Our Spotlight Member this month is Jill! With a big smile, Jill always brings a positive attitude and willingness to challenge herself when she trains. She started strength training because of “doctor’s orders”, but in her interview she shares several positive benefits she wasn’t expecting to find!
BREAKTHROUGH: Thank you, Jill, for being our next spotlight member! It’s been just over a year since you got started with us. We always like to hear what was happening before you joined us. What was going on, and what made you decide that this was something you wanted to do?
JILL: Oh, big question! So, I like to walk, I love to hike, I was doing yoga three times a week. But I went for my bone density test ordered by my gynecologist, and I was shocked when it came back that I had the beginnings of osteopenia. I said, “I don’t understand. I have always been active. I’ve always been healthy.” She said you need to do strength training. You need to lift weights. Of course, my first response was NO! I hate that! I’ve done the gym. I did aerobics. I did step. I did all the things, but I really didn’t like the gym. So, I procrastinated for about six months. And then I decided that it was time. I did a little google search about what was in the area. I found you guys and I walked in, and I felt like home!
BREAKTHROUGH: Yay!
JILL: It didn’t feel like a typical gym. The program really worked for me, the flexibility, the times of day. I haven’t gone back for a bone density test, but we will see…
BREAKTHROUGH: Oh gosh! Well, I am curious to hear your results.
JILL: I am very curious to hear, yeah!
BREAKTHROUGH: I bet you that things are going in the right direction, because one of the things that I have noticed about you is that– it might have taken you six months to decide you were going to do it – but once you decided…
JILL: Yes! Ha, ha!
BREAKTHROUGH: You are so consistent. You come in to work hard; you never just go through the motions. You give it your all!
JILL: I was really just looking to satisfy doctor’s orders. And then I find that this program is completely addicting. I just feel so good when I walk out of here. I also didn’t expect to find a community.
BREAKTHROUGH: Amazing!
JILL: I think I went right from the two semi-private sessions to doing the endurance classes.
BREAKTHROUGH: Yeah, you really make the most out of coming in and getting at least three, sometimes four training sessions a week. And like you said, the community. So many people were excited to see and hear about your daughter’s wedding that has been coming up for months and months and months. And we were all like ok! What did the dress look like? Show us the pictures!
JILL: Ha, ha! Exactly! So, there is that community! And by the way, the nice secondary thing is that I looked pretty good in my dress!
BREAKTHROUGH: You looked amazing in your dress!
JILL: And I really didn’t notice the changes in my body. I feel stronger, but I didn’t feel slimmer or tighter or anything. But in the dress, I noticed that oh! I look like I am in shape! Which was not the main goal… definitely a secondary goal.
BREAKTHROUGH: We always say the form follows the function. Like when you are focused on doing the right things in your training, the way your body looks is going to naturally come. You are going to get those results. We look at ourselves every day, so we don’t see it on a daily basis. But when you have an event or something like that and you put on a dress, you are like – Oh hold on a second…
JILL: Yeah! I feel really good when I look at those photos. I thought I felt strong before, but I didn’t realize how much stronger I could feel.
BREAKTHROUGH: Yes! Is there anything else that surprised you, or that you weren’t expecting?
JILL: Having more endurance. Like just running up stairs or even when I walk with friends, realizing that they are tired and I am not. And feeling a little more youthful.
BREAKTHROUGH: Yeah! That’s amazing! That’s great! So, we always like to ask people what is your why? What is the thing that keeps you motivated even on days when you are tired, and you don’t want to do it?
JILL: Why I come in here, you mean?
BREAKTHROUGH: Why do you take the time to do these hard things and focus on yourself in this way?
JILL: Oh my gosh! I have so many whys. Watching my parents age and realizing – my dad was super athletic, but probably did all the sports that injured his joints, like tennis and running. And then my mom who didn’t really exercise and watching her as she’s aging. Just feeling like I want to live my best life for as long as possible. I’d like to live a long life so it would be great to be mobile and flexible and all those things. Both my parents walk with canes and so my goal is not to walk with a cane.
BREAKTHROUGH: I definitely understand that!
JILL: The other is – maybe it goes back to what I am getting from this – I sleep better. My energy is better. I had good energy before. It’s not like I was looking for this big change, but everything just is better. On the days when I don’t come to the gym, I get very antsy in the afternoon. It’s weird – like my muscles need to move. So, I am actually walking more; I am hiking more. I am doing more in the afternoon. I don’t feel tired. I feel like I’ve got to get up and go!
BREAKTHROUGH: I love to hear that! That’s what this should do for you!
JILL: It is physically addicting. My muscles actually need and crave it. I’m also getting out earlier in the morning!
BREAKTHROUGH: Oh, I know! You used to come in at 9 or 10 and here you are at 8 in the morning!
JILL: Yeah! I know! I am ready at 8!
BREAKTHROUGH: Anything else you want to share that we didn’t cover?
JILL: I am trying to talk everybody I know into doing this. If they don’t live near here, I understand that it is not always convenient. But at least, get out to the gym and start weight lifting. As you know, I have recommended so many friends, because, again, the community. It’s walking in here and I feel like my people are here.
BREAKTHROUGH: It’s beautiful!
JILL: It’s totally beautiful! I love it!
BREAKTHROUGH: That is the best news ever! Nothing means more to us than you feeling like, not only do you love it here, but you want to share this with other people. That’s the best compliment that you could give us. We really appreciate that.
JILL: Absolutely!
BREAKTHROUGH: Thank you for sharing all of this with us, Jill!
JILL: Thank you, Kati!
BREAKTHROUGH: We are so grateful to have you, and we can’t wait to see the exciting things you will keep accomplishing!