Though I was quite fit and active for a number of years in my 30's by the time I reached my 50's I had settled into a very sedentary lifestyle and had gained a lot of weight. Though I had a number of weight related health issues I somehow decided that was just how it was going to be. After all no one I knew had ever lost a significant amount of weight and kept it off, so I figured: why bother trying?

In 2011 I bought a Groupon for an introductory membership to NW Women's Fitness, thinking at least I could get a bit more stamina for everyday activities that I was finding more challenging. For the next couple of years I came sporadically, and though my endurance and strength improved somewhat, I didn't focus at all on losing weight, and so I didn't. I tried a couple of the group fitness classes, but was not able to keep up for more than a few minutes, so I stuck with the treadmill and weights. I went months without coming in at all.

Then in the Spring of 2013 my doctor told me my blood sugar was elevated, not high enough to have to start medication but no longer normal. For some reason, this was the news that made me consider, for the first time, a major lifestyle change. I met with a nutritionist, started keeping track of my food intake with an app on my phone, and slowly began to make better choices with my eating. The first several months were really a learning experience. Though I knew a fair amount about nutrition, it turned out that I really had no idea how many calories were in what I ate. I found if I ate lots of vegetables, fruit and lean proteins I was almost never hungry, since I could eat so much more of those things. Thus my diet slowly changed.

In conjunction with this I committed to exercise. I started by walking on the treadmill or outdoors for 15 minutes at a time, slowly increasing as I got stronger and lighter. I started working with the trainers here at the gym (I probably have worked with 6 or 7 of them over the last few years). They each were so supportive and respectful of where I was in my fitness journey that I felt like trying harder with each passing month. Eventually I had lost enough weight and felt fit enough to try the group fitness classes again. I took Zumba and LOVED it! The music, the booty shaking, the wonderful feeling of being in a group of women all playing together...I was hooked. Eventually I also started taking HIIT classes with Sue, which was super hard but super rewarding. I started hiking again, something I had loved when I was younger, but hadn't done in many years.

After about 18 months of these efforts I reached my weight loss goal of 85 lbs, and was able to take one of those "fat pants" after photos. I also was able to get off almost all of my medications, and my blood sugar is back to normal. I have stamina, strength and balance that make almost everything I do easier and more fun.

Last Fall I signed up for the Learn to Run group training with Carol. I was very skeptical that I would ever be able to run a single mile, let alone a 5K. And yet, the weekend after New Year's Day 2015 I did just that, and ran my first race of any kind. It felt wonderful! I've now signed up for another 5K in July, and run regularly. I'm as amazed as anyone.

For the last year or so I've been working out with Shauna, and she is just so much fun, and so encouraging. My Thursday morning team training HIRT sessions with her are a high point of my week. When she told me I had been selected as the Client of the Month I actually got tears in my eyes. It felt amazing to be noticed, embraced and honored for all the work I've done over the past few years. This feeling of being part of a community is what I like best about this gym, and why I've encouraged so many of my friends to join. I don't think any of my accomplishments would have been possible without the support of the trainers, staff and members who keep me coming back here, and keep me focused on what is possible for me.

Elaine Marcus