Our Spotlight Member this month is Paula! We just love the positive attitude she brings to each training session, and her eagerness to learn new things. In her interview, Paula talks about how her training has helped her get out of pain, and be able to notice her strength outside the gym!
BREAKTHROUGH: Thank you very much, Paula, for being our Spotlight member this month. I am really excited to chat with you because, I was working with you a couple of weeks ago, and I was thinking, Oh My Gosh, I don’t know if she is aware of how strong she has gotten! But let’s start by telling me a little bit about how you were feeling before you started.
PAULA: Well, before I started, basically I hadn’t worked out in like 40 years. I felt I never needed to because I was very thin, and I was afraid if I worked out, even though muscle weighs more, I would lose more weight. I’ve had a desk job for most of my life – I sit all the time. And I realized one day when I squatted down to grab something, I couldn’t get up.
BREAKTHROUGH: Oh no.
PAULA: And I thought to myself, I have to start doing something because I don’t want to be an old person that can’t get around; where I need a cane, or you know something like that. I knew I wasn’t a gym person because if I went to a gym, I would leave. I joined a gym probably 45 years ago. My friend kind of ditched me, and I went one time by myself and I used the tanning bed.
BREAKTHROUGH: Ha, ha!
PAULA: So, there you go. I just figured I had to start doing something. So, I was at a party, and my friend Julia was there. For some reason we were outside talking, and I said I had hurt my back six months ago and it’s just not getting better. So, she told me that I had to check out Breakthrough. We talked for an hour. I was so excited because she was telling me how different it was. It wasn’t like going to the gym. It’s strengthening and it’s stretching and all that. She gave me the website and gave me all the info. I believe I got in touch Monday…
BREAKTHROUGH: Yes!
PAULA: Then Saturday I came in for my assessment and I signed up that day!
BREAKTHROUGH: Yes, I remember!
PAULA: My first class was that Wednesday. It’s amazing. I think it was the end of April when I joined.
BREAKTHROUGH: Yeah, I was going to say it’s been several months now. I feel like it was spring sometime. And here we are in December. So, it’s been long enough to start noticing some pretty significant changes. How are you feeling now compared to when you first started?
PAULA: Oh gosh! I feel great. But the first thing I could say off the bat is even within the second week; my back was on the way to getting better. I do not have any back pain whatsoever now.
BREAKTHROUGH: Thank goodness!
PAULA: Like pretty much since I started. It does get tight from sitting because my job is still the same. It is amazing. Strength-wise, I can squat down and I can grab something. I can shave my legs in the shower without losing my balance. It is strength and balance that I have noticed a lot.
BREAKTHROUGH: Yes! I was watching you in here and you were doing double kettlebell deadlifts with14 kg – and that is heavy! That is around 60 pounds! And those little things outside of the gym – Oh, I can shave my legs without feeling like I am going to fall over. Those are the tiny little magical things that are why we train.
PAULA: Exactly! I have just a shower, not a tub. It is just flat. Just to even balance, I got one of those suction holders. There was one time it came undone before I had balanced.
BREAKTHROUGH: Oh!
PAULA: You know you feel like you are going to fall. So, I was even scared to use that. Of course, sometimes I just touch the wall. There are so many things that I could probably tell you, but they don’t come to mind right now.
BREAKTHROUGH: Yes, it’s just those little day-to-day activities like carrying in my groceries in from the car…
PAULA: Oh, exactly! That’s an example too. The other day I had all these groceries. And like wow! I usually have to make double the trips. Not that I want to be superwoman, but I can totally carry more without hurting myself.
BREAKTHROUGH: Yes! Those are the kind of things I like to hear. The training you do in the gym should make your life easier. And I know it’s not easy to do what you do, finish a long day at work and get here and train at 7:00 at night, or first thing on a Saturday morning. Those are tough times. Most people are like, I just want to be done for the day, or I want to sleep in on Saturday. All that being said, what is your why? What is motivates you to show up even when it is not easy to do?
PAULA: My why is just you know, like I said, I haven’t done anything for 40 years. I needed to do something, and I love it here.
BREAKTHROUGH: Yay!
PAULA: Everybody is so nice. It is so fun, and even though you are working out on your own program, you feel like you are supported. There might be someone who is on their A day and I am on my B day. I will see things that I haven’t done yet and I am excited to do stuff I haven’t done. It motivates me because I know it is good for me. I sit all day, and I don’t need to just walk around the mall or something. I am doing this for me. I am just so happy with all the progress I have made so far.
BREAKTHROUGH: That is amazing! I am happy for you, and I am especially happy that you are happy. That is a fantastic why! It’s so important to have those things we do just for us.
PAULA: Exactly! And having accountability helps. We have appointments with you for our two days a week. And I always want to come unless there is something that prevents me.
BREAKTHROUGH: Well, that is the best news ever! We want you guys to want to come! Ha, ha!
PAULA: Sometimes I wish I could come in the mornings during the week and do this and do that. But hey, at least you have so many flexible times for my schedule that it does work.
BREAKTHROUGH: That is good. I know it is not easy to finish your workday and hop in your car and come out. But like you said, we’re here. We’re open! Let’s make it happen!
PAULA: I won’t try to come at 6 in the morning. That is a little too early for me! I would rather come after my workday!
BREAKTHROUGH: I am with you! I am happy to show up for the people that want to do that, but I do not want to train at that hour. I am not awake yet!
PAULA: It’s good that you offer so many flexible times.
BREAKTHROUGH: Well, I appreciate you sharing all of this, Paula. It’s inspiring to other people to hear your story and your journey. You were inspired by Julia’s story, and you have already inspired your friend Gabby. We inspire each other and take care of each other. That’s what it is all about!
PAULA: It’s amazing!
BREAKTHROUGH: Thanks so much, Paula!
PAULA: Thank you for having me!