What I lost at Shred415 was weight and self-doubt. What I gained was confidence, clarity, and a new family.
I’ve always been petite, but despite my small frame, I’ve noticed that as I get older, I must work exponentially harder to stay that way. When I got engaged in the summer of 2016, I knew it was time to start a solid workout routine. I joined a local gym and tried everything to keep myself motivated, but I needed accountability. At the start of 2017 (the year I would get married), I was the heaviest I had been in my life, and my confidence was at an all-time low. The stress of wedding planning and balancing my personal and professional life became almost too much to bear. Right when I needed it the most, I found Shred415.
I have never seen myself as athletic and I was initially skeptical of a “high intensity” workout, but my coworker assured me Shred415 is for everyone, and so I purchased a Groupon and signed up for my first class. I’ll never forget my first class with Ann C. I was grateful for her patience as she provided (many) form corrections. I was also grateful for sweatwicking athletic-wear because, wow, I have never sweat more in my life! I don’t know how I got through that first class, but I did it! Not only did I get through it, but I loved it. And I couldn’t wait to go back.
As I’ve come to find is often the case with people who try Shred415 on a whim, it didn’t take long for me to realize Shred415 was exactly what I was looking for: a community of genuinely kind people who push me to be better, a place to take care of myself both mentally and physically, an outlet for stress, the list goes on. The Shred415 community, rooted in positivity and support, taught me I needed to focus on improving myself before I could improve other situations around me, like my job, the wedding and my relationships.
I didn’t track my weight during the five months I took class leading up to the wedding because I didn’t want to get caught up in the numbers. Instead, I just focused on how I felt, and I knew I was feeling (and looking) the best I have in years. At my dress fitting in August (one month before the big day), the seamstress told me they had to take in three inches of my wedding dress. Three inches?!!? My mom showed me a picture of the last time I had my dress on in late 2016, and it was so obvious the transformation my body had gone through since beginning Shred415. I was seeking accountability. I found a community. A community that elevated me to my best self, mentally, emotionally and physically on the most important day of my life: September 23rd, 2017.
It’s now six months after the wedding, and I’ve seen just as big of a transformation as I did during the five before, and I know my journey is still just beginning. I’m so thrilled I’ve found a gym that has changed my outlook on working out and prompted me to live a healthier lifestyle.
What I lost at Shred415 was weight and self-doubt. What I gained was confidence, clarity, and a new family. Thank you!
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.
