Lily
JANUARY 20, 2020
The purpose of this testimonial is to provide details about my transformation process with Ms Jackie Fitness. My goal was to prevent hypertension and develop a healthy lifestyle for longevity. I was not concerned with how I look although, it was a GREAT side effect. I will also be sharing the various challenges I went through in the past two years. Most importantly, how Jackie was instrumental in improving my overall health. Lastly, I will share my results and hope to inspire others to show up for themselves. This is my journey in health and fitness.
Once upon a time, I didn’t understand Jackie’s lifestyle. She wasn’t around as often and I felt like I didn’t get to hang out with my best friend anymore. I realize now that it was because I was the problem and making exactly the opposite choices. My lifestyle included lots of late nights of binge drinking, amongst other unhealthy habits. Therefore, we grew apart for a few years. I made new friends to play with in Vegas, for happy hour dates, and crazy late night partying. I was living through my twenties without considering the damage I was putting on my health. By 2012, we both received our diplomas (Cal State, you know!). Our paths would still remain far apart and we barely kept in touch.
When we finally reconnected, Jackie had begun to study for the personal training license. I was still very uninterested in “that” life, but I supported her in any way I could because her passion for fitness and health was her jam! She literally lived and breathed it. I recall making fun of her lunch box that had layers of zipper after zipper, with slots for all of her meals and snacks. I teased her because I didn’t understand how eating more calories was “prepwork” for her first bodybuilding figure competition. It didn’t make sense to me. I was so proud of her when she won 2nd runner up. This was when @msjackiefitness was born! She asked me to come work out and tried to get me in the gym and I declined respectfully, “I don’t have time,” “I can’t afford it,” “I don’t like running,” or “I’ll look dumb.” I realize now that, all of those reasons were excuses and I tried to fool her into thinking I couldn’t go, not that I didn’t want to go. Turns out, I was able to make time, move around my budget (cut out the drinking), and go on very short runs with better training shoes! The group training was new to me and I was afraid people would judge me. It was not that way at all. Everyone is so supportive and we all have our strengths in different areas. Jackie is there, by your side, to ensure that you are doing it in a safe way. The suggestions she gives are practical examples, explained in a way that is easy to understand, “Lift your shoulders back with your elbows bent a little, like holding bags of groceries.” I could do it.
At that time, I would go to train with Jackie maybe once a week and skip every other session. I was chronically calling out and not showing up for myself. Randomly, my Doctor called to check on me and suggested that I speak to a cardiologist. Yeah, at 30 years young. I was in denial about how serious this was. I dragged myself in. I disclosed that my Father passed at a very young age from a heart attack. The cardiologist basically said, ‘Look, we’re going to have to put you on a treatment plan and you should add exercise and stick to a training schedule.’ I was ready to give up right there. It seemed impossible! This was my first challenge. I had to find a fun way to participate in moderate to high work outs. Some friends let me tag along to their gym and I learned a little about how to use the equipment but it didn’t help with my form and I kept getting injured. Instead of doing equipment stuff, I quickly paired myself with friends and family who enjoyed doing fitness classes, such as, yoga, Zumba, and boot camp. I went back to the doctor and had managed to bring down my blood pressure, but not enough to lower the pressure on the arteries to my heart (the bottom number). After a year, it was still hard for me to show up to train with Jackie for more than one class a week. Alcoholism was not the problem. It truly wasn’t; until I turned to it when I wanted to avoid going to the gym,
Jackie convinced me that it takes so much more than someone telling you to show up to the gym. I had a realization that I was the only person who could suffer from failing to follow the program.
