙂 )
Share the following below:
1. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WAREHOUSE WORKOUT SONG?
A Beautiful Noise – Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=_yU1x-p_OdY Sandy played this song during yoga class which was so powerful for me. This is another reason why I love the Warehouse so much. People empower people to show up as they are, use their beautiful voice and support the unique and authentic person they are.
1. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WAREHOUSE WORKOUT CLASS?
I can’t answer that! They are all important for different reasons. Oula hooked me because it’s fun and energetic, boot camp builds my strength, yoga resets my body and mind, and kickboxing is yoga on a bag! I also love cardio kickboxing, so here’s my shameless plug to bring it back!
3. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE?
If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you. – Fred Devito