“I’m too tired.”

“It’s not my thing.”

“Not enough hours in the day.”

“I need to get in better shape first. ”

“People will just look at how fat and out of shape I am.”

“I have too many other things to worry about.”

“I don’t like to sweat.”

“I don’t even know what to wear.”

“I don’t like to be around alot of people.”

“It’s just not my crowd.”

“It’s pricey to join.”

“I have a bad back/knees/other health issue.”

I have spent most of my life being active. I was overweight as a kid and hated it. I was always attracted to being in a gym. The people there were healthy and seemed so bright and cheerful. I started running after high school because one of my friends lost weight that way. I HATED running. The first mile I “ran” took me 13 minutes. I know there are people that could have walked it faster, but I was ok with that. I was proud that I got off my ass. I decided to do it again. Then I did it again. Then I went 2 miles. I lost weight that summer, 30 pounds! I started to go further and got faster. I decided to pursue a degree in Exercise Science. It was fascinating to me how something as simple as moving more could help so many aspects of our lives!

Throughout college, I worked in a gym, led fitness classes of all sorts, and personal trained clients. I graduated and ran a few marathons. My social time was usually on the road training with a group or in the gym. I wanted in on whatever was happening. Racquetball, tennis, road races, classes, volleyball on the beach…count me in!! Being active always made me happy.

Flash forward to mom life. I kept running and staying active throughout all of my pregnancies. I ran up until 3 days before I delivered my first and completed a half marathon while pregnant with my first two. Then I bought the treadmill. Then the weights, the yoga mats, and the dvds. I created a pretty cool gym in the basement. I woke up at 5am to workout before the kids got up and life got crazy. It was the only way to fit it in and I had to make it work to stay sane. I did make that work for years.

Then Bobby died. Then I never got a break. I never got out of the house. Working out still happened, but it wasn’t the same. I needed another outlet. I got turned onto POUND ROCKOUT WORKOUT by an awesome friend. I started taking her class and fell in love. I hit and sweat and was social again. I chatted after class and it was therapy. I stole a few hours a week away from my crazy life and it was therapy. I got back into the gym! I became a licensed POUND PRO about 6 months after taking my first class. A few months later I was back in the gym teaching like I had been 20 years prior. Having kids and needing to use the gym daycare (thank God it was there!) made me mostly in and out of the gym for teaching. It is awesome to be back doing something I love and meeting amazing people. They don’t even know how much they change my life when they let me into theirs!

This year with my baby in preschool, it has given me a chance to REALLY get back into the gym. I have started to do other instructors classes, meet even more people, and get into the weight area. I also decided to get my personal training certification again. Helping and inspiring other people is a passion that chases me and makes me the happiest.

I have noticed quite a few things being back in the gym 20 years later. I would like to think that life and experiences have made me smarter and more observant. People at the gym are happy, especially when they have finished their workouts! I have never seen anyone leave saying they regret spending that time at the gym. Everyone smiles. They’re friendly. They’re supportive! Nobody cares how big or little you are or what you wear. When people come in tired, they leave energized. When people come in stressed, they leave relaxed. When people make time for what makes them healthier, it makes them happier! I have met people that hated the thought of exercise. I have met shy people and insecure people. That all changes when they enter the gym. We are one! We are all on a journey here, for a better life, a healthier one, a life where we have more energy for our families and for all that we choose to accomplish any given day. This is a special place. Come join us! Give it a chance. You have nothing to lose! You could discover an entire new, wonderful world out there that you didn’t even know existed!

Now….what’s YOUR excuse??