I am amazed at what I am able to do now, through Angela’s coaching and encouragement. I used to get a bit breathless and a sore back just from changing the sheets on the bed. I would send my husband and son out to walk the dog. I never dreamed that I would be able to do two sets of twenty repetitions of men’s push-ups like I did today! And yes, that was me with the other parents on the soccer field, playing against our sons at the final practice of the season! And my husband and I can lift our son between us, swinging him as we walk, without crippling my back. Angela has had me doing lots of different exercises, so that I never get bored. And with her guidance, I have strengthened my core (my back and abdomen), so that I have better posture and fewer back problems. When we first started working out, I got nauseous very easily which was very discouraging. But just like Angela told me, the nausea problem has gone away, and I can now work out at a very high intensity without getting sick.

Through all this, Angela has offered constant support and encouragement, not criticism. Whatever challenge I greet her with at the beginning of a session, she adjusts her program to accommodate. I have recently started a modest diet, with the goal of losing 8 pounds before a big event in June. I am halfway there! Once I make it, I will focus on staying at that weight for a while, before trying another incremental weight loss. It may not be fast, but it feels right for me.

I am so much healthier and stronger since I began working with Angela. My clothes fit better and I feel better about myself. Now Angela has started talking about having me do push-ups in a hand-stand position. Me? A plus-size person? Handstands? With Angela by my side, don’t bet against it!