I joined Breakthrough as a Yoga student in order to improve my mobility and flexibility.
When the 1st Little Black Dress challenge was posted, I was intrigued. I had never owned a little black dress, but had a secret desire to.
After attending the informational meeting, I came so close to quitting because of the unknown of the excercises, but I stuck with my intention and joined in.
At first the exercises were almost more than I could do, but I found the encouragement of the coaches and the social environment compelling and stuck it out.
When it came time to transition to a full membership, I had no hesitation.
I was hooked on how good I was feeling and the way my body and stiff joints were responding!
The environment at Breakthrough is a mix of working out, social fun, and thoughtful encouragement and that was what won me over to continue.
After starting the yoga, I was surprised to find Chris actually knew who I was immediately and always had a personal greeting for everyone.
That in itself surprised me, but also that the encouragement from all of the coaches is not only freely given and constructive, but always so heartfelt.
It became very hard not to want to try all the exercises because the coaches are always right there cheering you on to greater challenges.
No challenge is viewed as an issue, just merely a road bump and they’re always around to find a way to work with it.
The more I attend, the more I want to accomplish, because I feel like we are in it together accomplishing each movement as we can.
I want to strive to the level that the coaches and fellow members are achieving, and, yes show off that I can finally do whatever I have been challenged to do.
Obviously the change in my body which goes beyond weight loss is one of the biggest benefits I’ve experienced since working with Breakthrough.
But in addition there is a a new flexibility and return to activity that I had thought behind me.
Also, the way I look and and feel about myself has changed.
I have always had a poor self image, but now I am doing things I haven’t done in a while or even never.
I wake up each day ready to move and be active.
I love to travel and now plan trips that include activity not just watching.
Lastly, I find I am learning who I am and what goals I have.
I am understanding what I want to accomplish and why.
I am putting my feelings about myself in perspective and learning how my past, present and future work together to build who I am.
My world has become one of making dreams I can accomplish and share with family and friends.
My life has become so much more fulfilling since starting with Breakthrough.
I can play WITH my grandchildren.
I can hike on vacations and walk with friends on excursions.
I move about on our boat with a renewed level of ease.
I am also finding that I am becoming more outgoing too.
I have shied away from reaching out to people out of fear of their opinion of me; of how I look and how I move.
But now I want to share with new friends not only in my daily life, but also the world at the gym.
These worlds are blending and I have so much fun moving with them both.
If you are on the fence about giving Breakthrough a try I would say don’t be afraid of what you think you can’t do.
This gym works WITH you.
The coaches are there to build you up both emotionally and physically.
The program is tailor built for you to make you stronger, to encourage your body to rebuild itself, and give you a new positive attitude (because you can’t help but smile, laugh, and dance with the coaches).
I love that the workout is mine, even though we all workout together.
Sometimes it takes a bit, but there is always a growth in each restart that if you are patient becomes apparent over time.
-Sherry Reese
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