Member Spotlight- Sandy

 

Member Spotlight

-Sandy-

I was never really active as a child. I had a number of health problems that kept me inside and sedentary. By high school my health had improved and I played both tennis and field hockey. In college I continued to play tennis but still gained the freshman 15 which morphed into the senior 25! Between college and medical school I lost15 pounds. In medical school I gained about 25lbs. and the dye was casted. I felt that all my time should be devoted to study and my professional life, taking time to care for myself made me feel like I was not a serious persona who was not truly dedicated.

Time passes, life happens and I managed to ignore my expanding girth until about 6 years ago when I had the sudden onset of acute back pain. I had a herniated disc, the treatment of which relies heavily on weight reduction. I didn’t have the courage to get on my bathroom scale so, I never really knew how much I weighed at that time. I just went on a “diet”. For the next couple years I was either on a diet or thinking about going on a diet. I repeatedly gained and lost and regained the same 10-15lbs. I wasn’t happy with my lack of progress, in fact I was truly discouraged. I decided to buy a “body bug” which was helpful but wasn’t magic. Around then I began “running” with my dog. I immediately injured my right knee and it blew up like a balloon. I went to an orthopedist that drained my knee twice and injected it with steroids and then referred me to PT. This all being said, after 3 years I was deeply depressed, disabled and weighing about 200lbs. 

I was at my wits end. While reading a magazine I found a coupon for 4 free sessions with a personal trainer. Paulette did my initial assessment and referred me to Jesse Champi. He has been my game changer. He is a bright and capable professional who is a pleasure to be around. Exercise was always a chore and my body my enemy, but once I began training with Jesse exercise became fun. As I began to lose wieight Jesse asked me what I wanted to work on. I told him that I didn’t want flabby “old lady” arms. He wrote a very effective program for me and now I have sculpted and toned arms. I have lost 65 pounds! 

When Jesse came to Pick It Up, I had to join. CrossFit Pick It Up is a remarkable place. It is a community of friendly, supportive, motivating, active and inspiring people. They keep me honest and accountable. The People at Pick It Up both clients and trainers feel like an extension of my family. It is where I belong.  This place and these people are a blessing and a gift I will always treasure.