Michelle’s Story…
Dance fitness plus healthy eating can change your life! I’m Michelle … 8 years ago I lost over 100 lbs and have kept most of it off. My story isn’t much different than anyone else’s. I am a mom of 3 boys, including a set of twins. I gained weight with each pregnancy. Repeatedly yo-yo dieted until my oldest started school. I was thrilled to become part of the PTA and volunteered to help coordinate the school Gala. I knew I would need to find a fantastic outfit, though at a weight of 225+ lbs on my 5’4 frame, thought maybe I’d be best looking for a black pantsuit. I went to every fancy department store in our New York City suburban area … and there were a lot of them. Nothing came close to fitting. I was mortified and decided right then that I needed to fit into a suit. 2 months of intense “dieting” later, I was happy to squeeze myself into a size 18 pantsuit … yet embarrassed with how I looked at this fancy event and feeling horrible about myself. That was rock bottom.
I needed to change my life and change the “diet” mentality that never worked for long. I found a dance cardio fitness class in my area that seemed like a lot of fun. No one cared that I stood in the back and walked through the routines at first wearing sweatpants and a huge t-shirt. Our studio owner was trained in hip hop/funk dance. Classes were challenging & energetic. I was hooked! I started attending class 5-6 days per week and my body started changing. At the same time I also sought out nutrition advice, got myself on a food plan and surrounded myself with a community of people also focused on changing their bodies and how they eat. The friends I made from those years are like family to me now. With dance fitness and proper eating, my entire body changed over the course of 2 years. My blood sugar numbers became normal. My knees and back no longer hurt! I even wore a bikini.
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I unexpectedly moved to MN in the summer of 2016 for my spouse’s job. It threw my program off more than I had expected. I was focusing on a new house and new community more than on my health. I exercised less and wasn’t as focused on my plan of eating. Weight quickly began to creep back. That’s where I am today at Evolve Fitness, getting back to where I want to be. Approaching weight loss near 50 is a little different than it was nearer to 40. Near 40 my goal was to be small, to be sexy .. whatever that took. I could jump up and down through a class, run, lift heavy weight. At this point in life, parts of my body say “think about that move” or feel better when I add a lot of stretching. I’m glad that evolve Fitness is adding classes such as yoga & pilates to add these to myweekly routine. My goals today are different. I want to be healthy and fit, which doesn’t necessarily mean a size 2 any more. Though I do want to be right sized so that my joints don’t hurt needlessly. I want to become an active empty-nester and eventually a grandma that my grandkids struggle to keep up with!
In this process I’ve learned that there is no diet, there is no “end”. My body reflects my lifestyle. 100 lbs less, I was still me. My problems were still there. What changed was my approach to life. When I’m eating right, dancing, working out …. I approach the world differently. I feel stronger not only physically but mentally and am better equipped to handle whatever the day brings. If I am able to do this, you can too. More importantly, WE can do this together!
Becki’s Story…
Hi! My name is Becki and this is my weight loss story. My story isn’t recent but it’s important to know and see how consistency is the key!
Here’s the beginning: 2003 Fairly new to the 9-5 life and still carrying that college 15+ (I’m an over achiever 🙈) Clearly eating whatever gets in my way and the only working out is with my fork. (That diet Dr. Pepper though!)
In August that year, after watching me start to try to do some goofy fad diets, a now former co-worker implored me to come to a group exercise class with her. That class was Dance Cardio Fitness. And to say it changed my life is an understatement.
I loved it immediately! I had danced and cheered in high school and this brought back the fun of learning routines and jamming to upbeat music! I kept coming and slowly worked to change my eating habits. Then the big thing happened. I certified to TEACH the classes I loved!
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Fast forward to NOW: 2017 – I have been certified for nearly 10 years in a program that keeps me interested, engaged and far from bored! I have worked out through 2 pregnancies and lost all the baby weight super fast because of staying active! I still teach 3-5 classes a week and attend other classes when I can just to experience other things. In a lot of ways, I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life right now!
Here’s my take away for anyone still reading this: don’t stop. Life will change, but take care of your body and it will take care of you! I have never put back on my before weight. I fluctuated like any normal person, but because of my consistency with staying active, it’s never been significant. Find a workout that you love and stick with it!
All of us here at evolve Fitness of Edina are here to help you find your perfect workout!
Hope to see you on the dance floor!
Much love,
Becki Lundquist
