Shelley Celebrates Success

In just four months, Shelley has earned the right to celebrate.  She’s lost 37 pounds and dropped nearly two pant sizes – and she feels great!  

When she first came into the Studio, Shelley was more than skeptical.  “I’ve tried gyms before and I have exercise equipment at home,” she remarked. “I walked into Roxanne’s and felt the difference immediately.  The instructors are women with real bodies, not an unattainable size for the average person.  The Client Services staff welcomes every one with open arms and makes every person feel special - like they are part of something very unique.  This is exactly what I needed to be successful in my weight loss efforts.”  The combination of a supportive workout environment, a partnership with her doctor and her own determination has been the key for Shelley. 

Her Secrets to Success Shelley started her journey to fitness with Yoga classes.  “I have several health concerns, including hip replacements,” she shared.  “I wanted to start with something that was slower paced and more in tune with my body’s current condition.” 

Then, she fell in love with Belly Dance. “With Belly Dance, I get my aerobic workout with low impact and grace,” she remarked. “And I express my femininity in a fun way that can be done outside of the Studio as well.”  In fact, Shelley performed in Roxfest (a celebration held outside the Studio this September) and she’s planning on participating in the student recital, Celebration of Diversity, on December 13. She may show off what she recently learned in Salsa with Marianno.  “Learning the passions of Latin Rhythms has been a lot of fun!” 

Starting a regular fitness regime is only part of the story.  Shelley partnered with her doctor to learn how to make healthy eating choices.  “My doctor recommended I follow a typical Mediterranean diet and emphasize eating vegetables, fruits, beans and legumes daily, and decrease my red meat and poultry intake to only a few times a month,” she said.  “I was surprised by the results.  Not only have I dropped the weight, but my cholesterol levels have gone from very high to normal.  I do admit, though, that the hardest part of changing my eating habits was to move away from the red meats. I was raised on a farm where meat and potatoes were the staple of life!”  

Thoughtful Advice When asked for words of wisdom that may help others, Shelley revealed these hints: 

• Throw away the scale!  When you rely on the scale as a basis for your self-esteem, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.  Not only are you looking for a magical number that doesn’t exist, you’re not getting the whole story about your fitness.  Instead, look for changes in your body composition (ratio of muscles, bones, water and fat) as one indicator of fitness.
• Drink water! It sounds cliché, but it’s true. If you drink at least a minimum of 8 glasses of water a day, your body is more efficient at burning fat, keeping your joints mobile and getting rid of any toxins with which you’ve come into contact.
• Reward yourself! Identify things that you enjoy and don’t involve food and make a list of them. Call the list “Rewards.”  Then, write down small, attainable milestones that are on the path toward your overall goal. As you start to reach your milestones, pull out your list and pick a reward.  Life is supposed to be fun and you should enjoy the journey to health!

 You’ve come a long way, Shelley.  Enjoy the rewards you’ve identified – you deserve them!

“Reward yourself for the progress you make ... life is supposed to be fun and you should enjoy the journey to health!"