When I use the word "trauma" I don't always mean in the physical sense, trauma happens in many realms. Emotional, spiritual, physical, sexual....and many other ways. I've seen normal weight women go through a difficult time and just eat their way through. Its a coping mechanism to help us, but it is destroying us. Getting help is important when you have been through a difficult time or have experienced a difficult circumstance. You do not have to go it alone, and trying to hold onto it is very damaging.
I say all this to help those who are trying to lose weight, or starting only to find themselves back at square one. And I want to share with you the story of one of my friends and client, Jill.
Jill and I have been working out together for almost 100 sessions. She is a very hard working personal who "caught" this fitness thing and has run with it. But it did not come easy.
When Jill first came to the gym, she was 280lbs and at 5'4. She was in the process of divorcing her husband who turned out to be gay! (And we thought we had problems!) She was so unhappy and it was heartbreaking to hear her story and keep my own composure, (cause I wanted to beat the ....out of him!) During their time together, her life was literally ripped away from her. When Jill had decided to leave, all she took was her dog. She left everything else behind. Below are the pictures of what she had become during this time.
I started working with Jill when she was 260lbs. I didn't see a overweight person, but I saw a woman who needed some hard, intense workouts to bring all the junk to the surface. She allowed me to put her through anything. Now, I don't give my clients what they can't handle, I'm not that way, but I will push on you to bring out the best in you. Working with Jill has been a joy for me because this girl "gets it." She has put everything together that I talk about. From the clean eating, to working hard, to seeking help, to forgiveness. She dove in without excuses. And now she is loving the rewards of her hard work.
Here is Jill today, 1 year later and 80lbs gone. She has conquered many things in this past year and the rewards show. She has joy once again, she looks and feels so much better, she is constantly working at healing her heart. She is now a runner and has ran her first 5k Race this past spring. She is one of the most active people I know. She has laid down all her hurts and is running toward the next phase of her life with open arms. She also has the best sense of humor and has brought me to tears laughing as I'm training her!
I wanted to share her story with you because there is something everyone faces. And Jill is proof that through exercise, eating right and letting go of past hurts can be done.
I hope this blog today will speak to your heart. I don't do it to gain clients (I have more than 30) but to enlighten you on the many benefits of getting real and getting physical. My own personal journey has been one filled with trauma and heartache, but it didn't end there and neither does yours.
Thinking about you all the time....
leslie
