I am a Gym Rat & U can too!

Gyms can be very OVERWHELMING. 

So many machines to choose from. And the correct way to use em.

Most woman get lost in the mix. Wind up frustrated and walk over to the Cardio machines Bc at least those are easy to operate. 

I was like that for a LONG time...

Before, I got a personal trainer. 

I would walk into the Gold's Gym. 

Look around, and pick the 2 machines I knew how to use and then quickly retreat to the safety of a bike or treadmill. 

Problem was...

I got hit on by Gross men every time I was Anywhere near the weights! 

I dreaded sitting down at a machine Bc some steroid gym ooze would walk up to tell me How I was doing it ALL wrong....

How HE could show me how to use the equipment...over dinner. Ew!!!

Rolex blinding me as he adjusted the height of my seat. 

Ew. 

& I purposely DID not look cute!

Wearing over sized men's sweatpants with paint stains all over em Bc I just wanted to work out.

Ugh. 

Gold's Gym was a pick up hub. 

I was NEVER going back! 

Eva! 

Many years later, I AVOIDED gyms Bc of this behavior. 

I gained weight. 

Grew more & more out of shape. 

Felt sad. 

Tried exploring my fitness options...

Kickboxing

Yoga

Yet, I missed the weight training I had in high school when I was on the Varsity Basketball team. 

I just couldn't remember HOW to use the machines. 

AND how to stay away from Gross gym guys. 

One day, I had a brilliant idea...

Women ONLY gym!!!

Lucille Roberts was only 2 avenues away from my house. 

I thought THIS is the answer I have been looking for! 

I joined.

...

The Lucille Roberts on 14th & 5 was much smaller than other gyms. 

The center of the gym was padded for group classes. 

Rumba, butt blaster, blah blah...

Surrounding the padding was the WEIGHTS!!!

YES! 

But...

After using them I realized, they were OLD. 

Rusty. 

Not enough machines. 

Sad again. 

I thought: 

Why do gyms have to be Segregated anyways?!?

I WANTED to be in a great real gym with men. 

But I didn't want to be belittled or hit on by fellow gym members. 

I got chubbier. 

Flabbier.

Sadder. 

Finally, I saw an old flier for this personal trainer who had hosted a class to "Zap Cellulite."

I'm in!!!!

It was taught by a woman so I felt safe. 

I missed the class but she said I could have a personal training session with her. 

I had heard of this but, never did it. 

I was hesitant. 

I waited a bit...

Then...

Perfect timing Bc I had just made a bet with my then boyfriend that I would get in better shape than he could. 

The rules were simple: 

Whoever looked more fit than the other partner would get $1,000 at the end of the Summer. 

Hmm...

The Cellulite Zapper trainer said it would be $750 for 10 sessions. I figured it out that my then Boyfriend would be paying for my training session. Bc of course I was going to win ;) 

I won. 

Needless to say, I won more than the contest, & of course he didn't give me the $...(hence the ex boyfriend part ;) 

But, from that Summer of working out with the Cellulite Zapper I learned that a woman can command the weights at a gym. And that I was GOOD at working out. I had heart. Never complained. Always showed up. For myself. And for her sessions. 

I was hooked. 

My luster for my trainer soon expired Bc she got weird about $. And Bc she was having me do the same EXACT set every time. 

Booooring. 

Timing couldn't be better, she left. Moved away or had some drama I didn't care to hear about. (Again the $ thing made it weird.)

Magically, Derek came into my life. 

D has been my trainer now for 11 years. He is the only trainer I trust and after all of these years keeps teaching me new information. 

I NEVER get bored. And find myself challenged at every session. 

D is more hard core than any boot camp AND he really cares about my fitness journey. 

Derek single handily taught me EVERY machine in the gym. 

The height of the seat, the proper form, correct posture, right amount of weight, & the repetitions to keep pushing me but be able to grow my muscles not too big. 

Derek gave this gal the intro to the gym I always wanted. 

Derek gave me the confidence to go to any gym by MYSELF. 

To command space by the weights. 

To know I deserve to be there just as much as any dude. 

I have pride in my gym knowledge, comfort, and experience. 

I believe that if every woman was given an intro to the gym like D gave me, they would thrive too! 

I know know, woman would benefit from weight & strength training more than they even know! ;)

One of my goals for this coming year is helping others get excited about working out too. 

"Help woman in fitness in some capacity."

Don't ask me HOW I plan to do this. All I know is that I Want to! 

Today, are you a Gym Rat?!?

What Keeps you going?!?

How you look?!

How you feel?!

How strong you became?!?

Or...

Do you cringe at the mere idea of walking in to a gym. 

Locker room stop you?!

Pushy sales people.

Mirrors everywhere?!

What STOPS you???

Be clear in what's your gym stopper?!?

Just acknowledge them here :) 

In the safe NO judgement zone! 

This is a scary journey for me Bc I don't know HOW I'm gonna do this but I am...

Just like doing 15 more squats at top weight! ;)

Xoxo