Last week I went to an unusual party with about thirty friends.  We all dressed in black and white, I wore a sequined top and sparkly earrings, my sports bra and workout shoes.  The party was in the spin room at Lifestyle and we were all on bikes.  For two hours we listened to party music around the disco ball as we laughed and got our heart rates up.  I burned over a thousand calories and had a blast.

Later in the week I met clients at Highbanks.  The weather was perfection and we walked and talked.  One client asked me every question that came to her mind and I told her my story and we ended up having a really amazing talk.  Through stories and tears we ended up making a very powerful connection and it is a walk I will not soon forget.  We each burned almost five hundred calories but I know we also went home with our hearts filled with gratitude and faith.

Saturday I went to Body Pump class and lifted weights to great music and an awesome instructor who keeps everything fun and challenging.  I never leave that class feeling like I could do more.  It wipes me out but in a good way.  I feel my muscles the next day and know I did something good for myself.  If I'm not there for a week I usually get a Facebook post with a little nudge to get to class.  It matters to people if I'm there.

Today was another walk, this time at Sharon Woods.  Light drizzle and cool temperatures made it feel like spring.  The open-hearted conversations we have on these walks are such a gift.  These are not just walks, they are encouragement.  Consistency.  Accountability.  Motivation.  Inspiration.  Who doesn't need more of that in their life!

One of the great lessons of my fitness journey has been learning the power and importance of relationships.  I can't do this on my own.  I can't solve this problem with the same mind that created it in the first place.  I need others to inspire me, to mirror my thoughts back to me, to keep me from quitting, to call me out on my excuses.  Things tend to get twisted up when left inside my head for too long.  But if I have a safe place to express my thoughts, fears, and insecurities they always seem to lose their power.

For the four years I worked with my trainer, Jud, he listened and encouraged me to work hard and to keep going.  He kept me from quitting when I felt like I was never going to get "there".  Erika, my coach, helped me remember who I really was and to see past my failures and fears.  She inspired me to do things in my life differently and to take chances.  It wasn't easy to let down my wall and show people what a mess I was, but it is incredible the freedom I found by doing that.  I am a mess!

I have a passion for sharing my story with people so they can see that there is hope in even the most hopeless life.  I also have a dream of creating a community of women who not only are experiencing their own transformation, but are creating relationships with others who inspire and encourage them.  I love listening to the women in my groups as they work out together and talk to each other about their lives.  I truly believe you are making a difference in each other's lives!

If you believe that this fitness thing is just about dragging yourself to the basement or the gym to get on a treadmill and force yourself to slog out a few boring miles, I am here to tell you that there is so much more to it!  There are people out there doing this with you, who would love nothing more than for you to join them.  There are walks, classes, trainers, coaches, and friends.  And if you haven't experienced one of those amazing workouts where your walls come down and you feel your full heart, I want to encourage you to keep going because it is wonderful.

I can't do this on my own.  The cravings, the compulsions, the excuses are all bigger than me.  But with you by my side, I can do anything.  You give me strength, encouragement, and community.  You fill my heart in ways I never dreamed of.  You allow me to be my authentic self as I lift, spin, walk, laugh and cry.  And all while I am moving my body, getting stronger, feeling every breath and my full heart.  If you feel alone in this struggle, whether it is with your weight, your health, or your life - connect.  Talk to me.  Work out with a group.  Join the walks.  There is a safe place to let the wall come down and be the beautiful, wonderful mess that you (that we all) are.

Now get moving!