Kierstan, a close friend of mine, had joined Aspire about a month earlier when she suggested that it would be a good fit for me.  I had started revamping my nutrition earlier in the year, so I was ready to start adding a fitness regimen to complement that effort, but I had not yet settled on something.  So, when she encouraged me to try Aspire, I figured sure!  I am so glad she did. 

It has been a combination of healthier eating/nutrition and my two-times-a-week workouts at Aspire that has really changed my life for the better and helped me lose about seventy pounds.  I look at this as a lifestyle change—not a diet or a temporary activity to lose weight.  That has helped me stick to my new habits.   

By focusing on the little changes and the “non-scale victories”, it’s helped me stay motivated.  I am proud of myself when I realize I can use a heavier kettlebell or complete some plank variation more easily.  I also try to pay attention to how these changes have helped me do new things, like hiking.  

I want to keep working on being stronger and more flexible.  I also want to keep trying new activities that get me moving, especially outside, so I can find more things I love to do that support this change in my life.  The ultimate goal is to maintain this livable, healthy lifestyle for the long term!