Learn How our Patch Winner Dropped 7lbs in Just 2 Weeks!

Maureen has now been working with us for a few weeks and she has been seeing some great results! If you haven't been following her progress, be sure to check out THIS blog post where she talked about her first week at Achieve.

At Achieve Fitness, we are not as concerned about the number on the scale as we are about how you are feeling, how your clothes are fitting, and whether you are at a healthy body fat to muscle ratio for your age. However, we like to take measurements every couple weeks to gauge progress and make sure we are on the right track. After 2 weeks we had Maureen step on the scale and take a look at her weight and body fat percentage. She was down 7lbs and 2% body fat from her initial visit!!

These results are excellent and are to be expected because of the type of training we do at Achieve. Maureen hasn't stepped foot on an elliptical, treadmill, or any other type of cardio machine since she has been working out here. Our focus has been on strength training and she has been reaping the benefits of building muscle which is in turn increasing her metabolism and burning more fat!

This week we also started working on nutrition. We had Maureen write down a week's worth of her food intake in a nutrition journal and then gave her one behavior goal to work on. This is a KEY part of our nutrition coaching. Instead of putting our members on a diet or telling them to completely revamp their food intake, we focus on small changes that eventually become habit. Once a new, healthy behavior has become habit, we add another.

Coming to the gym and losing weight is not always rainbows and sunshine. There are hardships and there are times that you might want to give up. Maureen has explained how she has struggled thus far, but also what has motivated her to keep carrying on with a smile on her face!
"I am starting to notice some nice changes. I am sleeping better, which is a wonderful thing.  Ifeel better, both physically and mentally.  I feel stronger in my body, and that is creating a really positive feedback loop in my mind - building strength makes me believe that I can build more strength, if that makes sense. The exercises that my trainers selected in order to build up my weakest areas are getting easier to do, which makes me feel like I'm making progress!
It's not all perfect and easy, though.  Life is nothing without challenges, and I face them on my fitness journey.  Just getting there can be rough... some days I'd rather just sit on the couch and veg after work instead of heading to the gym.  On those days all the changes I noted above help, because I review them and think about how they only happened because I am hitting the gym.  If that doesn't do it, I remember a quote that a friend of mine shared with me that really sums it up nicely, "I don't find time to go to the gym, I make time, friend!'   That helps me to remember that gym time is not something that others magically find the time and motivation for, but something that all those fit and healthy folks do with deliberation and purpose, even if it means giving up something else, like Cheez Doodles and reruns of Law and Order.  Speaking of Cheez Doodles, the second challenge is trying to make positive changes in my diet.  I don't know if you've ever kept a nutrition journal, but it is a real eye-opener for me to see what I'm eating, even when I think I'm 'eating healthier'. This week I'm tackling breakfast, which has traditionally been a carb-fest for me, and seeing about making some small but important changes.  
I feel really lucky to have the help and support provided to me by Achieve Fitness in my search for a healthier body and lifestyle.  The atmosphere, members, staff and trainers are like a big group hug for my fitness struggling self!" - Maureen D.

Stay tuned for next week's blog where we'll talk about how to remain uninjured while going through your weight loss journey!

Your coach,
Lauren

Email info@achievefitnessboston.com or call us at 617-616-5801 to schedule your complimentary strategy session today!