When I leave Shred415, I always feel like I can take on the world.
Growing up, I always avoided running like the plague. I was the person who ran a 20-minute mile, played goalie for every sport to get out of running and decided that swimming was for me until we started doing dry land practices (running, squats, basically a high school version of Shred415).
In 2015, I started on my long weight loss journey to lose 80+ pounds. But my Shred415 story really starts with a strong push by my mother. My mom, Wendy, first went to Shred415 in Lincoln Park right when the studio opened in 2011. While it still took me a few years, I jumped in feet first in May of 2016. I have never been athletic (some have described my hand-eye coordination as dangerously nonexistent), so walking into my first class I was pretty sure I was going to fail. I didn’t… I found that Shred415 is an environment where I truly thrive.
I have also come to terms with the fact that I will never be the strongest or the fastest person in class, but I’m making moves to become faster and stronger than where I was a year ago. My ending warm-up pace started at a 4.7 and now I’m up to 6.2 (on a good day).
Shred415 has helped me in many ways (both quantitatively and qualitatively). Combined with healthy eating, I have lost 80 pounds total and 20 of those since joining Shred.
I have dropped 30 minutes on my half marathon time (and started training for my first marathon—a big feat coming from the 20-minute mile girl).
I’m the happiest and most self-confident I’ve ever been.
Shred415 has become my haven—a place where I’m able to put everything out of my mind and have some much needed “me time.” When I leave Shred415, I always feel like I can take on the world. Even on the hardest days, I know a good Shred415 class will help me mentally and physically.
But, above all else, my favorite person to Shred with is still my mom. Watching her increase her speeds and find her footing (and use Shred415 as a jumping off to her first half marathon) is inspiring and amazing. Never would I have guessed that I would be spending my Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day at Shred415.
Here’s to more Shred15, more friends Shredding, and a healthy lifestyle!
To become Shredder of the Month, submit your Shred415 success story to [email protected]. Whomever is chosen will receive an unlimited month of Shred415 classes. He or she will also be recognized on our blog and social media channels.
