Katrina’s Story
Katrina Daniels comes to BodyBasics from a somewhat different background than most of our fitness coaches. Her story is very inspirational and I thank her for sharing it with you.
– Coach Chris
Since my arrival, I have enjoyed meeting the great clients at BodyBasics. Many of you might be curious about me so I thought I’d share my story with you.
I have always enjoyed helping people. Right out of high school, I worked as a cosmetologist and a data entry operator at a local catalog company while attending college. I graduated from Arizona State University School of Social Work with a Bachelor’s degree and worked with Child Protective Services until the birth of my first son, Nicholas.
Desiring to give Nicholas the best care, I left CPS, but continued to work part time doing data entry. I joined many playgroups and other mom/baby programs, which Nicholas and I both loved, but in time, I came to realize that I was losing touch with myself. Since high school, I had been about 50 lbs. overweight, and as the years went by, my weight began to climb. I had tried diet after diet. My weight yo-yoing up and down, soon I was gaining more than I was losing. I felt helpless, powerless and for a while, gave into the fact that maybe I would be heavy for the rest of my life! My weight shot up to an all-time high during my pregnancy with my second son, Ryan. I continued to care for my family, working part time, but I was feeling increasingly unhappy with myself.
One night, I finally had enough! I decided that I had to take control of my weight, my life! I needed to allow myself some of that precious time that I so readily gave to others to make the healthy lifestyle changes I needed for good this time!! This would require me to be what I construed as being selfish back then, and take time away from my kids to workout.
First, I asked my husband to join me in making those healthy lifestyle changes. I needed the support/partnership. But, unfortunately, he was not in the same mindset and told me to “find someone else.” Crushed that he did not want to help me, I felt like giving up right there and then. But I decided that I couldn’t let anyone stop me from reaching my goals! I knew that I would have the most success if I had to be accountable to someone, so I decided to hire a trainer! The thought of that was scary in itself! I had to find a trainer who would treat me like a worthy person and not joke about me in the locker room with the other trainers after I had left. Still fearful and feeling very ashamed that I had let myself get so out of shape, I finally mustered up enough courage to hire a trainer and we got right to work! I was amazed (and relieved) at his level of professionalism and that he never made me feel like it was a losing battle.
At first, working out was pretty tough. I had never committed myself to exercise in the past, I had just dieted. Now, I was doing resistance training 3x/week and cardio 5x/week. Soon, I found myself feeling more energetic and looking forward to working out! I modified my diet, reducing my processed carbohydrates, eating lean proteins and lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. I kept a food log that my trainer would review each week. As the weeks went by, my weight began dropping. At first it was 5 lbs. a week, but as the months progressed, it slowed a bit to 2–3 lbs. a week. I could see the changes my body was going through and my cardiovascular endurance was improving, too! When I first began my workout regimen, I could only do the treadmill or recumbent bike for 20 minutes and I could only do 5 minutes on the elliptical! Though it was tougher, I enjoyed the elliptical the most so I continued to increase my time each week. Soon, I was able to workout on the elliptical for 30 minutes and after a year, I was up to 60 minutes/5x a week! Nearly two years after I began, I reached a huge milestone. I LOST 100 lbs.! I couldn’t believe it!
I still have more that I want to lose, but I have come much further than I ever thought I could! And now, I understand that it is NECESSARY for me to allow myself the time to workout. I am healthier, happier, and I have more energy to keep up with my two wonderful sons!
Inspired by my success and desiring to help others to make healthy lifestyle changes, I decided to go back to school to get certified to be a personal trainer. I completed the Fitness Professional Certificate Program at Pima Community College and became certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
I’m excited about beginning this new phase of my life. I look forward to working toward attaining my new goals and helping others to attain theirs, as well!
Please feel free to ask me any questions you have.
Good health and happiness to you all!
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