Overweight and out of shape. Multiple injuries over the span of my forty years. A broken and dislocated shoulder, two herniated discs, one ACL repair, and currently I have a plate tear in my foot. Ten children, REAL TALK, ten children, three grandchildren – do I have the time to take care of me? I furthered my education in the medical field and enlisted in the Army National Guard at forty. All this made it feel impossible to achieve my fitness goals and get healthy and back in shape.
My “quick fix” was to work at RVC and get in shape at the gym, since you get a free membership upon employment, and there are other fit people always around, right? All on my own this should only take a few months. HA! What I’ve learned, gained, and lost so far at RVC in these short five months since I started working the front desk is, there is no “quick fix”. I needed help if I wanted sustainable health through the rest of my years. A few months was truly unrealistic.
I weighed 223lbs in early August. I worked out and then started the ReShape program in early November, weighing 200lbs. Most of those pounds lost was water weight, which means now the real work starts. The Styku, RVC’s 3D imaging tool, has been great to see my progress in real time. I’m in Katherine Grainger’s ReShape class, and it has helped push me to my next ability levels.
There’s a lot about how my body works I didn’t understand, so I asked a lot of questions in class. As we moved, Katherine always had the answers and the modifications, if needed. She reads you like a book she wrote and pushed me more or gave me motivation if mine was running away from me that day.
I’ve lost an additional 18 inches and 14lbs, just in November.
I started to add in yoga. After the first class I was like, “my body dimensions do not allow me to do these poses”. RVC Yoga instructor, Sara Grote, convinced me to keep coming, telling me that each time I’d be able to do more. My initial reaction was “ya right lady”, but I tried. I can now flex in ways I couldn’t at first. Pounds are shedding and muscle strength is evolving. Then I found my “Spin Doctor”, Adrianne Pelton (pictured above)! Spin has given me growth in my cardio and endurance more and more every week. Next I decided I should have a personal trainer who could be tougher than me. I found one, Alex Figueroa! I tell him all the things I can’t do, he shows me I can. I’d say, “Alex I can’t do pushups” he’d respond, but you can, watch and BOOM ten pushups later, I can.
I’ve known my body for 40 years, he knows its ability better in just 45 minutes. I’ve become comfortable with getting uncomfortable and the results keep coming. RVC has been the healthiest life change I’ve ever experienced. By eating healthier, listening, and putting in the work, my goals are attainable.
Wanda Loynds, Team RVC staff member
