Taking back control in the face of obstacles and a busy life...
As a successful businesswoman, wife and mother of two, it’s easy to put your own physical and mental well-being on the back burner. Joy started to feel tired, slowly losing control over how her body felt and was starting to feel burnt out. She tried to keep herself in shape and had always enjoyed physical activity as much as the next person.
However, with piling responsibilities she wasn’t able reel herself back in. Lacking the motivation and feeling tired all the time, it was time for Joy to look for some extra help.
No Traction
Joy had given herself the opportunity to try out other gyms, but to no avail. As a person who does not inherently enjoy the process of working out, the motivation started to dissipate. Just getting to the gym had become a struggle. This resulted in less classes attended, less time at the gym, and ultimately less results. With this, the 5 years prior to joining Evertrain proved to be the toughest for her.
As a former competitive figure skater, regular runner, and cyclist, Joy is no slouch when it comes to putting in physical work. This was what made it hard for her. She had been able to take care of herself for a long time and previously competed at a high level. That made this entire process more frustrating.
Joy getting ready for an at-home workout with Evertrain coach Kyle.
Additionally, Joy began to have a slight paralysis on the left side of her upper body. It had become increasingly difficult to do things with her left hand, arm, and shoulder. After visiting physiotherapists, naturopaths and doctors, she was showing zero improvement in her health and started to feel helpless.
Just accept it. You’re getting old.
One of Joy’s biggest strengths is her ability to make workouts happen no matter where she is. Whether on vacation in PEI, traveling for work or simply working out from home she knows that consistency is the key to her success.
For the first time in her life, Joy was gaining weight. After visiting her family doctor for advice, she was told that this was the reality of being in your fifties and to be happy and accept it.
This conversation didn’t sit well. She wasn’t satisfied. But although she was a bit pessimistic, she was still hopeful she could make the changes. She just didn’t see the path of how she would get there.
“Part of the reason I was pessimistic, was this partial paralysis of my left side. I was tired, overworked, mid-fifties, slightly overweight with a bum-arm. I saw myself as a bit of a train wreck. My expectations were pretty minimal.”
Joining Evertrain.
Joy contacted us through the recommendation of her best friend Natalie. After the positive results Natalie had seen, she became intrigued.
Joy was skeptical at first, but felt that it would be worth giving it a try. After all she had tried so many things already. What did she have to lose?
The Process
Joy’s program didn’t involve any fancy, high-level strategies or techniques. We focused on consistency and establishing the basics while managing travel from Ottawa to Toronto on a weekly basis. We worked through how to keep healthy habits and a workout routine while staying in hotels on the road. Then we upped the frequency and focus while at home in Ottawa.
With a focus on things like eating slowly, eating to 80% full and being more mindful with indulgences and more, she was able to see weight loss that she didn’t expect to happen.
Joy almost never does your typical “cardio” workout. Her program mostly involves stretching and rolling, strength training and a little bit of short duration high intensity cardio from time to time. With this she has seen improved strength and function in her entire body, including her left arm and leg.
With consistency and gradual changes in the program, Joy has been able to build a stronger body, regain function in her left side and have more energy and an improved outlook.
New-found Confidence and Ability
Fast forward two and a half years, and Joy feels like she has been transformed into a new person. Her view and attitude towards working out have changed dramatically. The benefits of being consistently in the gym have also trickled down into other aspects of her life, all having an incredibly positive effect on her and those around her. Joy has helped inspire her husband Paul to begin resistance training and she’s had a positive influence on her sister to begin to make better, healthier choices.
Joy is no longer nervous about walking into a gym she has never been to before. She’s not intimidated, but instead confident and proud of her abilities and knowledge. She never thought she would be the one to just walk in and get right to it. Joy is happier, healthier and most importantly to her—more in control of her life and her own decisions.
Recap and advice from Joy
“I arrived with an attitude of resignation. I was resigned to the reality that without a super-human level of effort and deprivation, I would not be able lose any of that forties/fifties - ten pound weight gain. I had already tried on my own, used another trainer, worked out in classes etc - but it still kept coming on. Further, I was resigned to the thinking that my continued physical decline was likely inevitable. My left arm and shoulder were weak, and getting weaker.”
We asked Joy what she would say to someone who was in a similar situation as her and was on the fence about joining Evertrain. Here’s what she had to say.
Joy has developed stellar deadlifting form and is seen lifting a personal best of 115lbs (approximately her own body weight)!!!
“I would say just start somewhere. Just start and the Evertrain team will meet you where you are. I would like to add that I am deeply grateful. This (regular fitness and a renewed focused on healthy eating) is now an absolute cornerstone of my life. I can’t believe that I am saying that. I am so happy about it. The fact that you have me going to Kensington to workout in a gym with bodybuilders (while I am away) is such a big deal. You’ve got nothing to lose, by trying out a program like this.”
Joy’s Future
After seeing the changes that were possible first-hand, Joy is super optimistic. Whatever the future looks like, she knows she’ll be in control. “I can make it as good as possible, I feel quite in control. I credit my coach as a huge piece of it, the FST, the workouts, just being a part of my happy day, I feel happy, healthy and in control again. Years later those feelings of hopelessness, of resignation have entirely reversed. I haven’t returned to my 20’s weight yet - but close! And to my sheepish realization - this has come from a very reasonable level of sustainable effort.”
If you would like to learn more about how you can enjoy a transformation like Joy’s, don’t wait any longer for the help of someone who knows what you’re going through. Schedule a call with one of our success coaches today.
NOTE: This blog post was originally written in 2019. Since then Joy has continued to enjoy the benefits of a consistent, safe and progressive routine.