Heavy Girl to Healthy Girl

 What a year 2015 was for me.  It had its ups and downs and it's OK because I will focus on the ups only. I was able to accomplish some of the things I set out to accomplish and for that I am grateful.

In October of 2014 I had taken a leap of faith by applying to the 10 week training for Shape Up NYC.  I was blessed to be accepted in the program and it went very well, but here came the real test - on January 8, 2015 I started my 6 months internship which was part of the training. 

I was going to start teaching fitness classes and put my acquired knowledge to work. I have moved to the front of the class when at one point of my life I only knew the back of the room.  I use to take all my classes in the back for fear of being judged because of my size.

I am not going to lie - even though it felt right, it did not come easy.  It was nerve wracking to say the least.  I had these people staring at me for guidance and leadership and there is no time for hesitation, you must perform and teach to the best of your abilities.  Just like everything else, the more you do it, the better you get and that it did. I became more comfortable and with that came my so much needed confident.   I was able to finish my 6 months internship and got my certificate of completion from Shape Up NYC.

Shape Up NYC opened the doors to so many opportunities.  I was not only able to learn so much, but met so many amazing people sharing the same mission--willing to help other people reach their fitness and health goals.

This year I was also able to get my Senior Fitness Certification, my Pound™ Pro Certification, and my Personal Nutrition, Sports Nutrition & Child Nutrition Diplomas from the Shaw Academy for Nutrition. Yay!!!! I do feel very accomplished, but there is so much more I wan to do.

All of this led me to be hired at a community center to teach fitness classes three times a week, and I was also hired as an instructor at the same health club where I once entered four years ago at exactly 238 pounds, unhealthy & unhappy. The same place where I met the people that helped me change my life to be the person that I am meant to be.

The fact that I am an instructor really blows my mind especially teaching at the same place where I felt so vulnerable, the place where the walls were witness of my hard work, my sweat, and my tears.

Today I am able to stand facing those same walls, looking back and seeing how far I have traveled, and letting the same walls witness how I pay it forward.



 I don't know what I will accomplish in 2016, but I am sure looking forward to see.  I have plenty of goals, but I take one goal at a time, and I move at my own pace.

I am NOT  here to compete with no one, and  I don't compare myself with no one.  I compete with myself, and I try to be better than the person I was the day before.