Jackie was about to set me straight! She said she would take my measurements and do a weigh-in. The drinking would have to stop and I would need to meal prep. My goal body fat percentage was under 19%, due to her calculations. I started with 26% body fat and she told me not to worry about the lbs of my weight. I had no idea what that meant until I started seeing the body fat percentage go down and my weight stay the same. How was I gaining weight but losing body fat? Guess what! Fat creates muscle and muscle weighs more than fat! My starting weight was 126 and I was wearing between a size 4-6 in jeans. At my first check-in, I had lost 5 percent body fat and remained the same weight. Jackie said I was leaning out and looking more toned!! Losing fat was giving me #gains and people started noticing and commenting on my physique. I was embarrassed to talk about it because I didn’t know what to say! I didn’t know the “secrets” to losing weight or explain how it happened. I just followed Jackie’s program!
Things were going great! Until tragically, my neighbor passed with a heart attacked. Right at that moment, I was in total shock because I was seeing first hand what typically happens to people with weak hearts. One minute you’re there and without warning, your heart gives out and you’re gone. I called my cardiologist in tears and told them I had missed my last two check ups and hoped that they were still willing to help me. They immediately prescribed medication. This was a major set back and I hated the side effects; loss of appetite, disinterest in things I used to enjoy, and feeling lethargic. I needed a real change. That was the first of many failures, “Oh shit” moments. Luckily for me, this testimonial has a happy ending, the “Oh shit” moments are followed by high fives now!
Around the one year mark of my journey, I was off the medication and doing so well that my Cardiologist told me I didn’t have to see him for another three years! He was seeing my results in my physique too! Receiving validation from him was exactly what I needed to pull through the next challenge. I also couldn’t have done it without the tribe at #MJF. The energy and vibe we have during group training is reassuring that growth happens if you give it time. During semi-private trainings – side by side – we get in and work hard!
During the next challenge, a 10 week cleanse, I had an athletic build with 16% body fat, 110lbs, fluctuating five pounds, and my metabolic age was two years younger than my biological age. How did I add years to my life?! What a great side effect! I had to buy smaller clothes because my clothes were too loose on me, which was another great side effect. I am wearing a size 1 or 2 in jeans and XS or small. I eat better, I drink less, and I have more energy. I had to wonder, why didn’t I change my partying, drinking, and other unhealthy habits… FOR ME?! I am grateful for this journey because I know so many people are going through the same battle and I want to encourage you to find what works best for YOU. It motivated me to hear that people paid attention and, most importantly, respected my better choices. When I look back now, the most frustrating part was not being able to see the changes within (deep sh*t). With each goal I crushed, I realized that Jackie got me there. She carefully planted the seed within me by creating a treatment plan with progressive goals and implemented strategies to keep me on track. My mantra was, “I’m not drinking because I’m doing a challenge with my trainer,” I know it doesn’t sound like magic words, but for me, it made me feel so much better because it was socially acceptable. I am so thankful for those who kept me in check and asked me if it was okay if we ate or drank this or that. Being mindful and nourishing my body was another great side effect.
Jackie is an incredible human being and truly cares about your goals. I will always remember that my life changed because I worked with a Personal Trainer and Health Coach to help me #trusttheprocess and celebrate my mini milestones. She worked with me to change my habits and make it into a lifestyle. Jackie was committed to provide one on one check-ins to track my progress because that’s what “reinforced” me to keep on keepin’ on. Setbacks are normal and part of #growinggains. I felt supported at every turn. Good or bad. I still get phone calls from her because I forgot I signed up for a session and didn’t show up. Derp! No one is perfect. I still have so much to learn. If you’re not failing or trying something new, it’s not worth your time. Be kind to yourself. Jackie was there through it all and with her whole heart. I would tell her not to waste her time on me and I wasn’t ready. She listened and talked me through how I was progressing to get to where I am now. I’ve lost count of the times she guided me through my own negative thoughts. Thank you so much Jackie! You’re an angel and a blessing to us all. People who love and care for me are so glad that you are in my life! Here’s to many more years of success! Love you!
Xoxo – Lily On.
P.s.
It took almost two years for me to write this testimonial because I felt so much shame in my choices. I see that I have chosen a better path and it’s never too late to make a change. Never allow someone to influence your choices. YOU DO YOU BOO! We love newbies! We have all been there once. Start today!!