There has been a lot of life changing going on at Revolution Fitness this year and there are a few stories that must be told, for they shall inspire others.
Today's is about Drew, a friend's husband who joined the January 2010 Fit Revolution 10 week weight loss program. The Fit Revolution program is different than other weight loss programs because we involve life coaching sessions as well as fitness and nutritional advice/help. Drew walked in the door ready, although I am sure he had his doubts, he did not let them see the light of day. He was ready (and willing) for a transformation. And transform he did. As a husband and father Drew was very busy fulfilling obligations, and going the extra mile for his family. Going the extra mile for them often meant not even going one mile for himself. In fact, upon entering our program running a mile was out of the question for Drew.
Drew never missed a workout, filled out his food log to a t, changed his eating habits and began to wrestle with the reasons behind the behaviors that led to his being overweight and looking older than his years. Every time I saw Drew I could see the mission in his eyes. Halfway through the 10 week program I saw something else in Drew's eyes, could have been sweat or perhaps his eyes filled with a few tears of relief of being released from whatever had been holding him back. Either way I knew at that moment he was free.
As Drew's body and spirit began to thrive I heard him making plans, setting goals for himself that I knew he hadn't let himself dream about in years. He opened himself up to the challenge of a half marathon and potentially a new career, one that honored his new found commitment to health and well-being. For a man who wasn't running at all in January, a half marathon in May was a big step. But with the right approach I knew he would be successful.
Helping Drew prepare for his race reminded me of a saying of my father's that now rings in my head. My dad said this about parenting, " you have to give them roots and wings, and the wings can be harder to give". I use this approach when training clients and seeing them through the earliest stages of transformation. The roots come easy, anyone can show up for a training session and have their trainer tell them what to do and eat exactly what the nutritionists suggests. Setting them up for going on their own and helping them believe that they everything needed for success lies within is the hardest part of what I do. If they leave the program and fall off the wagon, I have failed. But if they leave and carry on the journey then I know they left with both, roots and wings!
Drew's hard work paid off. In early May I picked him up at 5.15 one morning and headed to the start line of the Flying Pig Half Marathon. It was pouring down rain, huge thunderstorms, but nothing would have dampened Drew's spirits. I on the other hand, would have rather stayed in bed that day! And if it weren't for Drew, I would have! I had run plenty of races before and wasn't at all excited about 13.1 miles in a storm. I am not sure Drew even noticed the rain. Throughout his training, Drew and I had discussed his race pace, and I encouraged him to start slow and build into his pace. Even though I had been racing for years, I knew Drew could out run me, and I was fine with that, hoping he would have a great race and telling him that if he felt he could go faster then he needed to leave me and go, and he kept saying no, we are running this together.
Within ten seconds of leaving the start line I could hear Drew breathing heavy, which is a sign of running a little to fast. More than a few times in the first three miles I said to Drew, I think you better slow down- this is way faster than the 8.min pace per mile you were planning on running. I didn't want Drew to run out of steam but by mile 4 I remembered just how hard it is to slow someone down when they are for the first time in years living the way they dreamed of living.
At mile 7 I knew I was having a bad running day, and knew Drew was having a great one. I looked over at him and said "it's time". He said "what, do you need something to drink? I said "no, it is time for you to pick up the pace and race." Of course he argued with me for a minute and I finally told him to shut up and go for it! I am so glad he listened, and as I watched him pull away from me (through the tears in my eyes) I knew that he had both, roots and wings.
Drew recently made that career change he had been thinking about and I have not seen the man without a smile on his face since March. Congrats Drew on the 46lbs of weight loss in the program, the 13.1 mile race and the running group you have started and now use to encourage others, and for giving us all a dose of inspiration daily.
Drew before
Drew After
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