Why TML Fitness???

Yesterday, one of my co-workers asked me how much I paid for my TML Fitness membership. I replied with "$100 a month unlimited access with a 3-month commitment." He then said for $30 a month I could join one of the gyms he teaches at.  I thought about it for only a second and this was my reply:

Do they have an array of class options that will keep my interest (I have a short attention span and when bored will move on)?  (still waiting for an answer)
Do your gyms offer a specialized boot camp to prepare me for basic pole dancing? No.
Do they offer pole dancing? Don't think so...
Do they offer any cardio classes other than Zumba and Spinning such as Booty Beat? Nah.
Do they offer specific area classes like Glute Camp? Ahhhhh-NO!
Do they have a Bendy/Flexy class that helps my flexibility whether its on a pole or on the ground? Nope.
Well, do they at least have a class to help me feel good about the skin I'm in like TML Sexy Camp Pole Burlesque or  Sexy Fundamentals Progressive Pole? I don't think so...They will never have Chair-to-Pole, Hip-Hop Pole, Twerk It or Pilates Pole Fusion (which I won't be taking anytime soon).

Do these gyms have owners who get to know their patrons and do they take that extra step to help them achieve their goals?  Do the owners work out with their patrons, encouraging them daily; calling them when they are not there to make sure everything is all right?  I'm thinking no...Do these owners take a personal interest in their patrons and staff alike? Is it a family atmosphere? Do they make the size 26 female feel as good about herself as they do the size 6 female? Do they gawk and stare at the BBW as she struggles to work out her body and mind or do they encourage her and offer different avenues for achieving her goals? Do these said owners/mgrs try to manipulate the weight-challenged individuals into buying personal training packages up front knowing the "trainer" will be devoting your paid time to you and her and her and her...?

So I go to TML Fitness because of the atmosphere, attitude and array of offerings. I may complain about the workouts but I do them to the best of my ability. I refuse to give up on myself especially when I have a group of women who won't give up on me. I will not disappoint them or myself.  I like the all-women atmosphere. I am comfortable there - its not a competition. You don't have to worry about who is looking at you or whether I look ridiculous (we all look ridiculous)...its not a fashion show and you are not there to impress.  We are all sweaty and funky and its OK! My paid PT time is mine even when I want her to help someone else and look the other way so I can continue with creative counting (1-2-3-6-9-15-20).

I don't mind paying for TML Fitness because I am reaping on the return tenfold. I have lost 23lbs and 16.5 inches since May. More importantly, I feel great. My self-esteem is better than ever. I have new life-long relationships with women of all races, ages and sizes (yeah, even skinny bitches...lol)...

In my "Journey Back To Me", TML Fitness allows me to encourage others while they encourage me...Thanks Cassandra, Chriss, Laura, Karen and Candice!!!

Oh so lovin' the skin I'm in....

I've Been back - You Just Didn't Know It

So, its been a while (5 months & 10 days to be exact) since I last blogged...a lot has happened.  The main thing is that I have lost almost 22 lbs and 11.5 inches.  OK, so it was all accomplished in the last 8 weeks but the important thing is that it was done.  YAY me!!!!

I found this great studio in Raleigh - TML Beauty and Fitness in Brier Creek. I love this place!!! Cassandro Wycko is the owner/operator and she has a great staff to work with. She offers pole dancing, Zumba, Hip Hop Cardio, a killer homegrown class called Twerk It, and a fabulous Pole Flex Fusion Boot Camp.  Check out her website for class information, schedules and prices - http://www.tmlturnmeloose.com. 

I also learned/figured out that you can find some really good deals on Groupon and Living Social.  But beware - you can get some duds too...check the place out before you purchase...

Any-who! I started a weight-loss challenge at TML on May 15th and lost 11.5 inches...I am extremely proud of myself because during the challenge I injured my knee (from walking the track at Duke University- of all things). The TML staff worked with me with my workouts and I was still able to lose.

Today, I am 7lbs shy of my end of summer goal...this is why I feel no way guilty for eating this pizza!

Its boot camp at 7am in the morning...have a great evening...

