I started Fit Soldiers hoping to quickly tone and tighten for an upcoming vacation. I joined using one of the LivingSocial deals, thinking the six weeks would be enough to get me where I wanted to be for my vacation; not thinking for a moment when I began that this would be a program that I would commit to for any longer than the six weeks. That was nearly 19 months ago.
During my orientation, I found out what it meant to be skinny fat. I knew I wasn’t as in-shape as I used to be, but I never considered myself fat. I was floored to find out that my body fat percentage was only 4 % away from being considered ‘obese’. If being shocked by my body fat percentage wasn’t enough, it became very clear how weak I had become. Our group cheered when one of the girls could do one pushup on her feet, I could barely do one pushup on my knees. My fitness level was bleak. I knew for some time that I wasn’t as healthy as I should be. I love to run, and running had become difficult, I found myself walking far more than running. At the end of orientation, I was definitely motivated to get in shape…and if nothing else do one push up on my feet.
So my 6 week journey began…and I am not going to lie, it was tough, but I saw differences in my body after the first few weeks. My clothes were fitting better and as funny as it sounds, I felt muscles in my arms that I had never knew existed…seriously. I felt healthier and stronger. I immediately felt a difference in my energy level and also found myself motivated to learn how to eat and drink better. Of course, these are all changes that you’d expect to get by working out, but I also noticed changes in myself that were not physical. You think about committing to an exercise program and you think that the benefits of that program are purely to tone and tighten, but I gained so much more in the first six weeks. I was beginning to gain my confidence back. This is something that I did not expect. As a mother of two children and going through two pregnancies, it was an unexpected surprise to feel great in my skin again. With this, my results, and the fact that I was finally enjoying my workouts; I knew it was no longer a 6 week journey, but a life-long journey.
Now, nearly two years later, I am stronger, happier and healthier. I have reached my initial goals of working out and eating better to get into shape, and I no longer struggle to complete a push up (and can do so on my feet). I continue to see physical changes and know I still have a long way to go to reach my new goals which consist of unassisted chin-ups, and half-marathons. I have lost inches off my thighs, hips, and waist, and have gained muscle, strength and most of all self-confidence.
My favorite thing about Fit Soldiers is the TRAINERS!! I know, after years and years of ‘working out’ and not seeing results that I need someone to kick my butt. The Fit Soldiers trainers do just that. They push me just outside of my comfort level which in turn has resulted in continued progress. I can’t say enough wonderful things about this program; it has truly changed my life.
Shanna Haller
