Personal training is quite a journey. I remember the first time I walked into Jud's (my trainer) gym in February of 2002. It was a huge space with a big boxing ring in it. I'd attempted to use resistance equipment at the gym before on my own, but this was mostly new to me. That first day I learned to do lunges, learned how to make my triceps burn, did my first crunches on the ball. I felt fat and awkward all layered up in my clothes for cover up. But I did it and I knew I was on a new path.

I was always very consistent with my training. I rarely missed my workouts, mainly because I loved how I felt afterwards. I love the feeling of strength. I love the power in lifting. I was motivated by the feeling in my muscles the next day, knowing that I had done something. I lost some weight and definitely got more toned and stronger. It was slow going but I was moving in the right direction.

But I was still stuck. When I talked to Jud, it was about typical stuff. Work was stressful. Marriage was stressful. Kids were stressful. I talked about my circumstances and that was about it for the first year. Then one day in December my 2 year old dog Sandy died suddenly. I remember being in the gym the next day. I can still picture myself trying to do seated rows and the pain was bubbling up. Instead of pretending, I could no longer hold it in and I told Jud about my dog and let the tears flow. And he listened.

For me on that day my trainer became my encourager. There is a difference to me. A trainer can teach you all about correct form, how to use heart rate to burn the most calories, how to put together a fitness program. But an encourager is much more than that. An encourager will get you to believe that you can do those last five bicep curls. An encourager will help you see that you can walk 5 or 10 or 13 miles. An encourager will help you see that change is possible, that you are capable of it, and not let you give up.

It was hard to open up about what was going on inside. I was used to pretending. But the truth was my marriage was falling apart and I was scared to death. The truth was that although I worked out consistently, I was eating a lot to make myself feel better in all the stress and uncertainty. It turned out that having a place where I could open up about my life was something I really needed and the encouragement I received was quite a gift.

"And the time came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." - Anais Nin

I believe we need each other to blossom. I want to hear your story and support your transformation. I want to help you believe that you can take radical responsibility for your life and your choices. I want to support you as you learn to say "this is my time" and to stick to that commitment to yourself. It's so hard to change- you don't have to do it alone.

So whether you are someone who has been working out for a short time or for a long time, I am ready if you are. I am ready to listen, to hear your story, and to encourage you through the rough waters of change. I know how scary it is to try something new, especially if your past road is paved with failure in the area of weight loss and dieting. That diet stuff doesn't work. It never will. Learning to find time for yourself, to put yourself first, to see yourself as important is what works. I encourage you to break through all the old ways of thinking, the excuses, the pretending. That's what works. It's not easy but it's worth it. You are worth it.

Now get moving.