I can do this...

My trainer, Alo, is from LA and is awesome! He is an aerobics instructor at several gyms in the area and he works with me.  When he is in LA he trains under Joseph Ojomoh...have you heard of him? No problem...I hadn't either until Alo showed us his FB profile and explained who he is.  He ain't no joke! Hell, Alo ain't no joke. 

Well, we had session 2 of PowerBox...all I can say is "OWWWWCH!!!!   KJ was not feeling well so she was not there; TP3 talked shit but didn't show (he says he will be there next week - we'll see); my Motivation was there and did better than the last time. It was good after I got past the point of wanting an ambulance. I can do this. I can do this. I CAN DO THIS!!!

I'm feeling good. I'm trying to eat better - I even started eating tilapia.  I even emailed Chef Jay (outta Charlotte) to get some different ways of cooking tilapia.  Yes, I can do this!!!

If you want to see more of what Ojomoh is doing, check out this website: http://www.ojomohpowerbox.com He cray-cray (as my Motivation would say)...

1 step at a time...make it do what it do!

Whoa!

Have you ever had one of those WHOA! moments - that moment that you see God's path for you unfolding right before your eyes?  I just had one. 

It goes back maybe a year or four - I'm not sure how long ago, but I had a vision...yes, a vision (it was not a dream because I was not sleep; visions appear when you are wide awake).  In the vision I was working in an office area but not at TIAA-CREF (my old employer); I was scheduling (as I am doing now) but I was not in Charlotte.  Everything I did 30 - 45 minutes ago was in that vision.  Once I completed the tasks at hand, I remembered the vision - that was God slapping me - telling me to continue to believe and have faith; He's got this! One of HIS defining moment...

God was preparing me long time ago for this move - I just didn't know it.  Well, I know it now.  I thank Him for it all..the layoff, the depression, the kick in the butt from my sister, the EMT class, the EMT jobs, the relationships created from those experiences, the opportunities that have been presented to me, and now, the job not in Charlotte...God is too good to me!  Even though I really want to move back to Charlotte, I realize that I am here for a reason. I will stay here as long as He tells me to. 

I say all this b/c I want someone to realize that YOU might realize HE is there but HE is!!! It will all be revealed in HIS time not your time.  Rev. Claude R. Alexander stated in one of his sermons "If I gotta wait a little longer, that just means I have to live a little longer.." 

Trust & Believe...give it to God and be let HIM to what HE does...

P/L/B (Peace/Love/Blessings) sm2

Its About To Be On

Well...its been a minute...I had a not-so mild case of bronchitis...its kinda hard to exercise when you can't breathe.  BUT!!!! Its about to be on...my friend, Alo, will start the boxing class tomorrow evening..we are gonna do it twice a week...the other days, I have to do cardio.  I can do this...You can do this...We can do this. We have to...our bodies are God's temples. We can't mistreat or misuse His temples...

Let's get ready for a wild ride...Alo has already said he is trying to hurt me - no pain, no gain...I had to remind him that if he hurts me then I can't work...that means it all falls on him....


Let's have a great day and make it do what it do....

Random thought: do something nice for someone else - an unexpected blessing for them.  Do it from your heart; don't wait for or expect a "thank you"...

One Word....

I've been quiet these last couple of days...one word - bronchitis.  Hopefully I'll be back at it in a couple of days...

Peace, love & happiness...go make it do what it do!

My Psalm of Thanks...

 My Psalm of Thanks...01/01/12 00:44
When I felt like I couldn't go any further, You took my hand and led me on. When I didn't know what to do,  You put it in my heart and got me through - the sad times, the rough paths, the sense of dispair - it was You that got me to the other side of those feelings (love).
I know I can't do this alone - this life I'm livin'; the life You gave me...I know I can't do this alone.
You said You would never leave me nor forsaken me as long as I trust and believe that You are the Great I Am.
I trust!
I believe!
I know!
I am Your living testimony!
I humble myself in Your glorious presence. I thank You with all that I am and all that I do for you continuously guide me through what I consider my stormy times and my sunny days.
I am nothing without you....